The Genesis of Price’s Missouri Expedition
The autumn of 1864 bore witness to one of the most ambitious Confederate campaigns in the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War: Price’s Missouri Expedition. This desperate and sprawling offensive, often referred to as Price’s Raid, saw Major General Sterling Price lead his Confederate forces from Arkansas into Missouri with the audacious goal of recapturing St. Louis and reclaiming the state for the Confederacy. The series of engagements that defined Price’s Missouri Expedition would ultimately prove to be a pivotal moment in the Western theater, testing the resolve of both Union and Confederate armies across Missouri and into Kansas.
By late 1864, the Confederacy was facing increasing pressure across all fronts. In an attempt to divert Union resources and rejuvenate Confederate morale in the west, Major General Sterling Price launched his grand expedition from Camden, Arkansas, on August 28, 1864. His primary objectives included seizing St. Louis, Missouri’s largest city and a crucial Union stronghold, and potentially capturing the state capital, Jefferson City. Beyond these strategic goals, Price hoped to gather recruits and supplies, thereby bolstering the flagging Confederate war effort in the Trans-Mississippi. This audacious campaign, however, would pit his weary forces against increasingly concentrated Union defenses.
Early Engagements and Confederate Gains
Fort Davidson (Battle of Pilot Knob) – September 27, 1864
The first major engagement of Price’s Raid occurred in Iron County, Missouri, near Fort Davidson. As Price advanced with his substantial army, Union Brigadier General Thomas Ewing moved to reinforce Ironton, aiming to impede the Confederate surge. On September 27, Price’s forces launched a series of determined but ultimately unsuccessful assaults on Fort Davidson, a formidable Union earthwork. Despite suffering heavy casualties, the Confederates could not breach the fort’s defenses. During the night, the Federals skillfully evacuated, having achieved their objective: significantly delaying Price’s advance. This Union victory, albeit costly in Confederate lives (1,500 casualties for Price versus 184 for the Union), bought invaluable time for Union forces to organize a more robust defense against the looming threat.
Fourth Battle of Boonville – October 11, 1864
After Fort Davidson, Price continued his march, reaching Boonville, Missouri, on October 10. The town, known for its Confederate sympathies, regrettably became the scene of a two-day looting spree by Price’s undisciplined troops, causing a critical delay in his campaign. Union Brigadier General John B. Sanborn, tracking Price’s movements, engaged the Confederate rearguard outside Boonville on October 11. Although Sanborn’s forces were repulsed by Confederate Major Generals John S. Marmaduke and James F. Fagan, the skirmish highlighted the Union’s persistent pursuit. Notably, this period also saw the arrival of the infamous “Bloody Bill” Anderson and his bushwhackers, whose brutal display of Union scalps appalled Price, who ordered their immediate removal and dispatched Anderson northward to disrupt railroad lines, a task already largely completed.
Battle of Glasgow – October 15, 1864
While Price’s main column continued its westward journey, a detachment was sent to Glasgow in Howard County to capture a valuable arms storehouse. On October 15, Confederate mounted infantry, cavalry, and artillery besieged the town and its fortifications on Hereford Hill. A dawn artillery barrage followed by Rebel advances forced the Yankees to retreat to the elevated fortifications. Despite a valiant defense, Union Colonel Chester Harding, convinced of the futility of further resistance, surrendered around 1:30 PM. The Confederates secured much-needed rifle muskets, overcoats, and horses, significantly boosting their morale. This tactical Confederate victory, costing them only 50 casualties compared to 400 Union, provided critical supplies and reinvigorated Price’s army for its march toward Kansas City.
Battle of Sedalia – October 15, 1864
Concurrently with the Glasgow engagement, Brigadier General M. Jeff Thompson, leading elements of Shelby’s Iron Brigade (approximately 1,500 men), launched an attack on Sedalia, Missouri. The Missouri Union militia stationed in two fortified redoubts were swiftly defeated and captured. However, the victory was marred by widespread looting by some Confederate troops. Thompson promptly intervened, ordering an end to the pillaging and allowing his men to retain only the legitimate spoils of war: weapons, equipment, and horses. After securing the necessary provisions, Thompson and his command rejoined Price’s main force.
