Mine Creek Battlefield State Historic Site
Encyclopedia
The Mine Creek Battlefield State Historic Site, located 2.5 miles (4 km) southwest of Pleasanton
in eastern Kansas
, United States, commemorates the Battle of Mine Creek
in the American Civil War
. On October 25, 1864, approximately 2,800 Union troops attacked and defeated about 8,000 Confederates along the banks of Mine Creek. It was one of the largest cavalry battles in the Civil War, and the only major battle fought in Kansas. The Union brigades
were commanded by Colonels Frederick W. Benteen and John Finis Philips
. After this battle, Federal forces pursued and defeated additional Confederates in Missouri as they attempted to return to Arkansas, the Indian Territory (Oklahoma), and Texas.
In 1970, the Kansas legislature approved the acquisition of a 160 acres (64.7 ha) parcel of the battlefield area. The battlefield was listed in the National Register of Historic Places
in 1973, and an additional 120 acres (48.6 ha) were purchased in 1974. A visitor center opened on October 24, 1998, the 134th anniversary of the battle.
led a Confederate army
of about 12,000 men across the southern border of Missouri, which he hoped to capture 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; Price chose to turn west, making no attempt to capture the 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. The Confederates won several battles in the Kansas City area, including the Battle of the Big Blue on October 22 (a painting exists of Union troops taken prisoner after this battle). The invading force was repulsed at Westport
on October 23, however, and forced to retreat down the state line. The following day, Curtis released most of the Kansas militia and reformed his army. General James G. Blunt
commanded the First Division and General Alfred Pleasonton
the Second. The total strength of the pursuing Union army was about 10,000 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; however, the decisive engagement came late in the morning. General John S. 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 Fleming Fagan
's division, which had already crossed the creek. The two Confederate divisions contained about 7,000 men. Although the Union advance under Pleasonton numbered less than 2,500, 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 which 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.
Pleasanton, Kansas
Pleasanton is a city in Linn County, Kansas, United States. The population was 1,387 at the 2000 census. Named for General Alfred Pleasonton, the city was founded in 1869.-Geography:Pleasanton is located at ....
in eastern Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
, United States, commemorates the Battle of Mine Creek
Battle of Mine Creek
The Battle of Mine Creek, also known as the Battle of the Osage, was a battle that occurred on October 25, 1864 in Kansas as part of Price's Raid during the American Civil War...
in the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. On October 25, 1864, approximately 2,800 Union troops attacked and defeated about 8,000 Confederates along the banks of Mine Creek. It was one of the largest cavalry battles in the Civil War, and the only major battle fought in Kansas. The Union brigades
Mine Creek Union order of battle
The following Union Army units and commanders fought in the Battle of Mine Creek of the American Civil War. The Confederate order of battle is listed separately.-Command Disputes:...
were commanded by Colonels Frederick W. Benteen and John Finis Philips
John Finis Philips
John Finis Philips was a U.S. Representative from Missouri.Born in Thralls Prairie, Missouri, Philips attended the common schools, the University of Missouri, and was graduated from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, in 1855.He studied law.He was admitted to the bar in 1857 and commenced...
. After this battle, Federal forces pursued and defeated additional Confederates in Missouri as they attempted to return to Arkansas, the Indian Territory (Oklahoma), and Texas.
In 1970, the Kansas legislature approved the acquisition of a 160 acres (64.7 ha) parcel of the battlefield area. The battlefield was listed in the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1973, and an additional 120 acres (48.6 ha) were purchased in 1974. A visitor center opened on October 24, 1998, the 134th anniversary of the battle.
History
On September 19, 1864, General Sterling PriceSterling Price
Sterling Price was a lawyer, planter, and politician from the U.S. state of Missouri, who served as the 11th Governor of the state from 1853 to 1857. He also served as a United States Army brigadier general during the Mexican-American War, and a Confederate Army major general in the American Civil...
led a Confederate army
Mine Creek Confederate order of battle
The following Confederate Army units and commanders fought in the Battle of Mine Creek of the American Civil War. The Union order of battle is listed separately.-Military rank:* MG = Major General* BG = Brigadier General* Col = Colonel...
of about 12,000 men across the southern border of Missouri, which he hoped to capture 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
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
. On September 27, they defeated a much-smaller Federal force at Pilot Knob
Pilot Knob, Missouri
Pilot Knob is a city in Iron County, Missouri, United States. The population was 697 at the 2000 census. It lies eight miles south of Belgrade and thirteen miles east of Centerville.-History:...
