Citizen Soldiers
Battle of Fredricksburg Road
During the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, most militia units were not trained combatants but everyday working men and women fighting to protect their own property and families. They would enlist for a few months between planting and harvesting crops. They usually stayed close to where they lived in case they were needed at home. Then as the call came they would report to their assigned post to fight where needed. This is a story of two of those citizen soldiers, George and Aaron O’Dell who lived along Fredricksburg road in Ray County, Missouri. This road has had different names over the years and is the main though fare between Kansas City and liberty. It began as a game trail and evolved over a century of use into what is now hwy 10. This is an excerpt from a report of the battle.
When the call to report came George and Aaron reported to Captain Colley who was in charge of the local Union Militia. It had been reported that Bill Anderson and his bushwackers, as they were known, had been seen scouting the area. Captain Colley detailed 20 troops to pursue the bushwackers. When the troops saw them they followed up a local road. Aaron O’Dell rode up to Colley and told him they were riding into a trap. Being locals and knowing some of Anderson’s tactics these men knew it was ambush territory. Colley didn’t heed the information and ordered the men to follow in hot pursuit.
As soon as Colley and his men turned up the side road to follow Anderson the battle began. Three of the militia, Philip Siegel, John, and Smith Hutchings were killed instantly. Colley gave the order, every man for himself, and they rode on through the line of fire. Aaron was the only one to give any resistance. He would turn and hold off the bushwackers for a few minutes until his guns were empty giving the other troops a chance to get away. He would then ride a distance reload and again turn and fire.
A short distance west of where Bob Wilson lives was a deep hollow, Aaron shouted for the men to enter this hollow. A few did but some continued to flee. George O’Dell was killed trying to get to the hollow. Captain Colley rode to the north side of the farm and tried to get his horse to jump the rail fence. But one of the bushwackers saw him and shot him. When it was deemed safe the bodies of the dead were recovered and the men went back to the burg. That night what was left of the troops went back to Knoxville.
The bushwackers stayed around a while and during this time several men were taken out of their homes and killed. Not long after this Bill Anderson was killed in a battle near Albany, north of Orrick, and was buried where he fell. Captain Cox was in charge of the militia at that time.
Several of these citizen soldiers who took part in this skirmish were my ancestors. My uncle lived most of his life on the farm where Anderson was killed and buried. He volunteered to care for the burial site where both union and Confederate lay side by side. My Uncle was honored by the governor for the many years he took care of this small internment spot. The historical society verified the spot as a Civil War site and added a monument to the men buried there.
Most people have heard of the big battles such as Wilsons Creek near Springfield, but many small skirmishes happened all over the state. When men such as Quantrill and Anderson; took it upon themselves to take advantage of the times to further their own cause. That is when it was up to the citizen soldier to answer the call of their country defending family and property.
I thank the Lord for all those who answer the call of their country; to fight for freedom. This great land of ours was built on the God-given right to be free and it is our responsibility to protect that right.
Freedom is not free; someone had to pay the price.
Thank You to all who have and are guarding that right.
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