Missouri epitomized the split in the country in early 1861. Newly elected Governor Claiborne F. Jackson led the "States' Rights" faction and urged secession. Francis P. Blair led the advocates of Union.
St. Louis Split into Two Armed Camps
In the most populous city in the state, St. Louis, in May of 1861, both sides had organized armed groups. Blair's were the more numerous Home Guards and Governor Jackson's militia brigade was commanded by Brigadier General D. M. Frost.
Supporting Blair and commanding the Federal arsenal in St. Louis was Captain Nathaniel Lyon. He provided the Home Guards not only with weapons but also with professional leadership and was a perfect match with Blair.
Claiborne sent emissaries from his office to Alabama and Louisiana requesting artillery to bolster Frost's small command. Before the guns could arrive, however, Lyon had distributed the arms under his control to Blair's Home Guards and shipped those that could not be used to Illinois. Lyon further established the Home Guards in a camp on the hills overlooking the arsenal.
Frost, consequently, established his brigade at Camp Jackson in the western outskirts of the city.
Lyon Captures Frost
On the 11th of May, Lyon marched on Camp Jackson and forced Frost's surrender, the Home Guards outnumbering the militia 10:1.
This act galvanized the governor and the secession-leaning legislature to action, authorizing the raising and equipping of an "army" of State Guards. The whole was placed under the command of Sterling Price, a politician who had led a volunteer regiment in the Mexican-American War.
Missouri Split in Half
On May 31st Lyon was promoted to Brigadier General and given command of all Federal troops in Missouri. The state was thus split just like the country into two armed halves. The secession forces occupied the capitol, Jefferson City, and had a camp of instruction at Lexington. Lyon and Blair, with the Federal forces, occupied St. Louis.
Lyon marched with 2,000 men on June 13, toward jefferson City. Jackson and the legislature, with 1300 State Guards, withdrew to Boonville. Lyon followed and attacked on the 17th, scattering Jackson and his small force. Jackson and the legislators rendezvoused with Price, who moved the bulk of his forces south from Lexington to Lamor under command of Brigadier General James S. Rains.
Battle of Carthage
Rains and Jackson met a far-flung column of Federals under Franz Sigel on July 5 at Carthage. The Confederates had 4,000 armed men and 7 cannon. Sigel had only 1100 men and 8 cannon. After a short but sharp contest Sigel withdrew. The Confederates suffered 2 men killed and 38 wounded in the first significant action in Missouri. Sigel suffered 13 killed and 31 wounded.
Price joined Rains and Jackson at Cowskin Prairie. Also joining up was a contingent of Confederates from Arkansas under Brigadier general Ben McCullough. The entire force was united by July 6.
Both Sides Retire to Refit
Lyon, meanwhile, recalled his separate columns to Springfield when he learned of Sigel's defeat and McCullough's arrival. The two sides then got down to the business of equipping and organizing for the next month in preparation for a knockout fight. Price's forces, though larger, were seriously hampered by a lack of trained officers compared to Lyon's force.
The pivotal battle both expected would come next month at Wilson's Creek.
References:
Johnson, Robert Underwood and Clarence Clough Buel, eds. Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, vol. 1. Thomas Yoseloff, New York. 1956.
War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. (volume 3, series I)
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