Nathaniel Lyon’s River Campaign of 1861

On May 10, 1861, Captain Nathaniel Lyon marched out of the federal arsenal at St. Louis at the head of 7,000 Union Regulars and pro-Union volunteers to break up a Missouri State Militia encampment at Camp Jackson. Hostilities erupted and several civilians and soldiers died when opposing forces opened fire on each other. The unfolding of events afterward drove previously undecided Missourians to join either the Union or Confederate side. Receiving near dictatorial authority from the state legislature, Governor Claiborne Fox Jackson raised a Missouri State Guard force to “protect the State from invaders.”
The War began in Missouri at the taking of Camp Jackson, and this book presents the history and context of this pivotal Civil War event. Contemporary illustrations provide detail to this complicated narrative, and care is taken to present these events in the context of the vibrant character and lifestyles of the people who participated.

Kenneth E. Burchett is a retired professor emeritus from the University of Central Arkansas and is the author of 12 books. He lives in Branson, Missouri.

Kenneth E. Burchett
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 277
Bibliographic Info: 52 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2025
pISBN: 978-1-4766-9626-3
eISBN: 978-1-4766-5488-1
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments       ix
Preface       1
Introduction       3
Part One—Revolt and Revenge
 1. Extraordinary Midnight Session       14
 2. Chaos in Saint Louis       23
 3. Fear and Distrust       32
 4. Calls for Rebellion       40
 5. Harney and Price Truce       48
 6. Ascent of Lyon       55
 7. Planter’s House       63
 8. This Means War       68
Part Two—Gathering Storm
 9. A Plan to Punish the Governor       76
10. Rock Creek       84
11. Riverboats and Gunpowder       91
12. Union Regiments Everywhere       101
13. The Southwest Missouri Column       112
14. Blunder at Boonville       123
15. Skirmish on Rocheport Road       132
16. Occupation of Boonville       142
Part Three—Forcing Move
17. Muster at Lexington       152
18. Rising Unrest       160
19. Rebels and Federals       167
20. Prelude to Catastrophe       175
21. Cole Camp       183
22. O’Kane’s Night Attack       190
23. Into the Spider’s Web       198
24. At Wit’s End       208
25. The Halfway Ground       214
Chapter Notes       221
Bibliography       247
Index       261