NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Battle of Carthage (1861)

The Battle of Carthage, also known as the Battle of Dry Fork, took place at the beginning of the American Civil War on July 5, 1861, in Jasper County, Missouri. The experienced Col. Franz Sigel commanded 1,100 Federal soldiers intent on keeping Missouri within the Union. The Missouri State Guard was commanded by Governor Claiborne F. Jackson himself and numbered over 4,000 unorganized, inexperienced soldiers, along with 2,000 unarmed troops who did not participate in the battle. The battle was rather meaningless from a tactical or strategic view, though it was deemed a victory by the Missouri State Guard. Carthage played a part in determining Missouri's course during the war, as it helped spark recruitment for the Southern regiments. Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America (Confederacy) Commanders Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties 110,000 killed in action, 360,000 total dead, 275,200 wounded 93,000 killed in action, 258,000 total... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 530 pixelsFull resolution (1405 Ã— 930 pixel, file size: 371 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg)THE BATTLE OF CARTHAGE, MISSOURI.-FROM A SKETCH MADE ON THE SPOT. Civil War Harpers Weekly, August 3, 1861 http://www. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 530 pixelsFull resolution (1405 Ã— 930 pixel, file size: 371 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg)THE BATTLE OF CARTHAGE, MISSOURI.-FROM A SKETCH MADE ON THE SPOT. Civil War Harpers Weekly, August 3, 1861 http://www. ... is the 186th day of the year (187th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1861 (MDCCCLXI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... The Missouri State Guard (MSG) was a state militia unit organized in the state of Missouri during the early days of the American Civil War. ... The Missouri State Guard (MSG) was a state militia unit organized in the state of Missouri during the early days of the American Civil War. ... This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling. ... Franz Sigel Franz Sigel (November 18, 1824 â€“ August 21, 1902) was a German military officer and immigrant to the United States who was a teacher, newspaperman, politician, and served as a Union general in the American Civil War. ... For other uses, see Governor (disambiguation). ... Claiborne Fox Jackson (April 4, 1806 â€“ December 6, 1862) was a lawyer, soldier, politician, and Governor of Missouri in 1861, then governor-in-exile for the Confederacy during the American Civil War. ... The Battle of Boonville, Missouri sketched by Orlando C. Richardson The Battle of Boonville was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on June 17, 1861 in Cooper County, Missouri. ... Combatants United States of America State of Missouri Confederate States of America Commanders Nathaniel Lyon Samuel D. Sturgis Franz Sigel Sterling Price Ben McCulloch Strength Army of the West Missouri State Guard and McCullochâ€™s Brigade Casualties 1,235 1,095 The Battle of Wilsons Creek, also known as... The Battle of Dry Wood Creek (also known as the Battle of Big Dry Wood Creek or the Battle of the Asses) was fought on September 2, 1861 in Vernon County, Missouri during the American Civil War. ... The Battle of Lexington I was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on September 13-20, 1861 in Lafayette County, Missouri. ... The Battle of Liberty was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on September 17, 1861 in Clay County, Missouri. ... The Battle of Fredericktown was an engagement of the American Civil War. ... The Battle of Springfield I was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on October 25, 1861 in Greene County, Missouri. ... Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America (Confederacy) Commanders Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties 110,000 killed in action, 360,000 total dead, 275,200 wounded 93,000 killed in action, 258,000 total... is the 186th day of the year (187th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1861 (MDCCCLXI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Jasper County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. ... This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling. ... Franz Sigel Franz Sigel (November 18, 1824 â€“ August 21, 1902) was a German military officer and immigrant to the United States who was a teacher, newspaperman, politician, and served as a Union general in the American Civil War. ... In this map: Union states prohibiting slavery Union territories Border states on the Union side which allowed slavery Kansas, which entered and fought with the Union as a free state after the Bleeding Kansas crisis The Confederacy Confederate claimed and sometimes held territories During the American Civil War, the Union... The Missouri State Guard (MSG) was a state militia unit organized in the state of Missouri during the early days of the American Civil War. ... For other uses, see Governor (disambiguation). ... Claiborne Fox Jackson (April 4, 1806 â€“ December 6, 1862) was a lawyer, soldier, politician, and Governor of Missouri in 1861, then governor-in-exile for the Confederacy during the American Civil War. ...

