Image above: Drawing of Union Colonel Franz Sigel at Carthage, Unknown date, Fuchs, F. Courtesy Library of Congress.
Spotlight on Lesser Known History
Battle of Carthage, Missouri
America's Best History Spotlight
On this page we're going to Spotlight the lesser known historic sites and attractions that dot the history landscape across the USA and are worth a visit if you're in their area. And while they may be lesser known, some are very unique, and will be that rare find. You'll be, at times, on the ground floor, or maybe even know something others don't. It'll be fun. Visit them.
Battle of Carthage, Missouri
It was a battle for supremacy in the state of Missouri. The Union under Colonel Franz Sigel wished to push the Confederate militia, which was not yet Confederate, but the Missouri State Guard under the Governor Claiborne Jackson, out of Missouri. Jackson had chosen to abandon his role as a Federal governor to fight for the slavery south. Held on July 5, 1861, it would be a precurser to the larger battle at Wilson's Creek later in the year. There were one thousand Union soldiers and six thousand for the South. With those odds, it was no surprise that the Missouri State Guard won.
Image above: Sketch of the Battle of Carthage, 1861, Harpers Weekly. Courtesy Library of Congressy.
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Info, What's There Now, History Nearby
Battle of Carthage, Missouri
While there has been few acres saved of the original battlefield, i.e. seventeen acres at Carter's Spring where the final action of the battle occurred, you can get a great sense of the battle at the Carthage Civil War Museum in town. When you are there, look out to the town square that has a new, 1894, courthouse. It is now known as Courthouse Square. The original courthouse was fought around during the second phase of the battle, and survived 1861. However, it was burned down in September 1864 when Confederate guerrillas arrived to wreak havoc on a town in the Union controlled state by that part of the war.
Image above: Carter's Spring, 2026. Courtesy America's Best History. Below: Today's Carthage Courthouse, 2026. Courtesy America's Best History. Courtesy America's Best History.
Where Is It
Battle of Carthage Museum is located at 305 Grant Street, Carthage, Missouri, 64836. It is right on the town square across from the Courthouse. While there is no Visitor Center for the battle, this museum serves as the best place to go to get directions to the Carthage Missouri State Historic Site and to learn about the battle.
VIDEO SHORT - Battle of Carthage
Take in the scenes from the 1861 Battle of Carthage, Missouri in this short of battle land and the soldiers who fought there. An early Trans-Mississippi fight in the early stage of the Civil War with the Confederate side led by the actual governor of Missouri, Claiborne F. Jackson, fighting against his own Union.
What is There Now
Battle of Carthage, Missouri
The Civil War Museum in the center of town on the town square where some of the fighting took place, as well as the Battle of Carthage State Historic Site at Carter's Spring, where the final fighting was engaged. There is a three part wayside and trail.
When Open and How Much
The Civil War Museum in the center of town is open Tuesday to Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday's hours are 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Battle of Carthage State Historic Site at Carter's Spring is open dawn to dusk. Both sites are free to visit.
Fees and hours are subject to change.
Websites
Battle of Carthage State Histoic Site
Carthage Civil War Museum
Visit Missouri
History Nearby
The history nearby has ties to more than a few historic towns, battlefields, and homes, including the Civil War battlefields of Wilson's Creek, Pea Ridge, and Prairie Grove, the town of Springfield, home to the birthplace of Route 66, as well as George Washington Carver's NHS.
Photos, History, and More Spotlights
Precurser to the Battle
Photo above: Visitor Center at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home, 2026. Courtesy America's Best History.
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Battle of Carthage
Image above: Exterior of the Rock House, the second home on the farm of Laura Ingalls Wilder and where she wrote her first four books, 2026. Courtesy America's Best History. Below: Living room of the Rock House, 2026. Courtesy America's Best History.
Carthage Town Square
The two main attractions of the Carthage Town Square is the Civil War Museum and the post Civil War Courthouse. The museum, as we stated before is the best place to start your town of the Battle of Carthage. It has a spectacular mural by local artist Andy Thomas, as well as a diorama. The cost is FREE.
And remember that the Battle of Carthage's second stage was fought this very square before ending at Carter's Spring.
Images above: The Carthage Civil War Museum, 2026. Courtesy America's Best History.
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