The Cannons Roar

The Cannons Roar. American Civil War (1861-1865), The Battle of Athens. A. 5:30 a.m.: The roar of State Guard cannons began the Battle of Athens. Most of the shot flew over the heads of the Home Guard troops, though one struck the home of Joseph Benning and another blasted the depot across the river at Croton, Iowa., B. Col. David Moore's Home Guard sent volley after volley of musket shot as Col. Martin Green's State Guard advanced to return fire., C. Maj. Benjamin Shacklett, leading Green's right flank, advanced from the southeast but Moore's left flank, led by Charles Callihan, met him with heavy fire., D. Callihan, believing he was outnumbered, fled across the river into Iowa followed by his cavalry. Only Elsberry Small's Home Guard infantry held their ground and, with additional fire from Moore's centerline, drove Shacklett and his State Guardsmen back., E. Capt. Barton Hackney's Home Guard dislodged Green's left wing as the State Guard attempted to take possession of the point below the mill., F. 7:30 a.m.: The battle ends as the State Guard troops, faced with charging Home Guards, threw down their weapons and retreated., (sidebar quotes) , "The right of his line was touching the river up on my left and his left touched the river upon my right….They (State Guard) were armed with shotguns and squirrel rifles which were no match for our improved muskets." , --Col. David Moore, "Moore's camp was in the town which is situated on the foot of and on the side of a high bluff. The main business street is on the river and the second street runs parallel with the river on a beach a short distance up the hill. Moore stationed his main force in this, the second street, his right and left wings extending back to the river." , --Chicago Tribune Correspondent, Aug. 9, 1861, "….those posted on the right and left were ordered by me to stand fast and the center to fix bayonets and move forward in common time. The men however soon broke into a charge and the enemy fled in every direction from the field." , --Col. David Moore