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Cave Mountain was one of the largest sources of saltpeter in this part of the country. This saltpeter was used to produce gunpowder for the Confederate Army before January 1863. Cave Mountain also saw many battles as soldiers fought for control of the mine. On January 12, 1863, Union Commander Joseph W. Caldwell marched The First Iowa Cavalry into the Ozarks. The several hundred soldiers destroyed the saltpeter works at Cave Mountain. They killed several Rebels and captured several others. Cave Mountain ceased to be a resource for the uncivil war against brothers.
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