Historical Marker

Civil War Memorial

Historical marker location:
Brookfield, Missouri
( Memorial is at the intersection of Main Street (Missouri Route 11) and Park Street, in the median on Main Street.)

61 • 65. Lest We Forget

  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 Gateway Arch, located in St. Louis, is the tallest arch in the world, standing 630 feet tall. It was built as a monument to the westward expansion of the United States and opened to the public in 1967.
Missouri random facts
Linn County, Missouri has a rich and diverse history that spans over several centuries. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Osage, who lived off the land and thrived in the region. The first European settlers arrived in the late 1700s, primarily from Kentucky and Tennessee, seeking new opportunities and fertile land for farming.

In 1821, Linn County was officially established, named after Lewis F. Linn, a U.S. Senator from Missouri. The county quickly developed into an agricultural hub, with farmers cultivating crops such as corn, wheat, hemp, and tobacco. Linn County's location along the Missouri River made it an important transportation hub for goods and settlers moving westward during the westward expansion era.

During the American Civil War, Linn County saw its fair share of conflict. While the majority of its residents were sympathetic to the Union cause, there were some who supported the Confederacy. The Battle of Centralia in 1864, which took place in Linn County, was a particularly significant and brutal confrontation between Confederate guerrillas, led by Bloody Bill Anderson, and Union troops.

In the years following the war, Linn County continued to thrive agriculturally, with farmers diversifying their crops and embracing new farming techniques. The arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century further enhanced the county's growth and allowed for easier transportation of goods. Today, Linn County is a vibrant community that retains its agricultural roots while also embracing modern industries and technologies.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Linn County, Missouri.

  • 1821: Linn County established as a county in Missouri.
  • 1829: First county seat established in Laclede.
  • 1836: County seat moved to Linneus.
  • 1855: Pershing Township established.
  • 1857: Brookfield township formed.
  • 1879: Laclede township formed.
  • 1884: Brookfield becomes a city.
  • 1896: New courthouse built in Linneus.
  • 1973: Pershing State Park established.
  • 1993: Damaging flooding occurs along the Locust Creek.
  • 2000: Census records a population of 12,571 for Linn County.