Wilson’s Creek 150th: My thoughts…
The family and I attended the 150th anniversary reenactment of the Battle of Wilson’s Creek (Oak Hills) this past Saturday, August 13th 2011, and I thought I would give my take of the sights and sounds of the day from at least my perspective.
First off, it should be noted that the event took place NOT on the actual battlefield, but just north of it but still along Wilson’s Creek. Now while I understand some of the rationale behind this I have to say I think it was a big mistake.
I have come across people who attended the event who thought that the size of the battlefield area and it’s location was the actual site of the battle and the extent of it. I had to explain to my wife and kids that this isn’t where the battle took place and that it was much more involved than simply facing off across an open field with a little cornfield in the middle. I also believe that many who knew little of the battle have now come away with a false understanding of what happened.
I drove my wife through the actual National Battlefield and explained along the way, with a map, the significance that the creek played in splitting the battlefield, the actual breadth of the entire site and how the movement of Sigel and Lyon both could not be portrayed across a small field. I also explained the details of the Ray house, his cornfield, the location of the Pulaski Battery, Bloody Hill, and how the landscape played a role in the events. None of this can be explained in an open field reenactment. So needless to say I was disappointed with that.
Next up was how rude some of the reenactors were. Mind you, the majority that I talked to and overheard, where not only polite but in character and very interested in teaching those around them what it was like to be a soldier during this time and at this battle. However, I overheard some cursing, ignoring people in the crowd, and generally being jerks. These were the minority, but it was uncalled for.
Next was the nonchalant attitude of some of the reenactors. I saw some smoking modern cigarettes, drinking out of water bottles (I even saw one guy in the Confederate camp drinking out of his tin cup…except it had a beer can in it!) and even on guy texting on his cell phone! The term that is used by reenactors for this behavior is “farb” which is a derogatory term used in the hobby of historical reenacting in reference to participants who exhibit indifference to historical authenticity, either from a material-cultural standpoint or in action. It can also refer to the inauthentic materials used by those reenactors. I understand it was hot, I understand you don’t get paid, but for the $25 entrance fee I was expecting a bit more in realism. Again, how can anyone expect to truly get into the spirit of things if those involved are not in it completely?
Now, what I DID enjoy was the use of pretend currency of the time and that you had to go to a “bank” to exchange, dollar for dollar mind you, your modern money for this period money. Clever in a lot of ways, but a way to involve the spectator in the events. I also enjoyed seeing a large number of young boys and girls involved as well as a lot of folks playing civilian roles. I also enjoyed when the battle was over, as the Union soldiers were retreating across the bridge the crowd cheered and applauded them. Very cool. And finally, when we visited the actual battlefield it was a “fee free day” and we could take the driving tour, free of charge. Again, very cool.
150 years has come and gone, and this battle had major importance. I think everyone involved in the event knew this, however I think having it off-site was the biggest mistake and a lot of people are going to go away with a incorrect understanding of the events of that day that having seen the men on the actual field would have really been something to take away as a memory.
Battle of Wentzville
The following account of the Battle of Wentzville is based on information compiled by Gerry Matlock, former Wentzville Historical Society President, and from official Federal Government records.
On July 15, 1861, four companies of the 2nd Missouri Infantry and two companies of the 8th Missouri Infantry left St. Louis by train, heading west on the North Missouri Railroad Line to Mexico, Missouri. Their mission was to join forces with Col. Franz Sigel. When the train was about six miles west of St. Charles, the Union troops found that they were entering an unfriendly part of the state as they began to take occasional gunfire.
Upon arriving in Wentzville in the evening, the soldiers ate supper, then proceeded down the railroad line into the dark and rainy night. About three miles west of town, the train was attacked. Soldiers turned out of the train to fight, but their attackers could not be found. After re-boarding the train, they returned to Wentzville where the wounded were treated at the Wentzville Hotel (present site of the West Allen Grill). The main room of the hotel was made into a temporary hospital.
