Operation to Control Missouri - Civil War Campaign Battles

AMERICAN HISTORY

Control Missouri Campaign Battles

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Booneville (June 17, 1861)

Also referred to as the First Battle of Boonville, this battle took place in Cooper County. The Union victory was led by Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon, while the Confederates were headed by Colonel John S. Marmaduke. The skirmish resulted from pro-Southern Governor, Claiborne Jackson's

desire to secede and join the Confederacy. As a result, Union Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon set out to put down Jackson’s Missouri State Guard, commanded by Sterling Price. Reaching Jefferson City, the state capital, Lyon discovered that Jackson and Price had retreated towards Booneville. Lyon re-embarked on steamboats, transported his men to below Booneville and marched to the town to engage the Rebels.

Battle of Wilson's Creek, by Kurz & Allison, 1893.

This image available for photographic prints and downloads HERE!

In a relatively short battle, Lyon dispersed the Confederates and took command of Booneville. This early victory established Union control of the Missouri River and helped temporarily douse attempts to place Missouri in the Confederacy.

Estimated casualties in the battle were 31 Union and 50 Confederate.

Carthage (July 5, 1861)

Taking place in Jasper County, the battle resulted after Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon pursued Governor Claiborne Jackson and approximately 4,000 State Militia after the Confederate defeat at Booneville. Colonel Franz Sigel was also leading another force of about 1,000 Union troops into southwest Missouri. When Claiborne Jackson heard that Sigel and his troops were encamped at Carthage on July 4th, he took command of the troops and began to formulate a plan to attack the much smaller Union force. The next morning, Jackson moved in on Sigel, establishing a battle line on a ridge ten miles north of Carthage, inducing Sigel to attack him.

Sigel responded as Claiborne had anticipated and moved to attack the next day. However, when he saw a large Confederate force on his left flank, he withdrew. Though these were actually unarmed Confederate recruits, Sigel had no way of knowing that. The Rebels pursued Sigel's forces but the Colonel conducted a successful rearguard action. By evening, he and his troops were inside Carthage and under cover of darkness, and then retreated to Sarcoxie.

Though the battle was relatively insignficnt, the pro-Southern elements in Missouri, anxious for any good news, championed their first victory.

Wilson’s Creek (August 10, 1861)

Also referred to as the Battle of Oak Hills, this Confederate fictory took place in Greene and Christian Counties. The victors were led by Major General Sterling Price, leading the Missouri State Guard, and Brigadier General Ben McCulloch, heading the Confederate forces.

Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon and Major General Samuel D. Sturgis led the Union Army in the battle. While the Lyon’s Army of the West was camped at Springfield, Missouri, Confederate troops were approaching. On August 9, both sides formulated plans to attack the other. About 5:00 am on the 10th, Lyon, in two columns commanded by himself and Colonel Franz Sigel, attacked the Confederates on Wilson’s Creek about 12 miles southwest of Springfield. The Rebel cavalry received the first blow and fell back away from Bloody Hill. However, additional Confederate forces soon rushed in and stabilized their positions. Then they attacked the Union forces three times that day but failed to break through the Union line. When General Nathaniel Lyon was killed in the battle, Sturgis replaced him.

After the third Rebel attack, the southern forces withdrew. Sturgis, in the meantime, realizing his men were exhausted and his ammunition low, ordered a retreat to Springfield. The Confederates were in a similar position and did not pursue them. However, the battle had been a victory for the Rebels. Estimated casualties totaled 1,235 Union and 1,095 Confederate. The most significant Missouri battle of 1861, Wilson’s Creek gave the Confederates control of southwestern Missouri.

This Confederate victory buoyed southern sympathizers in Missouri and served as a springboard for a bold thrust north that carried Price and his Missouri State Guard as far as Lexington. In late October, Governor Claiborne Fox Jackson pulled together his political forces, met in Neosho and passed an ordinance of secession.

Death of General Lyon at Wilson Creek, Currier & Ives, 1861.

For More Information:

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield

6424 West Farm Road 182
Republic, Missouri 65738-9514

417-732-2662

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