This spring our history class had an unique opportunity. We were able to explore local history from the early 1800s! In March, 1815, the War of 1812 was over. In Missouri, the Native Americans were continuing to raid the enemy, steal horses, and battle the American soldiers. To the Sac and Fox tribes near Loutre Creek in central Missouri, the war continued.
Captain James Callaway, and 14 men under his command, trailed stolen horses to a small camp and liberated the mounts from the women who were holding the horses. On the Captain's return trip with the horses, the soldiers were attacked at Loutre Creek by Sac and Fox wariors. It was a total defeat of the Rangers. Captain Callaway was killed in the Loutre Creek, which was running high due to heavy rains, and his body was not recovered for several days. When the surviving members of the Ranger company found Callaway's remains, they buried him on a high ridge overlooking the creek. Three men of his company were buried on a small meadow beside the Loutre Creek. The following year, 1816, Callaway's cousin carved a marker out of native stone over the captain's grave.
Today there is a grave stone and an American flag to mark the captain's resting place atop a timbered hill in Callaway County. A triple stone in the meadow below the ridge marks the graves of three of Callaway's men killed in the battle.
Due to the generousity of a school family, our history class was allowed on the family's private property to explore the site of Captain Callaway's last battle. The hike up to the top of the ridge where the captain is buried in nearly a mile, and a steep climb through oak and native timber. The day of our trip it was raining, so it was a damp hike. Our host led us safely to the top of the ridge, and as we gathered around the Captain's stone, he shared the story of the captain's last days (no pictures due to the rain).
To be able to study a local event of nearly 200 years ago was a treat for the students and adults alike. For the next few years, the students will probably reflect on the wet, muddy trek up the hill, standing in the rain as our host explained the events of March, 1815, and the joking around afterwards as we had a snack break and moved on to our next destination. However, in the future, as they prepare for their children's field trips, I am confident they will remember the challenge of the hike and the fact that they were at the grave sites of men who battled Native Americans in their county before Missouri was a state. This was a rare and wonderful opportunity for all of us.
Callaway County was established in 1820, named after Captain James Callaway.
www.kchsoc.org/articles/jcallaway.html
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