Battle of Boonville Facts

June 17, 1861

Boonville Battle facts, including dates, location, casualties, leaders, who won, and more interesting facts you might not know.

General Nathaniel Lyon, USA, Civil War, NPS

Union Brigadier-General Lyon’s victory secured central Missouri for the Union and denied the Confederacy the use of the Missouri River during the Civil War. Image Source: National Park Service.

Date:

  • June 17, 1861

Location:

  • Near Boonville, Missouri

Campaign:

  • Operations to Control Missouri

Principal Union commander(s):

  • Brigadier General Nathaniel Banks

Principal Confederate commander(s):

  • Colonel John S. Marmaduke

Union forces engaged:

  • Combined force of Missouri troops and Regular U.S. Army

Confederate forces engaged:

  • Missouri State Guard

Number of Union soldiers engaged:

  • Roughly 1,700

Number of Confederate soldiers engaged:

  • Roughly 1,500

Estimated Union casualties:

  • 31 (including five killed)

Estimated Confederate casualties:

  • Between 8 to 60 (killed, wounded, and captured)

Result:

  • Union victory

Significance:

  • Secured central Missouri for the Union and deprived the Confederacy use of the Missouri River during the Civil War.
  • Sent the Missouri state government into exile, preventing Missouri Governor Jackson from exerting his influence to bring about Missouri’s secession from the Union.