This almanac outlines the political and military events in the editorial focus of WindingRiver.com -- western Missouri and eastern Kansas. In some cases entries have been made for events outside this geographic area when those events seemed to weigh heavily on issues and events related to our editorial focus.  Learn more about the objectives, sources and how your organization can participate in building this Almanac  -- Click Here.

The Civil War in Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas -- 1861
January     February     March     April     May     June     July    
August     September     October     November     December

January 17

• The Missouri Legislature passes a bill authorizing a Missouri Constitutional Convention to discuss, among other things, the issue of slavery and whether Missouri should secede from the Union.

January 21

• Senators from Mississippi, Alabama and Florida withdraw from the United States Senate.  South Carolina had seceded in December 1860.  Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana would formally secede during January 1861.  Texas, Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina and Tennessee will follow in the next few months.

January 28

• Unconditional Union meeting held at Liberty (Clay).

January 29

• President James Buchanan signs the Kansas Admission bill allowing Kansas to enter the Union as a 'free' state.

February 1

• Southern Rights meeting held at Liberty (Clay).

February 9

• Charles Robinson is sworn in as the first Governor of the state of Kansas.

February 18

• Jefferson Davis is sworn in as the President of the Confederate States of America.
• Women's "Union" meeting at Missouri City (Clay).
• Election of delegates to the Missouri Constitutional Convention -- Three delegates are chosen from each State Senatorial district.

February 22

• President-Elect Abraham Lincoln, on his way to Washington, stops at Independence Hall in Philadelphia to speak and raises the new flag containing the Kansas star.

February 28

• The Missouri Constitutional Convention meets at Jefferson City (Cole).

Do you have a website with additional information on a listing in our almanac?  We will be happy to place a link to this additional information.  Let us know by visiting our add a link page.

March 1

• Sterling Price, former Governor of Missouri, is elected Chairman of the Missouri Constitutional Convention.

March 4

• The Missouri Constitutional Convention reconvenes at St. Louis, for what will become known as the first session of the Convention.

March 21

• The Missouri Constitutional Convention votes 98 to 1 against a secession provision.

April 4

• James H. Lane and Samuel Pomeroy are elected to be the first United States Senators from Kansas.

April 12

• Fort Sumter, South Carolina, is fired upon by secessionist troops.

April 14

• Fort Sumter, South Carolina, is surrendered.
• Senator-elect James Lane begins enrolling troops into his 'Frontier Guard,' which was composed of Kansas men in Washington D.C. The Frontier Guard acts as bodyguards for President Lincoln. They live in the east room of the White House for more than a week.
  • Kansas Statehood and the Frontier Guard (Harold Dellinger)

April 18

• The NEW SAM GATY arrived at Leavenworth (Leavenworth, KS) flying a rebel flag. An immense crowd forces the Captain of the steamboat to take it down.

April 20

• Missouri Depot (Clay), also known as the Liberty Arsenal, is seized. Southern sympathizers from Jackson, Clay, Platte and Buchanan counties, under the command of Henry Routt, capture and loot the Federal Arsenal near Liberty. This is the first major overt act against the Federal government by Missourians.
  • Missouri Secessionists follow Fort Sumter with a raid on Union Arsenal
    (WindingRiver.com Article)
  • Colonel Henry Routt:  The Man Who Led the Civil War in Missouri
    (Guest Editorial, Dr. Cecelia Robinson)

April 26

• Secession meeting is held at Harrisonville (Cass).

April 30

• Secession Rally and Parade held at Kansas City (Jackson) -- A large 'secessionist' flag is unfurled and cannon fired. It is thought that the cannon was one of those liberated from the Liberty Arsenal. Secessionist 'companies' from Westport, Independence, Clay County and the Sni-a-bar area of Jackson County are present.

May 1

• Rebel flags have replaced the 'Stars and Bars' in the Missouri towns of St. Joseph (Buchanan), Kansas City (Jackson), Iatan (Platte), Weston (Platte), Platte City (Platte) and Independence (Jackson).

May 2

• Missouri Governor Claiborne Jackson says, "Our sympathies and interests are identical with those of the slaveholding states."

May 4

• The Chouteau Warehouse Affair -- Secessionist troops under T. W. Arnold from Independence (Jackson) capture military goods and supplies destined for Kansas City (Jackson) from a location between Independence and Kansas City. The supplies are then shipped to Cass County and other points.

