Collection: Missouri

Missouri is where the Civil War began, with open conflict occurring within the state and surrounding territories from 1854-1861. She was originally admitted to the Union on August 10, 1821. The state initially voted against secession on March 1, 1861, with the pro-secessionist state government respecting the results. But by late spring the local Federal forces began to supersede all Constitutional authority; driving the elected government from the state capital and attempting to strip the Missouri State Guard of its arms. Conflicts escalated, and with open war upon them, the state would formally leave the Union on October 31, 1861. Her motto is Salus populi suprema lex esto, or, "Let the good of the people be the supreme law."