Northwest Civil War Tour

Northwest Missouri offers a host of Civil War sites. Start your tour in Lone Jack, where Maj. Emory Foster and his Union forces initiated The Battle of Lone Jack on Aug. 15-16, 1862. This small, but brutal battle involved charges, retreats and counterattacks resulting in 270 casualties (US 160; CS 110) and a Confederate victory. While in Lone Jack, visit the Civil War Museum of Jackson County and the Lone Jack Battlefield and Cemetery.

From Lone Jack, travel to Higginsville, where you will find the Confederate Memorial State Historic Site, once a refuge for veterans and families of the Confederate army. Visitors can enjoy the historical buildings and interpretive displays at the site. The cemetery on the site includes the grave of John T. Graves, "The Last of Shelby's Men," and the partial remains of William Quantrill.

Just north of Higginsville, visit Lexington and The Battle of Lexington State Historic Site. The first Battle of Lexington, a.k.a. "The Battle of Hemp Bales," took place Sept. 13-20, 1861, when Col. James A. Mulligan [US] and Maj. Gen. Sterling Price [CS] engaged forces of more than 15,000 men. There were approximately 1,874 casualties (US 1,774; CS 100) resulting in a Confederate victory. After spending the afternoon touring the Lafayette County Courthouse be sure to look for the cannonball still lodged in one of the columns. Visit the Lexington Historical Museum; historic Sterling Price Headquarters (now Block 42 Antiques and Gifts); Wentworth Military Academy; and Machpelah Cemetery.

Travel to Independence for an evening of good food and a relaxing night's sleep. The next morning, tour the town which was the site of three Civil War battles. On Aug. 11, 1862, Col. J.T. Hughes and his Confederate forces, including William Quantrill, attacked Independence at dawn. The battle resulted in a Union surrender by Lt. Col. James T. Buel. The second Battle of Independence occurred on Oct. 22, 1864. It, too, ended in a Confederate victory. The Battle of Little Blue was the third battle in Independence. It took place eight miles east of downtown Independence. The Union forces were not victorious; however, the efforts at Little Blue slowed the Confederates while Union reinforcements were arriving. Be sure to visit the 1859 Marshal's Jail and Museum; Battle of Independence marker; the Frank James gravesite; the George Todd gravesite; and Woodlawn Cemetery.

The Battle of Blue Mills Landing took place in Liberty, Mo., on Sept. 17, 1861. The hour-long battle resulted in a Confederate victory and helped Confederates consolidate influence in northwest Missouri. Liberty is home to William Jewell College, where Jewell Hall, the campus administration building, served as a hospital following the Battle of Blue Mills Landing. Also, a must-see is the Jesse James Bank and Museum, where the infamous Jesse James and his cohorts conducted the first daylight bank robbery after the war. James began riding with William Quantrill's guerillas after some Union militia tortured and nearly killed his father in nearby Kearney on the family farm. That farm will be your next stop; the Jesse James Farm and Museum, where you can visit the original gravesite.

From Kearney, drive to St. Joseph, home of the Pony Express. With war on the horizon, there had to be a way to quickly communicate with California to ensure the state remained in the Union. The service recruited orphans to travel the overland route, often through hostile territory, to deliver the news. This service only lasted until the telegraph connected both coasts, yet its legend lives on. Visit the Pony Express National Museum to find out more about those days.

Before you leave St. Joseph, stop at the Patee House Museum to learn about the early days of the town; and see the Jesse James Home, where Jesse was shot and killed.

Your tour ends south of St. Joseph in Kansas City, home to many hidden Civil War treasures. The Battle of Byram's Ford, a strategically important battle that took place in the Kansas City area on Oct. 22-23, 1864, resulted in Gen. Price retreating south and a Union victory. Visit the Harris-Kearney House where the Westport Historical Society is housed and see the museum. An interesting stop is the Forest Hill Cemetery. It is the resting place for Confederate Gen. Joseph Shelby and marks the place of his last stand. In addition, the Union Cemetery is the eternal resting place for many soldiers who died in the Civil War. It includes a Confederate monument in honor of 15 unknown prisoners of war who died in Kansas City, as well as the gravesites of George Caleb Bingham and Josephine Anderson, Bloody Bill Anderson's 14-year-old sister. Authorities imprisoned Josephine, along with other female relatives of suspected Confederate guerillas, in a building owned by George Caleb Bingham. The building collapsed, killing Josephine and three others. This prompted William Quantrill and his raiders to retaliate by attacking and burning Lawrence, Kansas.

Before departing the area take a trip to the Wornall House Museum. The history of this building includes use as a field hospital by both the Union and Confederate armies.