May 9

• The steamer J.C. SWON transports howitzers, muskets, siege guns and ammunition to St Louis from the Federal Arsenal at Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  The munitions are delivered to the Missouri Volunteer Militia forces at Camp Jackson, near Lindell's Grove on the outskirts of St. Louis. 

May 10

• Captain Nathaniel Lyon, with an estimated force of 6,000 Federal troops and Home Guards, raids Camp Jackson near St. Louis. More than 600 Missouri Volunteer Militia troops are captured. As the captured Missouri forces are marched through the streets of St. Louis, a riot ensues and Lyon's Federal troops fire upon spectators. Some 28 are killed, including women and children, and more than 50 are wounded.
• Competing secessionist and Union rallies at Savannah (Andrew) result in violence.

May 11

• Riots in St. Louis continue following the raid on Camp Jackson and the arrest of Missouri Volunteer Militia troops. 
• The Missouri General Assembly approves measures establishing the Missouri State Guard to provide forces loyal to the elected officials of the State of Missouri. Former Governor Sterling Price is appointed Commander.

May 12

• Military stores at St. Joseph (Buchanan) are seized by secessionists and moved out of the city.

May 21

• William S. Harney and Sterling Price Meeting -- Harney, commander of Federal troops in Missouri, and Sterling Price make an agreement that Harney will maintain peace in St. Louis, and Price will do the same outside St. Louis.

May 22

• The St. Joseph Flag Incident -- Jeff Thompson, a former Mayor of St. Joseph (Buchanan) and a southern leader in the area, rips down a large United States flag from the United States Post Office in St. Joseph. A large crowd of supporters cheers his efforts.

May 30

• General William Harney is relieved of command of Federal forces in Missouri and is replaced by Nathaniel Lyon.

Do you have a website with additional information on a listing in our almanac?  We will be happy to place a link to this additional information.  Let us know by visiting our add a link page.

June 1

• Independence (Jackson) secessionists are sworn into the Missouri State Guard by General Rains.

June 3

• The Elwood Guard and the Leavenworth Steuben Guards capture the rebel flag flying at Iatan (Platte). Several of the Kansas troops sustain bullet wounds but there are no fatalities. Several prominent Leavenworth (Leavenworth, KS) citizens condemn the action, but a public meeting at Lawrence (Douglas, KS) praises the action.

June 9

• Kansas City (Jackson) is occupied by Federal forces under the command of Captain W. E. Prince. They set up camp on high ground between 10th Street and 12th Street at about Washington Ave.

June 10

• St. Joseph (Buchanan) is occupied by Kansas forces led by Captain Alfred Sully. The Union flag is restored.

June 11

• General Nathaniel Lyon and Missouri Governor Claiborne Jackson meet at the Planters Hotel in St. Louis. The meeting, which lasts four hours,  produces no agreement. Lyon will not compromise. Governor Jackson is escorted out and returns to Jefferson City.

June 12

• Governor Claiborne Jackson and the elected state government evacuate Jefferson City (Cole) and issue a call for 50,000 troops to resist what he calls the Federal invasion of Missouri.

June 13

• Battle of Rock Creek -- Secessionist forces from Independence (Jackson) and elsewhere are drilling at locations near Rock Creek School in present day Independence when they are approached by Federal forces from Kansas City (Jackson) under Captain W. E. Prince. Peaceful negotiations are under way until shots are fired. Three secessionists are killed, apparently by friendly fire.

June 14

• Independence (Jackson) is occupied by Union forces. 

June 15

• St. Joseph (Buchanan) is occupied by troops of the 2nd Iowa.

June 15

• Jefferson City (Cole) is occupied by Federal forces under General Lyon.  Governor Jackson flees to Boonville (Cooper) then Nevada (Vernon).

June 16

• Captain Theo Duncan of Smithville (Clay), with the Missouri State Guards, is shot while in camp on the Blue River (Jackson) by one of his own men, who is described as insane. The insane man was killed the next day. Duncan was taken back to Clay County, where he died on June 27. Duncan is the first fatality of the war for Clay County.

June 17

• Battle of Boonville -- General Lyon sweeps the Missouri State Guard out of Boonville (Cooper) in an engagement sometimes known as the 'Boonville Races' due to the rapid retreat of the State Guard.

