Battle of Charleston (1861) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Charleston |
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| Part of the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Union Army |
 Missouri State Guard |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Col. Henry Dougherty | Col. J. H. Hunter | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 11th & 22nd Illinois Infantry (250 men) | Missouri State Guard Cavalry (500 men) | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 1 killed 7 wounded |
13 killed unknown wounded |
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The Battle of Charleston was a small fight during the American Civil War. It happened in Charleston, Missouri. People also called it the Battle of Bird's Point. On August 19, 1861, Union soldiers led by Colonel Henry Dougherty attacked a Confederate camp. They managed to destroy it.
For a week before, there had been many small fights. These were between Union supporters and groups wanting to break away from the United States (called secessionists). These clashes happened near Charleston and Bird's Point.
The Main Fight in Charleston
Colonel Dougherty led 250 Union soldiers. They were from the 22nd Illinois Infantry and the 11th Illinois. These troops were based at Bird's Point. They traveled by train to Charleston. A group of Confederate soldiers from the Missouri state troops was waiting there.
When the Union troops got close to Charleston, they split into two groups. Colonel Dougherty led one group, and Lieutenant Colonel Hart led the other. About 100 yards from the town square, about 200 Confederate cavalry (soldiers on horseback) tried to stop them. The Union soldiers fired one volley (a group of shots at once). This made the Confederate cavalry run into a cornfield.
Colonel Dougherty then ordered his men to quickly move forward to the town square. There, they met the main group of Confederate infantry (soldiers on foot). The Confederates hid behind houses and shot heavily at the Union troops. Meanwhile, the Confederate cavalry regrouped and attacked Lieutenant Colonel Hart's men. Hart's soldiers fought back in both directions and managed to scatter the cavalry.
After this, Colonel J. H. Hunter, who was leading the Confederates, retreated. He was later arrested for his actions during the battle.
Capturing the Fish Lake Camp
Captain R. D. Noleman and 50 men from the Centralia Cavalry also went to Charleston. They rode through the streets without any trouble. They captured two rebels (Confederate soldiers). These rebels told Captain Noleman that Colonel Dougherty's forces had already fought the enemy.
The captured rebels also said there was a camp of mounted rebels (Confederate cavalry) near Fish Lake. This camp was about 5 miles east of Charleston and 2½ miles north of the railroad. Captain Noleman took one of the captured men as a guide. He then led his troops toward the camp.
Noleman's men found the enemy camp. It was in a thick forest that surrounded an open area. It was just getting light when Noleman's men fired about 40 shots. The enemy shot back. Then, the rebels put down their weapons and gave up. Noleman's men took 33 prisoners. They also captured 38 horses and about the same number of rifles and shotguns. They also got their equipment and ammunition.
Why Colonel Hunter Was Arrested
Colonel Hunter was arrested by Brigadier General M. Jeff Thompson. General Thompson was in charge of the Missouri State Guard. In his report, Thompson explained why Hunter was arrested. He said that Hunter should have only gone far enough to drive away the enemy's lookouts and then returned to camp. Instead, Hunter reached Charleston at 10 a.m. and stayed there all day and night. This was very close to a much larger Union force.
