The War We Fought Against Us

One of the most important chapters in American history is that of the Civil War. Many know of strategic battles and military conquests, but one of the most notable military directives ever implemented by the US government was “Order No. 11.” In fact, noted author and historian Albert Castel described Order No. 11 as “the most drastic and repressive military measures directed against civilians by the Union Army during the Civil War.” And he goes on to describe it as “the harshest treatment ever imposed on United States citizens under the plea of military necessity in our Nation’s History." This atrocity was centered here in the 4 border counties of Missouri (Jackson, Cass, Bates, and Vernon) making the town of Independence one of few safe havens for Union loyalist. Artist, George Caleb Bingham, painted the image shown above to make sure citizens did not forget about the atrocities committed by General Ewing’s Order and to make sure his political career after the war was unsuccessful. The stories along the Missouri-Kansas border get left out of many history books. During every college sports season we miss opportunities to tell our youth what the real “Border Showdown” was all about. Important Civil War history is all around us here in Independence. It is in the 1859 Jail & Marshall’s Home, on The Square, in the valley of the Little Blue River, and from March 10 through September 8, it will be featured at the Truman Library in an exhibition of “Bingham’s Missouri.” With the assistance of the State Historical Society of Missouri, the painting, “Order No. 11” by Bingham, made a journey from Columbia, Missouri to Independence for this historic history exhibition. During the sesquicentennial of this “War against Ourselves” we have tremendous opportunities as citizens of the state of Missouri and the city of Independence to make sure these important stories are told to the nation. The story of the Civil War is incomplete without talking about the Missouri-Kansas Border Wars. Visit this wonderful exhibit at the Truman Library and support local and state-wide institutions and historical societies that are presenting this important history to new generations.