Second Battle of Springfield facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Second Battle of Springfield
Part of the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War
Date January 8, 1863 (1863-01-08) Location Springfield, Missouri Result Union victory
Belligerents
United States (Union)	CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
Egbert B. Brown	John S. Marmaduke
Units involved
Southwestern District of Missouri	4th Division, I Corps, Trans-Mississippi Department
Strength
2,099	1,870
Casualties and losses
231 total 30 killed 195 wounded 6 missing	~290 total

The Second Battle of Springfield was a fight during the American Civil War. It happened on January 8, 1863, in Springfield, Missouri. Sometimes, people just call it The Battle of Springfield. Another battle, the First Battle of Springfield, happened earlier in 1861. A bigger battle, the Battle of Wilson's Creek, was also fought nearby. This battle was unusual because much of the fighting happened right in the city, house-to-house.

Why the Battle Happened

On December 31, 1862, Confederate soldiers began to move. Three groups of cavalry, led by Brigadier General John S. Marmaduke, left Pocahontas, Arkansas and Lewisburg, Arkansas. They rode north into Missouri.

Confederate Goals

Marmaduke wanted to destroy the Union supply lines. These lines carried food and other goods between Rolla and Springfield. If he succeeded, Union troops in Arkansas would have to leave and chase him.

Marmaduke's Advance

Marmaduke's main group went through Forsyth, Missouri. There, he learned that the Union's main supply base in Springfield was not well protected. To clear his path, Marmaduke marched to Ozark, Missouri. The Union soldiers there left, and the Confederates burned their empty fort.

Another Confederate group, led by Colonel Emmett MacDonald, destroyed a Union fort. This fort was at Lawrence Mill, near Ava. A third group, under Colonel Joseph C. Porter, was told to meet Marmaduke in Springfield. The plan was for all three groups to attack Springfield together. They hoped to capture the city's military supplies.

Getting Ready for the Fight

On the evening of January 7, 1863, Union soldiers from Ozark reached Springfield. They told the commander, Brigadier General Egbert B. Brown, that a large Confederate force was coming. They thought the Confederates had between 4,000 and 6,000 men.

Brown's Decision

Brown had only 1,343 trained soldiers. He had two choices:

• Destroy all the Union supplies in Springfield and retreat.
• Defend the town.

General Grant had recently criticized a Union commander who surrendered a supply base. This likely made Brown want to defend Springfield strongly.

Preparing Springfield's Defenses

Brown's officers also wanted to defend the city. The local military leader, Colley B. Holland, called for local soldiers to come to Springfield. Brown also moved 50,000 food rations into Fort Number 1. He prepared to burn the armory if they lost the battle.

Meanwhile, three cannons were put onto wagon wheels. This made them easier to move. The next morning, Union soldiers and even civilians were given weapons. Springfield was not heavily guarded, but it had a good defense system. It was surrounded by four forts and a college building with a strong fence. These five points were on high ground, giving them a good view.

The Battle Begins

Map of the Springfield II Battlefield.

On the morning of January 8, 1863, two Confederate groups led by Marmaduke came from the south. Porter's and MacDonald's groups had not yet arrived. Marmaduke spent the early morning looking for food and capturing some local Union soldiers.

First Clashes

By 10:00 a.m., MacDonald's group arrived. The Confederates sent two regiments forward to test the Union lines. They pushed back two Union cavalry regiments about two miles. Then, they saw smoke from burning homes on the edge of Springfield. General Brown had ordered ten homes burned. This was to give his artillery a clear view from Fort No. 4.

Attacks on Fort Number 4

Colonel Joseph Orville Shelby took charge of the Confederate attacks. He launched attacks on the Union center and west side. The Confederates moved across open ground toward Fort Number 4. They tried to find cover behind tree stumps, rocks, and the burned homes. Despite many tries, they could not capture the fort.

Fighting at the College Stockade

Shelby then decided to attack Springfield from the west. The Confederates used a ravine (a small valley) for cover. This ravine led uphill toward a two-story brick academy. This building was surrounded by a strong fence, or stockade. The Union used it as a prison.

Union forces had not put soldiers in the college stockade. So, the Confederates easily took the building. They used it as their own fort to fire back at Fort No. 4. However, heavy fighting soon broke out around the stockade. Union forces tried to take it back. The Confederates had more soldiers in this area and pushed their attack. This part of the battle had the most injuries and hand-to-hand fighting. The Confederates even captured a cannon.

Union troops on the west side were pushed back to College Street. But Union reinforcements arrived. They stopped the Confederate attack and even pushed them back to State Street.

The Final Push

As the sun began to set, Marmaduke launched one last attack on Fort No. 4. The Union forces again fought them off. When night came, the Confederates pulled back. They went down Ozark Road to the Phelps farm (now Phelps Grove Park). The Battle of Springfield was over. The Union supply base was safe.

What Happened After

About 2,099 Union soldiers fought in the battle. At first, 19 were killed or missing, and 146 were wounded. This was a total of 165 men. Two months later, the numbers changed to 30 killed, 6 missing, and 195 wounded.

About 1,870 Confederate soldiers were there. At least 45 were killed or missing, and 105 were wounded. This was a total of at least 150 men. Marmaduke said his numbers were not complete. Some historians believe the Confederates had around 70-80 killed, 12 captured, and 200 wounded.

Colonel Porter's group did not arrive, which hurt Marmaduke's chances of winning. Within four days, the Confederate raiders went back to Arkansas. Springfield continued to be an important supply and medical center for the Union army in the West.

Today, there are twelve signs in downtown Springfield. They mark important places from the battle. You can visit them on a walking tour. The first sign is in Park Central Square.

Among the Confederate soldiers who died was Spencer McCoy. He was the son of Kansas City, Missouri founder John C. McCoy. His father was allowed to come to Springfield to get his son's body. Spencer McCoy is buried with his father in Union Cemetery in Kansas City.