KINGSTON, Mo. - Two Confederates - executed by Union forces for their role in raiding Caldwell County during the Civil War - finally received a proper burial Sunday afternoon.

The grave site service at a rural Kingston cemetery was one of the final events of "A Country, A County Divided: True Stories of the Civil War in Caldwell County." The three-day re-enactment showcased the county's two Civil War battles fought in 1861 and 1864.

The men memorialized were "Stump" Breckenridge and Richard Lancaster, both of Platte County. Moore Monument Company of Chillicothe donated a grave marker for the raiders, said Dave McEwen, a director for the Caldwell County Area Business Association and local historian. For the service, Mr. McEwen portrayed David James Kerr, whose family came to Missouri from Kentucky just before the war began. The Kerr family originally owned the land for what would become Morris Cemetery.

"None of our family was in the Confederacy, but we were labeled Southern sympathizers," he said, referring to his portrayal of Mr. Kerr. Meanwhile, he said nearby landowners were sympathetic with the Union cause - hence the title of the county's re-enactment.

"I think they just got tired of all that was going on and wanted to go home," Mr. McEwen said of the captured raiders.

Mr. Breckenridge and Mr. Lancaster were buried in shallow graves after they were shot, their bodies never to be found but often rumored to be located off the road to Mirabile.

"There was no fanfare. There was nothing in mourning. They were just thrown in the graves with their hats over their heads," Mr. McEwen told a group of spectators.

"Maybe the history books can be corrected," he said of the simple funeral.

The Sons of the Confederate Veterans - which includes members whose relatives actually fought in the war - assisted with the ceremony, said Missouri Division Cmdr. Jim England.

"Their battle of life has been fought and they have been relieved of their post of duty," he said during a formal commitment of the bodies.

Bob Green portrayed Maj. John Thrailkill, who helped lead 300 Confederates in the July 1864 raid that led to the executions.

"I'm infuriated at what happened here in Missouri," his character told the crowd. "We were outnumbered, often 10-, 20-, 100-to-1."

Americana genre musician Bob Welch performed "Dixie" and other selections for the service. An honor guard fired tribute volleys for the two raiders.

Mr. McEwen called the county's first Civil War re-enactment a success.

"It's made history," he told the audience at the cemetery. "I hope you enjoyed it. It's been fun doing it."

The living history event also included a re-enactment of the October 1861 Cornstalk Fight near Kingston.

Ray Scherer can be reached

at rscherer@npgco.com.