Battle of Saint Charles

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Battle of Saint Charles
Began:

June 17, 1862

Ended:

Same day

Location:

Arkansas County, Arkansas

Theater:

Trans-Mississippi Theater

Campaign:

Operations on White River

Outcome:

Union victory

33 star flag.png
Combatants
Conf Navy Jack.png

46th Indiana
8 Union gunboats

Battery emplacement

Commanders

Graham N. Fitch
Colonel, USA
Augustus H. Kilty
Commander, USN

Joseph Fry
Captain, CSN

Strength
Casualties

135

155

  

On the morning of June 17, U.S. Navy gunboats Mound City, St. Louis, Lexington, Conestoga, and transports proceeded up White River towards Saint Charles attempting to resupply Maj. Gen. Samuel R. Curtis’s army near Jacksonport. A few miles below Saint Charles, the 46th Indiana Infantry under the command of Col. Graham N. Fitch disembarked, formed a skirmish line, and proceeded upriver towards the Rebel batteries on Saint Charles bluffs, under the command of Capt. Joseph Fry, C.S.N. At the same time, the Union gunboats went upriver to engage the Rebel batteries; Mound City was hit and her steam drum exploded scalding most of the crew to death. More than 125 sailors from Mound City were killed, but the other ship was towed to safety. Col. Fitch halted the gunboat activities to prevent further loss and then undertook an attack on the Confederate batteries with his infantry. He turned the Rebel flank which ended the firing from the batteries and left Saint Charles open to Federal occupation.[1]

References

  1. NPS.gov: NPS Battle Summaries