Battle of Island Mound State Historic Site

Battle of Island Mound
State Historic Site
Map showing the location of Battle of Island Mound State Historic Site
Map showing the location of Battle of Island Mound State Historic Site
Location in Missouri
Map showing the location of Battle of Island Mound State Historic Site
Map showing the location of Battle of Island Mound State Historic Site
Battle of Island Mound State Historic Site (the United States)
LocationBates County, Missouri, United States
Coordinates38°14′07.2708″N 94°26′23.6436″W / 38.235353000°N 94.439901000°W / 38.235353000; -94.439901000
Area40 acres (16 ha)[1]
Established2008[2]
Visitors19,781 (in 2022)[3]
Governing bodyMissouri Department of Natural Resources
WebsiteBattle of Island Mound
State Historic Site

The Battle of Island Mound State Historic Site is located in a rural area of Bates County, Missouri, in the western part of the state. The site was established to preserve the area of the American Civil War battle that took place in October 28–29, 1862 between Union forces and Confederate guerrillas. The battle was significant as the first time African-American troops on the Union side engaged enemy white troops in the Civil War.[4][5] A correspondent of The New York Times reported on the battle; the headline noted the "desperate bravery" of the African Americans in achieving Union victory.[6]

Signage at the entrance to Battle of Island Mound (Missouri) State Historic Site.

This area was active with guerrillas and raiding parties from either side. In this conflict, the Union forces were mainly the 1st Regiment Kansas Volunteer Infantry (Colored) with supporting elements of the 5th Regiment Kansas Volunteer Cavalry; they opposed a much larger, mounted force of Confederate guerrillas, who were supplemented with elements of the pro-Confederate Missouri State Guard.[4]

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  3. ^ "Missouri State Park Attendance For January - December, 2022" (PDF). Missouri State Parks. February 3, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference MSHS was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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