Cape Girardeau
Other Names: None
Location: Cape Girardeau City
Campaign: Marmaduke’s Second Expedition into Missouri (1863)
Date(s): April 26, 1863
Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. John McNeil [US]; Brig. Gen. John S.
Marmaduke [CS]
Forces Engaged: Garrison plus some reinforcements [US]; cavalry division
[CS]
Estimated Casualties: 337 total (US 12; CS 325)
Description: Brig. Gen. John S. Marmaduke sought to strike Brig. Gen.
John McNeil, with his combined force of about 2,000 men, at Bloomfield,
Missouri. McNeil retreated and Marmaduke followed. Marmaduke received notification,
on April 25, that McNeil was near Cape Girardeau. He sent troops to destroy
or capture McNeil’s force, but then he learned that the Federals had placed
themselves in the fortifications. Marmaduke ordered one of his brigades
to make a demonstration to ascertain the Federals’ strength. Col. John
S. Shelby’s brigade made the demonstration which escalated into an attack.
Those Union forces not already in fortifications retreated into them. Realizing
the Federals’ strength, Marmaduke withdrew his division to Jackson. After
finding the force he had been chasing, Marmaduke was repulsed. Meant to
relieve pressure on other Confederate troops and to disrupt Union operations,
Marmaduke’s expedition did little to fulfill either objective.
Result(s): Union victory
CWSAC Reference #: MO020
Preservation Priority: IV.2 (Class D)
