Battle of Carthage, Missouri

Battle of Carthage
Part of the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War
Carthage Battlefield
Date July 5, 1861 (1861-07-05) Location Carthage, Missouri 37°11′42″N 94°19′39″W / 37.19500°N 94.32750°W / 37.19500; -94.32750 Result Confederate victory
Belligerents
Missouri (Confederate)	United States
Commanders and leaders
Claiborne F. Jackson	Col. Franz Sigel
Units involved
Missouri State Guard	2d Brigade, Missouri Volunteers
Strength
4,000 armed 2,000 unarmed	1,100
Casualties and losses
200[1]	44[1]

The Battle of Carthage, also known as the Engagement near Carthage, took place at the beginning of the American Civil War on July 5, 1861, near Carthage, Missouri. The experienced Colonel Franz Sigel commanded 1,100 Federal soldiers intent on keeping Missouri within the Union. The Missouri State Guard was commanded by Governor Claiborne F. Jackson himself and numbered over 4,000 soldiers led by a hero of Mexico, Sterling Price, along with 2,000 unarmed troops who did not participate in the battle.