Elected as governor of Missouri by the proslavery faction in 1860, Jackson mobilized the Missouri State Guard to prepare the state for war. In June 1861 an advance under Union Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Lyon set out to put down Jackson'³ Missouri State Guard. Lyon pursued Jackson and his troops toward Boonville and further toward Carthage. Upon learning that Sigel had encamped at Carthage, on the night of July 4, Jackson took command of the troops with him and formulated a plan to attack the much smaller Union force. The next morning, Jackson closed up to Sigel, established a battle line on a ridge ten miles north of Carthage, and induced Sigel to attack him. The battle had little meaning, but the pro-Southern elements in Missouri, anxious for any good news, championed their first victory.
