"Washington was celebrating the return of 18 veterans, the only survivors of their company, on Sept. 10. This company had been on the battlefields for three years. The entire town was highly excited. A group of women, many men and girls wearing wreaths of flowers greeted the veterans at the depot and accompanied the heroes to a festal hall to the strains of a band, where a happy, merry banquet awaited them. The state flag was evident everywhere. No one had a premonition that within two days the proud Stars and Stripes would be replaced by the white flag of surrender.

"We were not a little surprised when on Saturday, Oct. 1, our neighbor, Mrs. Henry Bleckmann, evidently in great haste, rang our bell and, pale with fear, informed us of the burning down of Franklin (Editor's Note: now Pacific) and Union by the rebels. These were now already at South Point 2 1/2 miles from Washington and destroying everything. They would probably be in Washington by nightfall; all the people were packing and getting ready for flight. The lady advised us to do likewise.

"As we had neither money nor valuables, packing up and secreting them did not disturb us. What caused us the most agonizing concern were the boarders who were terrified to tears. There was general panic in the town. The men grabbed their weapons; the women and the children were being rowed across the river. We left our girls free to go with them. Without the Sisters, however, they refused to leave. Only three who lived rather near the town, went home. With full trust in God, we stayed, although not without fear and worry, alone in our little convent.

"In agony we saw night approaching during which our beautiful town was to become a victim of fire and flame, or, the scene of blood and death. All the Sisters and the girls, dressed in warm clothing, anxiously awaited the things to come. There was dead silence everywhere. Now and then a faint light gleamed for a moment in the totally darkened town. One half of the Sisters and children watched and prayed while the other half tried to get a little rest.

"Sister Johanna Nepomuk, who had at first been the most terrified, was lost in contemplation of the loving care of the men for their wives and families, called out in her simplicity with courage, 'The husband protects his wife, and we are the spouses of Christ, already serving Him so many years. It would be a disgrace for Him if He were not to do likewise, and were to abandon us!' And in truth, He protected His handmaidens so miraculously that they did not suffer the slightest injury or indignity.

"At midnight we were startled at a noise which made us think the attack was beginning. The town militia who had armed themselves for resistance against the attack, came storming along toward the river where they manned two steamboats for flight across the Missouri, taking with them all available boats. They had realized their band was too small for resistance against superior numbers.

"The enemy, expecting strong resistance, remained quiet about 1 1/2 miles from the city for some rest. At dawn several of the citizens approached them with a white flag and surrendered the city Sunday, Oct. 2, 1864. The Sisters and all the boarders had time to attend an early Mass. Just as we arrived at the convent doors, the rebels, fully armed, entered Washington.

"Between 6,000 to 10,000 strong, they were led by Gens. Marmaduke and Cabell. The plundering began. Everything fit for their use was taken. Stores and shops were emptied. The most destruction and theft took place in the homes of those who had fled; they considered these enemies.

"Those who had stayed were looked upon as friends, although they, too, were not treated in too friendly a manner. Strangely, however, when they saw us, they overwhelmed us with compliments and assured us of their general's protection. They called to the girls who stood at the windows, 'Don't be afraid, ladies. Our general will protect you.' "

The School Sisters of Notre Dame arrived by train in Washington Nov. 2, 1859. They were met at the depot by Father Seisl and other members of the parish. The Sisters had been brought to Washington by members of the parish to teach the children of the members. Up to that time, the children had been taught by lay persons.

The Sisters lived for a short time in the 1838 log church which had been moved from its original location about a mile south and reassembled next to the first brick church built on land furnished by John Mense, son-in-law of Lucinda Owens. School opened Nov. 3, 1859, with nine pupils. By the next spring, there were 60 pupils enrolled, both boys and girls.

The convent school was completed by 1860 on the northwest corner of Main and Elm streets. Known as Saint Mary's Academy, the building was quite small but had several additions added during the 1860s. In 1860, the Sisters moved from the log church into the new building and the log building once again became a school for the boys. The Sisters had some female students living in the convent as boarders while attending school.

Artifacts to Share?

Anyone with information, pictures or material items from ancestors who were in Washington (or Franklin County) during the Civil War are encouraged to contact the Washington Historical Society.

The 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War will be in 2011 and the Washington Historical Society would like to include local artifacts in a display at the museum. People can either donate or loan the items to the museum or allow a copy to be made.

Contact Marc Houseman, museum director, 636-239-0280, or Walt Larson, board member, 636-239-0977.