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{{Short description|1864 battle of the American Civil War}}
{{Distinguish|Battle of Mine Run}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox military conflict
{{Infobox military conflict
|conflict=Battle of Mine Creek
| conflict = Battle of Mine Creek
|partof=the [[American Civil War]]
| partof = the [[American Civil War]]
| image = Samuel J. Reader - It Went Against Us.jpg<!-- EDITORS NOTE: Please do not change image without prior consensus, see [[Talk:Battle of Mine Creek]]. Thank you. -->
|image=[[File:Battle of Mine Creek.gif|300px]]
| image_size = 300px
|caption=A view of the Battle of Mine Creek, Kansas by Samuel J. Reader dated February 13, 1865.
| caption = '' '''It Went Against Us''' '' by [[Samuel J. Reader]]<!-- EDITORS NOTE: Please do not change this caption as it currently conforms to TemplateData for Infobox military conflict. Thank you. -->
|date= {{Start date|1864|10|25}}
| date = {{Start date|1864|10|25}}
|place=[[Linn County, Kansas]]
| place = [[Linn County, Kansas]]<!-- <ref name="nhrp inventory" /> -->
|casus=
| coordinates = {{coord|38|08|42|N|94|43|24|W|region:US-KS_type:event|display=inline,title}}
|territory=
|result=[[Union (American Civil War)|Union]] victory
| result = [[Union (American Civil War)|Union]] victory
|combatant1= {{flagicon|USA|1863}} [[United States]]
| combatant1 = {{flag|United States|1863}} ([[Union (American Civil War)|Union]])
|combatant2= {{flagicon|CSA|1863}} [[Confederate States]]
| combatant2 = {{flag|Confederate States|1863}}
| commander1 = {{flagicon|United States|1863}} [[Frederick W. Benteen]]<br />{{flagicon|United States|1863}} [[John F. Philips]]
|commander1= [[Alfred Pleasonton]]
|commander2= [[John S. Marmaduke]]<br>[[James F. Fagan]]
| commander2 = {{flagicon|CSA|army}} [[John S. Marmaduke]]{{POW}}<br />{{flagicon|CSA|army}} [[James F. Fagan]]
|strength1=2,600<ref name=K384>Kennedy, p. 384.</ref>
| strength1 = 2,500{{endash}}2,600
|strength2=7,000<ref name=K384/>
| strength2 = 7,000
| units1 = {{flagicon|United States|1863}} [[Army of the Border]]
|casualties1=100
| units2 = {{flagicon|CSA|army}} [[Army of Missouri]]
|casualties2=1,200
| casualties1 = 100{{endash}}110
|}}
| casualties2 = 1,200
{{Campaignbox Price's Missouri Expedition}}
| map_type = Kansas
| map_size = 280
| map_label = Mine Creek
| map_relief = Yes
| map_caption = Location within Kansas
| campaignbox = {{Campaignbox Price's Missouri Expedition}}
}}
The '''Battle of Mine Creek''', also known as the '''Battle of Little Osage''', was fought on October 25, 1864, in [[Linn County, Kansas]], as part of [[Price's Missouri Expedition|Price's Missouri Campaign]] during the [[American Civil War]]. Major-General [[Sterling Price]] had begun an expedition in September 1864 to restore [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] control of [[Missouri]]. After being defeated at [[Battle of Westport|Westport]] near [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]] on October 23, Price's army began to retreat south through Kansas. Early on October 25, [[Army of Missouri|Price's army]] was defeated at the [[Battle of Marais des Cygnes|Marais des Cygnes]]. After Marais des Cygnes, the Confederates fell back, but were stalled at the crossing of Mine Creek while a wagon train attempted to cross.


