Battle of Booneville facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Booneville
Part of the American Civil War
Date July 1, 1862 Location Booneville, Mississippi Result Union victory
Belligerents
United States	Confederate States
Commanders and leaders
Henry W. Halleck Philip Sheridan	P.G.T. Beauregard James R. Chalmers
Strength
4,700
Casualties and losses
1 killed, 24 wounded, 16 missing	65 killed

The Battle of Booneville was a small but important fight during the American Civil War. It happened on July 1, 1862, near Booneville, Mississippi. This battle was part of a bigger plan by the Union Army to control important areas in the South. It showed how important railroads were during the war.

Why Booneville Was Important

The Big Picture: After Shiloh

The American Civil War was a huge conflict between the Union (the North) and the Confederacy (the South). A few months before Booneville, a very bloody battle called the Battle of Shiloh took place. The Union won at Shiloh, which gave them control over parts of Tennessee and Mississippi.

Controlling Corinth: A Key Railroad Hub

After Shiloh, the Union Army, led by General Henry Halleck, captured Corinth, Mississippi. Corinth was a very important town because two major railroads crossed there. Controlling these railroads meant controlling how supplies and soldiers could move across the South. It was a big win for the Union.

The Confederate Army, led by General Braxton Bragg, wanted to get Corinth back. They knew how vital those railroads were. So, they started planning ways to attack the Union forces and take back the town.

The Battle of Booneville

Confederate Plans

General Bragg wanted to gather his troops and launch a big attack on Corinth. To do this, he needed to move his soldiers and supplies. He also needed to know where the Union troops were.

Confederate General P. G. T. Beauregard was in charge of some of these efforts. He sent cavalry, which are soldiers who ride horses, to scout the area. Their job was to find out what the Union Army was doing and to disrupt their supply lines.

Union Response: Sheridan's Cavalry

The Union Army was also very active. They had their own cavalry units. One of these was led by a young and energetic officer named Philip Sheridan. Sheridan would later become a very famous general.

On July 1, 1862, Sheridan's Union cavalry was near Booneville. They were there to keep an eye on the Confederate movements and protect the Union's own supply routes.

The Fight Begins

The Confederate cavalry, led by General James R. Chalmers, encountered Sheridan's Union forces near Booneville. The two groups of horsemen clashed. It wasn't a huge battle with thousands of soldiers, but it was a sharp and quick fight.

The Union cavalry, under Sheridan's command, was well-organized and fought bravely. They managed to push back the Confederate cavalry.

Results of the Battle

The Battle of Booneville was a clear victory for the Union. They had fewer casualties, meaning fewer soldiers were killed, wounded, or went missing. The Confederates suffered more losses.

This battle stopped the Confederate cavalry from gathering more information about Union positions. It also showed that the Union forces were strong and ready to defend their gains. The Confederates were not able to get Corinth back.

While not as famous as bigger battles, Booneville was important because it helped the Union keep control of the vital railroad junction at Corinth. It also highlighted the growing importance of cavalry in the Civil War for scouting and quick attacks.