BATTLE OF MARSHALL, MO

Missouri, a state divided, was vulnerable to cavalry raids. The area of Marshall, MO was often called "Little Dixie" because of the number of families living in the area from the southern states of Kentucky and Tennessee. Confederate Colonel J. O. Shelby's raiders departed Arkadelphia, Arkansas, on Sep 22, 1863 on their raid through Missouri and arrived in Marshall the middle of October, 1863.

The civil war Battle of Marshall was fought on Oct 13, 1863.  The day long battle, primarily fought within the town,, had approximately 1,800 Union troops commanded by Gen Egbert Brown against about 1200 confederate raiders led by Col J O Shelby.  

The Confederates had to charge across a deep ravine facing heavy rifle fire from the Union.  This was an overwhelming task and Shelby's men fell back.  Then Shelby put  2 units against the Union center. Three charges were repelled.  

As the Union militia was finally beginning to mass and concentrate their forces into a strong defense,The Union force attempted to encircle and divide Shelby's troops but Shelby and his raiders fought their way out.   Shelby divided his forces and withdraw from the state.

Union forces pressed the 2 columns of Shelby's raiders hard as they retreated toward Arkansas.  The raiders were forced to destroy their train of captured goods. 

The Battle of Marshall was the culminating event of Shelby's 1863 Raid into Missouri from Southern Arkansas.