The next morning, the soldiers continued their journey. Again they were attacked. After repulsing there attacks by Missouri Bushwhackers, the train was able to proceed to link up with Sigel in Mexico. The actual number wounded or killed in this engagement is unknown. Some accounts place wounded at 30 and killed at 7. Cannon balls found near the railroad tracks in the area are on display at the Wentzville Historical Society’s museum room at the Green Lantern Center.
A historic marker commemorating this event is located just west of Linn Avenue on Pearce Boulevard in Bicentennial Park.
The 5th Regiment Missouri Cavalry re-enactment group commemorated the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Wentzville, a skirmish that took place July 16-17, 1861. The re-enactors fought July 16-17, 2011, on the former Whisk property at 130 Enterprise Drive.
Vacation and Civil War Visits – Part II
Vacation is over and I am back home here in Missouri. What a great time along the east coast and getting to see some great Civil War sites and sharing my interest with my family. Last post left off with us in Virginia. We ended up in DC and while there spent an entire day at Arlington National Cemetery. For those who don’t know, Arlington was owned by George Washington’s adopted grandson George Washington Parke Custis and became the home for his only child, Mary Custis and her husband Robert E. Lee. The home was abandoned in 1861 and taken over by the Union and eventually it became the home of Arlington Cemetery. Lee and his wife never attempted to reclaim the property after the war and are buried at Washington & Lee University in Lexington, VA. along with the rest of the Lee ancestors.
While at the cemetery I visited the Civil War monument dedicated to the thousands of unknown Civil War soldiers that is located there as well as the grave site for Gen Philip Kearney along with many other Civil War soldiers. We then made our way over to Arlington House. The view of DC from there is spectacular and imagining the view from an 1860 perspective made it even more interesting. Arlington in itself is impressive and the Civil War section is a great place to really connect with that era.
On our return trip home we stopped at Antietam (Sharpsburg) National Battlefield. Incredible is all that can be said of this place. And seeing it all and really taking it in is impossible without spending an entire day there. I had a very tired family with me so my trip through it was fairly rushed and I was still there for two hours! The visitor’s center is rather small, but what it lacks in size the entire park makes up for. It reminded me a lot of Chickamauga in that monuments where everywhere. One of the neat things I found out (from a fellow from Long Island who had visited there often and with whom I chit chatted with at Bloody Lane) is that they are trying to build up the battlefield to how it was back then. They are replanting woods to their original locations that have long since been swallowed by farmland. Very cool.
Dunker Church is the very first place you stop. Seeing it in person and then looking back in my mind at the photo that was taken after the battle with the dead laying there was moving. Unfortunately a road cuts right through there and sort of takes away from the feel of the photo, but it was still quite awesome to stand in that spot.
Bloody Lane is also quite a moving place when you get there and realize the size of it and what went on there and think about all those men who died there. I spent quite a bit of time there (mostly talking to the guy from New York). It was a gorgeous day out, bright and sunny and the place just looked so serene with the mountains, rolling farmland and the miles and miles of fence-works. Finally I made it to Burnside’s Bridge. From the observation deck you really can’t see anything so I made the trek down to the bridge. Again, with such a beautiful day the bridge looked so serene and realizing what went on there was almost surreal. It’s a tiring walk back up to the observation deck, but certainly worth it when you stand on that bridge over Antietam Creek.
There was so much to see and only a limited time to do it and in fairness for my family I didn’t want to hog the trip with just Civil War stuff… so maybe one of these days I’ll re-visit these places and go through them a little slower and get a better connection with what happened.
Next up on the agenda is the 150th Anniversary of Wilson’s Creek on August 12-13th, then the Battle of Lexington on September 17th, living history weekend in Camden County MO on September 24th and then the Battle of Leasburg MO on September 30th. Exciting time to be a part of our nation’s history and get in touch with the main event that molded who we are today!
