The Cannons Roar

At 5:30 a.m., the roar of State Guard cannons began the Battle of Athens. Most of the shot flew over the heads of the Home Guard troops, though one struck the home of Joseph Benning and another blasted the depot across the river at Croton, Iowa. Col. David Moore's Home Guard sent volley after volley of musket shot as Col. Martin Green's State Guard advanced to return fire. Maj. Benjamin Shacklett, leading Green's right flank, advanced from the southeast but Moore's left flank, led by Charles Callihan, met him with heavy fire. Callihan, believing he was outnumbered, fled across the river into Iowa followed by his cavalry. Only Elsberry Small's Home Guard infantry held their ground and, with additional fire from Moore's centerline, drove Shacklett and his State Guardsmen back. Capt. Barton Hackney's Home Guard dislodged Green's left wing as the State Guard attempted to take possession of the point below the mill. At 7:30 a.m., the battle ended as the State Guard troops, faced with charging Home Guards, threw down their weapons and retreated.

Missouri · United States