Battle of Carthage - July 5th, 1881

The Campaign in Jasper County was an operation to control Missouri. The fight broke out on July 5, 1861 with Brig. General Franz Sigel commanding the Union Army and Governor Claiborne Jackson in command of the pro-Confederate forces. It was brought about when Claiborne Jackson who had defied the state legislature by setting up a breakway Confederate state goverment at the town of Neosho decided to lead a ragtag group of rebels against the forces of the Union. Sigel withdrew but then fiery US Army Captain Nathaniel Lyon decided to march into southwestern Missouri to confront the Confederate forces under Ben McCulloch. Captain Nathaniel Lyon chased Governor Claiborne Jackson and his State Militia from the State Capital at Jefferson City and from Boonville and pursued them. Colonel Franz Sigel led another force of about 1,000 into southwest Missouri in search of the governor and his troops. Upon learning that Sigel had encamped at Carthage, on the night of July 4, Governor Jackson took command of the troops and formulated a plan to attack the much smaller Union force. The next morning, Governor Jackson closed up to the Union forces, established a battle line on a ridge ten miles north of Carthage, and induced Sigel to attack him. Opening with artillery fire, Sigel closed 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 again. 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. Estimated casualties were 244 combined total. The South taking the greater lost of life. The battle had little meaning, but the pro-Southern elements in Missouri, anxious for any good news, championed their first Confederate victory.