History

On September 19, 1864, General Sterling Price led a Confederate army of about twelve thousand men across the southern border of Missouri. He hoped to capture that state for the South. His orders were to "Rally the loyal men of Missouri" and fill his ranks with fresh recruits. If "compelled to withdraw from the State," Price was to make his "retreat through Kansas . . . sweeping that country of its mules, horses, cattle, and military supplies of all kinds."

Price's three divisions moved toward St.Louis. On September 27 they defeated a much smaller federal force at Pilot Knob. Confederate losses were heavy, however, and St. Louis had been reinforced. Thus, Price chose to turn west, making no attempt to capture that city. He proceeded along the southern bank of the Missouri River, destroying sections of the railroad, and capturing several small towns as he moved toward the Kansas border.

As word of Price's movements spread, Kansans prepared for an invasion. Governor Thomas Carney called out the state militia on October 8. General Samuel R. Curtis combined the forces at his disposal to form the Army of the Border. The fighting began for Kansas troops with a skirmish at Lexington, Missouri, on October 19. Confederates won several victories in the Kansas City area, including the Battle of the Big Blue on October 22. (View a painting of Union troops taken prisoner following this battle). But the invading force was repulsed at Westport on October 23 and forced to retreat down the state line. The following day General Curtis released most of the Kansas militia and reformed his army. General James G. Blunt commanded the First Division, and General Alfred Pleasonton commanded the Second Division. The total strength of this pursuing Union army was about ten thousand men--all cavalry.

Crossing into Kansas in Linn County on October 24, Price's army camped near Trading Post. Before dawn on October 25, it was overtaken by the pursing federal force. A running battle commenced, lasting the entire day. The decisive engagement came late in the morning. General John Marmaduke, one of the Confederate division commanders, was forced to fight a rear guard action on the north bank of Mine Creek to protect Price's fleeing wagon train. He was supported by General James Fagan's division, which had already crossed the creek. The two Confederate divisions contained about seven thousand men. Although the Union advance under Pleasonton numbered less than twenty-five hundred, the rebels were crushed by a furious cavalry charge.

Colonel Charles W. Blair, 14th Kansas Cavalry, explained: "For a time [during the initial clash] the fire was incessant and terrific. Both lines seemed like walls of adamant--one could not advance; the other would not recede." Colonel F. W. Benteen was commander of the brigade that first made contact with the enemy. He described a "fierce hand-to-hand fight, one that surpassed anything for the time it lasted [that] I have ever witnessed." In less than an hour, the battle was over. Confederate soldiers were bolting to the rear, "in utter and indescribable confusion," according to General Price. His army narrowly missed total destruction.

Continuing his retreat, Price was forced to abandon plans to attack Fort Scott. His troops purposely destroyed most of the wagon train carrying their supplies and booty. After a short rest, Generals Curtis and Blunt followed in pursuit. On October 28 they handed Price his final defeat at Newtonia, Missouri. The rebel army recrossed the Arkansas River on November 8. For all practical purposes, the Civil War in the West was over.