On September 27, 1864, Confederate guerilla leader William “Bloody Bill” Anderson, leading about 50 well-armed men, removed 23 unarmed Union soldiers from a train at Centralia, Missouri, murdered all but one, then set fire to the train and depot.

Around 3:30 P.M., Major A. V. E. Johnson, commanding approximately 125 men of the 39th Missouri Infantry (Mounted), arrived in Centralia. Although warned by the townspeople that Anderson’s force was nearby, Johnson decided to pursue the guerillas. When he located them, Johnson ordered his men to dismount; during the ensuing battle, Johnson and approximately 115 of his men were killed.

Carte-de-Visite by Unknown Photographer.

Image Courtesy Dr. Thomas and Karen Sweeney