Today the battle of Cartage was fought in Missouri. While the governor of Missouri and the militia were pro-South, there was a large force of U.S. Troops in the area. The militia under the governor was driven South after the small Battle of Boonsville. They were pursued by 1,100 men under General Franz Sigel. But they railed and joining with another group they were able to muster 6,000 men to attempt to attack Sigel’s force. Unfortunately, only 4,000 of these could be armed. The two armies met near the Missourian’s camp near the town of Carthage.
Sigel moved forward on July 5th, and his skirmish line drove in the enemy’s pickets. He came upon the Missourians formed in a long line of battle on the high ground. Sigel detirmined to attack them, and opened fire with his artillery and advanced with his men in line of battle. But then he saw a large body of Confederate cavalry moving in on both his flanks. His troops were discouraged and believed they were about to be surrounded by the enemies superior numbers, so Sigel ordered a retreat. They were able to make their retreat without breaking into a rout. The North reported 13 men killed and 31 wounded, and the South 12 killed and 64 wounded. Although it was celebrated as a victory, the Battle of Carthage did not have a very significant effect.
Post from Civil War 150th Blog.
