Home Guard (Union) facts for kids

The Home Guard units were groups of local citizens who supported the Union during the American Civil War. They formed their own local armies, called militia, to protect their communities and fight against those who wanted to leave the Union.

Home Guard in Missouri

When the Civil War began, people in Missouri were divided. Some wanted Missouri to join the Confederacy, while others wanted it to stay with the Union. To keep Missouri in the Union, supporters formed Home Guard companies and regiments. Many of these groups were made up of German-Americans. They stood against secessionist groups like the Minutemen and the Missouri State Guard.

In St. Louis, Union supporters quickly joined the fight in April 1861. Five regiments were called the 1st–5th Missouri Volunteers. Five more were created as the United States Reserve Corps, often known as the St. Louis Home Guard.

When actual fighting started in June 1861, Union supporters outside St. Louis also formed Home Guard units. General Nathaniel Lyon helped organize them to fight against the Missouri State Guard. One of these units, the Benton County Home Guards, was defeated at the Battle of Cole Camp.

Later in the war, the Home Guard units that served for only three months were replaced. New Union militias, like the Missouri State Militia (Union), took their place.

The Fighting Tigers of Columbia

One famous Home Guard group was from Columbia, Missouri. In 1864, there were rumors that Confederate General Sterling Price might attack the town. Columbia was important because it supported the Union and had Union soldiers and a prison.

Worried about the attack and local bushwhackers (guerrilla fighters), 90 men formed a militia called the Fighting Tigers of Columbia. They gathered weapons, kept watch, set up a warning bell, and even dug a moat around the city courthouse. Today, the University of Missouri's sports teams are named the "Missouri Tigers" in honor of this brave militia.

Home Guard in Iowa

In Iowa, Home Guard companies helped protect the border with Missouri during the Civil War. For example, during the Battle of Athens (1861) in Missouri, Iowa Home Guard companies on the other side of the Des Moines River guarded important supply areas.

Home Guard in Kentucky

The Kentucky Home Guard fought in several battles and skirmishes. They were part of the Battle of Barbourville in September 1861 and the Battle of Camp Wildcat. They also fought in smaller fights like the Battle of Augusta (1862).

Home Guard in Western Virginia

In what is now West Virginia, Union-supporting Home Guards attacked Confederate positions. These groups, especially in Pendleton County, had mixed success. The most well-known of these irregular fighters called themselves the "Swamp Dragons."

Indian Home Guard

Union volunteer regiments known as the Indian Home Guard were formed from members of the Five Civilized Tribes in the Indian Territory (which is now Oklahoma). Even though some tribal leaders supported the Confederacy, many tribal members chose to fight for the Union.