As I was setting off fireworks with my family last night, I couldn't help but think about the real meaning of the 4th of July. It is supposed to be about celebrating independence, but the holiday's roots lie squarely in the defeat of the concept.

On July 3'rd 1863 General Lee was defeated at the Battle of Gettysburg.

On July 4th, 1863 General Pemperton surrendered his forces at Vicksburg , Mississippi. With him were many Missourians who had seen their own state ravaged and their elected state government subverted by Lincoln, and Marxist Germans who were all too willing to help him in his endeavors.

The Missourians first enlisted in the Missouri State Guard and later joined the regular Confederate army at Osceola, Missouri under General Sterling Price.

After the Battle of Elkhorn Tavern in Arkansas, the Missourians were transfered East of the Mississippi. 1863 found them in Mississippi. The Missourians, who had left their homes, and family, still believed in the concept of freedom and independence and were willing to fight away from home so that others might enjoy these rights.

Above is the Missouri Battle Flag (also known as the Sterling Price Battle Flag). According to http://www.rulen.com/moflag/ :

"The Missouri Battle Flag is designed of a white Roman Cross, blue field, and deep red trim. More than 60,000 Confederate Missouri men served under this flag. Many prestigious units such as Pindall's 9th Battalion Of Missouri Sharpshooters saw extensive service under this flag. "

Many of these flags were surrendered at the fall of Vicksburg. Missourians also paid dearly for the belief in freedom at places called Corinth, Franklin, Atlanta, and Fort Blakely. They paid in the highest of currencies, their lives.

At the Battle of Franklin, the 1'st Missouri Brigade, already depleated by their service in previous battles suffered horrible losses. According to information found at the 2'cd Missouri Cavalry website:

"The 1st Missouri Brigade (the smallest at Franklin) went into battle with 696 and had 419 casualties with a loss of 60.2% of it's strength. It's loss was only exceeded by three other Confederate brigades in the entire war. Garnet's VA brigade's 65.9% loss at Gettysburg, Perry's FL brigade's 65.0% loss at Gettysburg and Wofford's (Hood's) TX brigade's 64.1% loss at Antietam."

So yesterday, today , tomorrow and forever, let us not forget what independence means, and what Missourians were willing to give in hopes to keep it.

Related: Lincolns' Overthrow of the Missouri Government

Clint, Missouri Bushwhacker

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