The Slow Grind Towards Kansas City
Second Battle of Lexington – October 19, 1864
Price’s advance along the Missouri River proved to be agonizingly slow, granting Union forces crucial time to concentrate. Major General William S. Rosecrans, commanding the Department of the Missouri, envisioned a pincer movement to trap Price, but communication failures with Major General Samuel R. Curtis, commander of the Department of Kansas, hampered coordination. Curtis, facing difficulties with reluctant Kansas militia, dispatched Major General James G. Blunt’s 2,000-man force toward Lexington. On October 19, Price’s army encountered Union scouts and pickets, pushing them back into the main Union force. Though the Yankees initially resisted, Price’s numerically superior army eventually drove them through Lexington and pursued them along the Independence Road until nightfall. While a Confederate victory, this engagement further slowed Price and provided Blunt with vital intelligence regarding the size and disposition of the Confederate army.
Battle of Little Blue River – October 21, 1864
Often considered a precursor to Westport, this engagement occurred in Jackson County. As Price’s slow march continued, Blunt’s forces, having retreated from Lexington, established a strong defensive position on the west bank of the Little Blue River, eight miles east of Independence. However, Union commander Curtis ordered Blunt to move into Independence, leaving only a small contingent under Colonel Thomas Moonlight on the river. The following day, Curtis countermanded his order, sending Blunt back to the Little Blue. Upon his return, Blunt discovered Moonlight’s force had burned the bridge and retreated from their strong defensive lines. Blunt then engaged the Confederates, initially forcing them back, but the Confederates’ numerical advantage eventually prevailed in a five-hour battle. The Federals were compelled to retreat to Independence. This Confederate victory, again slowing Price, simultaneously allowed more Union reinforcements to arrive, setting the stage for the climactic battle ahead.
Second Battle of Independence – October 22, 1864
Price’s army continued its westward push toward Kansas City, camping at Independence on the night of October 21. The next morning, as Brigadier General Joe Shelby’s division led the advance, Major General Alfred Pleasonton’s Union force, having crossed the Little Blue, routed a Rebel brigade from Fagan’s command and occupied Independence. Marmaduke’s division then engaged Pleasonton west of Independence, launching a fierce counterattack that pushed the Federals back and held them at bay until the next morning. Pleasonton’s aggressive actions had a significant impact on Price, prompting him to divert his vulnerable wagon trains southward to New Santa Fe, via the Fort Scott Road, after they crossed the Big Blue River. This Confederate delaying victory highlighted the growing pressure on Price’s rear.
Battle of Byram’s Ford – October 22-23, 1864
Also known as the Battle of Big Blue River, this critical engagement unfolded in Jackson County. Price, burdened by nearly 500 wagons and 5,000 head of cattle, desperately needed a suitable ford across the Big Blue River. Byram’s Ford was the optimal crossing point and thus became a focal point of the fighting surrounding Westport. On October 22, Major General James G. Blunt’s Union division initially held the west bank of the Big Blue. Brigadier General Joseph O. Shelby’s Confederate division launched a deceptive frontal attack, while the remainder of his forces executed a flanking maneuver, compelling the Federals to fall back toward Westport. This allowed Price’s crucial wagon train to successfully cross the river and head south. However, as Major General Alfred Pleasonton’s cavalry pressed relentlessly on Price’s rear, Brigadier General John S. Marmaduke’s Rebel division was tasked with holding the west bank of Byram’s Ford. On October 23, Pleasonton’s forces assaulted Marmaduke, eventually breaking his lines after three hours of intense fighting. Marmaduke’s retreat exposed Price’s flank and rear, forcing the Confederate commander to consider a full retreat southward. This Union victory at Byram’s Ford positioned Pleasonton as a formidable additional threat to Price, who was simultaneously battling Curtis’s Army of the Border at Westport.
