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 This Cannon - Kirksville, MO Posted by:  YoSam.
N 40° 12.236 W 092° 34.424
15T E 536277 N 4450479
Cannon display to the memory of the GAR. The cannon is a Model 1835, 6 pounder field artillery
Waymark Code: WMM1DE
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 07/02/2014
Views: 2
County of marker: Adair County
Location of marker: US 63, Rotary Park, Kirksville
Cannon manufactured by: N. P. Ames Founder, Springfield, Mass.
Cannon made: 1839
Marker installed by: MacDougall-Lowe Post No. 20, American Legion
Date marker installed: 1935
Marker text:
THIS CANNON
Made for use in the Civil War
is the type used in the
Battle of Kirksville in 1862
Dedicated to the memory of
Corporal Dix Post No. 22, G. A. R.
1882 --- 1934
Some web sites with provide interesting details
"In June 1862, the Civil War Battle of Kirksville involved about 1,000 soldiers; with approximately 500 Union soldiers and 500 Confederate troops taking part.
"It is unclear how many men were killed during three hours of fighting. Reports vary anywhere from five to 28 Union soldiers, and to between 35 and 100 Confederate soldiers. An unknown number of Confederate soldiers were executed following the battle.
"The battle was seen as a victory for the Union; a marker in Forest Llewellyn Cemetery (four blocks west of Kirksville's square) was erected on the spot of a mass grave where local residents buried executed Confederates." ~ Visit Missouri
notice how wide the man power and losses are. Typical of Missouri Civil War battles, no one really knew, because other than those fighting, no one cared.
Web link: [Web Link]
History of Mark:
Battle of Kirksville - August 6, 1862
Union:
Commander: Colonel John McNeil
Strength: 1,000 men - losses: 88 KIA
Confederates:
Commander: Colonel Joseph C. Porter
Strength: 2,500 men - losses 368 KIA
The Battle of Kirksville was a battle in the American Civil War, fought in the town of Kirksville, Missouri, on August 6, 1862. The Union victory helped consolidate Federal control over northeastern Missouri.
Battle
'Confederate Col. Joseph C. Porter had been recruiting in the Macon area, to the south of Kirksville. He had assembled a brigade of between 1,500 and 2,500 ill-trained and poorly equipped troops, but his irregulars had harried and recruited as far north as Memphis. Confederate sympathies in the Kirksville area were high (though Union sentiment was stronger than in surrounding counties), due to the Southern heritage of most of the residents. Porter had been urged to come to Kirksville by Confederate Captain Tice Cain, an Adair County farmer who claimed to be holding Kirksville with 500 fresh recruits. (In one of the battle's mysteries, Cain disappeared and was never heard from again, according to a descendant.)
'Union Colonel John McNeil of the 2nd Missouri Cavalry and his troops, totalling about 1,000, had been pursuing Porter for more than a week. Before noon on August 6, McNeil attacked Porter in the town of Kirksville, where the Confederates had concealed themselves in homes and stores and among the crops in the nearby fields, especially in the county courthouse and the commercial buildings on the square. Their presence was discovered by a Union detachment that volunteered to ride around the square in order to draw fire and cause the Confederates to reveal themselves — an act of courage which cost two Union soldiers their lives. McNeil deployed his artillery before moving in a broad line towards the town square. The subsequent cannon fire demoralized the defenders, some of whom retreated behind a rail fence, west of the square.
'The Union troops then advanced in two wings, with Lt. Col. William F. Shaffer (Merrill's Horse) in command of the Union right wing and Major Henry Clay Caldwell of the 3rd Iowa in charge of the left. As the two wings met, they succeeded in driving the Confederates from the courthouse. Porter's remaining forces yielded ground and joined the others behind the rail fence. From this position, the Confederates poured heavy fire into McNeil’s men, but were ultimately overwhelmed. The battle began at 11 a.m. and was over by 2 p.m.
'The Federals then secured the town, capturing numerous prisoners, and driving away the remaining Confederates. Three days later, another Union force arrived and finished the work begun at Kirksville, virtually destroying Porter's command
Aftermath
'According to a letter by resident J. Martin, written a week after the battle, Confederate dead numbered about 200, Union 30; McNeill’s official tally was 150 Confederates killed (300-400 wounded) against 6 Union deaths (32 wounded). Two civilian casualties were noted: James Dye, a sixty-year-old farmer with two sons in the Union army, was held overnight by Porter during his approach to the town, then told to be on his way, but shot as he left. The other was Mrs. Elizabeth Cutts (also given as "Kutz" and "Coots"). Most Kirksville residents had heeded Porter’s warning to depart, but Cutts was shot when two Confederate soldiers attempted to enter the cellar where she was hiding, and she was hit by a Union bullet meant for them as she ran out.
'John L. Porter, a prominent local citizen (no relation to the Confederate leader), asked for and was granted permission to treat the Confederate wounded. McNeil supplied a surgeon and instruments, the departed Porter having previously commandeered all medical equipment. The Confederate dead were deposited in several mass graves in Forest Llewellen Cemetery; a monument now marks the spot. Some were later recovered by their families. Fifteen Confederates were quick
Additional point: Not Listed
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Visit Instructions:
A clear picture of the Marker or Plaque taken by you.
Also would appreciate you input on the text and location.
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