Battle of Hartville

Last updated
Early morning arrival of the Union Forces down the Marshfield Road and the route of the supply train that continued north toward Lebanon. Merrill's troops were able to archive a 650 yard line of battle with no reserve. 13.1863 Hartville Wagon Train Map.png
Early morning arrival of the Union Forces down the Marshfield Road and the route of the supply train that continued north toward Lebanon. Merrill's troops were able to archive a 650 yard line of battle with no reserve.
Porters' men come under fire after turning North on the road to Lebanon, from the 3rd Missouri and the 3rd Iowa with their sharps carbines and become disordered. 14.Hartville to Satllite.Version2.png
Porters’ men come under fire after turning North on the road to Lebanon, from the 3rd Missouri and the 3rd Iowa with their sharps carbines and become disordered.
Battle of Hartville
Part of the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the
American Civil War
DateJanuary 9, 1863 (1863-01-09) January 11, 1863 (1863-01-11)
Location
Result Inconclusive
Belligerents
Flag of the United States (1861-1863).svg United States (Union) Flag of the Confederate States of America (1861-1863).svg CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
Samuel Merrill John S. Marmaduke
Units involved
Southwestern District of Missouri Troops 4th Division, I Corps, Trans-Mississippi Department
Strength
~750
Casualties and losses
78 total
7 killed
64 wounded
7 missing or captured
111 total
12 killed
96 wounded
3 missing or captured

The Battle of Hartville was fought January 11, 1863, in Wright County, Missouri, as part of John S. Marmaduke's first expedition into Missouri, during the American Civil War.

Contents

Background

Map of Hartville Battlefield core and study areas by the American Battlefield Protection Program. Hartville Battlefield Missouri.jpg
Map of Hartville Battlefield core and study areas by the American Battlefield Protection Program.

Marmaduke led a Confederate raid into Missouri in early January 1863. This movement was two-pronged. Col. Joseph C. Porter led one column, comprising his Missouri Cavalry Brigade, out of Pocahontas, Arkansas, to assault Union posts around Hartville, Missouri. When he neared Hartville on January 9, he sent a detachment forward to reconnoiter. It succeeded in capturing the small militia garrison. The same day, Porter moved toward Marshfield. On January 10, some of Porter's men raided other Union installations in the area before making contact with Marmaduke's column east of Marshfield. Marmaduke had received reports of Union troops approaching to surround him and prepared for a confrontation.

On January 10, Col. Samuel Merrill commanded an approaching Union relief column from Houston, Missouri. He and his command arrived in Hartville that morning, discovered that the small garrison had already surrendered, and set out toward Springfield. His force went into camp on Wood's Fork of the Gasconade River. Early on the morning of January 11 the approaching Confederates under Porter made contact with Merrill's scouts and skirmishing commenced.

Opposing forces

Union

Colonel Samuel Merrill

Confederate

Brig. Gen. John S. Marmaduke

Shelby's Brigade - Col. J.O. Shelby
Porter's Brigade - Col. Joseph C. Porter (mw) [1]
  • Burbridges' Regt. - Lt. Col. John M. Wimer (k) [2]
  • Green's Regt. - Lt. Col. L.C. Campbell
  • Jeffers' Regt. - Col. William M. Jeffers
Not Brigaded
  • MacDonald's Missouri Regt. - Col. Emmett MacDonald (k) [3]
Artillery
  • Capt. Brown's Arkansas Battery - Capt. Louis T. Brown [4]
  • Lt. Collins' Section of Bledsoe's Battery (later Collins' Battery) - Lt. Richard A. Collins [5]

Based on Frederick Goman's order of battle, except where noted. [6]

Battle

Marmaduke believed he was being pressed by several forces, so he diverted Porter and Shelby's columns along another road to Hartville. Meanwhile, observing this movement, Merrill marched his force directly to Hartville where it took a strong defensive position on covered, high ground west of the courthouse. Merrill's battle line extended 650 yards with no reserve. [7] Shelby and Porter's brigades attempted to dislodge Merrill's force, but it was too strongly positioned. A mistaken observation probably by Lt. Dick Collins on the bluff east of town reported a wagon train moving toward the Lebanon Road. Porter placed his men in a column to pursue the supposedly retreating enemy.

