Ep. 2. 30: First Civil War Shots in St. Louis

This episode recounts the dramatic events of May 10, 1861—the Camp Jackson Affair—when tensions in St. Louis erupted into bloodshed. Monsignor and Teresa describe how Captain Nathaniel Lyon, backed by Frank Blair and thousands of German volunteers, surrounded the Missouri state militia camp near present-day St. Louis University. What began as a peaceful surrender turned violent when shots rang out, leaving 27 civilians dead and deepening divisions in the city. The episode explores the political fallout, Harney’s removal, Lyon’s rise, and the failed negotiations that ended with Lyon’s chilling declaration: “This means war.” It closes by introducing two figures—Franz Sigel and Father John Bannon—whose contrasting paths will frame St. Louis’ Civil War story.