[[Union (American Civil War)|Union]] [[Cavalry in the American Civil War|cavalry]] commanded by [[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]] [[John F. Philips]] and [[Lieutenant Colonel (United States)|Lieutenant Colonel]] [[Frederick W. Benteen]] caught up to Price's army while it was stalled at the creek crossing. Confederate cavalry commanded by Major General [[James F. Fagan]] and [[Brigadier General (United States)|Brigadier General]] [[John S. Marmaduke]] attempted to defend against the Union assault, but were soundly defeated. Many Confederate soldiers were captured, including Marmaduke. Later on the 25th, Price was again defeated at the [[Battle of Marmiton River]]. After Marmiton River, Price destroyed many of his wagons. On October 28, the Union defeated Price again at the [[Second Battle of Newtonia]], and the shattered Confederate army reached [[Texas]] in December. The site of the battle was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1973 as the [[Battle of Mine Creek Site]], and the [[Kansas Historical Society]] created the Mine Creek Battlefield State Historic Site in 1974. Mine Creek is considered to be one of the largest battles between mounted cavalry during the war.
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 one of the largest [[cavalry]] engagements of the war, two divisions of [[Major General (CSA)|Major General]] [[Sterling Price]]'s [[Army of Missouri]] were routed by two Federal brigades under the command of [[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]]s [[Frederick Benteen]] and [[John Finis Philips]]. This battle was the second of three fought between Price and the Federals on this day; the first had been earlier that morning at [[Battle of Marais des Cygnes|Marais des Cygnes]] a few miles away, while the third would be fought a few hours later at the nearby [[Battle of Marmiton River|Marmiton River]]. Although vastly outnumbered, [[Union Army|Union]] forces won all three engagements, forcing Price out of Kansas and sealing the fate of his disastrous Missouri campaign.


==Background==
==Background==
{{Main|Price's Missouri Expedition}}
{{Further2|[[Mine Creek Confederate order of battle|Confederate order of battle at Mine Creek]] and [[Mine Creek Union order of battle|Union order of battle at Mine Creek]]}}
[[File:Price's Raid.png|thumb|left|alt=Map of Price's Raid|Map of Price's Raid]]
In the fall of 1864, Sterling Price led an expedition into [[Missouri]] hoping to capture that state for the [[Confederate States of America|Confederacy]], or at least to negatively affect [[Abraham Lincoln|Abraham Lincoln's]] chances for reelection in November. After a series of several battles across that state, Union forces under Maj. Gens. [[Samuel R. Curtis]] and [[Alfred Pleasonton]] finally defeated Price decisively at the [[Battle of Westport]], in modern [[Kansas City, Missouri]]. Price withdrew south toward his base in [[Arkansas]] while Pleasonton, commanding a Union cavalry division, pursued him into [[Kansas]] hoping to capture or destroy his army before he could reach Confederate territory.
During the [[American Civil War]], in the fall of 1864, [[Major General (CSA)|Major General]] [[Sterling Price]] led an expedition into [[Missouri]] hoping to capture that state for the [[Confederate States of America|Confederacy]] and affect the [[1864 United States Presidential Election]]. Price formed an army consisting of three [[division (military)|divisions]] (commanded by Major General [[James F. Fagan]] and [[Brigadier General (CSA)|Brigadier Generals]] [[John S. Marmaduke]] and [[Joseph O. Shelby]]) and left [[Arkansas]] for Missouri in September. On September 26, Price's army found and assaulted a [[Union (American Civil War)|Union]] force near [[Pilot Knob, Missouri|Pilot Knob]]. Price's army was repulsed in the ensuing [[Battle of Fort Davidson]], although the Union garrison retreated after the battle. The Confederates then moved north towards the [[Missouri River]] and captured a small Union force at the [[Battle of Glasgow, Missouri|Battle of Glasgow]] on October 15 and began moving towards [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]].


