July 18, 1861 – The Missouri Battle

The Battle of Carthage, from an illustration in Harper's Weekly. It shows federal troops advancing past an artillery battery toward a battle in the distance.

The Telegraph brings these further particulars of Col. Seigle’s great battle, with the rebels, in Missouri.

The Springfield correspondent of the Democrat says immediately after the arrival of Brigadier General Sweeny at Springfield, he dispatched a messenger to Colonels Seigle and Salomon, who were encamped at Neosho, to move their columns to Carthage, which was promptly done last night. A messenger arrived from Col, Seigle, stating that Gov. Jackson, and Generals Price and Rains’ united forces, about 5,000 strong, were encamped eight miles from Carthage. Colonels Seigle and Salomon pushed forward rapidly, and attacked rebel force early yesterday and continued fighting during the day. Messengers are continually arriving bringing information that the rebels are retreating south eastwardly between Sarcoxic and Mount Vernon, falling back on Caseyville, with baggage and plunder, under cover of cannon, and Seigle attacking their rear.

This afternoon Gen. Sweeny took command in person of the flying column, moving southwestwerdly to intercept the rebels at Verone, crushing them completely between our columns. Large bodies of mounted men were congregating west of Forsythe with the intention of joining Jackson’s forces, but Gen. Sweeny sent a detachment of two hundred and fifty mounted men through Douglas county to prevent their union and drive back Gen. McDowell’s command.

A company of Home Guards arrived last night bringing Col. Coffee, late member of the Legislature, a prisoner.

Later advices say a report reached Springfield Sunday morning of an engagement between five hundred Federals under Col. Wolf and about fifteen hundred rebels. Col. Wolf occupied a prairie when the battle began, but the rebels retreating to the woods, he followed, and in skirmishing in the timber lost thirty men killed and wounded, he himself being amongst the killed. Loss of rebels considerable, but not definitely ascertained.

Messengers were then dispatched to Springfield for reinforcements, and the whole force at that place pushed forward. Gen. Lyon was at Leasville, Clinton county, Sunday morning, and Major Sturgis was in Clinton county the same day.—They expected to form a junction about ten miles south of Clinton on Monday morning.

A special messenger arrived here this evening by the Pacific railroad, with dispatches from Col Seigle, to Adjutant Harding, at the Arsenal.

“On the morning of the 5th. Col. Seigle, with a portion of his regiment and part of Col, Salomon’s, twelve pieces of artillery, making in all from eleven to twelve hundred men, were attacked by six thousand, under Gen. Raines and Colonel Parsons, about seven miles east of Carthage, on the prairie. The enemy had five pieces of cannon and a large number mounted men. Seigle began the attack at half past nine in the morning, breaking the enemy’s centre twice. After an hour and a half fighting, the enemy’s artillery was silenced. They had three flags, one of the State of Missouri which was unharmed, and two secession flags which were twice shot down and raised no more. In the evening they attempted to outflank our troops with cavalry, and cut off our baggage, but Seigle made a retreating movement, keeping up a constant firing, he ordered the baggage train to advance, which formed into column with batallion infantry, supported by four pieces of artillery in the rear of each body, and the remainder of the artillery in front and on the flank. The rebels attempted to cut off his communication, with Carthage, by means of Cavalry, but our artillery cross fired, which played havoc through their ranks, and opened the road.

Col. Seigel fell back on Carthage, the enemy harassing his flank up to the town where another stand was made, the enemy being in possession of the place. Colonel Seigel then surrounded the town, throwing shot and grenades into the enemy’s cavalry, and using infantry to great effect. While attempting to reach the adjacent woods to prevent the use of cavalry, the rebels made the most serious attack, and which was the bloodiest part of the battle; but by evening they were finally routed and were forced to withdraw their forces.

Col. Seigel fell back to Mount Vernon, where he could be supported. Some captive officers taken about 5 o’clock, report a loss of nearly two hundred and fifty on their part but as the severest fighting was done subsequent to that hour, their loss was considerably greater.

Forty five prisoners were taken.

Our loss was eight killed and forty-five wounded and missing.

The battle in which Col. Wolf was killed was fought Saturday, 30 miles from Springfield.

QUINCY, July 11.

This morning about 9 o’clock, a company of rebel cavalry, numbering 100, made a demonstration at Monroe station, thirty miles west of Hannibal. They burned the station house, six coaches and 18 freight cars, and tore up the track on each side of the town. A much larger force of cavalry is supposed to be concealed a short distance off. One Union man was killed.

Capt. Ralston, who is here for troops for Col. Smith, of Illinois volunteers, near Monroe, says Col. Smith with 500 of his men are surrounded by about 2,000 cavalry, and are in imminent danger. Col. Grant’s regiment, which has been in camp at Naples, is ordered to be here to morrow morning. Col. Holmer’s regiment will be here to night.

St. Cloud Democrat, St. Cloud, MN

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