Coming under fire from the 3rd Missouri and the 3rd Iowa who were hidden on the far left side of the Union line with Sharps Carbines firing four to five shots per minute. That advance became disordered and the battle move eastward as Shelby's men came forward to support Porter's beleaguered men. [8] Over a four-hour period several Confederate assaults were made, each being repulsed in turn. Eventually Merrill withdrew most of his force, although a third of the men under Lt. Col Dunlap never received the order and remained on the field until nightfall.

Aftermath

Major George R Kirtley Grave Marker in the Springfield National Cemetery Major George R Kirtley Grave Marker.jpg
Major George R Kirtley Grave Marker in the Springfield National Cemetery

Elements of both sides observed the other withdrawing from the field as night approached, and both claimed victory as a result. The real results were mixed. From the Union command's perspective they had repulsed Marmaduke's assaults inflicting heavy casualties, but the Federals had been forced to leave the field. From the Confederate perspective Marmaduke had united his force and secured his line of withdrawal. He set up a field hospital in town and could claim to control the field briefly. However, he was compelled to make a rapid retreat into Arkansas and then an arduous trek to winter camp. Additionally, the frontal assaults had resulted in the death or mortal wounding of several senior CSA officers including: brigade commander Col. Joseph C. Porter, Col. Emmett MacDonald, Lt. Col. John Wimer, and Major George R. Kirtley. [9]

The raid itself caused great disruption of Federal forces in the region and a number of small outposts had been overrun, destroyed, or abandoned. However, the other major objective, the depot at Springfield, remained in Union hands. The successful escape of the raiding party did foreshadow the vulnerability of Federal Missouri to fast-moving expeditions.

Related Research Articles

The Battle of Bayou Fourche, also known as the Engagement at Bayou Fourche, was fought on September 10, 1863, near Little Rock, Arkansas, and was the final battle of the Little Rock campaign during the American Civil War. A Union force commanded by Major General Frederick Steele had begun an advance from Helena, Arkansas, west towards Little Rock in August. The Union campaign met light resistance aside from the Battle of Bayou Meto, while Confederate troops under Major General Sterling Price built fortifications on the other side of the Arkansas River from Little Rock.

The Second Battle of Springfield took place during the American Civil War on January 8, 1863, in Springfield, Missouri. It is sometimes known as The Battle of Springfield. Fighting was urban and house-to-house, which was rare in the war.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Cane Hill</span> 1862 battle of the American Civil War

The battle of Cane Hill was fought between Union and Confederate forces during the American Civil War on November 28, 1862, in northwestern Arkansas, near the town of Cane Hill. Confederate Major General Thomas C. Hindman had made an abortive offensive into southwestern Missouri from Arkansas earlier in the year, but had withdrawn to Arkansas. Union troops under Brigadier General James G. Blunt had followed Hindman into northwestern Arkansas, and the Confederate general saw an opportunity to attack Blunt while his division was separated from the rest of the Union Army of the Frontier. Hindman then sent a force under Brigadier General John S. Marmaduke to Cane Hill, which was also known as Boonsboro, to collect supplies. In early November, a detachment of Blunt's command led by Colonel William F. Cloud defeated a small Confederate force commanded by Colonel Emmett MacDonald in the Cane Hill area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Westport</span> Battle of the American Civil War

The Battle of Westport, was fought on October 23, 1864, in modern Kansas City, Missouri, during the American Civil War. Union forces under Major General Samuel R. Curtis decisively defeated an outnumbered Confederate force under Major General Sterling Price. This engagement was the turning point of Price's Missouri Expedition, forcing his army to retreat. The battle ended the last major Confederate offensive west of the Mississippi River, and for the remainder of the war the United States Army maintained solid control over most of Missouri. This battle was one of the largest to be fought west of the Mississippi River, with over 30,000 men engaged.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Second Battle of Independence</span> 1864 American Civil War battle