Background

Political views in Missouri were divided before the Civil War. St. Louis and its surrounding counties generally sympathized with the Northern states because that region was connected economically with North. The area also had few slaves and contained a large German immigrant population, most of whom opposed slavery. Missouri Governor Claiborne F. Jackson and the rest of the state were pro-Southern. Publicly Jackson tried to stay neutral, but he was suspected by the Union men of secretly preparing the state militia to seize the Federal Arsenal in St. Louis. Official language(s) English Capital Jefferson City Largest city Kansas City Largest metro area St Louis[1] Area Ranked 21st - Total 69,709 sq mi (180,693 kmÂ²) - Width 240 miles (385 km) - Length 300 miles (480 km) - % water 1. ... Nickname: Location in the state of Missouri Coordinates: , Country State County Independent City Government - Mayor Francis G. Slay (D) Area - City 66. ... For other uses, see Governor (disambiguation). ... Claiborne Fox Jackson (April 4, 1806 â€“ December 6, 1862) was a lawyer, soldier, politician, and Governor of Missouri in 1861, then governor-in-exile for the Confederacy during the American Civil War. ...

In April 1861, after the firing on Fort Sumter, President Abraham Lincoln called for troops from all of the states to defeat the South. Missouri was asked to send four regiments. Governor Jackson refused the request. Instead, he called up the Missouri State Guard, possibly to seize the St. Louis Arsenal. If this was his intention, it was thwarted by the newly appointed commander of the arsenal, Captain Nathaniel Lyon of the 2nd U. S. Infantry. Fort Sumter, located in Charleston, South Carolina, was named after General Thomas Sumter. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas US Government Portal For other uses, see President of the United States (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Abraham Lincoln (disambiguation). ... Official language(s) English Capital Jefferson City Largest city Kansas City Largest metro area St Louis[1] Area Ranked 21st - Total 69,709 sq mi (180,693 kmÂ²) - Width 240 miles (385 km) - Length 300 miles (480 km) - % water 1. ... The St. ... Captain is a rank or title with various meanings. ... Nathaniel Lyon Nathaniel Lyon (July 14, 1818 â€“ August 10, 1861) was the first Union general to be killed in the American Civil War and is noted for his actions in the state of Missouri at the beginning of the conflict. ...

Lyon was an abolitionist and had plans of his own for the arsenal. He used its weapons to arm a Radical Republican paramilitary organization called the Wide Awakes (Lee, 104-5). Lyon secretly had most of the arsenal's weapons moved across the Mississippi River to Illinois. He then surrounded the State Guard's camp, forced them to surrender, and marched them as prisoners through St. Louis, inciting the St. Louis Massacre. The action drew great protests from Missourians, and even representatives of the City of St. Louis petitioned Lincoln for Lyon's dismissal. Lyon, however, was politically connected to Postmaster General Montgomery Blair. Blair arranged for Lyon's promotion to Brigadier General and saw that he was given command of the Army of the West in place of Gen. William S. Harney, a moderate. This English poster depicting the horrific conditions on slave ships was influential in mobilizing public opinion against slavery. ... The Radical Republicans were an influential faction of American politicians in the Republican party during the American Civil War and Reconstruction eras, 1860-1876. ... A paramilitary organization is a group of civilians trained and organized in a military fashion. ... The Wide Awakes were a paramilitary organization affiliated with the Republican Party during the 1860 election and American Civil War. ... For the river in Canada, see Mississippi River (Ontario). ... Official language(s) English[1] Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Largest metro area Chicago Metropolitan Area Area Ranked 25th - Total 57,918 sq mi (149,998 kmÂ²) - Width 210 miles (340 km) - Length 390 miles (629 km) - % water 4. ... The St. ... The United States Postmaster General is the executive head of the United States Postal Service. ... Montgomery Blair (May 10, 1813â€“July 27, 1883), son of Francis Preston Blair and elder brother of Francis Preston Blair, Jr. ... A Brigadier General, or one-star general, is the lowest rank of general officer in the United States and some other countries, ranking just above Colonel and just below Major General. ... The Army of the West, a unit of the Union Army during the American Civil War, was created on Jan 29, 1862. ... William Selby Harney (22 August 1800 - 9 May 1889) was a cavalry officer in the U.S. Army during the Mexican-American War and the Indian Wars. ...

