Newtonia is a small village in Newton County, Missouri. Largely an agricultural community today, the town is home to some antebellum homes, such as the Ritchey Mansion, as well as a cemetery for Civil War dead. Newtonia was the site of two famous Civil War battles. The First Battle of Newtonia was fought on September 30, 1862. Confederate Colonel Douglas H. Cooper had assigned two of his units to Newtonia, where there was a flour mill. Discovered by Union scouts the previous day, the Union attacked Newtonia at about 7:00 a.m. After several attacks, the Confederates were victorious, but they were unable to remain in the area, retreating into northern Arkansas. This was one of the few Civil War battles in which Native Americans played a significant role. The Second Battle of Newtonia was fought on October 28, 1864. Confederate cavalry under the command of General Sterling Price and General Joseph O. Shelby stopped to rest at Newtonia during a retreat from Missouri when they were attacked by Union cavalry troops under the command of Major General James G. Blunt. Shelby’s mounted infantry division engaged the Union force, holding up the Union pursuers while the remainder of the Confederate forces were able to retreat into Indian Territory. There were four hundred Union casualties and two hundred and fifty Confederate casualties. Newtonia is situated adjacent to Stark City, to the south. Granby is to the northwest, Berwick is to the northeast, and Fairview is to the southeast, while the community of Monark Springs is west of Newtonia.
 
 
Recommended Resources
Civil War Album: Newtonia, Missouri
Brief accounts of the First and Second Battles of Newtonia are related here, along with photographs of the interior and exterior of the Mathew H. Ritchey House, also known as the Ritchey Mansion, and photos of the cemetery near the mansion.
http://www.civilwaralbum.com/misc7/newtonia1.htm
Organized in 1886, just after the American Civil War, the congregation serves the Newtonia, Missouri community. Its history and a profile of the church is offered, along with an overview of its children’s and youth ministries, service times, calendar of events, photographs, and office hours are presented.
http://www.newtoniabaptistchurch.com/
Presented by the Civil War Trust, the location of the battlefield is shown on a map, and a brief account of the two Civil War battles that were fought there is included, along with its hours, admission fee, and contacts.
http://www.civilwar.org/civil-war-discovery-trail/sites/newtonia-battlefield.html
The First Battle of Newtonia occurred on September 30, 1862. The background, setup, and an account of the American Civil War battle is told on the Missouri Civil War Sesquicentennial web site, which also includes other features related to the battle and subsequent monuments.
http://mocivilwar150.com/history/battle/174
Located in Newtonia, Missouri, the Ritchey Mansion was used, at various times, as the headquarters for both the Confederate and Union armies during the American Civil War. General information and a map showing the location of the historic structure is provided on the Missouri Civil War Sesquicentennial web site.
http://mocivilwar150.com/attraction/260