June 17

• Skirmishing at Independence (Jackson) and Blue Mills (Jackson)

June 18

• Skirmish at Cole Camp (Benton)

June 19

• Military goods stored at Wyandotte (Wyandotte, KS) are moved to Fort Union in Kansas City (Jackson) because of concerns about their safety.
• Federal troops make their first incursion into Clay County at Liberty (Clay).

June 20

• Independence (Jackson) is occupied by Kansas troops under the command of Charles Jennison. His demands for the release of four prisoners in the Jackson County Jail are met. 
  • Read more about Charles R. Jennison at http://www.territorialkansasonline.org.

June 22

• A new session of the Missouri Constitutional Convention is held at Jefferson City. The state offices held by Governor Claiborne Jackson and others are declared vacant and new provisional officers are elected as follows: Hamilton Gamble, Governor; Willard P. Hall, Lt. Governor; Mordecai Oliver, Secretary of State, and George Caleb Bingham, Treasurer.   Sterling Price, now in charge of the Missouri State Guard forces loyal to Claiborne Jackson, is replaced as chairman of the Convention by Robert Wilson.

June 24

• Construction of Fort Union at 10th and Central near downtown Kansas City (Jackson) is completed. Major R. T. Van Horn is in command.

July 5 

• Battle of Carthage (Jasper) including actions at Dry Fork Creek and Brier Fork.
• Action at Neosho (Newton) -- 137 Union troops surprised and captured by large secessionist force.

July 9

• Lexington (Lafayette) is occupied by Federal troops. Susan McCausland refuses to take down her secessionist flag and her husband is arrested, as are several other secessionists.

July 12

• Missouri City (Clay) is looted.

July 17

• West Point (Bates) is occupied by the Cass County Home Guard under the command of the Reverend Abner Dean.

July 18

• Battle of the Barley Farm -- At a location about three miles north of Harrisonville (Cass), Union troops from Kansas City (Jackson) fight locals, with casualties on both sides.

July 24

• Action at Blue Mills Landing (Jackson) -- General Pope's forces on the steamship WHITE CLOUD have been sweeping the Missouri River of ferry boats. At Blue Mills Landing they are attacked by secessionist forces from Jackson County. Blue Mills Landing is burned.
• Battle of Randolph (Clay) -- A German Home Guard unit from Harlem (Clay) attacks secessionists at Randolph. There are no fatalities, but the Harlem unit leaves behind their cannon.
• The Van Horn Fight  -- A large Federal force is repulsed by a small Missouri State Guard force at or near Liberty Landing (Clay). Approximately  eight Federals are killed.

July 25

• Skirmish near Harrisonville (Cass)

July 26

• Harrisonville (Cass) is occupied and looted by Kansas troops under Jennison.

July 27

• Skirmish near Harrisonville (Cass)

August 3

• The Nebraska Battalion under Colonel Thayer and Captain Sully raid and occupy Independence (Jackson) and rescue four men.  The men were being held in the Jackson County Jail and were soon to be executed as Union spies and raiders.

August 5

• Battle of Athens -- A large Missouri State Guard force is routed by a smaller Union force led by the energetic Colonel David Moore. The action has been dubbed the northernmost battle of the Civil War. At least one cannon ball is launched into Iowa.

August 9

• The rebel John Mathews drives 60 Free-State families from the Cherokee neutral lands comprising what is now Cherokee and Crawford counties in Kansas. Sixteen deaths are reported.

August 10

• Battle of Wilson's Creek (Greene and Christian) --  General Nathaniel Lyon is killed in the first large-scale engagement between Union and Missouri State Guard forces. The result is a nominal victory for the latter, in what is called the 'Bull Run of the West.' There are more than 1,300 killed, wounded and missing for the Union, and more than 1,200 killed, wounded and  missing  for the Missouri State Guard.  The battle, also called the Battle of Oak Hills, was fought some 12 miles southwest of Springfield (Greene).

August 12

• Secessionist military groups are formed at Platte City (Platte), Gooseneck (Platte) and Cain's (Platte).

August 14

• Major General Fremont, Commander of the Department of the West, declares martial Law in Missouri.

