Visit to Lexington,MO Battlefield

 18 August 2020

Today we drove up the road Hwy 13 about 30 minutes north to the town of Lexington,MO to visit the Battle of Lexington Historic site and the Oliver Anderson House which played a role in the battle. 

The Battle of Lexington took place in 1861 on 18,19, and 20th of September between the Union Army and the Confederate Missouri Guard.when the Civil War was still young. The battle was fought by eager young men with the frontier mentality of never running from a fight. The question was to decide if Missouri would remain with the Union or go with the seceding states of the South. German immigrants having settled in Missouri  had a passionate hatred of slavery became invaluable allies in preserving the Union aided in the fight.

Lexington was entrenched in slavery with their large hemp plantations that included Oliver Anderson's plantation.There was also a large anti slavery element in Lexington. The victory was won by the Confederate Guard giving them control of the Missouri River Valley. During the first day of the battle, the house changed hands 3 times.

There is much  more about the battle on wikipedia..too complicated for me to give an accurate account.

The Oliver Anderson House played a role in the battle in that the Union seized it and turned it into a hospital which the Guard soon took possession. Guard soldiers met their death at the foot of the staircase and damage from shells are still visible on the outside. 

The house was built in 1853 after he and his second wife and 10 children from his first marriage moved from Kentucky to Lexington. Lexington was a thriving town on the Missouri River with the plantation owners who had many slaves, were gaining profils from hemp, tobacco and cattle. The town was home to three colleges and the fifth largest town in Missouri. The financial panic of 1857 brought about a depressed hemp market and caused the downfall of Anderson. They continued to live in the house until the eve of the Civil War. After the battle,Anderson returned to Kentucky.

Tomorrow we go to Whiteman AFB to the commissary.