Sigel's Chestnut Road Defensive Line
Tour Stop
Directions: The Sigel's Chestnut Road Defensive Line tour stop [ Waypoint = N37 10.361 W94 18.346 ] is located at the intersection of Chestnut and Fulton Streets in Carthage, Missouri 64836.
- Get back in your car and travel east on Chestnut Street for four o five blocks until you get to Fulton Street.
- Turn right (south) on Fulton and drive about four blocks until you get to Chestnut Street.
- Find a place to park.
Description: This stop on the tour brings you to the location where Federal Colonel Franz Sigel established a defensive line to protect his retreat from Carthage. As the wagon train was leaving town, it was attacked by the Missouri State Guard Cavalry. The Federals quickly responded and drove off the attackers. As Sigel's forces left Carthage, they were being attacked from all directions by the Missouri State Guard. Now the Missouri State Guard was firmly in control of the town square. Sigel attempted to establish a defensive line to protect his retreat from Carthage to Sarcoxie. [64]
The following is taken from the official report of Brigadier-General William Y. Slack, Missouri State Guard: [65]
The enemy retired in great haste from his position in town, being hotly pursued by Colonel Hughes' command, a constant fire being kept up. The enemy again planted his batteries on the heights one mile east of town, and succeeded in a large degree in protecting the hasty retreat of his shattered and disorganized column.