Battle of Island Mound State Historic Site

The site

The historic site is located approximately eight miles southwest of Butler, Missouri, a short distance off State Highway K. The 40-acre site is near the battle location, which is located on private property one-half mile to the south. It encompasses much of the Toothman homestead, which was commandeered by the Union troops, fortified with temporary breastworks and christened "Fort Africa." It is believed to include the graves of the eight Union men who died in the battle, although their remains have not yet been located.

The site offers visitors hiking and picnic opportunities and is strictly a "day use" facility open from sunrise to sunset. A central kiosk provides information about the battle and is adjacent to a .6 mile looping trail. Visitors will find the "Courage Monument" and several interpretive panels at various points along the trail. A picnic shelter, which can accommodate up to fifty, a toilet facility, and drinking fountain are located near the kiosk.

Although the battle was covered by a New York Times correspondent, who praised the "desperate bravery" of the black soldiers, the site and the battle were largely forgotten in the post-bellum period. Much historical research since the late 20th century has documented and interpreted African-American history. In addition, with the approach of the American Civil War sesquicentennial, interest was rekindled. The state of Missouri acquired the land in order to preserve as much of this notable site as possible. Dedication ceremonies were held for the site on October 26–27, 2012, nearly 150 years to the day of the battle.

In May 2013, the site was accepted into the National Park Service's "National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom," a series of locations deemed to be significant to African-American history in their struggle for freedom, including the Underground Railroad.

The battle

During the Battle of Island Mound (aka "Battle of Fort Toothman" or "Fort Africa") on October 28–29, 1862, the Union 1st Kansas Colored Volunteers—composed of former Arkansas and Missouri slaves—and a scouting team of Cherokee and blacks from the 5th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry engaged a numerically superior force of Confederate guerrillas and recent Missouri State Guard recruits led by Vard Cockrell and Bill Truman (who was related to future President Harry S. Truman. The Union forces had crossed into Missouri on a mission to clear Confederate guerrillas from their base known as "Hog Island" in the Osage River.

Finding themselves outnumbered in an early sortie, the Union troops commandeered and fortified the homestead of Confederate guerrilla Enoch John Toothman, and a one-day siege ensued. Part of the regiment was caught out on the tall-grass prairie by mounted Confederate guerrillas. They stood their ground through several volleys of gunfire and a cavalry charge, before the Confederates withdrew from the area on October 29. Union casualties were relatively light: Union losses were seven enlisted men (six African Americans: Corp. Joseph Talbot, Privates Samuel Davis, Thomas Lane, Marlon Barber, Allen Rhodes, Henry Gash, all of Co F; Cherokee John Six-Killer of Seaman's Battalion) and Captain A.G. Crew of Co. A. Confederate losses are estimated at more than thirty.

The clash was significant as the first time African-American troops engaged Confederate forces during the Civil War. It was covered by a correspondent of the New York Times who was with the regiment, and he praised the men's "desperate bravery." He also noted that Bill Truman had told men in Butler that the blacks had fought "like tigers." The battle was also covered by Harper's Weekly. Such positive reports provided encouragement to other African-American units that were forming across the northern states and petitioning the Union government to fight in combat. The United States Colored Troops were established, contributing critical fighting and support to the Union effort.