The Battle of Carthage Missouri took place in 1861 near the start of the Civil War. Politically Missouri was divided, St. Louis and its nearest counties were sympathizers to the Northern States for that area had very few slaves. It was made up of a vast portion of the German Immigrants who were opposed to slavery. On the other hand, Governor Claiborne. F. Jackson was for the Southern States. The rest of the state was equally divided. Publicly Jackson attempted to stay neutral, but he secretly prepared the state militia, presumably to seize the Federal Weapons Arsenal in St. Louis.

In April 1861 after the battle at Fort Sumter, President Abraham Lincoln called for troops from all of the states in order to defeat the Confederates. Governor Jackson refused and instead summoned the Missouri State Militia, presumably to seize the St. Louis Arsenal. This plan was thwarted by Captain Nathaniel Lyon of the 2nd U.S. Infantry. Lyon had previously been stationed in Kansas Territory and had developed strong abolitionist views. Arriving in February 1861 Lyon quickly became part of the “Unconditional Unionist” faction in St. Louis. Beginning on April 22 by order of President Lincoln, Lyon mustered four regiments of Federal Missouri Volunteers. He then armed each one with weapons drawn for the St. Louis Arsenal; Lincoln then ordered almost all remaining weapons to be removed to Illinois. The transfer of the weapons took place in secret, on the night of April 24.

The crisis escalated when a shipment of Confederate siege artillery arrived at the State Militia encampment, Camp Jackson. On May 9th presented with proof of treasonous plotting at Camp Jackson, Lyon marched Federal Regulars, along with Missouri Volunteers to arrest the militia. After arresting the militia Lyon marched them into town in order to parole them. On the way there however a crowd of angry protesters gathered and began yelling and throwing rocks at Lyon’s men. After an accidental gunshot Lyon’s men opened fire and killed 28 of the civilians. Days of rioting followed, which ended only after Union Regulars were dispatched to the city.

On June 10th Lyon met with Governor Jackson, and Missouri State Guard Major-General Sterling Price. By this time Lyon had been promoted to Brigadier General. The three men met to solve the rising issue of conflicting claims for state and federal control. Both parties made unacceptable demands, and the conference ended when Lyon abruptly ended the meeting. Both Jackson and Price then retreated to the State Capital, Jefferson City, ordering railroad bridges burned behind them.

Lyon split his soldiers up and took half of them by steamer to capture Jefferson City. Meanwhile Colonel Franz Sigel took command of the rest of the Federal forces and moved from St. Louis into southwest Missouri to cut off any potential southern retreat before Lyon's advance. On June 12th Sigel began his advance with his first and second battalions, five infantry companies, two rifle companies, and an artillery battery towards Springfield.

The Missouri State Guard in Jefferson City retreated to Boonville, where a small skirmish took place. Lyon quickly took the city and chased the Missouri State Guard south. Lyon and his forces were unable to keep up with the Guardsmen and fell far behind. Elsewhere in Lexington another group of State Guardsmen gathered under Sterling Price. After learning of the defeat at Boonville Price gathered his men and also headed south. In the meantime, Sigel and his 1,100 men had reached Springfield and taken it. They then marched on Carthage, hoping to catch the retreating Guardsmen.

Jackson’s and Price’s units met in Lamar on July 3 and began to organize. Jackson’s army grew to 6,000 men, although a large portion of these were poorly armed, or not armed at all. The next day on July 4th Sigel arrived at Carthage. He then received intelligence that the Missouri State Guard was camped near Lamar, about 18 miles north of Carthage. Learning that Sigel was encamped at Carthage Governor Jackson readied his 6,000 soldiers against Sigel’s 1,100 better armed forces. Thus, 162 years ago, on July 5th Governor Jackson marched his forces south and the two rival armies met 10 miles north of Carthage.

Sigel began by firing his artillery, Jackson replied with his own artillery and then advanced the State Guard. The two sides engaged in a battle fiercely pushing one way and then another. Slowly though, Sigel and his men began steadily losing ground as the Confederate soldiers pushed them back, until at last they reached the outskirts of Carthage. The State Guardsmen attempted to split into two forces in order to surround Sigel and his men. As the battle went on night approached and the two armies found themselves facing off in the town square. It was then that Sigel learned of a large body of Guardsmen moving in from his left. Fearing the new forces would turn his flank Sigel ordered a retreat. Little did Sigel know but the forces coming at his flank though real, were actually unarmed recruits. The State Guardsmen attempted to chase them but Sigel performed a successful rearguard which enabled him and his men to retreat further into Sarcoxie. This was a strategic victory for the Missouri State Guard as it helped them recruit more men for the Southern regiments.

By Josiah Patrick

The boy’s name was Davian, and he was five years old. He was loud and to-the-point. I liked him right away. As soon as he noticed me he asked, “Who are you?” with his mouth full of bread.

“My name is Megan.” I said timidly. I had been instructed not to say anything about my life, my guardian or where I lived.

“That’s cool, I’m Davian.” He reached out a dirty hand to shake mine. But his mother stopped him.

“Davian Daggerson, wash your hands right away. You are a mess. And how many times have I told you not to grab food from the table without asking or getting a plate.” Her words weren’t harsh but they were stern all the same. Davian saw that his mom meant business and went to wash his hands at the pump outside.

“That was my son, Davian,” the nice woman said, “He turned five this spring. How old are you?”

“I’m four." I responded.

“Hmmm, what is a little e girl like you doing out here all by herself? Where are your parents?” She asked gently.

“I don’t...” I began but then slapped my hands over my mouth. I wasn’t supposed to say that I didn’t have parents. “I am going to the village of Ukarth and I took a wrong turn. I need to go. Thank you for the bread,” I said as I got up and turned to leave.

“Wait,” said the woman. “I was just thinking how I needed some things from town. Why don’t I send Davian to get what I need, and he can show you the way?”

“I guess that’s okay.” I said because I really didn’t know how to get to the village.

“Sounds like a plan,” she said. “Davian, come here please.” Davian was just returning from washing his hands. “I need you to go get a few things from the market. Megan here is going there too, and I thought you could show her the way. I have a list here,” she said pulling a piece of paper from a drawer, “Give this to Farmer Herst and he will give you what I need.” She handed Davian the list and a few coins.

“But Momma I don’t want to walk that far,” he pouted.

“If you go without complaining and return quickly without diddle-daddling then you may buy some candy.”

“Yes Ma’am.” he said and hurried out the door. He popped his head back in a moment later, “You coming?” he asked me.

“Yes.” I said and ran out the door behind him.

By Susanna Patrick

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

1 Corinthians 13:4

Love is God. I mentioned this last time, so if I do the same thing look how it turns out. God is patient, God is kind. God does not envy, He does not boast, He is not proud. How did you look at that?Well, this is how I look at it…this verse says love is perfect and if God is love then God is perfect. Please read the full chapter. Thank you for reading today’s news. I’m Seth Patrick.

By Seth Patrick