Battle of Clark's Mill

Battle of Clark's Mill
Part of the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the
American Civil War

Map of Clark's Mill Battlefield core and study areas by the American Battlefield Protection Program
DateNovember 7, 1862 (1862-11-07)
Location
Result Confederate victory
Belligerents
United States United States (Union) Confederate States of America CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
Hiram E. Barstow John Q. Burbridge
Colton Greene
Units involved
10th Illinois Cavalry
2nd Missouri State Militia Cavalry
3rd Missouri Cavalry Regiment
4th Missouri Cavalry Regiment
Strength
100 to 200 At least 1,000

The Battle of Clark's Mill was fought on November 7, 1862, near Vera Cruz, Missouri, as part of the American Civil War. Confederate troops led by Colonels Colton Greene and John Q. Burbridge were recruiting in the Gainesville area. Federal Captain Hiram E. Barstow commanded a detachment at Clark's Mill near Vera Cruz, and heard rumors of Confederate depredations around Gainesville. In response, Barstow sent patrols towards Gainesville and Rockbridge, personally accompanying the latter. Confederate forces were encountered before reaching Rockbridge, and Barstow fell back to Clark's Mill. The Confederates arrived from multiple directions, and after a skirmish of five hours, surrounded the Federal position. With night falling, the Confederates offered Barstow surrender terms that were accepted. The Federal soldiers were paroled and their blockhouse destroyed; both Barstow and the Confederates left the area after the skirmish. A Federal counterstroke left Ozark the next day.