Historical Marker

Mound City Civil War Memorial

Historical marker location:
Mound City, Kansas
( Marker can be reached from North 5th Street, on the right when traveling north.)
Marker installed: 1889

  A brief timeline of the Civil War

  • April 12, 1861: The Civil War begins with the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, located in South Carolina's Charleston Harbor.

  • April 15, 1861: President Abraham Lincoln issues a call for 75,000 volunteers to serve in the Union Army to suppress the rebellion.

  • May 24, 1861: The first major land battle, known as the First Battle of Bull Run (or First Battle of Manassas), takes place in Virginia. It ends in Confederate victory.

  • September 17, 1862: The Battle of Antietam in Maryland becomes the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with heavy casualties on both sides. The Union forces, commanded by General George McClellan, manage to halt Confederate General Robert E. Lee's advance into Union territory.

  • January 1, 1863: President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that all slaves in Confederate-held territories are to be set free. However, the proclamation does not immediately free all slaves in the United States.

  • July 1-3, 1863: The Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania takes place, resulting in a significant Union victory and inflicting heavy casualties on Confederate forces. It marks a turning point in the war.

  • November 19, 1863: President Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg Address, emphasizing the principles of liberty, equality, and the preservation of the Union.

  • April 9, 1865: General Robert E. Lee surrenders to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia, effectively ending the Civil War.

  • April 14, 1865: President Lincoln is assassinated by John Wilkes Booth while attending a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C.

  • May 10, 1865: Confederate President Jefferson Davis is captured, signaling the collapse of the Confederate government.

  • December 6, 1865: The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, officially abolishing slavery throughout the country.

While this timeline provides an overview of key events, it is important to note that the Civil War spanned over four years, from 1861 to 1865, and encompassed numerous battles, campaigns, and political developments that shaped the course of American history.

The famous novel "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote is based on a true story that took place in Holcomb, Kansas in 1959.
Kansas random facts
Linn County, Kansas, located in the eastern part of the state, has a rich and interesting history dating back to the early 1800s. The area was originally inhabited by several Native American tribes, including the Osage, Shawnee, and Delaware tribes. European settlers began to arrive in the region in the 1850s, and the county was officially established in 1867.

The county was named after Lewis F. Linn, a U.S. Senator from Missouri who died in 1843. Linn County played a significant role in the Bleeding Kansas era, a turbulent period in the lead-up to the American Civil War. The county became a hotbed of anti-slavery sentiment, and clashes between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces were frequent. The Battle of Mine Creek, one of the largest cavalry battles of the war, took place in Linn County in 1864.

After the Civil War, Linn County experienced rapid growth and development. The construction of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad in the late 1800s greatly facilitated transportation and trade in the region, leading to increased economic activity. Agriculture, particularly the cultivation of wheat and corn, became the dominant industry in the county, and several small towns were established throughout the area.

In the 20th century, Linn County faced challenges such as the Great Depression and the decline of the agricultural industry. However, the county remained resilient and adapted to changing economic conditions. Today, Linn County continues to be a rural community with a strong agricultural focus. Its rich history is preserved in various historical sites, including the Mine Creek Battlefield State Historic Site, which commemorates the important Civil War battle that took place in the county.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Linn County, Kansas.

  • 1855 - Linn County, Kansas is established.
  • 1858 - The county seat is designated as Paris.
  • 1863 - Mound City becomes the new county seat.
  • 1864 - Linn County experiences violent skirmishes during the American Civil War.
  • 1867 - Pleasanton is incorporated as a city.
  • 1870 - The Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway is completed, boosting the county's economy.
  • 1873 - La Cygne is incorporated as a city.
  • 1882 - The Linn County Courthouse is constructed in Mound City.
  • 1951 - The La Cygne Power Station begins operations, becoming a significant local employer.
  • 2011 - Linn County is severely impacted by tornadoes, resulting in loss of life and massive destruction.