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The Battle of Carthage: Border War in Southwest Missouri, July 5, 1861
written by David C. Hinze, Karen Farnham
Studio : Pelican Publishing Company
by Pelican Publishing Company
Publisher : Pelican Publishing Company
Released : 2004-03
Availability : Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Number of Items : 1
EAN : 9781589802230
Avg. Customer Rating: (based on 3 reviews)
List Price : $17.95
Our Price : $14.34
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Product Description |
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In-depth look at this important early Civil War battle. The Battle of Carthage, Missouri, was fought by pro-Confederate Missouri State guardsmen and Union volunteers more than two weeks before First Bull Run. It was the culmination of the first major land campaign of the Civil War. Until now, very little has been written about this important and intriguing engagement. |
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Entertaining and informative work covering the outbreak of war in Missouri |
David Hinze and Karen Farnham have written a very readable work on the battle of Carthage and the events that precipitated it. The authors made an excellent choice in covering the entire early campaign in Missouri. While the light casualties and non-decisive nature of the battle might appear an unlikely study subject, this battle speaks volumes of future Gen. Franz Sigel's shortcomings (and strengths) and sets the stage for the pivotal battle of Wilson's Creek. Along the way it reveals the nature of tensions between Missouri Southerners, German immigrants and other Missouri unionists. The campaign nature of the book includes the Camp Jackson seizure/St. Louis riot and a reasonably detailed evaluation of the important Boonville skirmish (with map.) Boonville, despite its minor tactical nature, proved strategically critical in denying CSA access to much of Missouri's potential manpower.
The most striking thing about the battle of Carthage is how unique and downright odd it was: 1,100 disciplined mostly German immigrants and German officers in Federal service versus a still organizing Missouri State Guard force with about 4,000 armed men and cavalry. This was not a Confederate army, but a state militia called out by a pro-Confederate governor. There is a sense of absurdity in the Lilliputian infantry force seeking battle with a much larger force on an open plain--especially when one realizes the Federals had no cavalry while the rebels had a large force, and that the Federals were 100 miles from support. Sigel's poor judgement in his ill-advised attack serves as forewarning of his performances throughout the war. Fortunately, Sigel was reasonably gifted at commanding retreats and his disciplined Germans infantry and artillerists rose to the occasion. The Missouri State Guard cavarly was too raw and undisciplined to exploit what should have been an overwhelming advantage.
There are many minor but annoying typographical errors and some editing lapses. Some are confusing to those unfamiliar with the region or history. A simple example is referring to the city of Nevada as being near the "Arkansas" border (Kansas is correct.) While the authors describe the artillery action well, the term "howitzer" is apparently misapplied and used interchangeably and incorrectly with the correct term "gun" when referring to the MSG's 6-pounders. (There were no 6 pdr howitzers in the ACW.)
The Boonville skirmish description has some errors and apparent missed connections. The gun/howitzer confusion arises first when the author fails to note that the section of Totten's battery in action had both a 6 pdr gun and a 12 pdr howitzer on the field. The MSG role here could have been better researched and extended to Carthage. This looks like a missed opportunity. I am no expert on the MSG, but in a day of study was able to hunt down half a dozen MSG company captains present at Boonville who were later commanding units at Carthage. These semi-organized companies at Boonville formed an important nucleus for the force at Carthage. It might also have been fruitful to more deeply explore the Parsons/Marmaduke/Gov. Jackson arrangement that resulted in senior officer Brig. Gen. Parsons being absent at Tipton while his nominal subordinate was placed in command.
Despite the above-mentioned issues, I strongly recommend this book to any who wish to truly understand early Civil War history in Missouri. In addition to a number of passable maps of the action, the book includes a battlefield tour, some relevant photographs and other illustrations.
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Missouri at War. |
There were sections of Missouri that yearned for the South, but the state remained a border state and never joined the Confederacy. The Battle of Carthage was a series of small engagements between Governor Claiborne Jackson's Missouri State Guard and Franz Sigel's Union army. Sigel fought the battle in classic Napoleonic style, complete with artillery bombardments. The State Guard had superior numbers that included cavalry. The Guard also endured poor leadership. Franz Sigel had the training and experience, but lacked cavalry for reconnaissance and to guard the flanks of his small force. For ten hours on July 5, 1861 the two armies slugged it out down the Lamar-Carthage road. Sigel's German immigrants did well but could not prevail against the country boys of the State Guard. The best Sigel could hope is, that he could avoid utter defeat. After a disciplined retreat, the Union forces survived to fight another day.
No doubt, this is an obscure topic to the casual reader. Hinze does a superior job of fleshing out the pertinent details. He presents the facts in a cohesive and interesting manner. The text includes fine detailed maps. Portraits of the main players are also provided. There are sufficient indexes and notes to satisfy Civil War purists. A battlefield tour and author interview is also included. This is a good book for anyone interested in reading Missouri Civil War history. ;-) |
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The Battle of Carthage: Border War in Southwest Missouri, Ju |
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An in depth look at the early Civil War conflict in Missouri. Very strong on the background events which lead to the Battle of Carthage. Best reporting of the events of the battle that have been printed. Civil War buffs should have this book in their library. |
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