The dedication of Island Mound by the Missouri State Parks is set for tomorrow. Here's some background on what happened right here in Bates County:
The Battle of Island Mound marked the first time that African-American troops were used in Civil War combat, nearly a year before the battle depicted in the film Glory. Battle of Island Mound State Historic site encompasses Camp Africa, where the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry were camped in 1862 before a pitched battle with pro-Confederate forces near a low hill named Island Mound. When the site is developed, it will interpret the battle, as well as the effect that the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry has on later Union decisions to allow African-American units to fight.
Click here to read more about this little known battle that is a big part of our local history in a story by Tom Uhlenbrock.
Battle of Island Mound State Historic Site, Missouri’s newest state park facility, will be dedicated Oct. 27. Activities will begin Friday evening, Oct. 26 with a reception at the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center in Kansas City. Presentations on the battle’s significance will be given by Brig. Gen. Donald Scott and Jim Denny, Civil War historian. The dedication will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the historic site west of Butler and will include living history activities and military demonstrations. Activities will continue throughout Saturday at the historic site and in the evening at the Bates County Museum in Butler. The historic site’s dedication is being held in conjunction with the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Island Mound, which was the first time black soldiers engaged in combat during the Civil War.
Directions from Butler, Mo. Go west on 52 highway to K highway; south on K to the second gravel road on the right (west). Turn on the gravel road to proceed to the site (about a mile).
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