LOCAL/FAMILY HISTORY DEPT. * DONNELLSON PUBLIC LIBRARY * 500 PARK AVE. * DONNELLSON, IA * 52625
History: A Civil War Story
Ben Cook who lived north of Primrose told me this story several times. He loved history and he loved to tell stories; he had a great collection of them to tell.
This Civil War story took place on August 6, 1861 when rebels approached Athens, MO from the south and threatened to come into Iowa. The Home Guard -- a volunteer militia whose job it was to protect this border -- received word of what was happening. Recruits from Primrose, Big Mound and surrounding areas knew it was their duty to do something about this. They jumped into their wagons, armed with lethal weapons such as pitchforks, corn knives, guns, scythes, etc., and headed for Missouri. As they approached the battle site, a red hot cannon ball rolled across the road in front of them. They stopped, looked at each other and realized that they were not prepared for modern warfare. They turned their horses and wagons around and headed
home.
It all worked out. The battle ended with a victory for the Yankees and the Southern Army was forced to retreat. A true story (as it should be recorded in
Lee County history).
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