August 28

• Skirmish at Lexington (Lafayette)

August 30

• Proclamation by General Fremont orders that the property of secessionists, including slaves, could be confiscated. This is called Fremont's 'Emancipation Proclamation.'
  • Additional information on Fremont's Emancipation Proclamation and Lincoln's order for Fremont to rescind it.
• St. Joseph (Buchanan) is occupied by the Rock House Prairie secessionists under John Boyd. Rock House Prairie is about 10 miles east of St. Joseph.

August 31

• Raid on Ball Town (Vernon) by Kansas troops

September 1

• Skirmish near Ft. Scott (Bourbon)
• Union pickets are fired upon and killed south of Warrensburg (Johnson).

September 2

• Battle of Dry Wood or Battle of the Mules (Vernon) -- Kansas Senator and General of Kansas Calvary James H. Lane runs into a superior secessionist force and his mules are captured as he flees back into Kansas.

September 3

• Platte River Bridge Disaster (Buchanan) -- The railroad bridge over the Platte River east of St. Joseph (Buchanan) collapses as the train from Hannibal, Missouri is crossing. Secessionist sabotage is suspected. Approximately 20 passengers are killed and another 100 are injured. Confederate Guerrilla Silas Gordon of Platte County is among those thought to be responsible.

September 5

• Skirmish near Papinsville (Bates)

September 6

• The steamboat OMAHA is commandeered at St. Joseph (Buchanan) by secessionist forces. The OMAHA had been engaged in removing goods from St. Joseph across the river to Elwood (Doniphan, KS).

September 8

• First Humboldt Raid (Allen, KS) -- The rebel John Matthews leads a band of 125-150 men to retrieve what they call their appropriated goods.   They also capture a number of blacks to return to Missouri. Matthews' band includes Cherokees, Creeks, Osages and some Missouri guerrillas.

September 10

• At a covered bridge on Tabo Creek near Lexington (Lafayette), eight Federals and 25 Missouri State Guard troops are killed.
• Lexington (Lafayette) is occupied by Federal forces under the command of Colonel James A. Mulligan and the 'Irish Brigade.' They fortify the Masonic College with reinforcements and soon have some 3,500 men on site.

September 11

• In what is now recognized as the opening day of the Battle of Lexington (Lafayette), General Sterling Price and the Missouri State Guard enter the town and surround the Federal troops at the Masonic College.
• President Lincoln orders General Fremont to modify his Emancipation Proclamation to comply with his own.
  
  Image:    Print shows Abraham Lincoln, in a life preserver labeled "Union", on a storm tossed sea, pushing away an African American man who had been clinging to him.  Next to them floats a hat with papers labeled "fremonts Proclamation: and in the background is the mast of a ship flying a pennant "Proclamation." Image and description from the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs  collection.  Image first published 12 October 1861.

September 12

• Humboldt (Allen, KS) is sacked by rebels.
• Skirmish near the Platte River some eight miles south of St. Joseph (Buchanan) 

September 13

• Skirmish near Boonville (Cooper)
• The Battle of Lexington continues with skirmishing at Machpelah Cemetery south of Lexington (Lafayette). The skirmish slows but does not stop Missouri State Guard action against the Federal fortifications.
• Butler and Papinsville (Bates) are plundered by Kansas forces under the command of Lane.

September 14

• West Point (Bates) is occupied by Kansas forces under the command of Lane.
• Skirmish at Randolph (Clay)

September 15

• St. Joseph (Buchanan) is occupied by the Illinois troops under General John Pope. St. Joseph is almost deserted except for the Federal troops.  In 1862 Pope would be in command of the Union army at the Second Battle of Bull Run.

September 16

• Platte City (Platte) is occupied by the 16th Illinois with 300 men and cannons. The Federal forces are met by 70 or so secessionists, who quickly scatter.

September 17

• Platte City (Platte) is fired upon and looted by Federal forces on the way to Liberty.
• Liberty (Clay) is occupied by Federal forces.
• Battle of Blue Mills Landing, also known as the Battle of Liberty (Clay) --  Federals march from Cameron (Clinton and Dekalb) to Liberty in an unsuccessful attempt to stop the Missouri State Guard from crossing the Missouri River to join forces with Sterling Price at the Battle of Lexington. There are more than 100 casualties.
  • Additional information on the Battle and the 2011 Commemoration
• Battle of Morristown (Cass) -- Lane's Kansas troops attack Missouri State Guard recruiting camp. Five prisoners are required to dig their own graves and are then executed. The town is almost totally destroyed. 

