The First Battle Of Carthage, July 5, 1861

The Civil War in Jasper County MO was a long, bloody era that had killed or driven out all but a handful of people by 1865. The Battle of Carthage was just the first act in the bitter struggle for control of Missouri; the fight was just beginning.  

The first Battle of Carthage, which took place on July 5, 1861 and could be labeled the first real battle of the Civil War.  Although many refer to the First Battle of Manassas (Bull Run), July 21, 1861, as the first battle of the Civil War, the Battle of Carthage was fought 16 days earlier. 

Political views in Missouri were divided, due to its economic connection to the North.  It was also home to a large immigrant German community that voted Republican; most of them were not slave holders and opposed slavery.  Missouri Governor Claiborne Jackson was pro-South; publicly he tried to appear neutral, but the Union suspected he was secretly planning to secede. He had refused President Lincoln’s request to form military units for the Union.  

  

The Battle of Carthage, also called the Battle of Dry Fork, was the only time a sitting state governor led troops against the Union to which his state belonged.  Union forces under the command of Colonel Franz Sigel set against Missouri State Guard forces under the Governor's command.  

Much of the Confederate success can be given to the new battle tactics used by General Joseph Orville "JO" Shelby and his rangers. During the "Bleeding Kansas" struggle, he organized the pro-slavery Blue Lodge group, a company of border ruffians.

Colonel Franz Sigel arrived at Carthage with 1,100 well-armed German-American soldiers and 8 cannons.  They made camp southeast of the town July 4, 1861. That evening, Sigel learned that Jackson and his men were camped 15 miles north of Carthage.

Born in Germany, Sigel, a skillful politician was a leader in the failed insurrections of 1848 in his native country.  After the insurrection was crushed by the Prussians, Sigel fled and in 1857 he came to St. Louis to teach at the German-American Institute and, like many German immigrants, joined the Republican Party.  They were an important political constituency in the 1860 election.

Sigel rallied German-Americans to the Union cause in 1861 with the slogan, "I goes to fight mit Sigel."  He was rewarded by being appointed colonel of the 3rd Missouri Infantry, one of several regiments of 90-day volunteers raised under the direction of Union General Nathaniel Lyon to expel Confederates from the state of Missouri. 

When Governor Jackson heard that Sigel was also at Carthage, he made plans to attack the smaller Union force. On the morning of July 5, the rival armies met 10 miles north of Carthage.  The State Guard raised 2 Confederate battle flags, one on either end of their line that stretched for over 1/2 mile.  Sigel’s men formed a battle line and moved within 800 yards of the State Guard troops.

Before he could open the battle, Sigel encountered a skirmish line under the command of Gen Shelby.  Shelby, with 150 men, rode between the two forces and made moves toward the Union lines. This activity drew Union artillery fire causing the Union forces to waste shot and powder defending against a believed threat.  Although a small action, it became the 'trademark' of Gen. Shelby and his "Iron Brigade."  

After pushing back Shelby's line, Sigel opened with his artillery; Jackson replied in kind. The artillery duel lasted about an hour.  Jackson and the State Guard charged Sigel's brigade. Rather than let himself be surrounded and cut off from his supplies, Sigel began a retreat back across the creek towards Carthage.  Jackson had his men divide up to surround the Union force.  

The battle continued throughout the day until both sides faced off in the town square. At this point, Sigel received word that there was a large group of Jackson's troops moving into the woods outside of town.  Jackson had sent his 2000 unarmed volunteers into the woods to take shelter. Sigel unaware they were unarmed ordered a retreat.  The State Guard pursued; Sigel conducted a successful rearguard action. By evening, Sigel was back in Carthage but that night he retreated to Sarcoxie.

From the battlefield maneuvers and pursuit to Sarcoxie, Shelby's rangers "snatched the victory at Carthage from Sigel."  The battle had little meaning, but the pro-Southern elements in Missouri, anxious for any good news, championed their first victory. A Confederate victory increased recruitment for Southern regiments. 

With Sigel retreating, Jackson and his men had a clear path south to join up with his Confederate allies, Generals Price and McCulloch.  

The stage was set for the "Bull Run of the west," the Battle of Wilson's Creek, one month later, near Springfield, MO.

Estimated Casualties: 244 total, 44 Union and 200 Confederate