On June 10, 1861, Lyon personally met with Governor Jackson in an attempt to resolve their differences in a "gentlemanly" manner. The conference proved futile, with Lyon storming out of the room and declaring that the war was on. Lyon moved his Army of the West up the Missouri River to capture the state capital at Jefferson City, leaving General Thomas Sweeny to take steps to move his troops out of St. Louis. Meeting with logistical problems, Col. Franz Sigel took command of the Federal advance and on June 12 started to move his First and Second Battalions, along with 5 infantry companies, 2 rifle companies, and an artillery battery towards Springfield. is the 161st day of the year (162nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1861 (MDCCCLXI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... The Missouri River is a tributary of the Mississippi River in the United States. ... Nickname: Coordinates: , Country United States State Missouri Counties Cole and Callaway Government - Mayor John Landwehr Area - City 28. ... is the 163rd day of the year (164th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

The Missouri State Guard retreated to Boonville, where a small skirmish took place on June 17. Lyon quickly took the town and chased the Missouri State Guard south. Again due to logistics, Lyon could not keep up with the retreating Guardsmen. Another group of State Guardsmen in Lexington also moved south under Sterling Price, after learning of the defeat in Boonsville. Sigel’s troops arrived in Springfield and quickly took the state capital. They prepared to march to Carthage, hoping to catch up with the retreating State Guardsmen. Jackson’s and Prices’s units met in Lamar on July 3 and started to organize. Jackson’s army grew to 6,000 men, a large number of whom joined along the march south. However, the force in Lamar was for the most part armed only with hunting rifles, shotguns, knives, or nothing at all. The next day, July 4, Sigel arrived at Carthage with his 1,100 men. Boonville is the name of some places in the United States of America: Boonville, California Boonville, Missouri Boonville (village), New York Boonville (town), New York Boonville, North Carolina These should not be confused with Booneville, Mississippi or Booneville, Kentucky, with an additional e. ... is the 168th day of the year (169th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... General Price Sterling Old Pap Price (September 20, 1809 â€“ September 29, 1867) was an antebellum politician from the U.S. state of Missouri and a Confederate major general during the American Civil War. ... is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 185th day of the year (186th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Learning that Sigel had encamped at Carthage, Governor Jackson took command and made plans to attack the smaller but better armed Union force. On the morning of July 5, Jackson marched his green soldiers south. The rival armies met 10 miles north of Carthage, and the States Guard raised two Confederate stars and bars flags on either side of their line, which stretched over half a mile. Sigel’s men provided an impressive display as they formed a line of battle and moved within 800 yards of the State Guard troops. Carthage is a city in Jasper County, Missouri, United States. ... is the 186th day of the year (187th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The following are the flags used by the short-lived Confederate States of America. ...

Battle

Opening the action with his artillery, Sigel closed to the attack. Jackson replied his own artillery. Both sides then engaged in some skirmishing. However, spotting a large Confederate force—actually all unarmed recruits—moving into the woods on his left, he feared they would turn his flank. He ordered a retreat. The Confederates pursued, but Sigel conducted a successful rearguard action. By evening, Sigel was back in Carthage. Under the cover of darkness, he retreated further to Sarcoxie. For other uses, see Artillery (disambiguation). ... Sarcoxie is a city in Jasper County, Missouri, United States. ...

