Missouri had no parallel anywhere else in the nation. To the west along the Kansas-Missouri border, with pro-Confederate bushwhackers and Kansas Jayhawkers, "quarter" was usually not expected or given. This style of “hard war” was not limited to western Missouri; it occurred throughout the state and often in south-eastern Missouri as well. Many of the civilians there found themselves between opposing forces, no matter what side they were on. Often times forced to join up by one side, conscripted by the other, and ransacked by both. Some men required by law to join a militia refused and with their families took to the woods and hid, calling themselves Mossbacks.
Now enter into the story the Federal Army. Some joined the Enrolled Missouri Militia (EMM) or Missouri State Militia (MSM) as well as volunteer U. S. Army regiments from Missouri. Many of these men occasionally found themselves fighting their neighbors. In addition men and resources from places like Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Iowa, and Nebraska were funneled through fortified towns such as Springfield, Rolla, Pilot Knob, and Cape Girardeau. From these bases came the manpower to build a system of forts that would resemble a large scale depiction of pickets and sentinels from Dennis Hart Mahan's Outpost (1848). From the main supply towns such as Pilot Knob other forts were built thirty miles to the south in places like Barnesville, Patterson, and Bloomfield. These in turn helped supply occupied towns and patrols along the southern border of Missouri and helped protect Missouri from possible Confederate invasions out of Arkansas. These fortifications and redoubts stretched across southern Missouri and the commands within were usually ordered to fall back to the larger forts to the north if the rebels were seen in any force.
Federal Equipment and clothing
While ammunition and supplies were being produced at the St. Louis Arsenal many of these men were often armed with the sub-standard weapons that were not accepted in other theaters to the east, some were issued captured confederate weapons or were issued leftovers that no one else wanted. On one occasion during Marmaduke’s Raid artillery (and infantry) weapons were borrowed from the garrison at Columbus, Kentucky. Attacks could come at any time and civilians were usually suspected of guerilla activities. General J. W. Davidson acted cautiously.
General J. W. Davidson
Confederates had been present in South East Missouri from the onset of the war. Little wonder that Confederate sentiment was high in some areas with families arriving in the 1830's from places like Virginia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky. When the war broke out some of the locals from Shannon, Wayne and Reynolds County joined Timothy Reves’ company of Independent Scouts. By 1863 some of these men or close relatives had been affected by the war with livestock, crops, and homes being raided and destroyed. They kept in communications with various Confederate Commands out of Arkansas. Some of them had some scores to settle. They knew the countryside and would serve as guides. Add to this a Vanguard of 19th and 21st Texas Cavalry and Pratt's artillery out of Marmaduke's command.
Confederate Equipment and clothing
Many of these men brought shotguns and squirrel rifles from home. Others were provided with Enfield or Mississippi rifles still others seem to have had old flintlocks converted to percussion. They wore the same civilian clothing they possessed when they joined up or had been supplied from home. Whatever clothing was issued to them most likely came up from the Texas Penitentiary. Marmaduke's Army was ill-equipped; out of 5,000 men, 1,200 were unarmed and 900 had no horses, despite the fact they were in the Cavalry. Marmaduke was aware of the condition of his army but feared that leaving men behind would lead to desertions. The combination of a lack of forage, a desire for better horses, and a desire to take pressure off other areas set the stage for Marmaduke's Raid in the Spring 1863.
With these three entities in place the stage will be set for a unique campaign in Reynolds County Missouri. Marmaduke's Raid took place between April 20 and May 2, 1863. During that time Marmaduke's Division went half-way across Missouri and kept the federals guessing about what was going on in the south-eastern quarter of the state. Our campaign will be very close to (if not on) part of the route. Our campaign will only cover a small part of this raid as it occurred from Reeves Station at the Black River crossing through Patterson and into the Stony Battery. The event site is only 15 miles from Patterson.
Why Marmaduke’s Raid?
The Trans-Mississippi provides a unique flavor to the Civil War. Combinations of unorthodox equipage add to the novelty of sometimes strange scenarios simply not available to living historians in other theaters of the war. In the reenacting community and academic world the story of the war in south-east Missouri is virtually untapped. Those of us in the Trans-Mississippi west are proud of the unique living history opportunities that are available in our territory. We have, and do, support efforts east of the Mississippi, however it is time to uncover and share another episode from this side of the war. It should be no wonder that we love campaigning and life in the field and that when the opportunity for a good event presents itself we do what we love.
Preservation
At the same time there are still a series of abandoned forts and redoubts throughout the state--a few yet undiscovered. Local residents in places like Ellington and Patterson, Missouri, take pride in their Civil War past. Communities have fought to preserve some of the forts and redoubts but need a little help taking preservation to the interpretation level. Proceeds from Marmaduke's Raid will help preserve and tell the story of how these obscure towns played an important role in the Civil War. Depending on how much money can be raised proceeds will go for interpretive signage on the sites, land acquisition, or a museum.
Basic Scenarios
All civilians and military will portray impressions based on the people involved in the events of 1862-’63 in Wayne and Reynolds Counties in Missouri.
Civilians
Men and women who are willing to face a challenging environment without the comforts (or the modern intrusions) of typical battlefield and civilian scenarios will have a rare opportunity to face down two armies and bushwhackers. Men will have to avoid capture or impressments by both sides. Women risk the loss of personal items and food. All will have to work together to build shelters, dig sinks, and hide valuables from the armies.
Military
Men who serve in both the U.S. and CS armies will be taking part in scenarios that will be based on the occurrences that took place during Marmaduke’s second raid in Missouri in 1863. More specifically the part of the raid that took place between Reeves’ Station, on the Black River, to the Stony Battery where the 3rd MSM Cavalry held their ground after retreating there from Patterson.
The Federal army, commanded by Terry Sorchy, will be taking part in activities that occupied the time of United States soldiers in Missouri from 1862-’63. Once their home base is established, a redoubt will be built, sinks, and trash pits will be dug; pickets, Sentinels, and Patrols will be sent out in search of “Mossbacks” and the Confederate Army.
The Confederate Army commanded by Frank Aufmuth will be a mixture of mounted and dismounted cavalry. Confederates will participate in a campaign similar to Marmaduke’s second raid in Missouri in 1863. They will march an undisclosed distance from a point on the Black River. Gen. Marmaduke’s objective in the area was to forage and raid, acquire fresh horses, food, recruits, and to capture the federal garrison in Patterson.
The Location
The event will be held in pristine woodland including private property and Corps of Engineers land. There are virtually no modern intrusions. Once you are in the valley, the 21st century disappears. The only manmade features include two 19th century sinkholes created by lead prospectors, a hand-built road created for the use of the ox-wagons, and several “marking trees” made by Indians as much as two hundred years ago. Clearwater Lake is within a mile of the site. Parking is near Clearwater Lake, and reenactors will be transported or will hike in to the event site. There are no phones anywhere near the site, and cell phones do not work. The EMS system is voluntary in nature and emergency care may require a helicopter. Participants who are unsure of their general health and fitness levels should seek (and follow) a doctor’s advice before registering.