Union columns commanded by Major Generals [[Samuel R. Curtis]] and [[Alfred Pleasonton]] began pursuing Price, who won another victory at the [[Second Battle of Lexington]] on October 19. A delaying action at the [[Battle of Little Blue River]] (October 21) allowed Union forces to catch up with Price. After smaller clashes at the battles of [[Second Battle of Independence|Second Independence]] (October 22) and [[Battle of the Big Blue River|the Big Blue River]] (October 22 and 23), Curtis and Pleasonton decisively defeated Price's army at the [[Battle of Westport]] on October 23.
Price's army was hampered by the presence of a rather large supply train, containing upwards of 500 wagons filled with badly needed war supplies for the South. As he camped along the [[Marais des Cygnes River]] near the town of Trading Post in [[Linn County, Kansas]], Price's force was attacked by two Union brigades from Pleasonton's Provisional Cavalry Division. Although unable to prevent the escape of most of the Southern force, Pleasonton's men were able to capture around 100 prisoners and two [[cannon]]s, forcing Price to continue his withdrawal. Quickly renewing their pursuit, the Federal cavalry effected their own crossing of the river, which was delayed somewhat due to heavy rain and the swollen condition of the river.

The Confederates began retreating through Kansas, and early on October 25, Price's army was defeated in [[Battle of Marais des Cygnes|a small action]] near the [[Marais des Cygnes River]]. Price's army was slowed during the retreat by a large supply train, which halted at the [[ford (crossing)|ford]] at Mine Creek. Union [[cavalry]] caught up to the stalled Confederates during the late morning on the 25th.{{sfn|Kennedy|1998|pp=380{{endash}}384}}

==Opposing forces==

===Union===
{{Further|Mine Creek Union order of battle|l=Union order of battle at Mine Creek}}
The Union forces pursuing Price's column were all organized into the [[Army of the Border]], commanded by Curtis. Curtis' army contained two [[division (military)|divisions]]. The first was commanded by Major General [[James G. Blunt]] and consisted of four [[brigades]], commanded by [[Colonel (United States)|Colonels]] [[Charles R. Jennison]], [[Thomas Moonlight]], [[Charles W. Blair]],{{efn|William Fishback, a militia officer, accompanied Blair's brigade in an unofficial role.{{sfn|Buresh|1977|p=47}}}} and [[James H. Ford]]. The division was almost entirely [[cavalry]], and contained [[militia (United States)|militia]] units, especially in Blair's brigade. Blunt's men were from Kansas, [[Wisconsin]], and the [[Colorado Territory]]. Curtis' second division was commanded by Pleasonton, and also contained four brigades. Pleasonton's brigades were commanded by Colonel [[John F. Philips]], Brigadier Generals [[John McNeil]] and [[John B. Sanborn]], and [[Lieutenant Colonel (United States)|Lieutenant Colonel]] [[Frederick W. Benteen]]. Like Blunt's division, Pleasonton's division was primarily cavalry and contained a substantial militia element. Pleasonton's units were from Missouri, Kansas, [[Illinois]], [[Iowa]], and [[Indiana]].{{sfn|Buresh|1977|pp=207{{endash}}206}}

===Confederate===
{{Further|Mine Creek Confederate order of battle|l=Confederate order of battle at Mine Creek}}
Price had divided his force into three divisions, commanded by Marmaduke, Shelby, and Fagan. Fagan's division contained four brigades, commanded by Brigadier General [[William L. Cabell]] and Colonels [[William F. Slemons]], [[Archibald S. Dobbins]], and [[Thomas H. McCray]]. Several miscellaneous units were assigned to Fagan's division, but not placed in any brigade. Fagan's units were from Arkansas and Missouri. Marmaduke's division consisted of two brigades, commanded by Brigadier General [[John Bullock Clark Jr.]] and Colonel Thomas R. Freeman. Marmaduke's men were from Missouri, Arkansas, and Texas. Shelby's division contained three brigades, commanded by militia officer [[M. Jeff Thompson]] and Colonels [[Sidney D. Jackman]] and Charles H. Tyler. The men of Shelby's division were from Arkansas and Missouri. Price's army consisted almost entirely of cavalry.{{sfn|Buresh|1977|pp=204{{endash}}207}}


