Battle at Carthage
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| date | July 5, 1861 |
|---|---|
| place | Carthage |
| output | Victory for the southern states |
| Parties to the conflict | |
|---|---|
| Commander | |
|
Franz Sigel
|
Clairbone F. Jackson
|
| Troop strength | |
|
1,100
|
4,400
|
| losses | |
|
44
|
170
|
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The battle at Carthage took place during the American Civil War on July 5, 1861 in the Trans-Mississippi theater of war. The commanders were the German Colonel Franz Sigel (USA) with about 1,100 men and the governor of the state of Missouri , Claiborne Jackson ( CSA), with about 4,400 men. After an introductory artillery duel, there were some skirmishes. When Sigel observed that Confederate soldiers were strengthening themselves on his left flank - most of them were unarmed recruits - he feared being bypassed and broke off the engagement. In the evening Sigel reached Carthage, constantly fighting with success and evasively. Under cover of darkness, Sigel's troops evaded to Sarcoxie, Missouri. The northern states had 44 dead and wounded and the southern states 170.
Tactically and strategically, the battle at Carthage was meaningless. But because of the Northerners' evasion, Confederate supporters in Missouri, anxious for success, celebrated it as a great victory. It was also the only battle in the civil war in which an incumbent governor himself led troops.
literature
- Bernd G. Längin : The American Civil War , Bechtermünz Verlag, 1998. ISBN 3-86047-900-8