September 18

• The rebel John Mathews is located near State Line just SE of Chetopa (Labette, KS) by the Humboldt Home Guard and Regular Kansas 6th Cavalry. Matthews is killed.
• The Battle of Lexington continues with the Missouri State Guard bombarding the Federal fortifications at the Masonic College in Lexington (Lafayette) for nine hours in an unsuccessful attempt to dislodge them.

September 18-19

• Skirmishing near Rose Hill (Johnson)

Battle of Lexington.  Harper's Weekly, October 12, 1861.

September 20

• "John Brown's Body" is first sung in the state of Kansas at Leavenworth (Leavenworth, KS).
• Two companies of Federals from Kansas City remove their wounded from Liberty (Clay) following the Battle of Blue Mills Landing. There is some looting.
• The Battle of Lexington concludes with what is now called the Battle of the Hemp Bales. General Price's Missouri State Guard forces utilize mobile breastworks in the form of water-soaked hemp bales to overcome the fortified Federal forces at the Masonic College at Lexington (Lafayette). The entire Federal force is surrendered.

September 21

• Federal forces under Lane engage rebel forces at Papinsville (Bates).  A reported 17 Federals and possibly 40 rebels are killed.
• Lane forces approach Osceola (St. Clair).

September 22

• Destruction of Osceola (St. Clair) -- Federal forces under Lane occupy Osceola, the county seat of St. Clair County, and are met with little resistance. Virtually the entire town is destroyed, including the Courthouse. A number of citizens are killed when an ammunition supply blows up. There is widespread plundering and an estimated $1,000,000 worth of goods and money is loaded onto wagons and hauled back to Kansas. Many slaves are taken to freedom in Kansas. 
• Skirmishing around Columbus (Johnson, MO)

October 1

• Skirmish near Butler (Bates) between secessionist and Kansas forces who are trying to impede Price's retreat after the Battle of Lexington. 

October 1 (Approximately)

• Kansas troops raid the 'Stone neighborhood,' about four miles south of Blue Springs (Jackson). Several houses including the DeWitt, Thompson and Stone homesteads are raided. Mrs. Stone verbally assaults the Kansas troops and is struck on the head with a pistol. The Kansan who strikes Mrs. Stone is shot dead by William Clarke Quantrill, who is a member of a local Blue Springs home protection group, who apparently confronted the Federal forces while still on their raid and possibly at the Stone home. Two other Kansans are seriously wounded and die later at Independence.
      Mr. Stone and Mr. Thompson are arrested and charged with murder. William Clarke Quantrill testifies that he shot the Kansan who assaulted Mrs. Stone, and Mr. Stone and Mr. Thompson are released.

October 5

• Skirmish near West Point (Bates) -- The settlement at West Point, which sat on the Missouri-Kansas border, was looted so often and so thoroughly that even entire buildings were loaded up and dragged into Kansas.

October 10

• The Provisional Government of Missouri meets in St. Louis.

October 12

• Skirmish at Cameron (Clinton and Dekalb)

October 16

• Lexington (Lafayette) is occupied by Union troops.
• Humboldt (Allen, KS) is attacked and much of the town burned by Missouri State Guard forces led by Colonel Talbott.
• Kingsville (Johnson, MO) is sacked by Kansas forces led by General James Lane.  Several horses as well as other property are confiscated. A number of houses of southern sympathizers are burned and eight citizens are killed.

October 17

• The steamer SIOUX CITY is captured by the Federals at Lexington (Lafayette).

October 18

• Skirmish at Warrensburg (Johnson, MO)

October 25

• Gardner (Johnson, KS) is occupied and sacked by rebel forces. Five wagon loads of goods are hauled away.

October 27

• Skirmish at Spring Hill (Livingston)

October 29

• Sheriff John Clem of Bates County leads a raid into Linn County, Kansas, to recover property stolen on Union raids into Bates County. Several Mine Creek (Linn, KS) area settlers are killed. The Bates County forces are ambushed as they head back to Missouri. Two Bates County men are killed.

