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THE FIRST STARS AND STRIPES By James R. Mayo* On November 7 and 8, 1861, federal soldiers from Illinois and Iowa entered the nearly abandoned town of Bloomfield, Missouri and set up their camps. They had temporarily maneuvered the pro-southern Missouri State Guard from the area. Undoubtedly, the soldiers were pleased with this accomplishment since many …

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The Union Soldiers of 1861 The First Stars & Stripes Staff The Publishers: BENSON T. ATHERTON of Fairfield, Illinois was the publisher of the Prairie Pioneer. He was a private in Company G 18th Illinois Infantry.  Atherton was wounded during February 1862 at Fort Donelson, Tennessee and sent home to recover.  He later returned to duty, but by a special …

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