Welcome to Missouri CW history! You're in for an interesting ride, my friend... I work for the Bates County Museum in Butler, Missouri and we are located on the Kansas Border about 1 hour south of Kansas City. In October 1862, the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry marched into Bates County and the "Skirmish of Island Mound," occurred. This marked the first-ever engagement between Confederate Partisans and Colored Soldiers. Bear in mind that these were Kansas troops and that the Union Army had not yet begun recruiting African-Americans. The 1st KCVI troops fought bravely and proved themselves during the skirmish. Another 'first' is that one of the officers commanding on the battlefield was African-American.

The State of Missouri has purchased 40 acres of land associated with the battle and there are plans to develop it into a State Historic site. Just Google 'Skirmish (Battle) at Island Mound'. There are several links. You'll also find this skirmish in the OR.

When you make your trip to Missouri, drop on by our museum. We'll be delighted to share some rural Missouri hospitality and we can swap stories. After talking more about the 1st KCVI, I'll tell you the remarkable story of ours being the only county in the history of America to be ordered completely depopulated and all towns/farms burned. We were ground zero in a region known as, "The Burnt District," courtesy of the infamous Order No. 11 issued by Union General Thomas Ewing in August 1863 following Quantrill's raid on Lawrence.

Keep an open mind, Leonard. I suspect you're in for a few surprises as you begin to understand just how complex the situation in Missouri was during the 1850-60s. Of course, our great MU-KU Border War sports rivalry is testimony to the fact that we love keeping our history alive!

Kindest regards,
Peggy Buhr