The Civil War that was fought in our region wasn’t one of epic battles involving tens of thousands of massed troops. It was more like guerrilla warfare, bushwhackings and massacres, labels that differed depending on which side you were on.
One of our rambles took us to the Greenbrier/Zephyr Cemetery in southern Bollinger County. It’s not particularly easy to find, and the road leading to it isn’t all that easy to hit. You pretty much have to drive past it, turn around the first opportunity and head back in order to get the right angle. It’s one-way in, so be prepared to back up.
Mass grave for Confederate dead
Mother and I went looking for it because I had read about the Battle of Mingo Swamp and the mass grave in the cemetery. Here’s a version of what happened from Cletis R. Ellinghouse’s book, Mingo: Southeast Missouri’s Ancient Swamp and the Countryside Surrounding It:
The Battle of Mingo Swamp was fought February 4, 1863, on the south Bollinger County plantation of Simeon “Slim” Cato, a 58-year-old South Carolina native who died in the bloodbath with 28 others, all Confederate soldiers. It was the bloodiest single incident in the war in Southeast Missouri. Among the other slain were Confederate Capt. Daniel McGee and his first sergeant James A. Logan, who at the time resided at what later became Puxico. McGee was Cato’s nephew.
Confederates caught unawares
The Confederates, surrounded by Union soldiers, were completely unaware of what was about to happen to them. They were not within reach of their weapons when soldiers from the Twelfth Missouri State Militia Cavalry pounced on them in a vicious assault that left all of them dead or mortally wounded. “All but four too seriously wounded to be removed,” according to an account published in a St. Louis newspaper, which referred to McGee as “the notorious guerrilla chief.” In fact, all of them were killed outright or died of wounds without a single casualty on the Union side, which has prompted some to call the operation “a massacre.”
The remains of the Confederates, routinely called outlaws and guerrillas by Union officers, were carried by wagons and buried by kinsmen and neighbors at what is known today as the Greenbrier/Zephyr Cemetery, a few miles from where they were slain. Their mass grave was discovered many years ago. Uniforms, coats and button were found along with the remains of several bodies.
Other references
Depending on whose account you read, Sam Hildebrand was just a guy who wanted to be left alone and stay out of “the rich man’s war being fought by poor men,” or he was “The Big River Bushwhacker, Southeast Missouri’s notorious outlaw.” Others put him in the camp of those men who used the war as an excuse to settle personal affronts. His exploits rival any movie you’ve seen.
- The Sam Hildebrand Story by Pitter Seabaugh
- Hildebrand’s rifle, “Kill-Devil” was notched for every kill.
- Sam Hildebrand’s autobiography written two years before he was gunned down
- The Civil War in Cape Girardeau
Most of us grew up hearing about Forts A, B C and D, but I was never taught about the major battle that was fought in the town. This is an account worth reading.
As always, you can click on the photos to make them larger.
Oh, dear–I recognize this cemetery! Paul Corbin and I have been out here, taking pictures, years ago. I had forgotten. Unlike you, Ken, I do NOT have a “steel-trap” mind. Mine is more like a leaky metal box. Worse, I don’t even know where those photos are.
I’m glad you set all this history down in written form. If I did, I’ve long forgotten, and the paper I wrote it on is crumbled to dust…
Mr. Steinhoff, I enjoyed read in your article. I am an author in the process of writing a story with a portion of the events taking place in the Mingo Swamp area. I am having such a difficult time researching the area just prior to the drainage. Am trying to get a grasp on the area, life in the swamp, and anything I can find. Can you make some suggestions for resources? Thank you
My wife’s late uncle had a lot to say about Swampeast Missouri on some video recordings I made of him when he was turning 90. There are links to them at the bottom of his obit.
Thank you for this fascinating history.
I was reading about this because I believe somehow, maybe, I might be related to William & John Cato.
Now I will have to check out these books and read the history.
One day I might try to get out there to the cemetery.
William,
You might also want to check out Cato Cemetery near Arab.
My Grandfather is Buried near by, my father and his 9 Brothers were Born and Raised in Greenbrier, i didn’t know my Biological Grandfather, he passed, my Dad was only 11 years old, it wasn’t until working a Job in Sikeston Mo, I was told a story by an Old Timer, that took me on an Adventure.
I will soon return, making sure Grandpa is resting well.
Edwin Vincent Storz
To correct myself, there were 9 Children, how many Brothers, there were 6 Brother’s, and 3 Sister’s.
My Father, and his Baby Sister are the last Surviving members.
Life is hard, though grateful for being a Storz.
I have One Son ( Hunter ).
My love for just being American, it’s the greatest gift from God.
Might we never forget all that has been given up to be American.
God bless America, through Christ we stand.
My Grandmother brought me the Banner Press, some time in between the year 2005 or 2006, reading that the Granddaughter or Daughter of Mr. Cato, revealing this story.
I cannot find this Paper i had saved, for at the time i was very ill, though knowing how much it meant, i kept it and brought it back home in Texas.
The feeling while reading that story is still with me, only wondering and having more interest as the day’s pass.
Thanks to all who have worked on this story and shared.
I am a history buff. I just so happen to be the grounds keeper here at the Greenbriar Cemetery. So this interested me greatly.
I’m glad it caught your eye.
Hi all, My name is Lee Warren, and First Sargent James M, Logan was my G.G. Grandpa, 2nd Mo. Calvary, who served under Capt. Mcgee . He’s buried in the a mass grave at Greenbrier. James Logan was on a neighboring farm of the Catos, and one of his daughter married into the Cato family, and his oldest son Oliver married a Cato as well. Logans Farm was located at a cemetery south of Catos Farm and out of Duck Creek going north towards Greenbrier on the hwy. Looking for any info of the civil war year, trying to reconstruct my family there from Calif. … My family name of that area back then, are Logan, Palmer, Warren, Winchester, Harris, Wilson, and Cato. Thanks
I too am related to the Cato family as well. Some how. My grandparents (Harrison, Stepp, Phelps lived on Grimes trail) off of 51 hwy. My mother was Velma Harrison Weber. She married Victor Weber. Both graduated from Zalma High in 1947.
My gr gr grama is buried in the Greenbriar cemetery.. Her name was Sarah Anne Thomasson Deck Vess. Supposedly she was Indian. She married John Deck.
I too am related to the Cato family as well. Some how. My grandparents (Harrison, Stepp, Phelps lived on Grimes trail) off of 51 hwy. My mother was Velma Harrison Weber. She married Victor Weber. Both graduated from Zalma High in 1947.
Iam related to Catos as my grandmother was Mildred jackson – Sims and her father wasDavid Green Jackson and his Mother Artimisa Cato Cherokee ! My grandmother is buried in Stoddard County!
I am the great great granddaughter of Simeon Cato. I have heard all of the stories and have visited all of the places mentioned in the article.
That’s so interesting!!
Simeon Cato was my great, great grandfather. I was there near Zalma years ago when they dedicated the historical marker to the Battle of Mingo Swamp. My father and my son went as well.