After the Massacre, there was a battle that followed. The battle is called the Battle of Centralia. This battle would cause more bloodshed for the union. The battle took place a little away from Centralia; during the same day of the massacre.
Major A.V.E Johnson, and the 39th Missouri Mounted Infantry Regiment stumbled upon Bloody Bill Anderson's work, around 3 o'clock in the afternoon. The 22 union corpses that had been striped and scalped. Major A.V.E Johnson was filled with rage to track down Anderson’s group. Johnson entered the town and asked where Anderson’s group where heading. The people told Johnson where they heading, but warned Johnson that Anderson’s group was armed well. Johnson didn’t listen and decided to go after Anderson’s group. Bloody Bill Anderson knew 39th Missouri Mounted Infantry was coming. Bloody Bill Anderson decided to set an ambush. Soon Johnson approach the ambush site unaware of Anderson’s group. Within seconds Johnson's group was ambush. Johnson said to dismount and return fire. That was his first mistake, to dismount. Bloody Bill Anderson wait till Johnson's group was all reloading, then charge. Within seconds Anderson’s group swarmed the 39th mounted infantry. Johnson's group stood no chance. Anderson’s group had multiply revolvers vs Johnson's group had one shot rifles. The battle was over before it even started.
The names may be hard to read from this photo. This are the names the people who lost there live during the Battle of Centralia. Almost the hole unit 39th Missouri Mounted Infantry, is on this monument. Only a few escaped with their lives.