JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The public is invited to attend a program and learn about the battle that took place in the area of Battle of Island Mound State Historic Site near Butler on Saturday, Oct. 26. Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, the program will begin at 4 p.m. and will feature a park interpreter who will provide a historical account of the events that took place. After the talk, visitors can follow along with the interpreter as he guides an informative walk around the site’s 0.6 mile Courage Trail.
The Battle of Island Mound marked the first time that African-American troops were engaged in Civil War combat. Battle of Island Mound State Historic site encompasses Fort Africa, where the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry were camped in 1862 before a pitched battle with pro-Confederate forces near a low hill named Island Mound.
A visit to Battle of Island Mound State Historic Site is also a great opportunity to log miles as a part of the Governor’s 100 Missouri Miles challenge. To celebrate Missouri’s distinction as the “Best Trails State” by American Trails and to encourage Missourians to enjoy the outdoors, Governor Jay Nixon and First Lady Georganne Nixon are inviting Missourians to join them in completing 100 Missouri Miles of outdoor physical activity by the end of the year.
For more information and to take the Challenge, visit 100MissouriMiles.com. Participants can also share adventures, post photos and learn about upcoming events by connecting with 100 Missouri Miles on Facebook and Twitter.
The Battle of Island Mound State Historic Site is located eight miles southwest of Butler off of Highway K in Bates County. For more information about the event, contact (800) 334-6946. For more information on Missouri state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