Vacation and Civil War visits – Part I
I am on vacation with my family this week visiting Tennessee, Virginia and Washington D.C. While here I have had the opportunity to visit a few Civil War related sites as well as a major battlefield so far. I’ll give my take on what I have sen so far.
First stop was in Lexington, VA. After breakfast we drove to the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery. There are a lot of Civil War soldiers buried here among them is obviously Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson. His remains as well as that of his family were moved from their original resting places to the spot where his monument now stands in the center. It is well kept as is the grounds but here is my complaint: many of the tombstones show serious signs of neglect, some are even broken. I know most Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War make it a practice to ensure that the Civil War veterans graves are maintained, so I found it disheartening that the same is not done for a Confederate cemetery. the SCVCW in the Lexington area need to step up to the plate and get this great place in better condition.
Next stop was the Stonewall Jackson House. Neat place but way too expensive for what you are seeing. I just took pictures of the outside and left it at that.
Next up was a visit to the Washington and Lee campus to visit Lee Chapel where Robert E. Lee and his family are laid to rest. Great place, informative tour, wonderful history and seeing the tomb of Lee is inspiring. However, they do not allow photographs at all. Period. I got a photo of the outside and of the spot where they moved his horse “Traveler” outside. I was disappointed in that. They explained that the flash can potentially harm the artifacts and that it also preserved it’s copyright on everything there. I guess I understand that, but not totally…Still disappointed.
And finally, as we made our way to DC we stopped at the Manassas Battlefield. It was VERY hot that day, and the whole family went with me so the visit wasn’t as thorough as I would have liked but enjoyable nonetheless. All in all its a great site. The landscape is kept up very well, the miles of fences are incredible. However, there are a few things that I found distracting. One is obviously the urban sprawl…. the site is surrounded by the hustle and bustle of modernization. Also, the driving tour is difficult because of this. The traffic is so thick, trying to stop or go slow is dangerous. The visitors center is also a bit on the small side. Not much there but the battle diorama is very good. Then there is the Stonewall statue. He is built like Superman. It’s weird. Impressive, but weird.
More to come as our vacation continues…
Bellefontaine Cemetery and the Civil War
Last weekend I was in the St. Louis area for my nieces Communion. Afterwards we had lunch and then started our trek back to our home in south-central Missouri.
However, we decided to make a pit stop along the way at Bellefontaine Cemetery in north St. Louis to visit a few Civil War graves. I have been to Calvary Cemetery just down the road back in 2006 to see William T Sherman and Dred Scott’s graves, but did not stop at Bellefontaine. Bellefontaine is just as exciting as Calvary is.
They actually have it laid out a little better than Calvary in the markers reference a map that is specific to Civil War era figures buried there. There are approximately 31 Civil War individuals buried there, some extremely well known, others not so well known.
I’ll just mention the ones that are better known, with a little minor description of each and then list the rest by name.
Major General Francis Preston Blair Jr.
Missouri Senator, Union General and Vice President candidate in 1868. He was a key figure in keeping Missouri in the Union.
Major General Sterling Price
Former Missouri governor and Confederate General who lead troops at many of the battles within Missouri including Wilson’s Creek, Pilot Knob and Westport.
Major General John Pope
Union general who was appointed to lead the Army of the Potomac by President Lincoln and commanded at Second Bull Run.
Major General Don Carlos Buell
Union general who commanded the Army of Ohio and came to Ulysses S. Grant’s aid at Shiloh .
Colonel Emmett MacDonald
Confederate Colonel who was captured at Camp Jackson but released and wound up fighting at Wilson’s Creek, Carthage, Pea Ridge and Lexington. Mortally wounded in the thigh in Hartville, MO.
