The annual membership meeting of the Historical Society of Maries County had a lot to offer and drew over 50 people to the Vienna United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall on Oct. 29.

The main speaker for the evening was John Bradbury from Rolla who is a historian, curator and author. His presentation was “Civil War Across the Ozarks.” It was very interesting and well presented. Bradbury gave a postcard view illustrated by documents, photographs and other images from the time of the Civil War and the upheaval it caused. Bradbury’s presentation featured images of places and scenes commonplace to citizens and soldiers with an emphasis on the critical line between the Union strongholds at Rolla and Springfield. Bradbury spoke of the Union troops garrisoned at Rolla, which changed and molded the town. He spoke of various regional battles including the Battle of Wilson’s Creek in Springfield, and also of the bushwhackers who brought violence to communities during that time in our country’s history.

Bradbury’s presentation about the Civil War in the Ozarks brought new people to the meeting and he fielded several questions after his talk. Bradbury has written several books and those were available for purchase at the meeting.

Those who attended also learned about how everyone can get involved in the Missouri State Bicentennial Celebration if they want to. Michael Sweeney, the Bicentennial Coordinator, talked about the many ways individuals, students, teachers, organizations and communities can get involved in the celebration in 2021. Go to missouri2021.org and see the many ways to do so.

A local production of Maries County history was presented at the membership meeting. Maries R-1 School library class teacher, Kristy Helton, was present with two of the students, Cara Petershagen and Ella Hollis. The library class students filmed and produced the video, “The Maries County Building Treasures.” Its good to see students interested in local history and the HSMC is working to promote this participation. The Maries County Building is one of the HSMC museums and it is home to a variety of local artifacts, tools, memorabilia, exhibits and much more.

Also at the meeting, Vice President and Maries Countian editor Glenda Baxter and Treasurer Terry Snodgrass were reelected to serve on the HSMC board for another term.

HSMC President Lisa Jones, following the meeting commented, ”This year has been a very busy one for the Historical Society of Maries County; it has been a year of repair, review and renewal for us as we evaluate and upgrade key aspects of our operation.  The HSMC board members, community volunteers, our membership and generous benefactors are instrumental in keeping the history of Maries County alive today.  Our annual membership meeting, with so many in attendance, validates the importance of our history and the HSMC.  We were especially fortunate to have noted author and historian, John Bradbury, provide us with an outstanding review of the Civil War in mid-Missouri and for our Maries R-1 students and Librarian Kristy Helton to continue to document our museum buildings and contents.” 

Editor’s Note: This information is from Exhibit No. 1465, Battle Scene, Courtesy of John Albert Viessman, Vienna, April 7, 1982. It is the Battle of Wilson’s Creek and was featured on the student produced video documentary about the Maries County Museum which was shown at the HSMC membership meeting:

This display represents the Battle of Wilson’s Creek, fought near Springfield on August 10, 1861. Confederate forces consisted of some 10,000 troops from Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana and Missouri under command of General’s Price and McCulloch. Albert Smith Henderson of Vienna was in Price’s army. The Union forces, which were outnumbered about two to one, consisted of about 5,000 Iowa, Kansas and Missouri men. General Lyon, the Union commander, knowing he was outnumbered, attacked the Confederate camp, hoping to nullify the Confederate advantage. At first, Lyon’s two-pronged attack was successful, but most of the high-ranking officers either were killed or wounded, including General Lyon, who was slain just as victory was in sight. Besides the crumbling position of the main body of troops, Union General Sigel’s command of 1,000 men, the second prong of the attack, completely disintegrated.

Finally the Union troops, all but overwhelmed, began their long retreat to Rolla. For some unexplained reason, the Confederates did not pursue, thus like so many other Civil War victories, it was not followed up.

Wilson’s Creek, besides being one of the major battles of the first few months of the War, also had higher overall casualties, 28 percent, than any other battle of the Civil War.