CIVIL WAR WEEKEND COMES TO LIFE...A TRIP INTO AMERICA'S PAST

1998 marks the year for another trip back in time. "Friends of Steam Railroading," the train's volunteer organization, is proud to announce, that they will be hosting the Civil War reenactments in October of 1998. The scheduled dates are October 17 at 11 :00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. At 5:00 p.m. on the same evening, passengers aboard the St. Louis Iron Mountain can join troops for an old-fashioned dinner at the camp site. On Sunday, October 18, there will be two excursions at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. The battle ground will be at the Gordonville Park for those who are interested in reliving an important part of America's history.

The Southeast Missouri region is no stranger to the battles of the Civil War. Even our region's very own St. Louis Iron Mountain and Southern Railway had played a part in the war.

St. Francois County remained firmly in Union hands throughout the war. The county was important to the Union because of its lead production. The St. Louis Iron Mountain Railroad also ran through the county, permitting rapid deployment of troops from St. Louis if necessary. Despite the heavy concentration of Union troops, there was Confederate guerrilla activity in St. Francois County throughout the war.

During the Battle of Pilot Knob, the St. Louis Iron Mountain played yet another important role. Acting on information that Union reinforcements had been transformed to St. Louis, Major General Sterling Price changed his plan of direct attack on Pilot Knob. He decided instead, to attack Fort Davidson near Pilot Knob, assuming that the garrison could be easily taken. Brigadier General Joseph O. Shelby's division was ordered to destroy track and bridges on the St. Louis Iron Mountain Railroad north of the fort to prevent rapid reinforcement from St. Louis on September 26, 1864.

The St. Louis Iron Mountain Railroad is not the only remaining Civil War historic site in the area. In Cape Girardeau County, nearby the city of Jackson, you can visit Bollinger Mill State Historic Site. The original mill was owned by Samuel and George Daugherty at the outbreak of the war. Staunch southern sympathizers, the Daughtery's supplied rebel troops with flour. The mill was burned by Federal troops in September, 1861. The current three story brick mill-house was built in 1868. The covered bridge, built on two massive stone piers, was interrupted by the war.

The city of Cape Girardeau, located ten minutes from the Jackson depot, is also home to several Civil War sites. On April 26, 1863, the Battle of Cape Girardeau was fought. Brigadier General John McNiel was in command of the Union forces and the Confederacy was acting under the orders of Major General John S. Marmaduke.

The battle lasted for four hours and according to reports, the Union casualties were 22 enlisted men and one officer killed, and 37 enlisted men and seven officers wounded. While the Confederates didn't make a detailed account, Marmaduke later reported that his causalities for the entire expedition numbered 30 killed, 60 wounded, and 120 missing.

The Minton House, also located in Cape Girardeau, was built in 1846. During the war, it was used as a United States smallpox hospital. However, because of stories that have been handed down, mystery surrounds the house. According to legend, there is a tunnel under the house that possibly leads to the Old Lorimier Cemetery or a site near the river. It is believed the tunnel was used to transport the dead from the hospital or was part of the Underground Railroad.

Another famous Civil War site is Port Cape Girardeau, which dates back to 1836. General Grant used Port Cape for his temporary headquarters where his instructions assigned him to the command of the district of Southeast Missouri, embracing all the territory south of St. Louis in Missouri, as well as all of Southern Illinois.

There were also four forts set up in Cape Girardeau. Due to the fact that it was the first high ground north of the Ohio River, Cape Girardeau was an important military post at the onset of the Civil War.

Following General John C. Fremont's orders, four forts were constructed in a semi-circle across the front of the village in order to resist assault by land and water. This led to the belief that Cape Girardeau was one of the most fortified cities in the united States. By the end of the Civil War, only one of the original forts remained standing, Fort D. It was restored in 1936 and is still standing today.

The Civil War left a lasting impression on this and several surrounding areas. Many of these sites are located only minutes from the St. Louis Iron Mountain and Southern Railway and are worth the trip to go and see an important part of America's history.

If you would like more information about the reenactment or reservations, please call the depot