Jefferson City was occupied by Union troops, who kept guard from inside residents' homes and covered the land side with encampments and fortifications.
Skirmishes took place throughout the Civil War on the outskirts of town, bringing many refugees to the city. But the town was saved from the ravages of battle in October 1864, when Confederate Gen. Sterling Price chose not to attempt to retake the city.
The "Battle That Never Was" will be commemorated Sunday with a tour of five featured sites with direct ties to the war between the states as well as other activities.
The main event is a "hop on, hop off" trolley tour. Unlike the Historic City of Jefferson's homes tours, guests will not walk through the home but rather listen to local celebrities discuss the property's history.
The exception is the Dulle Home, 800 St. Mary's Blvd., where guests are invited to visit not only the inside of the home, but the other features of the day.
The Dulle Home was the Union headquarters throughout the occupation. From there, it is believed the Union soldiers "tricked" Price into believing there were more troops in the city that in actuality.
Re-enactors will be encamped at the property, the Cantorum Civil War Singers will perform, and local historian Mark Rehagen will portray President Abraham Lincoln by addressing visitors.
The other four "ticketed sites" are the Bolton-Kelly Home, 1916 Greenberry Road; Vineyard Place, 1122 Moreau Drive; McClung Park; and the Woodland and Old city cemeteries, 1000 E. McCarty St.
A large cannon and several re-enactors will set up camp across the street from the Bolton-Kelly Home.
The Slo Jammers, a local bluegrass music group, will perform on the lawn of Vineyard Place, while a Matthew Brady-style photo exhibit is on display.
Historian Mark Schreiber and others will provide tours of the cemeteries.
Four bonus sites, apart from the paid tour, are included in the day's events.
At McClung Park, lectures in the pavilion will include Mark Lause, professor at University of Cincinnati who has written two books on Price's 1864 raid through Missouri, and David Lineberry, a former Jefferson City High School English teacher who will discuss specific events in Mid-Missouri 150 years ago. Museum-quality Civil War artifacts also will be on display in the pavilion.
The Missouri State Archives will open at 10 a.m. Sunday for individuals interested in researching their family history and connections to the Civil War.
The Wallendorf House at the Missouri Farm Bureau will be open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday and Monday. The two-story, log home originally sat near the intersection of Edgewood and Missouri 179. Price is believed to have stayed at that home, where he made the decision not to attack the city.
The Col. Lewis Bolton Home, east of Wardsville, also will be open for tours. Historian Gary Kremer will speak at 10:30 a.m. Sunday and radio broadcaster and historian Bob Priddy will speak at 1 p.m.
The Historic City of Jefferson is sponsoring this event to educate residents about Jefferson City's "close call," when Price and a 10,000-man army reached within a few miles of the Capitol before turning toward Lexington in October 1864.
Cost is $15 in advance for the trolley tour or $20 the day of the event. The self-tour is $10 or $25 for a family.
Ticketing locations Sunday will be at the trolley pick-up parking lots at Adkins Stadium, Immaculate Conception Church and McClung Park.
Advanced tickets are available at Samuel's Tuxedo and Schulte's Fresh Foods.
Admission includes a history booklet "The Battle That Never Was" by Lineberry.
Call 573-230-3776 or email to [email protected] for more information.