==Battle==
==Battle==
Despite the skirmish near the Marais des Cygnes, Price did not believe his force was in substantial danger, and sent Shelby's division towards [[Fort Scott, Kansas|Fort Scott]] to make an attempting at capturing the post. Marmaduke and Fagan remained with some of the wagon train near the crossing of Mine Creek, north of the [[Little Osage River]]. The crossing of Mine Creek was not easily navigated, and a pileup soon formed. The Confederates decided to make a stand north of the creek in an attempt to protect the wagons. Fagan and Marmaduke formed an {{convert|800|yd|m}}-long line, with Fagan on the left and Marmaduke on the right. Four [[cannons]] were positioned in the center of the line, and two more were posted on each [[flank (military)|flank]].{{sfn|Castel|1993|pp=239{{endash}}240}} The Confederate line was defended by an estimated 7,000 men.{{sfn|Kennedy|1998|p=384}}<ref name="abt">{{cite web |title=Mine Creek (Battle of the Osage) |url=https://www.battlefields.org/learn/civil-war/battles/mine-creek |website=battlefields.org |publisher=American Battlefield Trust |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
Six miles south of Trading Post, the brigades of Colonels Benteen and Phillips overtook Price's army once more, this time as it was crossing Mine Creek. The heavily laden Confederate wagons were experiencing difficulty with the rain-swollen ford, and Price had accordingly anticipated making a stand at this location. He formed a line on the north side of the stream, with [[Brigadier General (CSA)|Brig. Gen.]] [[James F. Fagan]]'s division on the left, and [[John S. Marmaduke]]'s on the right. Eight cannon were deployed in support of this force. Brigadier General [[William Lewis Cabell|William L. Cabell]]'s brigade formed up on the south side of Mine Creek in reserve. General Price himself had gone on with the main wagon train toward [[Fort Scott, Kansas|Ft. Scott]], about twenty miles south, in the company of his third division, under Brig. Gen. [[Jo Shelby]]. Price was hoping to capture that post, which held valuable military stores.


Some of the leading Union troops caught up with the Confederate column. However, Blunt's division was lagging, and would not arrive in time for the battle.{{sfn|Monaghan|1984|p=338}} Philips' brigade reached the field first, and a long-range fight began. The Confederates used their artillery; Philips' force lacked artillery, and was forced to be contented with long-range fire from [[repeating rifles]]. Cabell entertained the thought of attacking Philips with his brigade of Confederates, but decided against a charge due to the disorganization of the Confederate line and the arrival of Benteen's Union brigade.{{sfn|Collins|2016|p=143}} Combined, Philips' and Benteen's brigades numbered about 2,500{{sfn|Castel|1993|p=240}} to 2,600 men.{{sfn|Kennedy|1998|p=384}} Despite being outnumbered, the Union commanders decided to attack the Confederate line. One of the driving factors behind the decision to attack was Benteen's belief that the Confederates had made an error in the emplacement of their artillery.{{sfn|Castel|1993|p=241}} The Confederate cannons were placed close to the front line, and would only have the chance to fire one or two rounds before a cavalry charge could reach them.{{sfn|Collins|2016|p=144}}
The Union troops consisted of Philips's brigade, containing three regiments of Missouri State Militia cavalry; and Benteen's brigade, which consisted of the 10th Missouri Cavalry, the [[4th Iowa Cavalry]] and the 3rd Iowa Cavalry, augmented by two companies of the 7th Indiana Cavalry combined with a detachment from the 4th Missouri Cavalry. In all, about 2,600 Federal troops would face around 7,000 Confederates.


