What side was Missouri on in the civil war?

What Side was Missouri on in the Civil War?

Missouri played a crucial role in the American Civil War, with the state being a border slave state that was deeply divided over the issue of slavery. The state’s population was roughly equally divided between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions, making it a key battleground in the conflict.

Early Days of the War

In 1861, the Civil War broke out in the United States, and Missouri was immediately drawn into the conflict. The state was a border state, with the pro-slavery Southern states to the south and the anti-slavery North to the north. As a result, Missouri was seen as a crucial location by both sides, and both the Union and Confederate armies sought to control the state.

The Pro-Slavery Governor and the Union

In November 1861, Governor Claiborne Jackson, a strong supporter of the Confederacy, was inaugurated as the governor of Missouri. Jackson was determined to lead the state into the Confederacy, despite the fact that the state had not formally seceded from the Union.

The Battle of Lexington

In August 1861, the first battle of the Civil War west of the Mississippi River was fought in Lexington, Missouri. The battle was fought between a group of Union militiamen and a group of pro-Confederate forces led by Major General Sterling Price.

The Border War

The Battle of Lexington was the beginning of the Border War, a series of skirmishes and battles fought in Missouri and Kansas between Union and Confederate forces. The war was characterized by guerilla warfare, sabotage, and brutal violence on both sides.

The Lyon-Gordon Duel

In August 1861, Captain Nathaniel Lyon, the commander of the Union forces in Missouri, and Brigadier General Sterling Price, the commander of the pro-Confederate forces, engaged in a famous duel. The duel ended in Lyon’s death and was seen as a turning point in the war.

The Battle of Pea Ridge

In March 1862, Union forces led by Major General Samuel Curtis defeated a larger Confederate force led by General Earl Van Dorn in the Battle of Pea Ridge. The battle was fought in northwest Arkansas, but it had significant consequences for Missouri.

The Division of the State

After the Battle of Pea Ridge, the Union Army gained control of Missouri, and the state became a crucial location for both the Union and Confederate armies. The state was eventually divided into two parts: the southern part of the state was controlled by the Union, while the northern part was controlled by the Confederacy.

The Guerrilla War

The division of the state led to the Guerrilla War, a series of skirmishes and battles fought by pro-Confederate guerrillas led by figures such as William Quantrill, Bloody Bill Anderson, and Jesse James. The war was characterized by brutality and violence on both sides, and it lasted for several years after the official end of the Civil War.

The End of the War

In May 1865, Union forces led by Major General Frederick Steele defeated a pro-Confederate force led by General Sterling Price in the Battle of Baxter Springs. The battle marked the end of the war in Missouri, and the state was officially returned to the Union.

Missouri’s Role in the Civil War

Missouri played a crucial role in the Civil War, serving as a key battleground for both the Union and Confederate armies. The state’s location on the border of the North and South made it a critical location, and both sides sought to control the state.

Statistics

Here are some key statistics about Missouri’s role in the Civil War:

• Number of Battles: 1,245
• Number of Casualties: 13,701
• Number of Union Soldiers: 240,000
• Number of Confederate Soldiers: 25,000
• Number of Guerrilla Attacks: 2,500

Conclusion

In conclusion, Missouri was on the side of the Union during the American Civil War. The state was divided over the issue of slavery, with the pro-slavery faction supporting the Confederacy and the anti-slavery faction supporting the Union. The state played a crucial role in the war, serving as a key battleground for both the Union and Confederate armies. The state’s location on the border of the North and South made it a critical location, and both sides sought to control the state.

Timeline

Here is a timeline of the major events in Missouri during the Civil War:

• 1861: The Battle of Lexington is fought between Union and Confederate forces
• 1861: Governor Claiborne Jackson is inaugurated as the governor of Missouri
• 1861: Captain Nathaniel Lyon is killed in a duel with Brigadier General Sterling Price
• 1862: The Battle of Pea Ridge is fought between Union and Confederate forces
• 1862: The state is divided into two parts, with the Union controlling the southern part and the Confederacy controlling the northern part
• 1863: The Guerrilla War begins, characterized by skirmishes and battles fought by pro-Confederate guerrillas
• 1865: The Battle of Baxter Springs is fought between Union and Confederate forces, marking the end of the war in Missouri

Table 1: Major Battles Fought in Missouri During the Civil War

Table 2: Missouri’s Role in the Civil War

Table 3: Governors of Missouri During the Civil War

I hope this article has provided you with a comprehensive overview of what side Missouri was on in the Civil War.