The Battle of Island Mound State Historic Site is located in a rural area of Bates County, Missouri, in the western part of the state. The site was established in 2012 to preserve the area of the American Civil War battle that took place in October 28-29, 1862 between Union forces and Confederate guerrillas. The battle was significant as the first time African-American troops on the Union side engaged enemy white troops in the Civil War. A New York Times correspondent reported on the battle; the headline noted the "desperate bravery" of the African Americans in achieving Union victory.