C
IVIL WAR!Although there was nothing "civil" about it...
C
IVIL WAR!
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Table of Contents History Notables Tales Nature |
The settlers of the Ozarks were largely southern,
with the majority coming from the South. Yet many people felt
strong loyalty to the idea of one nation. While the various political arguments
that lead to the war developed, the people of the Ozarks tried to maintain
neutrality. As, one by one, the southern states
seceded, Mo. and Ark. held to the union. 
Finally their position became impossible when President Lincoln ordered Missouri
and Arkansas to raise a quota of men to help force the rebel states back in line.
Unwilling to fight old friends, neighbors, and families,
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both states refused, with Arkansas seceding May 6, 1861. Missouri was now faced with a difficult choice. Hamilton R. Gamble, future provisional Gov. put it this way "Our sympathies are with the South, but our best interests are with the North." Six days after the Pres. call for troops, confederate sympathizers seized the federal arsenal at Liberty Mo., shortly after that Federal troops arrested 700 State Guard troops (confederate), which led to a bloody riot in which three militiamen and 12 civilians died. Events moved rapidly with war virtually being declared on the elected (southern sympathizing) officials. Finally the elected government of Mo. evacuated the Capitol, reconvening, first in Boonville, then in Neosho, Continue |