In the spring of 1861, pro-Southern Missouri Gov. Claiborne F. Jackson called up the Missouri State Guard to oppose pro-Union Home Guard and U.S. Army troops. Martin Green, a Lewis County judge, farmer, and sawmill operator, answered by forming State Guard units in northeast Missouri. By mid-July, Green had amassed a large force of State Guard units, including three sons of local pro-Union Home Guard commander Col. David Moore. On July 30, Green flew the Southern Rights flag in Edina, Missouri, and recruited more men for the "lawful militia" of Missouri. On Sunday, Aug. 4, 1861, Col. Cyrus Franklin from Schuyler County and Maj. Benjamin Shacklett from Scotland County joined Col. Green. They encamped on the Fox River near Chambersburg, Missouri, seven miles from Athens. Early the next day they traveled to Athens to face the Home Guard.