The Second Battle of Independence was fought on October 22, 1864, near Independence, Missouri, as part of Price's Raid during the American Civil War. In late 1864, Major General Sterling Price of the Confederate States Army led a cavalry force into the state of Missouri, hoping to create a popular uprising against Union control, draw Union Army troops from more important areas, and influence the 1864 United States presidential election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Little Blue River</span> Battle of the American Civil War

The Battle of Little Blue River was fought on October 21, 1864, as part of Price's Raid during the American Civil War. Major General Sterling Price of the Confederate States Army led an army into Missouri in September 1864 with hopes of challenging Union control of the state. During the early stages of the campaign, Price abandoned his plan to capture St. Louis and later his secondary target of Jefferson City. The Confederates then began moving westwards, brushing aside Major General James G. Blunt's Union force in the Second Battle of Lexington on October 19. Two days later, Blunt left part of his command under the authority of Colonel Thomas Moonlight to hold the crossing of the Little Blue River, while the rest of his force fell back to Independence. On the morning of October 21, Confederate troops attacked Moonlight's line, and parts of Brigadier General John B. Clark Jr.'s brigade forced their way across the river. A series of attacks and counterattacks ensued, neither side gaining a significant advantage.

The Battle of Old Fort Wayne, also known as Maysville, Beattie's Prairie, or Beaty's Prairie, was an American Civil War battle on October 22, 1862, in Delaware County in what is now eastern Oklahoma.

Joseph Chrisman Porter was a Confederate officer in the American Civil War, a key leader in the guerrilla campaigns in northern Missouri, and a figure of controversy. The main source for his history, Joseph A. Mudd is clearly an apologist; his opponents take a less charitable view of him, and his chief adversary, Union Colonel John McNeil, regarded him simply as a bushwacker and traitor, though his service under General John S. Marmaduke in the Springfield campaign and following clearly shows he was regarded as a regular officer by the Confederacy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shelby's Raid (1863)</span> Military campaign during the American Civil War

Shelby's Raid, also known as Shelby's Great Raid, was a Confederate cavalry incursion into Arkansas and Missouri during the American Civil War in 1863. Led by Colonel Joseph Orville Shelby, the raid took place from August 21, 1863, to November 3, 1863, covering over 800 miles across territories in west central and northwest Arkansas, as well as southwest and west central Missouri.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Wimer</span> American politician

John M. Wimer served as Postmaster, Alderman and the seventh person to serve as mayor of St. Louis, Missouri.

The 44th Arkansas Infantry (Mounted) (1864–1865) was a Confederate Army Mounted Infantry regiment during the American Civil War. While authorized by the State Military Board as an infantry regiment, the unit was mounted for Price's Missouri Expedition and was officially designated as mounted infantry, but this designation was almost never used by the unit. When a numerical designation is used, the unit is sometimes referred to as the 29th Arkansas Cavalry Regiment. The unit is most often referred as McGehee's Arkansas Cavalry Regiment for its commander, James H. McGehee. McGehee is often spelled McGhee in the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies.

The Brown's Arkansas Artillery Battery (1862–1863) was a Confederate Army artillery battery during the American Civil War. Also known as: the Newton Artillery. The battery operated in the Confederate Department of the Trans-Mississippi for its entire existence.

Gideon W. Thompson was a colonel in the Missouri State Guard and the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. He assumed command on the field after the fall of Brigadier General John T. Hughes at the First Battle of Independence.

The Battle of Brownsville was fought on August 25, 1863, near what is now Lonoke, Arkansas, between Union forces led by Colonel Washington Geiger and Confederate troops under Brigadier General John S. Marmaduke. Union forces commanded by Major General Frederick Steele were advancing from Helena, Arkansas, towards Little Rock, the state capital of Arkansas. Confederate Major General Sterling Price ordered cavalry led by Marmaduke and Brigadier General Lucius M. Walker to Brownsville in response to the Union advance.

The 3rd Missouri Cavalry Regiment was a cavalry regiment of the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. It was also known as Greene's Regiment after its commander, Colonel Colton Greene.

