User:Hog Farm/St Charles Blurb

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 became bogged down in northern Arkansas. A Union relief force was sent up the White River to resupply Curtis's men. The Confederates had constructed fortifications constructed near St. Charles. An infantry unit was sent ashore to attack the fortifications on land, while Union ships attacked from the river. During the fighting, a Confederate 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 almost all of the men onboard. The infantrymen on land took the Confederate position. The supply mission was unable to make it all the way to Curtis, and withdrew back down the river. Curtis's army then cut loose from their supply line and marched to Helena, Arkansas.