Those five, in my opinion are the more noteworthy of the Civil War people buried here. Obviously, that leaves many who contributed a lot, but honestly are remembered more by historians and Civil War buffs than by the mainstream. They are:
John Richard Anderson (pastor to Harriet Scott)
Edward Bates (Lincolns first attorney general)
Brig. General Benjamin L.E. Bonnville (commanded at Benton Barracks)
1LT Francis E. Brownell (Medal of Honor)
CPT Given Campbell (escort for Jefferson Davis after fall of Richmond)
Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark (son of explorer William Clark)
James Buchanan Eads (built gunboats for Grant)
Roswell Martin Field (Dred Scott attorney)
Brig. General Thomas Clement Fletcher (Missouri governor after the war)
Hamilton Rowan Gamble (Missouri Governor 1861-1863)
Col. Hugh A. Garland (killed in Franklin, TN)
CPT Robert McCullogh (survivor of Pickett’s Charge)
Dr. Joseph Nash McDowell (Southern sympathizing St Louis doctor)
Brig. General John McNeil (shot prisoners at Palmyra Massacre)
MAJ (Dr.) William M. McPheeters (Medical director for Sterling Price)
LT Henry D. O’Brien (Medal of Honor at Gettysburg)
Col. James Peckham (became author)
MAJ Julius Pitzman (Topographical engineer for Halleck and Grant)
Maj General Andrew Jackson Smith (competent division and corps commander)
Col. Thomas Lowndes Snead (aide to Governor Jackson, congressman and author)
Brig. General John Dunlap Stevenson (led brigade at Vicksburg)
Lt General Alexander Peter Stewart (one of only 17 Confederate Lt Generals)
Col. William Wade (artillery at Wilsons Creek, KIA Grand Gulf, MS)
Brig. General William D. Wherry (Medal of Honor as staff officer to Gen Lyons at Wilson’s Creek)
Col. John M. Wimer (Former St Louis mayor, KIA as member of MO Cavalry)
James E. Yeatman (President, Western Sanitary Commission)
View Bellefontaine Cemetery in a larger map
Civil War Speaker Series
There has already been some outstanding speakers appear in this series since the beginning of 2011. Here are what I consider some highlights of the ones that are yet to come. Unless otherwise noted, programs will be held at the Missouri State Archives, located at 600 W. Main Street in Jefferson City.
April 28, 2011, 7:00 p.m.
Through American and Irish Wars: The Life and Times of Thomas W. Sweeny, 1820-1892
Jack Morgan will trace the life of Civil War General Thomas W. Sweeny. “Fighting Tom” played a critical role in defending the St. Louis Arsenal before being sent by General Nathaniel Lyon to command the southern Union flank at Springfield. Critically wounded at Wilson’s Creek, Sweeny later served with distinction at Shiloh and in the eastern theater.
May 19, 2011, 7:00 p.m.
Harry S Truman Building, 301 W. High St., Rooms 490/492
Guerrillas, Partisans, and Bushwhackers: Rethinking the American Civil War
Daniel Sutherland will demonstrate the pervasiveness of guerrilla warfare in Missouri and the South, arguing that it took a toll on the Confederate war effort by weakening support for government and diminishing the trust citizens had that their officials would protect them. He will discuss the driving forces behind guerilla warfare and the forms it took.
June 16, 2011, 7:00 p.m.
Portraits of Conflict: A Photographic History of Missouri in the Civil War
William Garrett Piston and Thomas P. Sweeney will tie period photographs and their stories into an overall narrative of the Civil War in Missouri. Through the lens of a camera, they are able to share the basic humanity of the Civil War experience – its people, its places, and its horror.
July 14, 2011, 7:00 p.m.
General Sterling Price and the Confederacy
Sterling Price, commander of the Missouri State Guard and then Confederate major general, was never fully trusted by Missouri’s Confederate Governor Thomas C. Reynolds. After the Civil War, Reynolds penned a manuscript about Price’s service. Robert G. Schultz has annotated that manuscript, which not only reveals details about Price, but also Reynolds’s view of the Confederate government.
September 22, 2011, 7:00 p.m.
