Battle of Springfield

Union Fort No. 4 stood just across South Avenue as a 160-foot earthen redoubt surrounded by a deep trench. During the night of Jan. 7-8, 1863, two 12-pound howitzers were placed in the fort after their barrels were found on the grounds of the Presbyterian church and mounted on fabricated carriage wheels. Lt. Joseph Hoffman, a convalescing officer, was given command of the guns. During the afternoon and early evening of Jan. 8, 1863, the fort saw some of the heaviest fighting of the Battle of Springfield as Brig. Gen. John S. Marmaduke's dismounted Confederate cavalry repeatedly attacked it. Union troops, militia, and the Quinine Brigade defended the fort, and the poorly coordinated Confederate attack failed to capture it.

Springfield, Missouri · United States