Order No. 11 Plaque Dedicated

(fm92 news) Order No. 11 was characterized as “when the thread of humanities began unraveling and there was no stopping it.”  Order No. 11 issued on August 25, 1863 affected all persons living in Jackson, Cass, and Bates counties and part of Vernon County.  All residents were ordered to evacuate themselves from their present places of residences within fifteen days of the issuance of Order No. 11.

Order No. 11 was to prevent roaming guerrillas from foraging upon the countryside, and empowered federal troops to seize displaced families’ grain and hay crops. Soldiers and bandits plundered abandoned properties and set many farmsteads ablaze. The flames spread to the adjoining tall grass prairies and quickly consumed much of the landscape. The resulting desolation moved observers to describe Cass and Bates County as the “Burnt District.”

On Saturday, March 22^nd the Bates County Historical Society dedicated the Order No. 11 plaque and unveiled its permanent position on the lawn of the Bates County Courthouse. The plaque was partially funded by a grant from The Enbridge Company. The theme throughout the dedication was remembering past devastations and inhumanities help create an understanding where everyone learns tolerance.

Stop by the Butler square and see the new Plaque on the Northwest corner of the square.