Reporting and photography: Bill Wise, Missourinet
Today in 1862, the Civil War Battle of Moore’s Mill was waged near the central Missouri Town of Calwood. Some of the dead Union and Confederate soldiers were buried in a mass grave near the site of the battle.
Reenactors shot vintage cannons at the dedication of the Moore’s Mill Mass grave.
Because they were not given a proper military burial at the time, local Civil War historians conducted an official ceremony yesterday, including a double cannon and rifle salute, the laying of wreaths, a trumpet rendition of Taps, and the dedication of a 5-foot tall granite marker at the fenced-in grave site. After the Union victory, U.S. General Oden Guitar ordered the mass grave at the sight after the battle. The grave was unmarked until it was discovered in April 2013 by local historians using sonar equipment. The Elijah Gates Camp #570, Sons of Confederate Veterans, organized the research and fundraising for the erection of the monument. Forces and guerillas who fought in the battle from both sides were from Missouri, Iowa, Louisiana, Ohio, and Indiana.