The Battle of Carthage
One of the more obscure battles of the Civil War took place in Carthage, Missouri on July 5, 1861. It was one of the last skirmishes of a running battle between Union Colonel Franz Sigel’s troops and combined soldiers accumulated by Governor Claiborne Jackson, consisting of 6,000 militia and unarmed troops, who were headed to Arkansas to join with Confederate forces.
Sigel’s outnumbered 1,100 troops were in pursuit of the traveling Missourians. They lost the battle, but were able to escape. The remaining site consists of seven acres, located next to Carter Park on East Chestnut Street. A museum of the battle houses a diorama and mural of the battle. Admission to the museum is free. It is located at 205 Grant Street, and is open Tuesday-Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday from 1-5.
