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October 11 & 12, 1980
There was a time during the early 80's in which I attended a Civil War related event almost every month. During the month of October 1980, I attended not 2, but 3 Civil War events, back to back to back. Two of these events recreated small episode's from the October 23-25, 1864 battle near Kansas City, Missouri, but these reenactment's were played out of sequence.
The reenactment held at Trading Post, Kansas on Oct 11-12, recreated an episode that culminated in the defeat of Sterling Price's army at Mine Creek. Although the actual battle of Mine Creek was some ten miles further south, a minor skirmish did occur near Trading Post in the early hours of Oct 25 that legitimized holding an event here ( I believe the Mine Creek site was still buried by nature-weeds, brush, heavy timber. It was not accessable to the public at this time. I think the county was in the process of purchasing the land. Whatever the case, Trading Post became Mine Creek, Kansas for this weekend ).
What I remember about the site was that it was bisected by Highway 69 ; the camps were on one side, the battlefield on the other. When it came time for the battle, we had to make sure there was no traffic coming before we dashed across the highway or risk getting clipped by a passing motorist. Not much of a scenario as I recall. I think Steve was federal commander. Dickson Stauffer was not here. Steve and Richard Savage were part of a scene involving several civilian refugees, including kids. Hig and I were left to man the cannon. He would prick, prime, and fire. I would ram, and swab. The property we were on was part of a cow pasture,and at one point Hig and I fired cow pies from the muzzle of the cannon. Hell, the main part of the reenactment was about 100 yards away. We were never threatened by enemy troops so we pretty much did what we pleased. Hig may also tell you we fired hornet's nests' also, but I don't recall that. Other than this episode, the reenactment at Trading Post offered few highlights.
What was special about this weekend was my wife Mona drove me to the event and actually hung around to watch it. Gail Higginbotham was also here and the two ladies quickly developed a friendship that has lasted 20 years. Tent space was limited, so Mona and I got a motel room in Pleasanton-just 6 miles south. It wasn't the fanciest place on the road - normally I'll bet it rented by the hour! We called it EL SLEAZO! But it did have a hot shower. The Higginbotham's were kindly invited to bathe at the EL SLEAZO, which they did. There was a disco ( if you can call it that) on the outskirts of Trading Post near where we had the battle. Most of the guys were there, in uniform of course, drinking beer from tin cups and doing the hustle on the dance floor. Of course, the Higginbotham's, and Mona and I were doing our part as modern day Fred Astaire's, until Confederate reenactor Mike Gillispe fired his revolver into the ceiling. He was only shooting blanks, but it was enough to close the place down and run all the reenactors out.
(A note: future Holmes Brigader's Eric Hansen and John Maki were spectator's at the Oct 11-12, 1980 event at Trading Post, Kansas)
What took place during this weekend in Kansas City was not a exactly reenactment nor a living history presentation. In precise Civil War terminology it could be called a DOG AND PONY SHOW. Once a year, The Civil War Roundtable of Kansas City takes a field trip to view some of the areas where Blue and Gray armies once clashed during the Battle of Westport of October 23, 1864. Kansas City has fallen victim to urban development and many of the historic sites are under paved streets. A few metal markers tell the story of that bloody day where strip malls and parking lots now stand. Despite these setbacks, the Roundtable, an organization of elderly armchair general's, continue to cuss and discuss the events of the war and Missouri in particular.
As you might have guessed by now, The Roundtable was wanting to have some reenactors do a demonstration at one of the sites in Kansas City. As I stated, The Battle of Westport has fallen victim to urban development, including one area near the Little Blue River called Byram's Ford. At this heavily contested hot spot where men bled and died on October 23, a PEPSI-COLA bottling plant now stands. However, a decent sized area was available near by for us to camp (under the shadow of the PEPSI building).
The premise of this weekend was that tour groups would be bused in, then on cue, the reenactors would run out on the field like some kind of circus act. There was infantry blazing away at each other, artillery duels, and hand-to-hand battles-all lasting about 15 minutes. Then we'd wait for the next tour bus to do our sideshow act all over again. This weekend was also when the WORLD SERIES was in town. The Kansas City Royals and Philadelphia Phillies were in this contest, and we could see the GOODYEAR blimp in the distance hovering over the ball park.
The final event of October, and the third in a row, was held at a state park in northwestern Arkansas called Prairie Grove. Once again I found myself on the Steve Lillard express heading south. I think Hig came on his own again. He brought a new recruit with him by the name of Erik Hansen. Anyway, it was dark when he reached Prairie Grove. Like Missouri Town, or other historic village's, the State Historic Site at Prairie Grove is a collection of mid-1800 buildings. A church, barns, many private houses. Not sure if these were here at time of 1862 battle or transplanted in later years to give it village look. We had to register at Latta Barn-not really a barn, but meeting place where dances and dinners held. Off to one side was a modern kitchen and modern toilets. The main floor of the Latta barn was concrete and had several folding tables and chairs set up for the reenactors to sign in. After this business was out of the way, we were directed to where we would camp.
Federal infantry and artillery had their camps together in a slightly wooded area tucked in a small valley between two hills. Dick Stauffer and many of the same guys I had seen over the last several months were all here. During the battle, both on Saturday and Sunday, the role of the artillery was to provide support while the infantry charged a steep hill. I remained with the gun this time. New recruit Erik Hansen was the powder monkey; he'd bring rounds from the limber up to us. The battle was somewhat boring. There was a cavalry action I believe, but didn't affect us. The infantry guys would go up the hill, get shot at by the sesech who were on top of the hill, fall back, and go up again. Not sure what the final outcome was-again it was pretty boring.
However, what happened off the field could hardly be called boring. This 1980 event at Prairie Grove is where the infamous Hog Shoot took place. Both Union and Confederate units were given a hog apiece to kill, butcher, and cook-compliments of the Park Superintendent. It seems there was a local farmer raising hogs to sell for market. At the designated time, a detail was sent up to the corral to bring back the hog selected to be murdered. The federals brought the hog to camp. I think Chuck Counts or Ray Hamm put the minie ball through its head. Unfortunately for the Confederates, the hog they took was actually the superintendent's pet. Boy was he mad! Anyway, our hog was cooked all afternoon and part of the night, but the boys barely touched him after all that struggle.
Saturday night there was a dance planned at the Latta Barn. At a liquor store, Hig and I chipped in a few bucks apiece and got a cheap case of BLATZ beer. I had two canteens full of this beer when we went up to the dance. Erik Hansen and I were doing the Tango, when suddenly the corks popped out of those canteens and beer shot up all over my back. I don't know what time it was when we went back to camp, but I do know that during the night I got up to 'feed the raccoons'. Hig was with some of the some infantry boys who passed out in the Latta Barn, were arrested by the Provost Guard in the morning, and 'executed'.
I didn't know it at the time, but this would be the last time I would serve with the artillery. In the next chapter I will explain what happened to Steve Lillard's gun, how Gregg Higginbotham and I formed the 18th Missouri and the year 1981.