Tally's War facts for kids

Talley's War, also known as the Skunk River War, was a serious event that happened in 1863 in Iowa. During this time, people who supported the American Civil War fought against those who wanted peace. One person was killed when pro-war individuals shot at a peace gathering.

Who Was Cyphert Talley?

Cyphert Talley was a Baptist minister who believed in peace. His family moved to Keokuk County, Iowa, from Tennessee in 1840. During the American Civil War, Talley became well-known in the area. He often gave speeches about wanting peace, and sometimes people who disagreed with him would come to listen, even bringing weapons.

The Rally and the Conflict

On Saturday, August 1, 1863, Talley spoke at a large meeting for the Democratic Party near the English River. Hundreds of people came to hear him. After the meeting, Talley and many others rode in wagons to a nearby town called South English, Iowa. A meeting for the Republican Party was happening there.

Talley was told not to go into the town, but he went anyway. People in the town called him a coward. Reports from 1880 say that the Democrats in their wagons showed their weapons when this happened. The people in the town were also armed. It is believed that someone from the town started shooting. Many shots were fired, but only Talley was killed.

The Skunk River Army Forms

After Talley's death, his friends quickly spread the news. The next day, people started arriving, demanding that someone be held responsible. A group of citizens tried to calm the first hundred people who gathered. They promised that the person who shot Talley would be found and brought to justice.

However, more and more people kept coming. Soon, hundreds of men had gathered by the Skunk River. This large group became known as the Skunk River Army.

How Did the Governor Respond?

Some citizens from the town traveled to Davenport, Iowa, to ask Governor Kirkwood for help. The governor then came to the area with several hundred soldiers and cannons. There are stories that the Skunk River Army ran away in fear when they heard the governor was coming. However, the truth is that most of the army had already left before the governor even arrived.

In August 1863, a total of eleven groups of soldiers were involved in stopping these kinds of conflicts in Keokuk County.

What Happened After the War?

Even though Talley was killed, no one was ever officially charged for shooting him. The way he was wounded suggested that it was done on purpose. However, the people living in the area kept the identity of the shooter a secret.