Kirksville, Missouri

===Battle of Kirksville===
{{Main|Battle of Kirksville}}

The Battle of Kirksville was fought August 6–9, 1862, during the [[American Civil War]]. Union troops led by [[John McNeil]] forced Confederate volunteers under [[Joseph C. Porter|Joseph Porter]] to vacate the city. Casualty estimates (almost entirely Confederate) range from 150-200 dead and up to 400 wounded. According to the August 12, 1862, ''Quincy Herald'' there were 8 Federal dead and 25 wounded. The victorious Union commander, Colonel McNeil, gained brief national attention for his post-battle execution of a small number of Confederate prisoners. These prisoners had been previously captured in battle and then paroled with the understanding they would no longer take up arms against the Union, upon penalty of death if recaptured. Nonetheless, Confederate government officials were outraged, and it is said that Confederate president Jefferson Davis even called for the execution of Colonel (later Brigadier General) McNeil if he were to be captured.