The Blooded Boarder War

The Sacking of Osceola occurred in Osceola, Missouri September 23^rd 1861, when a group of Union Kansas “Jayhawkers” burned the town and killed some of the citizens.

Following the Battle of Wilson’s Creek Confederate Major General Sterling Price, began to move to take back the state of Missouri.  Union General James Henry Lane organized troops to fight against this invasion, but Price defeated him at the Battle of Dry Wood Creek.  Lane retreated and Price continued to move forward.

Lane was down, but he wasn’t beaten.  He crossed into Missouri on September 10^th 1861, and began moving east.  On September 23^rd 1861 the Union force moved into the town of Osceola, Missouri a town with a population of around 2,500, driving a small number of Confederates out of the town. Lane’s men then looted and burnt the town, leaving only three buildings standing.  It was reported that Lane’s men removed 350 horse, 400 cattle, and 3,000 bags of flour as well carriages and wagons to carry their plunder.  Nine local men were quickly court-martialed and executed.

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