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. This fact sheet provides a quick overview of the battle and is for kids doing research and students preparing for the AP U.S. History (APUSH) exam.

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.