Battle of Kirksville Confederate Grave Marker

In June 1862, the Civil War Battle of Kirksville involved about 1,000 soldiers; with approximately 500 Union soldiers and 500 Confederate troops taking part.

It is unclear how many men were killed during three hours of fighting. Reports vary anywhere from five to 28 Union soldiers, and to between 35 and 100 Confederate soldiers. An unknown number of Confederate soldiers were executed following the battle.

The battle was seen as a victory for the Union; a marker in Forest Llewellyn Cemetery (four blocks west of Kirksville’s square) was erected on the spot of a mass grave where local residents buried executed Confederates.