Battle of Cole Camp facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Cole Camp
Part of the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War
Date June 19, 1861 (1861-06-19) Location Benton County, Missouri Result Confederate victory
Belligerents
United States	Missouri (Confederate)
Commanders and leaders
Abel H. W. Cook	Walter S. O'Kane
Strength
Benton County Home Guard (400-600)	O'Kane's Battalion Missouri State Guard (350)
Casualties and losses
35 killed 60 wounded 25 captured	7 killed 25 wounded

The Battle of Cole Camp was a small but important fight during the American Civil War. It happened on June 19, 1861, in Benton County, Missouri. This battle was a victory for the Southern (Confederate) side. It helped clear a path for the Missouri State Guard and the governor to escape from Union forces.

Setting the Scene

On June 15, 1861, Union General Nathaniel Lyon took control of Missouri's capital city, Jefferson City. Two days later, he defeated a part of the Missouri State Guard near Boonville. This group was with Missouri's pro-Southern Governor Claiborne F. Jackson. As Governor Jackson and his part of the Guard fled southwest, a Union-supporting group called the Missouri Home Guard was ready to block their escape route.

Most people in Benton County had Southern backgrounds and supported the Confederate cause, which included supporting slavery. However, many German immigrants and their families in the area were against slavery and supported the Union. These Union supporters formed the core of the Benton County Home Guard. Captain Abel H. W. Cook started forming this group in early June. He asked volunteers to gather northeast of Cole Camp on June 11.

Meanwhile, a group of secessionists (those who wanted to leave the Union) was gathering nearby in Warsaw. Captain Walter S. O'Kane organized a group called the "Grays." Captain Thomas W. Murray organized another group called the "Blues." Together, these forces had about 350 men, with 100 of them on horseback.

Benton County's Sheriff, Bartholomew W. Keown, helped the secessionists. He tried to "arrest" Captains Cook and Mitchell at the Union Home Guard camp. They refused to be arrested. This attempt was likely a way for him to gather information about the Union camp.

The Battle Begins

The Union Home Guard set up their camp, called Camp Lyon, on two farms about 600 yards apart. These farms belonged to Henry Harms and John Heisterberg. Captain Cook had about 400 rifles for his infantry. While many men had joined at first, about half of them had to leave because there weren't enough weapons or for other reasons.

O'Kane's secessionist force marched from Warsaw towards Cole Camp on June 18. Their goal was to attack the Home Guard. A respected older citizen named John Tyree saw the secessionists preparing. He quickly reported this to the officers at Camp Lyon. On his way back, O'Kane's force captured him. Even though Tyree owned slaves, he supported the Union.

Despite Tyree's warning, Captain Cook's camp was not ready. Their guards were easily surprised without waking the sleeping Home Guard. Many men were asleep in the early morning hours of June 19 when the attack began. O'Kane's infantry quickly moved from the east towards the Heisterberg barn. They fired a volley of shots into the surprised Union soldiers. However, a company of Home Guard soldiers led by Captain Elsinger was just north of the barn. They fired back at the attackers. But they had little ammunition and soon had to retreat.

O'Kane's mounted soldiers then charged into another nearby group of Home Guard. This group was trying to form a line to fight the infantry. The mounted attack quickly scattered them.

Meanwhile, the remaining Union soldiers at the Harms barn, led by Captains Grother and Mueller, prepared to join the fight. They saw a Union flag being carried by the rebels, which confused them. They held their fire until the rebels shot at them. They then pulled back without fully joining the battle, and the fighting soon ended.

Captain Cook reportedly left the battle early. He said he went to talk with Captain Totten of Lyon's forces. But his men disagreed with his story. In July, Henry Imhauser was elected as their new commander.

Walter S. O'Kane later served as an aide in the Confederate Army. He passed away in 1908 in Arkansas.

Results and Impact

The Union forces suffered heavy losses. About 34 soldiers were killed or died from their wounds. Another 60 were wounded, and 25 were captured. A very important outcome for the Southern side was the capture of 362 muskets with bayonets. These weapons were very useful in later battles, like the Battle of Carthage and Battle of Wilson's Creek. The secessionist forces had fewer losses, with about 7 killed and 25 wounded.

Jefferson Davis, who was later the President of the Confederate States of America, wrote a book in 1890. In it, he claimed that 206 Union soldiers were killed and wounded, and over 100 were taken prisoner.

The victory at Cole Camp cleared a path for the fleeing Missouri State Guard. When O'Kane's men joined the main Missouri State Guard force, their story of victory boosted the spirits of the tired soldiers.