About ten thousand people gathered for an Independence celebration and to see a balloon ascension in St. Louis.  Southern sympathizers in the crowd clashed with Union Soldiers and several people were shot, two died.

This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired school teacher, Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s history, weird facts, and folk tales. He has also written children’s historical fiction. Visit his website, and buy his books in the Missouri Life store.