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Archiver > MO-CW > 2001-07 > 0994588798


From: David H Finke <>
Subject: [MO-CW] Battle of Boonville
Date: Sun, 8 Jul 2001 05:39:58 -0500 (CDT)
In-Reply-To: <200107072100.f67L0nT29484@lists2.rootsweb.com>


This is fascinating to read, on several accounts.

(1) Our relatives are here in Columbia, MO, from out of town and we plan
to spend this evening watching the sun set over the lovely Missouri River
bottoms and bluffs, from the blufftop winery and bistro at Rocheport (Les
Bourgeois ... well worth it!), which should give us a vista of the action
described in the 2 articles.

(2) My wife's extended family members live in Arrow Rock (home of
Sapingtons, Marmadukes, etc.) and Marshall, both in Saline County. We
recognize a number of the names, like Swisher, from their contemporary
descendents.

(3) Apparently the only "preparation" the locals had for the battle was a
fire-breathing, stem-winding sermon the night before. It seems I've read
elsewhere that it was at the Presbyterian church (or at least by a
Presbyterian minister)? The irony is that a good personal friend of ours
has been pastor at the Boonville Pres. Church, and is about the most
peaceable person we've ever known. Blessedly, times have changed!

But the reason I write is that the 2nd article, the 1924 one, speaks of
"the writer" as being a participant in that particular engagement and
rout... but I can't find his name! Could whomever submitted the articles
please check to see if their version of the clipping had an author
attributed?

One more thing: I've heard that this battle was the "first land battle" of
the Civil War, after Ft. Sumpter's fall. Could that be right? Or the
first in Missouri? I know that the national morale factor was
significant for the North, but need to clarify what was "first" about this
event (other than the fact that there was apparently also a "second"
Battle of Boonville.)

Thanks for whatever help you can dig up.

In peace,

David Hadley Finke
Columbia, MO 65203


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