October 30

• Governor Jackson's Missouri Government in Exile in Neosho passes an ordinance of secession.  The legitimacy of the ordinance is questioned on two accounts: First, such an action may have required a statewide vote, and secondly, records showing the ordinance passing the House of Representatives have never been found.
• Brooklyn (Linn, KS) is raided, with one settler killed and considerable property taken. 
• Platte City (Platte) is surrounded and then occupied by Federal forces under Major Joseph, who are especially focused on Platte County guerrillas under the command of Silas Gordon. The Platte County guerrillas are suspects in the Platte River Bridge Disaster. Gordon's abandoned camp is found nearby, but Gordon escapes. There is minor looting in the area by the Federal forces.

November 2

• Battle of Bee Creek -- Union Troops are ambushed near Weston (Platte) on Bee Creek. One secessionist and two Federal soldiers are killed.
• Federal General Charles Fremont is relieved of his command and his Confiscation and Emancipation proclamations are revoked by President Lincoln.

November 6

• Battle of Rocky Ford -- Missouri State Guard troops, under the command of Upton Hays, capture Kansas troops and battery at Rocky Ford on the Little Blue River near Little Santa Fe (Jackson).

November 7

• More Kansas troops are surrendered near Harrisonville (Cass) near the Little Blue River.

November 11

• The Battle of the Little Blue (or the Battle of White Oak Creek) -- Hay's Missouri State Guard troops are attacked in camp by Jennison's Kansas troops on the Little Blue River near present-day Knobtown, an area between Independence, Raytown and Lee's Summit in Jackson County.

November 12

• Secessionists from Bates County raid into Linn County, Kansas, killing at least one.

November 14

• Raid on Independence (Jackson) by Jennison's Kansas troops -- Houses are looted and burned. Property taken includes 50-100 slaves. Jennison's Kansas troops are commanded by David (D.R.) Anthony. Pitcher's Mill and a number of houses in the area near present-day Highway 40 and Blue Ridge Blvd. (Jackson) are burned.

November 15

• Raiders from the Mound City (Linn, KS) area are attacked near Butler (Bates) by at least two companies of secessionists under the command of Sheriff Clem of Bates County. Nine of the Kansas raiders are killed.

November 16

• A Federal wagon train is captured near Pleasant Hill (Cass) by Missouri State Guard forces under Upton Hays. 
• Kansas City Bank Robberies -- More than 20 men dressed in Union military uniforms rob two Kansas City (Jackson) banks in broad daylight. They are led by Marshall Cleveland (real name probably Charles Metz), once of Jennison's command and now, purportedly, leading his own independent band.

November 17

• Pleasant Hill (Cass) is burned and looted by Lane's 7th Kansas Cavalry.

November 18

• A Federal wagon train is captured by Confederates near Warrensburg (Johnson) and later recaptured by the Federals.

November 20

• Skirmish at Butler (Bates) -- A Missouri State Guard company under the command of Sidney Jackman attacks "Kansas Robbers" west of Butler and chases them back into Kansas. Most of the stolen property is recovered and the Kansans suffer heavy losses.
• Skirmish at Little Santa Fe (Jackson).
• Upton Hays and his men are attacked in camp at his home in present day south Kansas City (Jackson). There are several casualties.

November 21

• Little Santa Fe (Jackson) is occupied by Kansas troops. Several buildings are burned.
• Engagement at a church near Little Santa Fe (Jackson), perhaps called High Grove Church, leaves one Missourian killed and the church burned.

November 22 (approximately)

• Pleasant Hill (Cass) is looted and burned by Kansas troops.

November 25

• Independence (Jackson) is surrounded early in the morning by Kansas troops. The men in town are rounded up and forced to gather on the Independence Square, and the property of disloyal citizens is confiscated. The crowd is forced to listen to an address by Lieutenant Colonel D. R. Anthony entitled "Wake Snaix and Come to Judgement."
  • Read more about Lieutenant D. R. Anthony and the Kansas 7th Calvary
• The "Crackerneck" area, southeast of Independence (Jackson), is raided by Anthony's Kansas troops. They have a list of about 12 houses that are to be burned. This was accomplished.

November 26

• Anthony's Kansas troops find 14 kegs of powder hidden in a vault in an Independence (Jackson) cemetery. It is thought the powder was some of the munitions stolen from the Liberty Arsenal.

November 26

• The Kansas Cavalry is ambushed near a crossing of the Little Blue River near Independence (Jackson). This was probably in the area later known as Ripley (Jackson).

