The Civil War Muse

Anderson Warehouse / Missouri River

Tour Stop

Directions: You can access the Missouri River from 10th Street in Lexington, Missouri 64067

From McCausland House continue north on Highland Avenue until you reach the end of the street at 10th Street. Turn left (west) onto 10th Street and proceed down the hill toward the railroad tracks. After you cross the railroad tracks, pull over to the side of the gravel road and park. The Anderson Warehouse [ Waypoint = N39 11.508 W93 53.004 ] was located just to the east of the railroad tracks and north of 10th Street. You may also want to continue down the gravel road to the Missouri River [ Waypoint = N39 11.690 W93 53.094 ].

Description: The Missouri River ran closer to Lexington in 1861 than it does today. It was not far from where the railroad tracks currently run. After settling in Lexington, Oliver Anderson had built a warehouse that he used to establish a rope manufacturing business with his son-in-law Howard Gratz. The warehouse complex that existed near here, was used to support Anderson's hemp farming and rope making business. By 1854, it had become Lexington's largest business. However, Anderson's business fell victim to the general economic recession that occurred in 1857. In 1861, the Federals were using the warehouses for storing their supplies. On September 18th as the Missouri State Guard moved into Lexington and began to encircle the Federal entrenchments, they captured this warehouse complex, as well as a steamboat loaded with supplies that was tied up there.

Captain Joseph A. Wilson of the Missouri State Guard later described this event:

"Harris' men captured the steamer Sunshine, just below the levee, with a large quantity of stores, especially sugar, of which I remember we had double rations for some time after."

From where you are standing, there was a deep, wooded ravine that the Southerners were able to use for cover as they moved up the bluffs against the Federals. The portion of 10th Street that you used to get down to this point, follows this ravine for part of its length. If you turn and face Lexington to the east, the Fourth Division, under the command of Colonel Benjamin Rives, would have been to your right, south of the ravine (10th Street) on September 18th. Brigadier General James H. McBride's Seventh Division would be deployed in the center around where you are currently standing. Brigadier General Thomas Harris' Second Division would have been deployed on your left, circling around to the east to link up to Brigadier General James S. Rains' Eighth Division to the north and east of the Federal entrenchments.

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