What Archaeology Can Reveal About General Order No. 11
General Order No.11 mandated the depopulation of four Missouri counties, which led to the destruction of private property without hearing or compensation. Ann Raab’s excavation in the Bates County area offers great potential for understanding the events which led to the order, its destructiveness, and how survivors were able to recover.
October 20, 2011, 7:00 p.m.
“Bloody Bill“ Anderson’s Raids on the Lafayette County Germans
“Bloody Bill” Anderson was one of Missouri’s most infamous Civil War guerillas. However, his raids against a German farming settlement in southeastern Lafayette County were little known until recently, when key source material was translated from German to English. Robert W. Frizzell will share the story of these raids and their impact.
November 10, 2011, 7:00 p.m.
Lincoln and Citizens’ Rights in Civil War Missouri: Balancing Freedom and Security
Dennis Boman will discuss the difficulties that President Abraham Lincoln, state officials and military authorities faced in trying to defeat Missouri’s guerrillas. He will present the rationale for the establishment of military tribunals and other controversial policies meant to repress acts of subversion, while simultaneously protecting Constitutional rights.
Missouri highway signs to show Civil War sites
Missouri is making it easier for people to find its historic Civil War sites.
The Missouri Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission is making available highway signs to point out some of the historic sites. The signs have a red star in a blue background. Written on the sign is “Missouri Civil War.” Communities and attractions would pay $35 to $3,000 for the Civil War signs.
The Jefferson City News Tribune reports that Civil War commission members say the sign program will help to unify the state’s historic sites from the war. The commission also has developed a website that includes information about less-known historic sites and figures and a calendar of upcoming events.
Original article found HERE
Price and McCulloch: Rivalry in Missouri
After the victory at Wilson’s Creek in August of 1861, southern forces in Missouri under the command of Missouri Militia General Sterling Price and Confederate Brigadier General Benjamin McCulloch found a new sense of purpose in Missouri. Southern sympathizing Missourians found a renewed spirit and hope for their cause in Missouri. This lead to the Militia making it’s way northward through Missouri and ended in the town of Lexington along the Missouri River. “The Battle of the Hemp Bales” as it was also called was a temporary victory for Price and his Militia, however General McCulloch opted to not follow his southern sympathizing brethren and held to the southwestern portion of Missouri.
By November, McCulloch had secured that portion of the state. In a dispatch to Confederate General Samuel Cooper, the rift between McCulloch and Price was ever apparent:
HEADQUARTERS DIVISION,
Springfield, Mo., November 19, 1861.General S. COOPER,
Adjt. and Isp. General, C. S. Army, Richmond, Va.:GENERAL: I have the honor to report that on the night of the 15th instant I received information at my headquarters, 72 miles from here, that the Federal troops had started back toward Saint Louis from this place. On the 16th I started with all my available mounted troops, without wagons, and after a rapid march arrived near here last night. I was in hopes before arriving that I might be able to overtake some of the trains of the enemy, but on my arrival I found that they were too far to attempt even a pursuit, they being at least 100 miles ahead.
From all the information I can obtain the enemy’s strength was at least 30,000, with an abundance of artillery. There was evidently considerable disaffection in their ranks, and on leaving here Lane, with his Kansas troops, carried off 500 or 600 negroes, belonging to Union men as well as secessionists. From what I can learn they intend to fortify Rolla, Sedalia, and Jefferson City, and to garrison each of those places.
The Union men have nearly all fled with the Federal troops, leaving this place almost deserted. From all the information I can get of General Price’s movements he seems to be making his way in the direction of the Missouri River. An attempt of the kind, in my opinion, can only terminate as did his previous expedition to that country. Considering it inexpedient to attempt a winter campaign in this country, I shall return to the borders of Arkansas, and put my command in winter quarters by the 15th of December. As there will be much to do to make the many arrangements necessary for an early spring campaign, I respectfully request the authority of the
Department for me to visit Richmond for that purpose. As soon as the troops are in winter quarters my presence here could be dispensed with for a few weeks.Hoping my views may meet the approval of the Department, I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
BEN. McCULLOCH,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
It’s obvious that McCulloch did not agree with Price’s actions and began preparations to move his command out of Missouri to be used elsewhere for the Confederacy. With the rift turning into rivalry, the overall command of the Trans-Mississippi district was turned over to Maj General Earl Van Dorn. Price was commissioned a Major General in the Confederate Army and combined Price’s militia and McCulloch’s soldiers tow for the Army of the West and would engage Union General Samuel Curtis at the Battle of Pea Ridge in Arkansas.