Significance

The Battle of Carthage had little real meaning, but pro-Southern elements in Missouri, anxious for any good news, celebrated their first victory.

The battle also marks the only time a sitting U.S. State governor has led troops in the field.

References

External links

Categories: Missouri in the American Civil War | 1861 in the United States | Battles of the Operations to Control Missouri of the American Civil War | Confederate victories of the American Civil War Division of the states during the Civil War: Union states Union territories Border states Bleeding Kansas The Confederacy Confederate territories (not always held) Missouri in the Civil War was a border state that sent men, generals, and supplies to both opposing sides, had its star on both flags, had state... The United States in 1820. ... Holding States do not have the right to claim an individuals property that was fairly theirs in another state. ... Division of the states during the Civil War: Union states Union territories Border states Bleeding Kansas The Confederacy Confederate territories (not always held) Bleeding Kansas, sometimes referred to in history as Bloody Kansas or the Border War, was a sequence of violent events involving Free-Staters (anti-slavery) and pro... Robert Marcellus Stewart was the Democratic Governor of Missouri from 1857 to 1861. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Missouri. ... The Missouri Constitutional Convention (1861-63) was a constitutional convention in the American Civil War that decided that Missouri stay in the Union and also evicted the elected governor to create a provisional government during the war. ... The Liberty Arsenal was an United States Army arsenal at Liberty, Missouri in Clay County, Missouri that was seized by Confederate sympathizers on April 20, 1861, sparking a sequence of skirmishes and battles that was to define Missouri in the American Civil War After states began seceding from the Union... The St. ... The Camp Jackson Affair was an incident in the American Civil War on May 10, 1861, when Union military forces clashed with civilians on the streets of St. ... The Missouri State Guard (MSG) was a state militia unit organized in the state of Missouri during the early days of the American Civil War. ... The Price-Harney Truce was a document signed on May 21, 1861 between United States Army General William S. Harney and Missouri State Militia commander Sterling Price at the beginning of the American Civil War. ... Hannibal and St. ... Claiborne Fox Jackson (April 4, 1806 â€“ December 6, 1862) was a lawyer, soldier, politician, and Governor of Missouri in 1861, then governor-in-exile for the Confederacy during the American Civil War. ... The Battle of Boonville, Missouri sketched by Orlando C. Richardson The Battle of Boonville was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on June 17, 1861 in Cooper County, Missouri. ... Hamilton Rowan Gamble was the Republican Governor of Missouri from 1861 to 1864. ... The Battle of Athens was a small American Civil War battle that took place in Northeast Missouri (near present Revere along the Des Moines River) in 1861. ... Combatants United States of America State of Missouri Confederate States of America Commanders Nathaniel Lyon Samuel D. Sturgis Franz Sigel Sterling Price Ben McCulloch Strength Army of the West Missouri State Guard and McCullochâ€™s Brigade Casualties 1,235 1,095 The Battle of Wilsons Creek, also known as... John Charles FrÃ©mont (January 21, 1813 â€“ July 13, 1890), was an American military officer, explorer, the first candidate of the Republican Party for the office of President of the United States, and the first presidential candidate of a major party to run on a platform in opposition to slavery. ... The Battle of Dry Wood Creek (also known as the Battle of Big Dry Wood Creek or the Battle of the Asses) was fought on September 2, 1861 in Vernon County, Missouri during the American Civil War. ... The Platte Bridge Railroad Tragedy was a bushwhacker attack on the Hannibal and St. ... The Sacking of Osceola was a Union Jayhawker initiative on September 23, 1861, to push out pro-South elements at Osceola, Missouri. ... The Battle of Lexington I was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on September 13-20, 1861 in Lafayette County, Missouri. ... The Battle of Liberty was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on September 17, 1861 in Clay County, Missouri. ... The Battle of Fredericktown was an engagement of the American Civil War. ... The Missouri Secession controversy refers to the disputed status of the state of Missouri during the American Civil War. ... The Battle of Springfield I was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on October 25, 1861 in Greene County, Missouri. ... Department of the Missouri was a division of the United States