Carthage Confederate order of battle facts for kids

The Battle of Carthage was an early fight in the American Civil War. It happened in Missouri in 1861. This article tells you about the Missouri State Guard units and their leaders who fought in this battle. The Union army's details are in a separate article.

What was the Missouri State Guard?

The Missouri State Guard was a military force created by the state of Missouri. It was meant to protect the state, but during the Civil War, it mostly fought for the Southern (Confederate) side. These soldiers were often local volunteers. They were not part of the regular Confederate army at first.

Key Leaders of the Missouri State Guard

The overall commander of the Missouri State Guard was Major General Sterling Price. However, he was not at the Battle of Carthage. Instead, Governor Claiborne Fox Jackson was present and helped lead the state forces. Colonel Lewis Henry Little was also a key leader, serving as the Adjutant General.

Divisions and Their Commanders

The Missouri State Guard was organized into different groups called divisions. Each division had its own general and included various regiments (smaller groups of soldiers) and battalions. Here are some of the divisions that fought at Carthage:

Third Division

This division was led by Brigadier General John Bullock Clark, Sr.. It included the 1st Missouri Regiment, with leaders like Colonel John Q. Burbridge, Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Price, and Major John Bullock Clark, Jr..

Fourth Division

Brigadier General William Y. Slack commanded the Fourth Division. His troops included the 1st Missouri Regiment, led by Colonel John T. Hughes and Lieutenant Colonel James Pritchard. There was also Thornton's Battalion and the 1st Cavalry Regiment.

Sixth Division

The Sixth Division was under Brigadier General Mosby Parsons. This group had Kelly's Missouri Regiment, Dills' Battalion, and the 1st Missouri Cavalry. It also included some smaller cavalry units and Guibor's Battery, which was a group of four cannons led by Captain Henry Guibor.

Eighth Division

This was a large division led by Brigadier General James Spencer Rains and Colonel Richard Hanson Weightman. It included several regiments like the 2nd and 3rd Regiments, O'Kane's Battalion, and an Independent Detachment. This division also had several cavalry units and Bledsoe's Battery, which had three cannons.

The Role of Cavalry

Cavalry units, which were soldiers on horseback, played a very important role in the battle. They were often used for scouting, quick attacks, and chasing retreating enemies.

A special group of about 150 mounted troops was attached to Rains' Eighth Division. These soldiers were led by Captain Jo Shelby. They were very brave and active throughout the battle. They made daring moves even when under fire from the Union cannons. They also chased the Union forces as they retreated. Many people believed that Shelby's cavalry helped the Missouri State Guard "snatch the victory" at Carthage.

It's important to know that the Missouri State Guard had over 2,000 unarmed men who were with the army but did not take part in the actual fighting.