November 28

• Missouri is admitted as the 12th member state of the Confederate States of America.
• The "Rebel" Fitzpatrick is executed at Kansas City (Jackson) for crimes associated with the Battle of Lexington.
• Weston (Platte) is occupied by the guerrilla Gordon and 30 men. The stores of several Union men are looted and burned. Four Union officers are captured and taken to Iatan (Platte).

November 29

• The railroad bridge near Iatan (Platte) is burned, probably by the guerrilla Gordon.
• Guerrillas capture the railroad near Winthrop (Platte).

November 30

• The New Market (Platte) area is raided by Kansas troops out of St. Joseph looking for southern sympathizers. There is much looting.

Do you have a website with additional information on a listing in our almanac?  We will be happy to place a link to this additional information.  Let us know by visiting our add a link page.

December 6

• Independence (Jackson) is occupied by secessionist forces who arrest several Union supporters and force them to sign oaths that they would not take up arms against the Confederacy.

December 7 (approximately)

• Morristown (Cass) is occupied by Kansas troops under the command of D. R. Anthony.

December 8

• Liberty (Clay) is occupied by Federal troops. Many secessionists are arrested.

December 9

• Skirmish at Union Mill (Platte), near the Platte River about 1.5 miles northwest of Edgerton. 
• Skirmishing near Waverly (Lafayette). Federal troops are attacked by Missouri State Guard forces, under the command of Joseph O. Shelby, who annoy the Federals by firing a mortar filled with mud at them.

December 10

• Waverly (Lafayette) Raid -- Federal troops raid Waverly and capture Shelby's mortar. Shelby's men engage the Federal forces, who are involved in a raid through Saline County and neighboring areas.
• Westport (Jackson) Business District Raid -- Stores are robbed and one suspected secessionist raider is killed.

December 11

• Rebel Raid on Potosi -- Potosi (Linn County, KS) is plundered by a large secessionist force from Bates County led by Sheriff Clem. At least one Unionist is killed.

December 13

• Papinsville (Bates) is plundered and burned by forces led by Maj. H. H. Williams of Lane's 1st Kansas Infantry in retaliation for the Potosi (Linn, KS) raid.

December 14

• Butler (Bates) occupied by Federal troops -- Butler, including the county courthouse, is burned in further retaliation for the Potosi (Linn, KS) raid. The Missouri State Guard comes into town as Butler is still burning and engages the Union troops, who suffer the loss of at least two men.

December 15-17

• Skirmishing near Chilhowee (Johnson, MO)

December 15

• Four buildings are burned at Farley (Platte).

December 16

• Platte City (Platte), including the Courthouse, is burned.

December 17

• Independence (Jackson) is surrounded by a company of Lane's Kansas troops. A number of rebel prisoners are taken.  Later that same day Independence is occupied by Anthony's command and they camp on the courthouse square. As many as 100 slaves were taken to freedom in Kansas.
• Bee Creek Bridge (Platte) -- Rebels Triplett and Close are scheduled to be executed for their alleged participation in the earlier Bee Creek Battle. Close is bayoneted while trying to escape and Triplett's execution is carried out.

December 18

• Independence (Jackson) is raided by the 6th Kansas under Colonel William Weir. Several citizens are arrested.
• Battle at Blackwater River near Milford (Johnson, MO) -- As many as 1,200 recent Confederate recruits, on their way south to join Price's command, are captured in camp on the Blackwater River. Two Federal soldiers are killed, as well as an undetermined number of Confederates. Some 736 of the Confederates captured here were eventually imprisoned at the infamous Federal prison at Alton, Illinois.

December 20

• Westport (Jackson) is occupied by Kansas troops. 
• 100 contrabands taken at Independence arrive at Leavenworth (Leavenworth, KS)

December 23

• Expedition near Lexington (Lafayette) by Federal troops destroys a foundry and several Missouri River ferry boats.  Federal troops encounter bridge burners and railroad saboteurs, killing 10 of them.
• Skirmish at Dayton (Cass)

December 24

• Skirmish at Wadesburg (Cass)

December 28

• A "Secesh Ball" is broken up at Stump Town (Bates) on the Butler to Papinsville Road. Several prisoners are taken.

December 31

• Skirmishing near Dayton (Cass). The next day a secessionist recruiting camp at Dayton is broken up by D. R. Anthony, in command of Jennison's troops. All but one house in the town of Dayton are burned.