Battle of Kirksville

Other Names: None

Location: Adair County, Missouri

Campaign: Operations North of Boston Mountains (1862)

Date: August 6-9, 1862

Principal Commanders: Col. John McNeil [US]; Col. Joseph C. Porter [CS]

Forces Engaged: Combined force (cavalry and artillery, 1,000) [US]; Missouri Brigade (2,500) [CS]

Casualties and losses: 456 total (US 88; CS 368)

Result(s): Union victory

Brief Description:

Col. John McNeil and his troops, numbering about 1,000, had been pursuing Col. Joseph C. Porter and his Confederate Missouri Brigade of 2,500 men for more than a week. Before noon on August 6, McNeil attacked Porter in the town of Kirksville, where his men had hidden themselves in homes and stores and among the crops in the nearby fields. After almost three hours of fighting, the Yankees secured the town, captured numerous prisoners, and chased the others away. Three days later, another Union force met and finished the work begun at Kirksville, destroying Porter's command. Kirksville helped consolidate Union dominance in northeastern Missouri.