With regular and most of the pro-southern militia pulled out of Missouri, the pro-southern cause was left in the hands of guerrillas like William Clarke Quantrill, William “Bloody Bill” Anderson, George Todd, Dave Poole, Cole Younger, William Gregg and John McCorkle to defend the southern and Missouri cause.
Dispatches Source: OFFICIAL RECORDS: Series 1, vol 3, Part 1, Chapter X, pg 742-743
Civil War 150th Anniversary: What it should mean to Missourian’s
Missouri was third in the number of battles that took place within it’s borders, behind Virginia and Tennessee, however when one looks at all the minor engagements and even what happened along the border in the 1850′s Missouri was probably THE major battleground for the Civil War (at least in my and a few others opinion).
What’s sad is that Civil War history, let alone Missouri related Civil War history, is more or less relegated to a side dish when it comes to teaching American History in the United States at the pre-college level (and even sometimes at the college level). Important items such as the Missouri Compromise, the Dred Scott Supreme Court Case, BleedingKansas, the Camp Jackson Massacre, Bushwhackers, Jay-hawkers and Red-Legs, and the administration of Governor Claiborne Fox Jackson are not even mentioned.
The coming anniversary is a perfect time for the citizens of Missouri to get involved, educate, and in some cases re-educate themselves on the events of 150 years ago. These events not only shaped the future for Missouri and every state admitted to the Union after the Civil War, but the nation and it’s people as a whole.
Missouri is fortunate to have many battlefield sites still in pristine condition, due to the rural aspect of the fighting. Some of the battles near Kansas City are now swallowed in the hustle and bustle of city life, but some still exist. Some cities, such as Lone Jack, have gone to the next level in creating a wonderful place for visitors to learn about the small battle that took place in that community, while others may only have a plaque or landmark.
I live in a very small town in south-central Missouri called Waynesville (named after the Revolutionary War General “Mad” Anthony Wayne). There were no major battles here but the Civil War was a major part of this community in the 1860′s. The town was a vital stop alone the Wire Road leading from Rolla to Springfield. It was sacked by the Union Army and a fort built atop a bluff overlooking the Wire Road. Colonel Albert Sigel was in charge of the Missouri Militia that seized the town; most have no idea who he is, even though he was the brother of the well-known Civil War General Franz Sigel. A building in town, The Old Stagecoach Stop, was used as a hospital for Union soldiers and is still standing today. Bushwhacking was a common occurrence here, and brother literally fought brother here. However, the fort is gone leaving nothing but an old, unattended to historical marker on some private property in between two houses atop the bluff and the Old StageCoach Stop was abandoned for over 20 years and was going to be demolished had it not been saved by those in the community who believed in the towns history.
The point I try to make is that had no one known the history of this small town during the Civil War, or cared to know it, it’s storied history would be lost forever. People and lives that were altered during this period would never be known. The intertwining of families, lives and circumstances would be lost forever,
It is my hope that many of the libraries, schools and historical societies take the opportunity of this anniversary to promote the defining event in our nations history. The late author Shelby Foote sums this up nicely when he stated,
“Any understanding of this nation has to be based, and I mean really based, on an understanding of the Civil War. I believe that firmly. It defined us. The Revolution did what it did. Our involvement in European wars, beginning with the First World War, did what it did. But the Civil War defined us as what we are and it opened us to being what we became, good and bad things. And it is very necessary, if you are going to understand the American character in the twentieth century, to learn about this enormous catastrophe of the mid-nineteenth century. It was the crossroads of our being, and it was a hell of a crossroads.”
