Greenville, MO: Old Greenville Days
The Wayne County Bicentennial Committee sponsored Old Greenville Days September 14-16 at the Old Greenville Recreation Area near Wappapello Lake in southeast Missouri.
During the Civil War, Old Greenville was occupied by both Confederate soldiers under General William Hardee and Union soldiers under Major Bazel F. Lazear. A significant battle occurred July 16, 1862, when Major Lazear was ordered away, and Captain William T. Leeper of Company B of the 12th Missouri State Militia Cavalry was left in command. Four days later, a group of around 300 Confederate soldiers attacked the camp in the early morning, plundering supplies, stealing horses, rifles, clothing, and even an ambulance. By the evening, Union forces recovered, despite the odds, and Old Greenville was once again occupied by the Union.