During the Civil War, U.S. troops from Helena passed through Madison many times. A 5th Kansas Cavalry patrol fought here twice during a March 5-12, 1863, expedition. Iowa and Indiana troops passed through in April 1863, and detachments from the 15th Illinois Cavalry and 3rd Arkansas (African Descent) were here February 12-14, 1864, taking 10 Confederate prisoners. The 11th Missouri Infantry was here in June, as was the 15th Illinois in August 1864. Illinois Mounted Infantry troops were here in February, and men of the 56th U.S. Colored Infantry came in June 1865.