July 5, 1861---The Battle of Carthage, MO

JULY 5, 1861:   

 The Battle of Carthage (The Battle of Dry Fork). 

Colonel Franz Sigel, U.S.A., commanded 1,100 Federal soldiers in the field. The Missouri State Guard was commanded by Missouri Governor Claiborne Fox Jackson himself and numbered over 4,000 (along with 2,000 unarmed troops who did not participate in the battle). 

Actual pro-Southern combat operations were led by Captain Jo Shelby and his Partisan Rangers. Shelby divided his forces, and attempted to encircle Sigel, who, hearing of the 2,000 reserves he feared would attack his flank (he did not know they were unarmed) withdrew in good order. 

The battle is considered a strategic victory for the Missouri State Guard since it helped recruitment for the pro-Southern regiments. 

The battle marks the only time a sitting U.S. State governor has led troops in the field, and then, against the Union to which his State belonged.