The Missouri in the Civil War Message Board

Tigers Formed To Defend Against Bill Anderson

From "History of Northeast Missouri" by Walter Williams, published in 1913--

Columbia Tiger Company
After hearing of the great destruction wrought by Bill Anderson and his men in other parts of the county, especially in and near Centralia, the citizens of Columbia, irrespective of their war feelings, joined a company for the protection of Columbia, its schools and churches. This organization had the bold and somewhat vicious name of "Columbia Tiger Company," and the members of this company were the first tigers who ever called Columbia their headquarters. James S. Rollins was elected captain, A.J. Harbinson and John F. Baker, lieutenants, and Lewis M. Switzler, sergeant. A blockhouse made of logs was erected at the intersection of Broadway and Eighth streets, suitable portholes made in the four sides and suitable military supplies placed therein. This blockhouse was built just over a well, which had previously been dug at the crossing of those streets, and thus plenty of water could be furnished the soldiers. The courthouse and Baptist church were used as sleeping quarters for the soldiers and both buildings were barricaded and had portholes. They were surrounded by a ditch, which was intended to keep the "Bushwhackers" from setting fire to a load of hay and running it up to the courthouse, and thereby burn the courthouse. Of course, sentinels were on every road leading from Columbia, and a watchman was on top of the courthouse day and night. By reason of the determination of the men composing this compnay, Bill Anderson and his cohorts never came to Columbia.

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Tigers Formed To Defend Against Bill Anderson
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