Bloomfield, Missouri, might seem like a quiet town today, but during the tumultuous years of the Civil War, it was anything but. Nestled in southeast Missouri’s Stoddard County, Bloomfield holds a treasure trove of history. During the early years of the war, it was home to the Missouri State Militia, which was sympathetic to the South, as was Missouri’s elected government of the time.
Undoubtedly, the most notable contribution of Bloomfield to American history is the birth of Stars and Stripes, a newspaper for military personnel that began there in November 1861 amid the strife of the Civil War.
The Stars and Stripes National Museum and Library in Bloomfield stands as a beacon of historic preservation. Here, visitors can see an original edition of the first Stars and Stripes, a publication that still serves U.S. troops today. The museum not only tells the story of this iconic newspaper’s inception, led by Union troops under the command of then-Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant, but also serves as a custodian of its legacy. Four other publications titled Stars and Stripes were printed during the war — two in Thibodaux, Louisiana, and two in Jacksonport, Arkansas. But because Missouri’s single issue was the first published, the U.S. Department of Defense designated Bloomfield as the birthplace of Stars and Stripes.
Stars and Stripes made its next appearance during World War I. Gen. John J. Pershing, a Missouri native, wanted to reinitiate this newspaper written by servicemen to boost the morale of soldiers in the American Expeditionary Force in Europe. Seventy-one eight-page weekly editions were published between February 8, 1918, and June 13, 1919.
Stars and Stripes began publication once again as a daily newspaper during World War II. After Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower ordered its revival in London, it appeared in as many as 25 locations in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. A Pacific edition was started in 1945, and Stars and Stripes has been published worldwide ever since. It goes wherever American troops go, and an electronic version even reaches ships at sea.
Visitors to Bloomfield can pick up a brochure to embark on a journey through time, exploring 23 stops along a driving tour meticulously curated to showcase the significant Civil War events that took place in and around the town.
The Civil War driving tour in Bloomfield is an immersive experience. It includes locations such as the site where Union Brigadier General John Wynn Davidson held his troops while waiting for updates on the Confederate forces, the location of an infamous mutiny, and the very place where the first edition of the Stars and Stripes was printed. The tour doesn’t
shy away from darker historic chapters either; it includes the execution site of Asa V. Ladd, who refused to take an oath of loyalty to the Union, and the tragic death of Union Captain Tom Walker. He openly challenged Confederate soldiers by saying, “You tell those men in town that if they want me, to come after me. My name is Tom Walker.”
Moreover, visitors can explore historic landmarks like the Bloomfield Academy, which played a part during the war, and learn about the Civil War hospitals that cared for the wounded. The Fatal Tree, a grim reminder of wartime justice, and the Civil War Cemetery, where both Union and Confederate soldiers rest, each serve as poignant reminders of the divided nation’s painful past.
Bloomfield was not just a backdrop for military strategies and skirmishes but also a community deeply affected by the war. The tour provides an educational experience for those seeking to understand the complexities of the era. The Stars and Stripes Museum and Library, along with the historical Civil War tour, offer invaluable insights into our nation’s past, ensuring that the legacy of those times educates and inspires future generations. As we visit these sites, we do more than recall history; we pay homage to those who lived it.
Get your copy of our Missouri Newspaper Heritage Guide here (you only pay for shipping!).
Read more about the Stars and Stripes Museum here and here.
All photos courtesy of the Stars and Stripe Musuem.
