Bloody Island (Mississippi River)

Bloody Island was a sandbar or "towhead" (river island) in the Mississippi River, opposite St. Louis, Missouri, which became densely wooded and a rendezvous for duelists because it was considered "neutral" and not under Missouri or Illinois control.

Bloody Island
1853 Map of Bloody Island towhead
Geography
LocationMississippi River,
East St. Louis, Illinois
Coordinates38°38′18″N 90°10′26″W
Administration
United States
Additional information
The neutral ground, between Illinois and Missouri, of many notorious duels in the 19th century, including Thomas Hart Benton and Charles Lucas. It’s also in St. Clair County in Illinois.
Notable Bloody Island duelists
Duration1817-1856
LocationBloody Island Dueling Grounds
ParticipantsThomas Hart Benton vs. Charles Lucas (fought two duels in 1817)

Joshua Barton vs. Thomas C. Rector (1823)

Thomas Biddle vs. Spencer Darwin Pettis (1831)

Benjamin Gratz Brown vs. Thomas C. Reynolds (1856)
Casualties
Thomas Hart Benton and Charles Lucas, both wounded in first duel

Charles Lucas, killed in second duel

Joshua Barton, killed

Thomas Biddle vs. Spencer Darwin Pettis, both killed

Benjamin Gratz Brown, wounded
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