. Confederate losses were heavy, however, and St. Louis had been reinforced; Price chose to turn west, making no attempt to capture the city. He proceeded along the southern bank of the Missouri River
Missouri River
The Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
, 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
Thomas Carney
Thomas Carney was the second Governor of Kansas.Carney was born in Delaware County, Ohio to James and Sarah Carney. James died in 1828, and Thomas remained at home farming with his mother until age 19...
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
Army of the Border
The Army of the Border was a Union army during the American Civil War. It was created from units in the Department of Kansas to oppose Sterling Price's Raid in 1864. Samuel R. Curtis was in command of the army throughout its duration.Major General James G...
. The fighting began for Kansas troops with a skirmish at Lexington, Missouri
Lexington, Missouri
Lexington is a city in Lafayette County, Missouri, United States. The population was 4,453 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Lafayette County. Located in western Missouri, Lexington lies about 40 miles east of Kansas City and is part of the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan Area...
on October 19. The Confederates won several battles in the Kansas City area, including the Battle of the Big Blue on October 22 (a painting exists of Union troops taken prisoner after this battle). The invading force was repulsed at Westport
Battle of Westport
The Battle of Westport, sometimes referred to as the "Gettysburg of the West," was fought on October 23, 1864, in modern Kansas City, Missouri, during the American Civil War. Union forces under Major General Samuel R. Curtis decisively defeated an outnumbered Confederate force under Major General...
on October 23, however, and forced to retreat down the state line. The following day, Curtis released most of the Kansas militia and reformed his army. General James G. Blunt
James G. Blunt
James Gillpatrick Blunt was a physician and abolitionist who rose to Union major general during the American Civil War.-Early life & career:...
commanded the First Division and General Alfred Pleasonton
Alfred Pleasonton
Alfred Pleasonton was a United States Army officer and General of Union cavalry during the American Civil War. He commanded the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac during the Gettysburg Campaign, including the largest predominantly cavalry battle of the war, Brandy Station...
the Second. The total strength of the pursuing Union army was about 10,000 men (all cavalry).
Crossing into Kansas in Linn County
Linn County, Kansas
Linn County is a county located in East Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 9,656. Its county seat is Mound City, and its most populous city is Pleasanton...
on October 24, Price's army camped near Trading Post
Trading Post, Kansas
Trading Post is an unincorporated community in Linn County, Kansas, United States, which is said to be one of the oldest continuously occupied locations in the state. The Battle of Marais des Cygnes was fought here during the American Civil War...
. Before dawn on October 25, it was overtaken by the pursing Federal force. A running battle commenced, lasting the entire day; however, the decisive engagement came late in the morning. General John S. Marmaduke
John S. Marmaduke
John Sappington Marmaduke was a career military man and a West Point graduate. He is known for his service as a Confederate Major general during the American Civil War...
, 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 Fleming Fagan
James Fleming Fagan
James Fleming Fagan was a planter, public official, and a major general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.-Early life and career:...
's division, which had already crossed the creek. The two Confederate divisions contained about 7,000 men. Although the Union advance under Pleasonton numbered less than 2,500, the rebels were crushed by a furious cavalry charge.
Colonel Charles W. Blair
Charles W. Blair
Charles White Blair was a lawyer, and Union Army officer who served in three different regiments during the American Civil War. He fought primarily in the Trans-Mississippi Theater and was notable during Price's Missouri Raid.-Early career:...
, 14th Kansas Cavalry
14th Regiment Kansas Volunteer Cavalry
The 14th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry Regiment was a cavalry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:The 14th Kansas Cavalry was organized at Fort Scott and Leavenworth, Kansas in April 1863 as a battalion serving as escort for Major General James G. Blunt...
, 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 which 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
Fort Scott, Kansas
Fort Scott is a city in and the county seat of Bourbon County, Kansas, United States, south of Kansas City, on the Marmaton River. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 8,087. It is the home of the Fort Scott National Historic Site and the Fort Scott National...
. 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
Arkansas River
The Arkansas River is a major tributary of the Mississippi River. The Arkansas generally flows to the east and southeast as it traverses the U.S. states of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. The river's initial basin starts in the Western United States in Colorado, specifically the Arkansas...
on November 8. For all practical purposes, the Civil War in the West was over.