Anniversary of the Battle of Carthage

Plans have been made to celebrate the 160th Anniversary of the Battle of Carthage from May 20th – May 22nd, 2022. The Civil War Camps, drills, demonstrations, and other activities are open to the public on Saturday, May 21st, and Sunday, May 22nd. More information is available as the reenactment date nears.

On July 5, 1861, 1,100 Union soldiers ran into approximately 6,000 volunteers of the Missouri State Guard under Governor Claiborne Jackson who was attempting to take Missouri into the Confederacy. This day-long battle covered over nine miles and lasted from 8:30 am till nightfall. Both sides claimed victory: the Union force successfully escaped with minimal casualties, but the Missouri State Guard chased the Union troops from the region and held the town of Carthage at the end of the day. This was the first time in the American Civil War that an armed action on land had lasted an entire day.