Slayback's Missouri Cavalry Regiment was a cavalry regiment of the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. Originally formed as Slayback's Missouri Cavalry Battalion, the unit consisted of men recruited in Missouri by Lieutenant Colonel Alonzo W. Slayback during Price's Raid in 1864. The battalion's first action was at the Battle of Pilot Knob on September 27; it later participated in actions at Sedalia, Lexington, and the Little Blue River. In October, the unit was used to find an alternate river crossing during the Battle of the Big Blue River. Later that month, Slayback's unit saw action at the battles of Westport, Marmiton River, and Second Newtonia. The battalion was briefly furloughed in Arkansas before rejoining Major General Sterling Price in Texas in December. Probably around February 1865, the battalion reached official regimental strength after more recruits joined.

Nichols's Missouri Cavalry Regiment served in the Confederate States Army during the late stages of the American Civil War. The cavalry regiment began recruiting in early 1864 under Colonel Sidney D. Jackman, who had previously raised a unit that later became the 16th Missouri Infantry Regiment. The regiment officially formed on June 22 and operated against the Memphis and Little Rock Railroad through August. After joining Major General Sterling Price's command, the unit participated in Price's Raid, an attempt to create a popular uprising against Union control of Missouri and draw Union troops away from more important theaters of the war. During the raid, while under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Charles H. Nichols, the regiment was part of an unsuccessful pursuit of Union troops who were retreating after the Battle of Fort Davidson in late September.

The 10th Texas Field Battery was an artillery battery that served in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. After being formed in early 1861 by Benjamin H. Pratt, the battery served with a cavalry formation led by Colonel William Henry Parsons for part of 1862. It was called upon to enter Missouri in support of troop movements related to the Battle of Prairie Grove, but this did not occur. It then operated along the Mississippi River in early 1863, harassing enemy shipping. The unit then participated in Marmaduke's Second Expedition into Missouri and the Battle of Pine Bluff in 1863. Late in 1864, the battery, now under the command of H. C. Hynson, served in Price's Raid, participating in several battles and skirmishes, including the disastrous Battle of Mine Creek. One source claims the unit's service ended on May 26, 1865, while a Confederate report dated June 1, 1865, states that it existed but did not have cannons. Confederate forces in the Trans-Mississippi Department surrendered on June 2.

The Little Rock Campaign, officially known as Advance of the Union forces upon Little Rock, Arkansas, was a campaign conducted by the Union Army in Arkansas during the American Civil War. The strategic offensive was designed to capture Little Rock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emmett MacDonald</span> American Confederate military officer

Emmett MacDonald was a military officer who served in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. MacDonald was born in Ohio in 1834, but moved to Missouri in the early 1850s. A lawyer in St. Louis, MacDonald participated in a pro-secession militia gathering that ended in the Camp Jackson affair in May 1861; MacDonald was imprisoned for a time after he refused to take parole. After his release, McDonald joined a new pro-secession and pro-Confederate militia unit known as the Missouri State Guard. While with the Missouri State Guard, MacDonald served as a captain of artillery and was a staff officer to Sterling Price. In October, he joined what became the 3rd Missouri Light Battery and was its first commander, fighting at the Battle of Pea Ridge and the Siege of Corinth.

References

  1. 1 2 Congressional Series of United States Public Documents. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1889-01-01. p. 188.
  2. Congressional Series of United States Public Documents. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1889-01-01. p. 207.
  3. Congressional Series of United States Public Documents. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1889-01-01. p. 190.
  4. McGhee, James E., Guide to Missouri Confederate Units, 1861-1865, University of Arkansas, 2010, p. 69
  5. McGhee, James E., Guide to Missouri Confederate Units, 1861-1865, University of Arkansas, 2010, pp. 7-8
  6. Goman, Frederick W., Up From Arkansas: Marmaduke's First Missouri Raid Including the Battles of Springfield and Hartville, 1999, pp. 93-94
  7. ""we gave them thunder": marmaduke's raid and the civil war in missouri and arkansas 9781732122239 - Google Search. p.238". www.google.com. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  8. ""we gave them thunder": marmaduke's raid and the civil war in missouri and arkansas 9781732122239 - Google Search. pp.244 & 245". www.google.com. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  9. Congressional Serial Set. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1889.

Bibliography

37°15′04″N92°30′40″W / 37.2511°N 92.5111°W / 37.2511; -92.5111