Washington in Franklin County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Civil War Comes to Washington

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 6, 2018

1. The Civil War Comes to Washington Marker

Inscription. The John B. Busch Washington Brewery And Malt House In about 1854 John Baptiste Busch together with his older brother, Henry Busch, and a friend, Fred Gersie, started the Washington Brewery and Malt House at Jefferson and Eighth Street. John and Henry were the sons of Ulrich and Barbara Busch from the Rhineland area of Germany. John was born in 1832 in Darmstadt, Germany and moved to the United States in 1849, first living in St. Louis, and then moving to Washington. He was one of twenty-three children fathered by Ulrich.

On the 2nd of October 1864, the confederate troops came to Washington under the command of General Marmaduke. It was a common practice during the Civil War for the confiscation of supplies, horses, and other needed items, or simply looting the local population.

But on arriving in Washington, the confederate soldiers found a more desirable prize at the brewery. Reports state that almost all the beer was consumed by confederate troops, even drinking some of the green unfermented beer. The remaining beer was poured into Busch Creek. In 1870, John B. Busch submitted the following claim:

"Statement

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of property taken or destroyed by Price's Raid October 1, 1864 while John B. Busch, 1st Lieutenant, Company L, 54th Enrolled Missouri Militia mustered into U.S. service as such and lost the property while in service."

600 Barrels Beer - 10.00 - $6000.00
2000 Bushels Barley & Malt - 1.00 - $2000.00
500 Bushels Oats - $150.00
300 ft. Rubber Hose - 1.00 - $300.00
5 Large Casks - 75.00 - $375.00
1 Safe - - $300.00
2 Desks - 25.00 - $50.00
5 Horses - 200.00 - $1000.00
4 Pair Harnesses - 25.00 - $100.00
2 Saddles - 10.00 - $20.00
1 Spring Wagon - 150.00 - $150.00
300 Large Sacks - 1.00 - $300.00
1 Box Wagon - - $50.00
[Total] - - $10,795.00

This bill was never paid, possibly because it was submitted so long after the war.

John B. Busch died in 1894 and is buried at Wildey Cemetery in Washington. In 1953 his grandson, Ulrich Busch Jr., locked the doors of the Washington Brewery for the final time. John's younger brother, Adolphus Busch, had also started a brewery which still operates today, Anheuser Busch Brewery of St. Louis.

Henry (Heinrich) Conrad Eitzen,
A Civil War Soldier Henry Eitzen was born in Bremen,

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 6, 2018

2. The Civil War Comes to Washington Marker

Germany on 30 May 1827, and immigrated into the United States on 11 November 1844 through the Port of New Orleans, Louisiana. First living in Gasconade County, Eitzen later moved to Washington. He operated a general store on the southeast corner of Second and Jefferson Streets for many years.

Henry Eitzen's first military experience in the United States during the Mexican War, serving as a Private in Captain Francis W. Boing's Company, 3rd Regiment, Missouri Volunteers. His Mexican War duty lasted only about two months.

At the beginning of the Civil War, Eitzen joined Company A of the Franklin County Home Guard as a Sergeant under Captain Franz Wilhelmi, serving for three months. Captain Henry served as the Assistant Provost Marshal which he resigned on 15 July 1863. He then joined the 54th Enrolled Missouri Militia where he achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. However, he was relieved of duty by the Missouri Governor Hamilton Rowan Gamble. This action was attributed to differing political views between the governor and Eitzen. During the time-period of Price's Raid in 1864, he held the reduced rank of Private, following enlistment

Busch Mansion, currently the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2661 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 6, 2018

3. Busch Mansion, currently the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2661

with Company A, 54th Enrolled Missouri Militia under Captain Robert Reichard.

A number of militia members were considered "Radical Unionists", and Eitzen was among them. Even though the governor gave no specific reason for Eitzen and others being relieved from duty, they were known to have disagreements. The Radical Unionists advocated immediate emancipation of slaves. Militia members were also being investigated in the death of a southern sympathizer, James Barnes, and imprisoning other southerners. A substantial number of complaints were voiced in 1863 accusing Eitzen and other militia members of harsh questioning concerning the loyalty of some voters.

Following the Civil War he lived in Washington, St. Louis, Columbia, and Kansas City. Henry Eitzen passed away 7 September 1910 and is buried with most of his family at Wildey Cemetery in Washington.

Western Turner Rifles During the Civil War there were a number of Union units raised in Franklin County including Home Guard, State Militias, and Volunteer units. The most iconic unit raised from Washington was Company G, 17th Missouri Volunteer Infantry, known as the Western

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Turner Rifles. Along with tens of thousands of Germans crossing the Atlantic in the mid-nineteenth century, came the immigrant's hopes and dreams. In addition, their strong views on politics, religion, philosophy, and ideals for creating strong citizenship came as well. Chief among their ideals was the concept of the "Turn Verein" or Turning Society. The Turner motto of "A strong mind is a strong body" was adopted by the membership who sought advancement mentally and physically. In 1859, Franz Wilhelmi played an active role in the establishment of the Turn Verein in Washington, and would become the Captain commanding Company G of the 17th Missouri Volunteers. The Turners encouraged physical exercise, enacted dramatic performances, sang in harmony, played musical instruments, held social functions and even practiced marksmanship. At the beginning of the Civil War, the vast majority of the young men of the Turner Society heeded the call of their adoptive country and joined the Union military, forming the German-American Company G, 17th Missouri Volunteer Infantry.

This Civil War unit served in many campaigns in Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee. They participated in General Sherman's famous "March to the Sea". At Savannah, Georgia many of the three year volunteers left to return home, ending their service commitment. Members that remained were transferred to the 15th Missouri Infantry Volunteers and were mustered out of Federal service December 25, 1865. After members of Company G, 17th Missouri Infantry Volunteers returned to Washington, the Turner Hall was built in 1866, located at Jefferson and Third Street. The Grand Army Of The Republic Union Camp, a veteran's organization, was established at Union and named in honor of Captain Franz Wilhelmi.

Erected by Washington, Missouri Chamber of Commerce; Veterans Hall of Honor, Franklin County, Missouri; Washington Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is May 30, 1827.

Location. 38° 33.206′ N, 91° 0.929′ W. Marker is in Washington, Missouri, in Franklin County. It is on West 8th Street west of Jefferson Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 108 Busch Avenue, Washington MO 63090, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Missouri River Corridor

and in Greater St. Louis.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and on the Santa Fe Trail Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Washington Monument (approx. ¼ mile away); Veterans Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); George Washington (approx. 0.3 miles away); Unnerstall Flag Plaza (approx. 0.3 miles away); St. John's A.M.E. Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Theatre Verein (approx. 0.4 miles away); Schnier Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); Tamm Building (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Washington.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 8, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 1,376 times since then and 81 times this year. Last updated on March 24, 2025, by Suzanne Hill of Washington, Missouri. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 8, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.