(2002) These eroded earthworks mark the position where Union artillery was placed during the Battle of Lexington. Union artillery pieces positioned here perhaps engaged the artillery battery of Captain Hiram Bledsoe, who later gained a reputation as Confederate artillery Commander.
 
Rich Jordahl photo

(2002) The memorial pictured here is built on the original site of the Masonic College - the primary headquarters position for Federal Colonel James A. Mulligan. After the Union surrender, Price let Union troops go free but kept Colonel Mulligan prisoner for about a month before turning him free. Price also returned $900,000 to the local bank that had been confiscated by the Federals.

The Masonic College
The Masonic College was relocated from Philadelphia, Missouri, in 1848. It was intended to be used as a college for the children of masons, financially it faltered and went out of business in 1857. When the Union troops arrived in Lexington in 1861, they claimed the vacant college as their headquarters. The three-story building was located on a hill four hundred yards away from the Oliver Anderson House. The building was fired upon by Captain Churchill Clark, grandson of explorer William Clark, with a brass six pounder gun. Today the site is home to College Park, which contains a one-third size replica of the Masonic College building. The park also has four brick pillars which mark the four corners of the original Masonic building. Also at the park is a cannon from the USS Constitution, “Old Ironsides,” and a marker where Union Col. Mulligan hid one million confiscated dollars underneath his tent during the battle.
 
From LafayetteCountyMo.com
 
Rich Jordahl photo

(February 2013) Enlarge Mural of Lexington, Missouri on a downtown building.
 
Bill Bechmann photo

(February 2013) Enlarge Close-up of the Battle of Lexington (Battle of the Hemp Bales).
 
Bill Bechmann photo