On the morning of June 17, USS Mound City, St. Louis, Lexington, Conestoga, and transports proceeded up White River towards Saint Charles attempting to resupply Major General Samuel R. Curtis's army near Jacksonport.
A few miles below Saint Charles, the 46th Indiana Infantry under the command of Colonel Graham N. Fitch disembarked, formed a skirmish line, and proceeded upriver towards the Rebel batteries on Saint Charles bluffs, under the command of Capt. Joseph Fry, C.S.N.
At the same time, the Union gunboats went upriver to engage the Rebel batteries; Mound City was hit and her steam drum exploded scalding most of the crew to death.
More than 125 sailors from the Mound City were killed, but the other ship was towed to safety.
Colonel Fitch halted the gunboat activities to prevent further loss and then undertook an attack on the Confederate batteries with his infantry.
He turned the Rebel flank which ended the firing from the batteries and left Saint Charles open to Federal occupation.
Result(s): Union victory
Location: Arkansas County
Campaign: Operations on White River (1862)
Date(s): June 17, 1862
Principal Commanders: Colonel Graham N. Fitch and Cdr. Augustus H. Kilty [US]; Capt. Joseph Fry, C.S.N. [CS]
Forces Engaged: 46th Indiana and Union Gunboat [US]; fifty men and C.S. boats [CS]
Estimated Casualties: 290 total (US 135; CS 155)