Picture Courtesy of Carol Cotter

Picture Courtesy of Carol Cotter

Picture Courtesy of Carol Cotter

At dawn on October 15, 1861. The iron mountain railroad bridge over the Big river was attacked here by 400 Rebel calvary (2nd and 3rd dragoons) of the Missouri state guard lead by Brigadier general M. Jeff Thompson. The bridge was defended by 40 men of company E, 33rd Illinois Volunteer Infantry (the Normal Regiment) Lead by Captain Isaac Elliott. After a brief but bitter fight the Union troops were overwhelmed and the bridge was burned. This was the only Civil war Battle fought in Jefferson County.

Later that morning the Rebels were attacked 2 miles south at the down of Blackwell by men of Company K, 33rd Illinois led by Captain Charles Lippincott. After routing this force, Thompson withdrew to Fredericktown. Total loss for both sides for the day's fighting were 7 killed and 22 wounded. These two engagements are know together as the Battle of Blackwell and mark the northern most point of Thompson's advance toward St. Louis.

Erected on the 146th anniversary of the Battle by a grateful nation, to preserve the memory of brave men who fought here.

"All quiet along the Potomac tonight, no sound save the rushing of the river, and soft falls the dew on the face of the dead - the pickets of duty forever."

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