Friday, July 5, 1861
Missouri secessionists achieve their first reversal of fortunes in the small Battle of Carthage on July 5. The Missouri State Guard under command of deposed Governor Claiborne Fox Jackson and former Governor Sterling Price holds its ground outside of Carthage, Missouri, against an attack by Union Colonel Franz Sigel. Despite the loss, Sigel is promoted to brigadier general a month later, and the Confederates' position in Missouri remains precarious.