Battle of St. Charles

Battle of St. Charles
Part of the American Civil War
The Battle at St. Charles, White River, Arkansas—Explosion of the "Mound City" by Alexander Simplot
Date June 17, 1862 Location St. Charles, Arkansas, U.S. 34°22′41″N 91°07′34″W / 34.37806°N 91.12611°W / 34.37806; -91.12611 Result Union victory
Belligerents
United States (Union)	Confederate States
Commanders and leaders
Graham Fitch Augustus Kilty (WIA)	Joseph Fry (POW)
Strength
Two ironclads Two timberclads 46th Indiana Infantry Regiment	Two batteries Elements of the 29th Arkansas Infantry Regiment
St. Charles class=notpageimage| Location within Arkansas

The Battle of St. Charles was fought on June 17, 1862, at St. Charles, Arkansas, during the American Civil War. Earlier in 1862, a Union Army force commanded by Major General Samuel R. Curtis moved against Little Rock, Arkansas, but became bogged down in the Batesville area due to lack of supplies. The Union leadership decided to send a naval force from Memphis, Tennessee, up the White River to resupply Curtis's men. Major General Thomas C. Hindman, the Confederate commander in Arkansas, had fortifications constructed near St. Charles to stop the Union movement. Two artillery positions were built, and three ships, including CSS Maurepas, were scuttled to obstruct the river.

The Union ships advanced against the Confederate positions on June 17. The 46th Indiana Infantry Regiment was sent ashore to attack the fortifications on land, while two ironclads and two timberclads attacked the fort from the river. During the fighting, a Confederate solid shot struck the ironclad USS Mound City, puncturing one of the ship's steam drums. In what has been referred to as the deadliest shot of the war, scalding steam filled the ship, killing or wounding all but about 25 of the roughly 175 men on the vessel. The 46th Indiana overran the Confederate defenses on land and the position was taken. The supply mission was unable to make it all the way to Curtis's position, and withdrew back down the river due to low water levels. Thereafter, Curtis's army cut loose from their supply line and marched to Helena, Arkansas. A portion of the battlefield is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the St. Charles Battle Site.