While the name of the group promoting Callaway County's Gray Ghosts Trail has changed, the mission has not, said Bryant Liddle, now chair of Callaway Civil War Heritage.
"It was formed to help everybody remember the history of the Civil War in Callaway County," he said. "We need to make sure that history is kept alive. Missouri played an important role in the Civil War."
People might have seen the burgundy and gray "Gray Ghosts Trail" signs posed around Fulton. Informative panel signs can be found at Crane's Museum in Williamsburg, at the former tourism center at Kingdom City, by the Old Auxvasse Cemetery (2982 Callaway County Road 156), the Calwood site of the Battle of Moore's Mill, in the 500 block of Westminster Avenue in Fulton and near the John A. Hockaday House (in the 300 block of Hockaday Avenue in Fulton) that once hosted Confederate President Jefferson Davis.
Liddle said his organization will continue strengthening this project.
"We're looking at placing more markers," he said. "There's more significant activity that took place around Callaway County."
He said new markers would inform about the area's Reconstruction Period.
Liddle, who owns B-Line Engraving, also owns the property said to be the site of the only Civil War battle in Callaway County.
"We have three markers where the Battle of Moore's Mill took place," Liddle said. "It's preserved. It's pretty much intact the way it was."
Three years ago, an archaeological survey was done of the property, south of Calwood.
"There were 50, 60 people out there with metal detectors," Liddle said. "We found bullets, artillery shells - things you would expect. It pretty much proved the fact there was a battle fought. Before that, relics were found over the years, but nothing documented."
In October 1861, the state's legislature was in exile, and elected Gov. Claiborne Fox Jackson declared Missouri seceded from the Union. The state had dual representation in both the U.S. and Confederate congresses.
Forces were joined on July 28, 1862, for four hours in the fierce summer heat. On the Union side, 13 were killed and 55 wounded. Confederate losses were 52 dead and more than 100 wounded. Some of the men were buried in an unmarked grave.
Liddle said the site is marked with highway markers, but it is private property.
Along with the name change, Joseph W. "Whit" McCoskrie, a graduate of Virginia Military Institute, is the new vice chair and treasurer. Warren Hollrah is the new secretary.
Callaway Civil War Heritage maintains an informative website at callawaycivilwar.org.
The heritage group will also identify new sources to obtain funding for its work, especially renewed marketing efforts. These may include a comprehensive map/brochure and a newsletter. Attorney and heritage leader Joe D. Holt will help restructure the association as a limited liability corporation, as well as provide other consulting assistance. Long a public face for the group, Holt has been emphatic about his well-deserved retirement as longtime co-chair.
Likewise for Martin Northway, who has retired after 11 years at the helm of the group, leading fund raising and community involvement, jump-starting educational efforts such as Civil War Living History Day and researching and writing most of the county's eight educational panels. He will continue to assist with public relations, historical research and writing.
"We are most proud of the bonds we have formed with communities and their leaders in doing our impressive body of work," Northway said. "We will continue to forge such relationships as we move forward.
The group remains an affiliate of Missouri's Civil War Heritage Foundation, sponsor of both the Gray Ghosts and U.S. Grant Trails.
"Executive Director Greg Wolk has been our consistent friend and the driving force behind the trails," Northway said.