St. Louis in the American Civil War facts for kids

The city of St. Louis was a very important place during the American Civil War. It was valuable to both the Union (North) and Confederate (South) forces. St. Louis was the largest city in Missouri, a "border state" that was divided in its loyalties. It was also the most important economic center on the upper Mississippi River. This made St. Louis a key starting point and supply base for military actions in the western parts of the war.

Why St. Louis Was Important

St. Louis was located where the Missouri, Illinois, and Mississippi Rivers meet. This made it a major port and a busy business center. The city also had many growing factories. By 1860, about 160,000 people lived there. Many were new immigrants, especially Catholic German Americans and Irish Americans. Early Union volunteer groups in St. Louis were mostly made up of these German immigrants.

St. Louis was the only major city west of the Mississippi River in the middle of the country. It was known as the "gateway to the new American frontier." For a long time, it had been the starting point for trips exploring the West. It was also where many early efforts to build transportation and communication lines across the country began.

The Camp Jackson Incident

In March 1861, Captain Nathaniel Lyon arrived in St. Louis. At this time, Missouri was trying to stay neutral in the fight between the North and South. However, Missouri's new governor, Claiborne Fox Jackson, strongly supported the South. Lyon was worried that Governor Jackson planned to take the federal arsenal (a place where weapons are stored) in St. Louis if the state left the Union. Lyon felt the Union did not have enough soldiers to protect it.

Lyon tried to make the defenses stronger. He faced opposition from his bosses, including Brigadier General William S. Harney. Lyon used his friendship with Francis P. Blair Jr. to become the commander of the arsenal. When the Civil War began, President Abraham Lincoln asked states for troops. Missouri was asked to provide four regiments. Governor Jackson refused. Instead, he ordered the Missouri militia to gather outside St. Louis. He said they were training for home defense.

Lyon reportedly dressed as a farm woman to spy on the militia camp. He confirmed that they had artillery (large guns) that had been stolen from a federal arsenal. Lyon had also been involved with the St. Louis Wide Awakes. This was a pro-Union group that he planned to arm with supplies from the arsenal. After taking command of the arsenal, Lyon secretly armed these Wide Awake units at night. Lyon also moved most of the weapons from the arsenal across the river to Illinois.

On May 10, Lyon led his soldiers to the camp and forced the militia to surrender. After Lyon marched his prisoners through the city, riots broke out in St. Louis. This event is known as the Camp Jackson Affair of May 10, 1861. During this, Lyon's troops fired into a crowd of civilians. Twenty-eight people were killed, and at least 90 were injured. The Camp Jackson Affair deeply divided the people of Missouri. Many citizens who had been neutral now supported leaving the Union. This set the stage for ongoing violence between the two sides.

The St. Louis Riot

The division of loyalties between the Union and Confederacy led to more deaths on May 11, 1861. Union soldiers from the Fifth Regiment were attacked by Confederate supporters. This happened just hours after they had joined the service. The regiment was marching from the federal arsenal when they were attacked. Shots were exchanged, and six people were killed. The Fifth Regiment was mostly made up of loyal Germans. They had been recruited from the city's Tenth Ward.

St. Louis During the Civil War

During the Civil War, St. Louis remained under Union control. This was because of its strong military base and the public support from loyal Germans. Most volunteers from St. Louis served in the Union army. However, many also went south to fight for the Confederacy. Some people who stayed in the city supported the South. They smuggled supplies and medicine. They also helped Confederate soldiers in other ways.

No major battles were fought in or near St. Louis. But the Mississippi River was a very important waterway during the war. Divided loyalties to the Union and Confederacy caused problems within some families in St. Louis. This division lasted throughout the entire war. Many people believed in ending slavery. But others were worried about the economic impact and possible damage to the city's important buildings and systems.

Benton Barracks was a Union Army military camp set up during the war. It was located where St. Louis Fairground Park is today. After the Battle of Lexington, hospitals were added to the training barracks. These hospitals helped treat hundreds of wounded soldiers. Eventually, the Benton Barracks Hospital became the largest Civil War hospital in the American West. It could hold 2,000 Union soldiers, both Black and white.

Refugees in St. Louis

Thousands of Black refugees came into St. Louis during the war. Many groups helped them. These included the Freedmen's Relief Society, the Ladies Union Aid Society, the Western Sanitary Commission, and the American Missionary Association (AMA). These groups set up schools for the children. Political groups of St. Louis' free Black community, like the Equal Rights League, also helped. After the Civil War, Black Union soldiers like James Milton Turner and Moses Dickson helped create Lincoln University.