Although it tends to be overlooked in favor of the action that took place in the Confederate Heartland and the Virginia Triangle, the Trans-Mississippi Theater witnessed more than its share of fighting during the US Civil War.
The War’s opening phase, in particular, was marked by several battles in the state of Missouri. On August 10th, the Battle of Wilson’s Creek, a major engagement pitting 12,000 Confederate forces against 5,400 Union soldiers, was barely won by the rebel army. Both sides suffered close to 1,300 casualties; among these was Nathaniel Lyon, the first Union general to die in the War. Six days later, a second, smaller clash in Lone Jack also ended in Southern victory. Although less known, a much smaller, third fight which had taken place earlier (August 5th) remains noteworthy among the Missouri encounters; it showcased three recurring elements of the Civil War: 1) fighting between family and neighbors; 2) the role of small scale skirmishing, and 3) soldiers’ desire to fight for something beyond “adventure” or “fun.” It would also prove to be the northernmost battle fought in the Trans-Mississippi Theater.
Founded in 1844, the town of Athens, Missouri (pronounced AY-thens) was a bustling river metropolis by the autumn of 1861. Located along the Des Moines River near the Iowa settlement of Croton, it was roughly eight miles north of present day Revere, IA. At its height Athens boasted five churches, fifty businesses, and a large hotel.
Although the Missouri legislature voted against succession in 1861, loyalties in the state were divided. Many officials and citizens remained sympathetic to the Southern cause. The most active included the Missouri State Guard, comprising former members of the state militia who joined together to coordinate resistance to Union forces stationed in Missouri. Their efforts were met by pro-Union Missourians who in turn created the Missouri Home Guard. These competing armed bands literally pitted neighbor against neighbor and fathers against sons across counties throughout the northern half of the state.
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