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The Battle of Fredericktown was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on October 21, 1861, in Madison County, Missouri. The battle cemented Union control of southeastern Missouri.
Two Union columns, one under Col. J.B. Plummer and another under Col. William P. Carlin, advanced on Fredericktown, Missouri to overtake Brig. Gen. M. Jeff Thompson and his men. On the morning of October 21, Thompson’s force left Fredericktown heading south. About twelve miles out, Thompson left his supply wagons in a secure position and returned toward Fredericktown. He then learned that Union forces had occupied Fredericktown, so Thompson spent the morning attempting to determine the enemy's numbers and disposition. Unable to do so, he attacked anyway, around noon. Plummer, with his force and a detachment of Col. William P. Carlin’s troops, met the Confederate forces outside town and a two-hour battle ensued. Superior Union numbers soon prevailed, and Thompson’s men retreated with Union cavalry in pursuit.
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