Which side was Missouri on in the Civil War? This question is often asked, and it has a complex answer. Missouri, geographically located in the border between the North and the South, was a state torn between Union and Confederate loyalties throughout the Civil War.
Missouri entered the Civil War as a slave state, but its population was divided between pro-Union and pro-Confederate sentiments. The eastern part of the state, which was more rural and agrarian, leaned towards the South, while the western part, which was more urban and industrial, favored the North. This division was reflected in the state’s political and military leadership.
Initially, Missouri declared its loyalty to the Union, but this did not last long. In May 1861, the state legislature voted to secede from the Union, and in June, the Missouri State Guard was formed to protect the state from Union troops. This group was led by Sterling Price, a pro-Confederate politician and military leader. The Missouri State Guard played a significant role in the early stages of the Civil War, fighting against Union forces in battles such as the Battle of Wilson’s Creek in August 1861.
However, the Union forces eventually gained control over Missouri, and the state was placed under martial law. This led to the formation of the Missouri State Militia, a pro-Union force that fought against the Missouri State Guard and other Confederate sympathizers. The most famous battle involving the Missouri State Militia was the Battle of Independence in October 1861, where the Union forces, led by Maj. Gen. Samuel Curtis, defeated the Missouri State Guard.
Despite the Union’s control over Missouri, the state’s population remained divided. Some Missouri residents continued to support the Confederacy, and they formed the Missouri State Guard again in 1864. This second iteration of the Missouri State Guard, known as the “Confederate Missouri State Guard,” fought against Union forces in the western theater of the war. However, their efforts were ultimately unsuccessful, and the war ended with the surrender of the Confederacy in April 1865.
In conclusion, Missouri’s role in the Civil War was complex. While the state initially declared its loyalty to the Union, its population was divided, and it played a significant role in both Union and Confederate efforts during the war. Missouri’s experience during the Civil War highlights the deep divisions that existed within the United States at the time and the challenges faced by states on the border between the North and the South.