Teachers, teach the Civil War… if anything during this next year, spend more focus on it than other topics of history.
Students, take some time from your studies and learn a little about what the Civil War meant to the nation, your state and even your community.
Libraries, promote Civil War related books, documents, movies and any other media you carry.
Citizens, visit a battlefield tour, read about the history of the Civil War, join a Civil War Round Table, investigate the role your community played in the war.
Every American should have at least a mild interest in the Civil War. If you have no idea about the events that took place you are missing out on truly understanding the nation you live in.
Bingham’s ‘Order No. 11’ argued for civil liberties
By Ted Stillwell
The Examiner
Independence, MO - Writer and artist George Caleb Bingham has long been one of my heroes. He lived in the house that carries his namesake on West Pacific Avenue during the Civil War era, the Bingham-Waggoner Estate, where he painted one of his most famous canvas, “Martial Law.”
Bingham was born back East and grew up in Franklin, Mo. He made a name for himself as an artist and in Missouri state politics. He built a small house for his first wife on the family farm at Arrow Rock, within throwing distance of the Old Tavern. Today, that house is also a museum. George opened a studio in nearby Columbia in 1835 and received a lot of acclaim.
One of Bingham’s earliest patrons in Columbia was a young lawyer, Major James Rollins, a Missouri legislator who would become the artist’s most intimate and lifelong friend. Rollins was a year younger than Bingham and would play an important role in establishing the University of Missouri.
Recently, the “Burnt District Museum” in Harrisonville acquired an original engraving from the first printing of George Caleb Bingham’s Martial Law, sometimes referred to as Order No. 11. The line and mezzotint engraving is 32 x 43 inches and was produced by John Sartain of Philadelphia in 1872 and published by George Caleb Bingham and Co.
Bingham gave this and several prints to his best friend, James Rollins, in lieu of cash he owed him for their production. They have remained in the Rollins family ever since. A donor purchased the print last summer from a direct descendent of James Rollins. It was stored in safe specially made to preserve paper. The engraving is in excellent condition and is on loan to the museum from the donor.
During the Civil War, Union Gen. Thomas Ewing Jr. was in command of this district and issued Order No. 11 in 1863, following the Bushwhackers’ raid on Lawrence. Ewing wanted to neutralize the Confederate guerrillas, so he made everybody who lived farther than one mile from a Union military post move, and he burnt their houses. This order affected everyone living in the Missouri-Kansas border counties of Jackson, Cass, Bates and Vernon. Even though Bingham was a Union military officer, he thought this order was unconstitutional. He found its harshness horrifying and made up his mind to show the world through his artwork of General Ewing’s wrongdoing.
Bingham began work on the painting of Order No. 11 in mid-November 1865 and completed it during the latter part of May 1868.
He created a second and slightly larger version of the painting in 1870, which is now a part of the State Historical Society’s Bingham collection and currently hangs in Ellis Library on the University of Missouri campus.
According to Carol Bohl, the Cass County Historical Society executive director, this engraving that is on loan to the Burnt District Museum captures the central story of the Civil War in Western Missouri. It tells the story of events leading up to the issuance of Order No. 11 and its effects on the people of this region and will be the focus of their 150th commemoration of the Civil War through 2015.
The engraving is taken from the original painting, which Bingham used as a political tool to spread his disgust with Ewing’s disregard for the civil liberties of Missouri citizens displaced from their homes and property. The print contains the text of Order No. 11 and the words “Dedicated to the Friends of Civil Liberty.”
Visitors may view the print during regular business hours of Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., or by reservation. The museum is located in the Harrisonville Library building, 400 E. Mechanic.
Reference: Cass County Historical Society.
Framed engraving prints of Martial Law Order or Order No. 11 are available at the Old Blake Museum, 106 E. Walnut St., two blocks south of the Square in Independence.
