While not having nearly the impact
of the first Battle of Carthage, the second battle had its impacts on the
region.
Col Joseph O. (JO) Shelby led a bold
Confederate Cavalry raid through Union -controlled Missouri from his base in
Arkansas in the fall of 1863. Going as far north as the Missouri River, Shelby
and his raiders fought 10 actions against the Union forces and destroyed Union
supply bases.
Then, in the Battle
of Marshall (MO), Oct. 13, 1863, Union Gen Egbert B. Brown and 1800 soldiers
turned back Shelby and his 1,200 cavalrymen in
a day-long battle.
Union forces attempted to encircle and divide Shelby’s troops, but the Shelby successfully
withdrew and escaped approximately 200 miles southwest to Carthage. They reached Carthage on Oct 17, 1863,
setting up camp north of town.
Early on the morning of Oct 18,
1863, General Thomas Ewing (brother-in-law of Gen. William T. Sherman)
with a Union Cavalry force, attempted to block Shelby's returned trip
to Arkansas. After an hour of violent action in and around the town, Shelby
and his raiders managed to continue their escape to Arkansas.
Carthage continued to experience skirmishes and
attacks throughout the war; pro-Confederate guerrillas and raiders returned
from their base in Arkansas and burned most of the city, including the
courthouse, in September 1864. The
frequent battles and skirmishes lead to the destruction and depopulation of the
mineral-rich area.
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