Aftermath of the Battle

Aftermath of the Battle. American Civil War (1861-1865), The Battle of Athens. Within two hours, Col. David Moore's pro-Union Home Guard claimed victory over Col. Martin Green's pro-secessionist State Guard. After a short pursuit, Moore's men returned to care for their 23 casualties. That afternoon, the State Guard returned under a flag of truce to reclaim about 31 casualties., Col. Green and his men fought a Federal army in Lexington, Mo. A month later. Col. Moore and his men became a part of the 21st Missouri Infantry. In October 1862, Green and Moore faced each other at the Battle of Corinth in Mississippi. By then, both had become brigadier generals. Green was killed at Vicksburg, Moore lost a leg at Shiloh, survived the war, and settled in Canton, Mo., Athens continued to thrive for a time. The mill on the river ground grain and businesses prospered. A new railroad route bypassed the town and took with it the need for river traffic. By 1900, the town was nearly gone. Bitter feelings between neighbors and families continued for decades throughout Missouri., (sidebar) , "As the fruits of the victory, we captured many prisoners, four hundred and fifty horses, saddles, and bridles complete, hundreds of arms and a wagon load of long knives with which they expected to fight the infantry." , -Col. David Moore, (captions) , Looking west on the corner of Thome and Spring Street at Spurgeon's Dry Goods Store, which may have been used as a battle hospital. Courtesy Bertha Doud Parke, Moore's Home Guard later became part of the Twenty-first Missouri Infantry (Union); their battle flag of the regiment's honors includes the Battle of Athens, Mo., Many State Guardsmen that fought at Athens later fought under this battle flag when they transferred to Confederate service.