The Decisive Battle: Westport
Battle of Westport – October 23, 1864
The strategic objectives of Price’s Missouri Expedition had shifted from St. Louis and Jefferson City to Kansas City and Fort Leavenworth. As Price’s army approached Kansas City, it found its path blocked by Major General Samuel R. Curtis’s Army of the Border. Simultaneously, Major General Alfred Pleasonton’s provisional cavalry division was closing in on the Confederate rear. Recognizing the perilous situation, Price decided to confront these two Union forces sequentially. He chose to strike Curtis at Westport first. Curtis had established robust defensive lines, and in a brutal four-hour engagement, the Confederates repeatedly launched desperate assaults against the Union positions. Despite their determination, the Rebels could not break Curtis’s lines and were ultimately forced to retreat south. The Battle of Westport proved to be the decisive turning point of Price’s Missouri Expedition. From this point forward, Price’s army was in an undeniable state of retreat, its grand strategic objectives shattered. Casualties for both sides were estimated at 1,500 each, underscoring the ferocity of the fighting.
The Retreat and Final Engagements
Battle of Marais des Cygnes – October 25, 1864
Following the crushing defeat at Westport, Price’s battered army retreated southward through eastern Kansas. On October 25, at the Battle of Marais des Cygnes (also known as Trading Post), Union cavalry forces under Major General Alfred Pleasonton caught up with Price’s column. The engagement, characterized by a series of sharp skirmishes, saw the Confederates attempting to cross the Marais des Cygnes River. Price’s rearguard, primarily Marmaduke’s division, fought desperately to hold off the pursuing Federals while the main column continued its retreat. Despite initial success in delaying the Union forces, the Confederates eventually yielded, suffering further losses and emphasizing the relentless pursuit by the Union cavalry. This engagement further eroded Confederate morale and matériel.
Battle of Mine Creek – October 25, 1864
Later on the same day, a critical cavalry engagement unfolded at Mine Creek, near Pleasanton, Kansas. This battle is notable as one of the largest cavalry engagements of the Civil War. As Price’s army was crossing Mine Creek, it was again overtaken by Pleasonton’s relentless cavalry. The Union forces launched a swift attack on the disorganized Confederates, many of whom were entangled in the creekbed. The ensuing battle was a rout for the Confederates, who were overwhelmed and suffered heavy casualties, including the capture of two of Price’s brigadier generals, John S. Marmaduke and William L. Cabell. The loss of these key commanders and a significant portion of their cavalry further crippled Price’s ability to conduct an organized retreat and marked a severe blow to his already demoralized forces.
Battle of Marmiton River (Shiloh Creek) – October 25, 1864
Still on October 25, elements of Price’s retreating column, primarily those with the wagon train, engaged Union forces at the Marmiton River in Missouri, near Fort Scott, Kansas. The Confederates under Brigadier General Joseph O. Shelby managed to establish a defensive line and temporarily halt the Union pursuit led by Brigadier General John Sanborn. This rearguard action was crucial for allowing Price’s cumbersome wagon train to continue its southward escape. While a tactical success in slowing the Union, it was another costly engagement for the Confederates, further depleting their strength and resources during the arduous retreat.
Second Battle of Newtonia – October 28, 1864
The final significant engagement of Price’s Raid took place at Newtonia, Missouri. As Price’s exhausted army neared the Arkansas border, they were once again confronted by Union forces under Brigadier General John Sanborn and Brigadier General James G. Blunt. Price’s forces, though severely weakened, put up a final desperate fight. Initially, the Confederates achieved some success, pushing back elements of the Union line. However, the Federal forces eventually gained the upper hand, and Price’s men were forced to disengage and continue their retreat into Arkansas, effectively ending the expedition. This battle marked the conclusive failure of Price’s ambitious campaign.
Conclusion and Legacy
Price’s Missouri Expedition, though initially promising for the Confederacy with several early victories and the capture of valuable supplies, ultimately ended in a disastrous retreat. Major General Sterling Price’s grand objectives of capturing St. Louis and reclaiming Missouri were never realized. The strategic delays inflicted by Union forces, particularly at Fort Davidson, and the decisive defeat at Westport, combined with the relentless pursuit across Kansas, effectively shattered his army. The expedition failed to significantly alter the course of the Civil War, but it remains a compelling chapter in the Trans-Mississippi Theater. It showcased the tenacity of both Union defenders and Confederate attackers, the challenges of logistics in prolonged campaigns, and ultimately, the increasing difficulty for the Confederacy to mount successful offensive operations in the latter stages of the war. The battles of Price’s Missouri Expedition stand as a testament to the brutal and often overlooked fighting that occurred west of the Mississippi.
