Table of Data Points

Although Confederate defenders fought behind breastworks that had been set up long before the time of the battle, their line had a weak spot in its center that was exploited by the attacking Federal soldiers.

Union forces defeated Confederate troops under Gen Earl Van Dorn. The outcome of the battle essentially cemented Union control of Missouri. One notable fact of this battle is that it was one of the few in which a Confederate army outnumbered a Union army.

Confederates hoped to capture Fort Craig both to eliminate the threat to their rear and to capture supplies in the fort. Although they were able to drive the Federals from the battleflied, the Union commander refused to surrender the fort.

Successful Union amphibious operation to capture Roanoke Island. Burnside used the island as staging ground for later assaults on New Bern and Fort Macon

Concluded an early Confederate offensive campaign in eastern Kentucky. The first significant Union victory, much celebrated in the popular press, but was soon eclipsed by Ulysses S. Grant's victories at Forts Henry and Donelson.