Army that functioned through the American Civil War and the Indian Wars afterwards. ... Charleston defenses, Belmont battlefield by Julius Bien & Co. ... Gratiot Street Prison (pronounced Grass-shut) was an American Civil War prison located in St. ... The first Burning of Platte City, Missouri occurred by Union forces on December 16, 1861 in the American Civil War in an attempt to capture the bushwhacker Silas M. Gordon. ... The Battle of Mount Zion Church was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on December 28, 1861 in Boone County, Missouri. ... The Army of the West, a unit of the Union Army during the American Civil War, was created on Jan 29, 1862. ... The Battle of Roans Tan Yard was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on January 8, 1862 in Randolf County, Missouri. ... Battle of Island No. ... Battle of Kirksville Conflict American Civil War Date August 6-9, 1862 Place Adair County, Missouri Result Union victory The Battle of Kirksville was a battle in the American Civil War. ... The First Battle of Independence was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on August 11, 1862 in Jackson County, Missouri. ... The Battle of Lone Jack was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on August 15-16, 1862 in Jackson County, Missouri. ... The First Battle of Newtonia was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on September 30, 1862 in Newton County, Missouri. ... The Palmyra Massacre is an incident that took place in Palmyra, Missouri on October 18, 1862, when ten Confederate prisoners were executed in reprisal for the abduction of a local Union man, Andrew Allsman. ... The Battle of Clarks Mill was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on November 7, 1862 in Douglas County, Missouri. ... The Second Battle of Springfield was a battle in the American Civil War fought January 8, 1863, in Springfield, Missouri. ... The Battle of Hartville was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on January 9-11, 1863 in Wright County, Missouri. ... The Battle of Cape Girardeau was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on April 26, 1863 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. ... Battle of Chalk Bluff Conflict American Civil War Date May 1-2, 1863 Place Clay County, Arkansas Result Confederate tactical victory (See note in text) The Battle of Chalk Bluff was a land battle of the American Civil War that took place from May 1-2, 1863. ... General Order â„– 11 is the title of the 25 August 1863 order that all persons living in Jackson, Cass, and Bates counties in Missouri, and in that part of Vernon included in this district, except those living within one mile of the limits of Independence, Hickmans Mills, Pleasant Hill... The Centralia Massacre was an ambush by bushwhackers under Bloody Bill Anderson during the American Civil War in which 22 Union soldiers were executed at the Centralia, Missouri train station on September 27, 1864. ... The Army of Missouri was an independent military command during the American Civil War within the Confederate States Army, created in late 1864 under the command of Maj. ... Maj. ... The Battle of Fort Davidson was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on September 27, 1864 in Iron County, Missouri. ... The Battle of Glasgow was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on October 15, 1864 in Howard County, Missouri. ... The Second Battle of Lexington was a battle in Prices Missouri Expedition of the American Civil War, occurring on October 19, 1864, in Lafayette County, Missouri. ... The Battle of Little Blue River was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on October 21, 1864 in Jackson County, Missouri. ... The Battle of Byrams Ford was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on October 22-23, 1864 in Jackson County, Missouri. ... The Second Battle of Independence was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on October 22, 1864 in Jackson County, Missouri. ... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders Samuel R. Curtis Sterling Price Strength Army of the Border (22,000) Army of Missouri (8,500) Casualties 1,500 1,500 The Battle of Westport, sometimes referred to as the Gettysburg of Missouri, was fought on October 23, 1864... The Battle of Marmiton River was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on October 25, 1864 in Vernon County, Missouri. ... The Battle of Newtonia II was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on October 28, 1864 in Newton County, Missouri. ... Jesse and Frank James, 1872 The James-Younger Gang was a legendary 19th century gang of American outlaws that included Jesse James. ...

Contents

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Battle

Significance

References

External links

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