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A screen was cut on the south bed- friend of the Rowles, received a callmissing on June 22.Participants preparing for battleBy Gary HollenbergCorrespondentCOIJS CAMP — Although its .strategic importance to the Civil War usovershadowed by larger battles to theeast, the Battle of Cole Camp clearlyillustrates the division of loyalties thatoccurred in border states during thlt;war.The battle, which took place two miles cast of Cole Camp on June 19, 1861, involved Confederate troops clearing a path for Missouri Gov. Clairbome Fox Jackson and MissouriHome Guards loyal to the Union. Thereenactment will be held on the original battlefield site, which has been cleared and restored to resemble thearea at the time of the battleThe re-enactment us one of only su eight sanctioned each year by the Lssouri Civil War Reenactors Association. '■A. /IExperienced reenactors, outfitted and armed in authentic civil war erauniforms and gear, will conduct reenactments of the Battle ofCamp and we generic Civil War battle. They also will camp ui recreations of Union and Confederate encampments.reenactmentspublic will be encouraged to tour thecamps to get a flavor of life in the army during the Civil War. Court martials, field hospitals, firing squads and training exercises will be featured. .: ±Painstaking research has gone into preparations to repeat the actual events of the Cole (’amp skirmish asclosely as possible. The kittle resultec from the plan of Jackson, the southem-leamng Missouri chief executive,to (fee Union troops and establish aConfederate Missouri state government in Texas, in absentia.A Missouri Home Guard training camp had been established near Cole Camp under the command of Captain A.H.W. Cook. The encampment was located on the adjoining farms of Harmon Harms and Henry C. Hosier-berg. The location of the camp was considered to be a possible impediment to Jackson’s safe passage out ofthe state.Confederate troops under the command of Col. Walter OKane weremassed at Warsaw. They were ordered to advance on the Union camp at Cole Camp. But John S. Tyree, a rural Benton County farmer who Warsaw on personal business, spitted the southern troops and reputed theirpresence to Captain CookCook's troops were in a weakenedstate after a large number were furloughed to return home to help withfarm work. Advancing during thenight, OKane’s forces intercepted Tyree traveling home from Cook’s camp. He was identified by a Confederate soldier as having been in Warsaw that day and was executed by firing squad as a spy.Before dawn on .June 19 the Con-rades to the advancing rebel forces a Union sentry left the door to the north ham ouenOKane's forces were able* to firepoint blank at the groggy homeguard. A couple of dozen guards estap'd to three com enhs nearby. They ret link'd fire A second ailumn of Canfederate troops advanced under the cover of the stars and stripes. This deception created confusion amongCook’s forces allowing the southerners to regain the initiative.The remaining home guards wen* routed from the other liam. They (It'd southward toward the heavy woods. They were able to reorganize and stop the pursuit Returning guardsmen, however, were armed only with axes, pitchforks, dubs and antique firearms They w« re easy prev to be taken prisoners of war bv the Confederates.rIhe battle lasted only a coup! hours. But the casualties mountedand were repirted as five killed, 60wounded and 13 captured among the home guard. For the Confederate troops, six or seven were killed hi id20-30 wounded. But the ifsuit of the Battle of Cole i ampiportan(aniDthat Gov. Jackson and his party were assured a safe passage through the area the next day.The reenactments, set for Saturdayfederate forces numbering about 350 surprised the remaining home guardsmen sleeping in two adjoining bams which served as billets for the troops.In his excitement to alert his com- tivities is free.and Sunday, will surrounded by several other events true to the period. Spectators will be shuttled from parking areas along Highway 52 two miles east of Cole Camp to the battlefield Bleachers have been set up, but seating is limited and bringing lawn chairs is advised.Admission to the reenactmentExclusment \for yoito life.we'reThat irRegA beA ccprowe'vecost. (do thlt;your f
Newspaper Details
Sedalia Democrat
Sedalia, Missouri, US
Wed, Jul 10, 1991
Page 7
Full Page
Clipped by
Misty C.
NA, 05 Jul 2022
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