Carthage

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Carthage (1861)

War:

American Civil War

Date(s):

5 Jul 1861

Location:

Jasper County, Missouri, US

Outcome:

Confederate victory

Description:

Col. Franz Sigel, US
Governor Claiborne Jackson, MO

Sigel had a weak brigade against the division of Missouri State Guards.

There were about 50 Union casualties, and 200 Confederate.

Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Lyon had chased Governor Claiborne Jackson and approximately 4,000 ill-equipped State Militia from the State Capital at Jefferson City and from Boonville, and pursued them. Col. Franz Sigel led another force of about 1,000 into southwest Missouri in search of the governor and his troops.

After learning that Sigel was camped at Carthage, on the night of July 4 Jackson took drew up a plan to attack the much smaller Union force. The next morning, Jackson closed up to Sigel, established a battle line on a ridge ten miles north of Carthage, and induced Sigel to attack him. Opening with artillery fire, Sigel advanced to the attack. Seeing a large Confederate force—actually unarmed recruits—moving into the woods on his left, he feared that they would turn his flank. He withdrew.

The Confederates pursued, but Sigel conducted a successful rearguard action. By evening, Sigel was inside Carthage and under cover of darkness; he retreated to Sarcoxie. The battle had little meaning, but the pro-Southern elements in Missouri, anxious for any good news, championed their first victory.

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eHistory Staff

Selected sources:
American Battlefield Protection Program, Heritage Preservation Services, National Park Service.

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