Battle of Springfield

In 1863, this area was a Dutchtown neighborhood of one-story homes. On this spot stood a brick college building that had been converted into a military prison by the addition of a wooden stockade. Union forces failed to garrison it, allowing men of Shelby's Brigade to capture it. Confederates then fired from this strong point into Union positions until after dark, when they withdrew to consolidate their lines. Just across Campbell Street to the east, in the city cemetery, Federals crouched behind tombstones and fired on the advancing Confederates until they were forced out. Armed only with pistols, shotguns, and other short-range weapons, the Confederates had to fight at very close range. Heavy firing continued in this area until about 3 p.m., when the Federal line began to collapse and withdraw toward the center of Springfield.

Springfield, Missouri · United States