The Two Civil War Battles of Newtonia: Fierce and Furious

by Larry Wood

Though the First and Second Battles of Newtonia did not match epic Civil War battles like Antietam, where over thirty-five hundred soldiers were killed in a single day, and Gettysburg, where twice that number died in three days of fighting, such smaller engagements were just as important to the men who lived through them. The ones who didn't were just as dead, and for a brief time at least, the combat often raged just as violently. With the approach of the sesquicentennial of the war, some of the lesser-known battles are finally getting their due. Join local resident and historian Larry Wood as he expertly chronicles both Battles of Newtonia, the first of which, in 1862, was the Confederacy's first attempt to reestablish a significant presence in Missouri and the only Civil War battle in which American Indians took opposing sides, fighting in units of regimental strength. The second battle--a fight that was fierce and furious" while it lasted--stands as the last important engagement of the Civil War in the state."

Genres: American Civil War, Transmississippi, History

160 pages, Paperback

First published June 4, 2010

About the author

I'm a native of southwest Missouri and have lived in the area nearly all my life. I mainly write historical nonfiction about Missouri and the Ozarks region, especially if it has to do with the Civil War or true crime. I have published 25 nonfiction books and over 500 magazine articles. I also occasionally write fiction, having published four historical/western novels and about 30 short stories. I am an honorary lifetime member of the Missouri Writers' Guild and also an active member of the Ozark Writers League. You can follow me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLarryWood.

Reviews

[S.V. Farnsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading about the history of this area. I'm familiar enough with the area that I didn't need a map. I look forward to reading other books by this author.

[W. Charles Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book on the battles that occurred in Newtonia, Missouri. It is well written and researched. This book is well worth the read.

[Cheralyn Runkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

My great-grandfather was one of the German soldiers taken prisoner during the first battle. This book brought that event to life for me and helped me to connect with this brave man I never had the pleasure of meeting.

[Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book covering two (pretty small) Trans-Mississippi battles, explaining how each engagement fit into their respective campaigns. The final chapter covers the preservation of the battlefield and cemetery, plus the attempts (up to 2010) of turning the battlefield into a NPS unit.