The Battle of Carthage, Missouri: First Trans-Mississippi Conflict of the Civil War

The Battle of Carthage, Missouri, was the first full-scale land battle of the Civil War. Governor Claiborne Jackson's rebel Missouri State Guard made its way toward southwest Missouri near where Confederate volunteers collected in Arkansas, while Colonel Franz Sigel's Union force occupied Springfield with orders to intercept and block the rebels from reaching the Confederates. The two armies collided near Carthage on July 5, 1861. The battle lasted for ten hours, spread over several miles, and included six separate engagements before the Union army withdrew under the cover of darkness. The New York Times called it "the first serious conflict between the United States troops and the rebels." This book describes the events leading up to the battle, the battle itself, and the aftermath.

Table of Contents:
Table of Contents Acknowledgments Preface Rebellion and Reprisal  1. Crisis in the Making  2. Trouble in Southwest Missouri  3. Federal Occupation of Springfield  4. Rebel Rendezvous at Roup’s Point Signs of  5. Lyon and the Great Comet  6. Generals at Opposite Ends  7. Union Blockade at Neosho  8. Closing Forces  9. Carthage, Blossom on the Prairie 10. Slavery in Jasper County 11. On the Brink of Battle The Battle of Carthage 12. First Contact 13. The Advance 14. State Guard Order of Battle 15. Itching for a Fight 16. Sigel’s Nationals 17. Shotguns and Cannons 18. The Cannonade 19. Rebel Cavalry on Both Flanks 20. Standoff at Dry Fork Creek 21. Charge at Buck Branch 22. Spring River Crossing 23. Melee in Carthage 24. Chase Up the Sarcoxie Road After the Battle 25. A Late Supper 26. Uncertain Victory 27. Hell on Retreat Postscript Appendix: A Story of Casualties Notes Bibliography Index

About the Author :
Kenneth E. Burchett is a retired professor emeritus from the University of Central Arkansas and is the author of 12 books. He lives in Branson, Missouri.

Review :
“expands our knowledge of the battle...recommended”—Civil War News; “Missouri Civil War battle histories appear only infrequently, and this is a good one, heartily recommended to serious students of the conflict’s first year in the Trans-Mississippi Theater”—Civil War Books and Authors; “an extremely well-researched work that details the events from beginning to end”—North Carolina Historical Review; “there is much to commend this study. Burchett is a skilled storyteller and offers many interesting anecdotes...a valuable addition to the bookshelf of any Civil War enthusiast”—Kansas History; “Burchett has done a masterful job providing the reader an easy to read, well researched and documented story of Missouri during the first three months of the Civil War. This book is a great addition to any Civil War library”—On Point; “well-researched with a great deal of detail...an excellent job describing the battlefield terrain and tracking the time specific events occurred. This is a very interesting and enjoyable book about an overlooked battle and a good story of the early war in the Trans-Mississippi”—Blue & Gray Magazine; “excellent...a very readable and informative volume...valuable...recommended”—The Journal of America’s Military Past; “a detailed, readable account...valuable contribution”—Strategy Page; “well researched...meticulously documents the strategic objectives and maneuvers of the battle, but never loses sight of its human element”—H-Net Reviews; “a detailed description of the six separate engagements that made up the 10 hour Battle of Carthage”—Reference & Research Book News.