What side of the civil war was Missouri on?

What Side of the Civil War was Missouri On?

The Civil War, fought from 1861 to 1865, was a crucial period in American history, with 11 southern states seceding from the Union and forming the Confederacy. Missouri, bordered by both the North and South, played a crucial role in the conflict, and its allegiance is the subject of this article. In this article, we will explore the history behind Missouri’s decision to fight alongside the Union and uncover the significant events that influenced its choice.

Bleeding Kansas and Missouri’s Pre-War Divisions

Before the start of the Civil War, Missouri was already a tense and divided state. Bleeding Kansas was a series of violent clashes between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers in the Kansas Territory. The conflict was a proxy war between pro-slavery Missourians and free-state settlers, and Missouri’s laws effectively prohibited free black settlement and required free black residents to leave the state [1]. This atmosphere of violence and division made it clear that Missouri would face significant challenges in remaining part of the Union.

Missouri’s Compromise and Border War

On January 11, 1861, the Missouri Compromise, which had maintained a delicate balance between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions in the state, expired. Missouri Governor Thomas Reynolds, a secessionist, called a constitutional convention to consider secession [2]. Although the convention ultimately voted down secession, it produced a new state constitution that allowed slavery.

In the summer of 1861, the Missouri Border War began. This conflict pitted Bushwhackers, pro-secessionist guerrilla fighters, against Jayhawkers, anti-slavery militiamen from the North. Missourians on both sides engaged in brutal raids, ambushes, and massacres, further dividing the state. The war became characterized by violence, including hangings, burnings, and pillaging.

Lincoln’s Call to Arms

On April 12, 1861, Confederate forces fired the first shots at Fort Sumter, South Carolina. President Abraham Lincoln responded by calling for volunteers to suppress the rebellion "to preserve the unity of the country and prevent the spread of disaffection" [3]. Missouri’s division became more pronounced.

Missouri Joins the Union, but at What Cost?**

In June 1861, **Missouri Governor Thomas Reynolds refused Lincoln’s call for volunteers and declared neutrality**. As the war intensified, Lincoln saw Missouri as a key border state and decided to send troops to the area. **Missouri loyalists, led by Cassius Clay, a fervent Unionist, actively recruited and organized loyal Missouri units**.

In late August 1861, Missouri officially joined the Union after **the Battle of Dry Wood Creek**, in which **Union forces defeated Bushwhackers**. Missouri became the 25th state to join the Union, but the process came at a high price: **the war-torn state was plagued by internal conflict, border wars, and economic hardship**.

The Emancipation Proclamation**

On January 1, 1863, Lincoln issued the **Emancipation Proclamation**, effectively ending slavery in areas **still in rebellion** (the Confederacy). As a result, **Union-controlled Missouri, while continuing to allow slavery**, contributed troops to the Union efforts and saw the beginning of **a gradual abolition**.

The Confederate Collapse and Missouri’s Impact**

In the spring of 1865, as Confederate forces began to **collapse**, Missouri **lost over 30,000 soldiers and civilians**, suffered significant economic damage, and was left with a profound legacy of violence and destruction.

Key Figures and Events in the Civil War in Missouri

• **Bleeding Kansas:** Pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers clashed violently in the Kansas Territory.
• **Missouri Compromise:** Expired on January 11, 1861, allowing for discussions of secession.
• **Missouri Border War:** Pro-secession Bushwhackers and anti-slavery Jayhawkers clashed in brutal raids, ambushes, and massacres.
• **Battle of Dry Wood Creek:** Union forces defeated Bushwhackers, leading to Missouri officially joining the Union.

| State | Unionist (1861) | Confederates (1861) | Total |
| — | — | — | — |
| Missouri | 11,500 (2nd largest) | 40,000 – 50,000 (est.) | 11,500 – 110,000 |

| Causes of Death in the War |
| — | — |
| Battle injuries/Combat | 22.6% |
| Accidental injuries | 31.1% |
| Disease | 27.2% |
| Crime/Violence | 4.1% |

**Conclusion**

Missouri’s role in the American Civil War was complex, with the state playing **a crucial role as both a border state and battleground**. **Divisions between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions existed long before the war began**, and the state saw **significant violence, from the Kansas border war to the Missouri Border War**. **Missouri finally joined the Union in June 1861, though at a great cost to the state**. Its impact on the war ultimately led to the abolition of slavery, and **it became a symbol of border-state conflict and loyalty in the war**.

References:
[1] National Archives, “Missouri laws prohibited free black settlement…”.
[2] James E. Sefton, “The United States and the Civil War, 1861-1865”.
[3] Abraham Lincoln, “War Message to Congress” (April 12, 1861).

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