Click to join the Riverbend Heritage Society

Mike Pierce's WBTS Site

For my Bellefontaine Cemetery Tour Guide click here For a list of Medal of Honor recipients buried in Bellefontaine Cemetery click here For a list of cemeteries in St. Louis City and County circa 1911 (many are still in existence) click here For other links click here

The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable, on certain occasions, that I wish it to always be kept alive. It will often be exercised when wrong, but better so than not to be exercised at all. I like a little rebellion now and then.It is like a storm in the atmosphere. Thomas Jefferson - 1787

Click on the picture to learn about Missouri during the War Between the States!

Surrender means that the history of this heroic struggle will be written by the enemy; that our youth will be trained by Northern schoolteachers; learn from the Northern schoolbooks their version of the war; and taught to regard our gallant dead as traitors and our maimed veterans as fit subjects of derision. Major General Patrick Ronayne Cleburne, CSA

Hd Qtrs Army Northern Virginia 10th April 1865 General Order No 9 After four years of arduous service, marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude, the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to yield to overwhelming numbers and resources. I need not tell the brave survivors of so many hard fought battles who have remained steadfast to the last, that I have consented to this result from no distrust of them, but feeling that valor and devotion could accomplish nothing that could compensate for the loss that would have attended the continuance of the contest, I determined to avoid the useless sacrifice of those whose past services have endeared them to their countrymen. By the terms of the agreement, Officers and men can return to their homes and remain until exchanged.  You will take with you the satisfaction that proceeds from the conciousness of duty faithfully performed and I earnestly pray that a merciful God will extend to you his blessing and protection. With an unceasing admiration of your devotion to your country, and a grateful remembrance of your kind and generous consideration of myself, I bid you all an affectionate farewell. R E Lee Genl