September 27, 1864…Centralia Massacre and the Battle of Centralia

Having encamped his force of about 350 guerrillas a few miles from Centralia, Bill Anderson and approximately 80 men entered the town, September 27, 1864. They robbed the 2 stores and dozen homes of the village, and then held up the stage from Columbia when it arrived. Hastily placing ties across the track as the North Missouri passenger train from St. Louis approached, the bushwhackers prevented it from passing through and opened fire on it. The train carried about 150 persons, including 23 Federal soldiers, all of whom were unarmed. The bushwhackers robbed both passengers and soldiers, and the baggage car safe yielded Anderson $3000. Except for one Sergeant, probably protected for purposes of exchange, all the Federal soldiers were massacred by a firing squad. The bushwhackers then set the train on fire and compelled the fireman to open the throttle. The train ran about 2 1/2 miles out of town where it was later found with the coaches burned but the engine not materially damaged. The bushwhackers then burned the depot and made their way back to camp with their spoils.

About 3 o'clock that afternoon a force of about 155 Union troops under Major A. V. E. Johnson arrived in Centralia. Learning of the massacre and believing the main force of guerrillas had been overestimated, Johnson determined to pursue them. He detailed about 35 men to care for the horses and wagons and then left Centralia with more than 120 men. Meanwhile the guerrillas sent out a small scouting party, instructed to entice the Union soldiers near the place where their main force was hidden. Johnson and his men followed this party and came upon the guerrillas near their camp. The bushwhackers had part of their force concealed, however, and Johnson could not tell the actual number of the enemy. The untrained, poorly equipped Union troops were completely demoralized when the trained bushwhackers charged them on horseback. Union losses were 123 killed, including Johnson. Three guerrillas were killed instantly, one mortally wounded, and 3 severely wounded.

Some of the dead were taken to Mexico for burial, and 79 were buried in a single long trench near the railroad in the eastern part of Centralia. On December 17, 1873, the trench was reopened and the remains taken to Jefferson City where the soldiers were re-interred in one common grave in the National Cemetery.

For primary source material see…