Fredericktown
Civil War Missouri

American Civil War
October 21, 1861

Two Union columns, one under Colonel J.B. Plummer and another under Colonel William P. Carlin, advanced on Fredericktown to overtake Brigadier General M. Jeff Thompson and his men.

On the morning of October 21, Thompson's force left Fredericktown headed south. About twelve miles out, Thompson left his supply train in a secure position and returned toward Fredericktown.

He then learned that Union forces had occupied Fredericktown, so Thompson spent the morning attempting to discern the enemy numbers and disposition. Unable to do so, he attacked anyway, around noon.

Plummer, with his force and a detachment of Colonel William P. Carlin's troops, met the Rebel forces outside town and a two-hour fight ensued. Overwhelming Union forces took their toll, and Thompson's men retreated. Union cavalry pursued.

Fredericktown cemented Union control of southeastern Missouri.

Result(s): Union victory

Location: Madison County

Campaign: Operations to Control Missouri (1861)

Date(s): October 21, 1861

Principal Commanders: Colonel J.B. Plummer and Colonel William P. Carlin [US]; Brigadier General M. Jeff Thompson [CS]

Forces Engaged: Brigade size force (approx. 2,500-3,500) [US]; Missouri State Guard [CS]

Estimated Casualties: Total unknown (US unknown; CS 62)


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Civil War Missouri History Book Club Additional Reading Titles


The Devil Knows How to Ride: The True Story of William Clarke Quantrill and His Confederate Raiders
William Clarke Quantrill was quite possibly the most dangerous man to fight in the Civil War. The leader of an almost psychopathic band of guerrilla warriors, Quantrill participated as a Confederate in a deadly border war between Southern sympathizers in Missouri and the Unionist Jayhawks of Kansas. He was largely responsible for the 1863 massacre of nearly 200 unresisting men and boys in Lawrence, Kansas, as well as dozens of other brutal acts that today would be called terrorism. Among the notorious men who rode with him were Frank and Jesse James, whose postwar crime careers are briefly reviewed.
The Civil War in Missouri, Day by Day, 1861 to 1865
Follow as events transpire across Missouri within those four long years. From raids and pursuit of the outlaws to the hunting down of Southern sympathizers and the Federal scouting parties across the state. Something for everyone in this book. This book is deemed by many readers as a Missouri classic.
Civil War on the Missouri-Kansas Border
This aspect of the Civil War is often misunderstood in that the majority of what we know has been passed down to us from the "victors" point of view. In fact, these were very, very hard times and a good case can be made that there were indeed no real winners in this not so isolated, but under reported, part of the war. Horrible, barbaric actions were consummated by both sides of this conflict. If we attempt to place ourselves at that time and place in history, we can well see where both sides had their grievances, and both sides were able to justify their atrocities.

Sources:
U.S. National Park Service
U.S. Library of Congress.