The Union charge was made while the cavalrymen were still mounted;{{sfn|Collins|2016|p=144}} the Confederate forces were also on horseback.{{sfn|Castel|1993|p=240}} The Union attack faltered during the middle of the charge, when both the [[10th Missouri Volunteer Cavalry|10th Missouri Cavalry]] of Benteen's brigade and Philips' brigade stopped the attack before reaching the Confederate line. The 10th Missouri had met heavy [[small arms]] fire from the Confederate lines stopped under the fire, and Philips halted his brigade to keep in line with Benteen. This left the Union cavalrymen stationary and vulnerable to a potential Confederate [[counterattack]]. The Confederates were too disorganized to attempt a counterattack and the [[4th Iowa Cavalry]] of Benteen's brigade broke the impasse by renewing the attack. The [[3rd Iowa Volunteer Cavalry Regiment|3rd Iowa Cavalry]] followed the 4th Iowa, and eventually the whole of Benteen's brigade rejoined the charge.{{sfn|Collins|2016|p=147}} Benteen's force aimed for the center of Marmaduke's side of the Confederate line, and Philips' brigade headed towards Fagan's left flank once the unit resumed forward progress.{{sfn|Kennedy|1998|p=384}}
Although outnumbered by more than two-to-one, the Union cavalry immediately commenced an attack. Col. Philips initially hesitated in the face of the overwhelming Confederate superiority in numbers, but he was overruled by Benteen (who would later ride to fame at the [[Battle of the Little Bighorn]]), who charged full-tilt into the Confederate center while Philips hit Price's left flank. Faced with this sudden assault, Fagan and Marmaduke ordered their men to remain mounted (rather than dismount, which had been their usual practice), turning the ensuing combat into one of the largest mounted cavalry engagements of the Civil War.


Once Benteen and Philips reached the main Confederate line, the position did not hold long. The Union troopers' repeating rifles gave them a firepower advantage over the Confederates, who were mostly armed with single-shot weapons. Clark's Confederate brigade became engaged in a [[melee]], and quickly fell back. Marmaduke's other brigade, Freeman's, contained mainly newly recruited men and fell back before the Union charge completely reached their line. After Clark and Freeman fell back, the position of Cabell's Confederate brigade became exposed, and it too retreated. Soon, almost the entire Confederate line was in retreat towards the crossing of Mine Creek.{{sfn|Collins|2016|p=149}} Unable to cross the creek, many of the Confederates soldiers were captured.{{sfn|Castel|1993|p=241}} One of the prisoners was Marmaduke himself. The Confederate general was captured by [[Private (rank)|Private]] [[James Dunlavy]] of the 3rd Iowa. As a reward for capturing Marmaduke, Dunlavy was given [[military leave]] for the remainder of his time of service.{{sfn|Monaghan|1984|p=339}} Dunlavy later received the [[Medal of Honor]] for "[g]allantry in capturing Gen. Marmaduke".<ref>{{cite web |title=Dunlavy, James |url=https://mohmuseum.org/medal_of_honor/dunlavy-james/ |publisher=National Medal of Honor Museum |access-date=13 May 2020}}</ref> Cabell was also made a prisoner, and the Union troops captured either eight{{sfn|Castel|1993|p=241}} or ten cannons.{{sfn|Monaghan|1984|p=339}}
Disaster nearly overtook the Federals, as Benteen's 10th Missouri Regiment inexplicably stopped their charge about halfway between their original position and the Confederate lines, refusing to start again until Major Abial R. Pierce of the [[4th Iowa Cavalry]] galloped ahead of his regiment toward the Southern lines, followed in turn by his own regiment and then the rest of Benteen's brigade. Hitting the Confederates "like a thunderbolt", according to William Forse Scott's [http://books.google.com/books?id=vAUTAAAAYAAJ&printsec=titlepage#PPA335,M1 ''The Story of a Cavalry Regiment: the Career of the Fourth Iowa Veteran Volunteers''], the Union troopers forced the Confederate line to disintegrate "like a row of bricks". Mass confusion reigned on the battlefield, as many of Price's men had donned captured Union uniforms, making it harder to distinguish between them and real Union soldiers. General Marmaduke was captured by an Iowa trooper named James Dunlavy, as he went to rally what he thought was a group of his own men (but who turned out to belong to Benteen's command). General Cabell similarly became a prisoner, as would nearly 1,000 of Price's army by the time the battle had ended.


Philips' and Benteen's brigades crossed the ford and continuing pursuing the Confederates. Confusion began to overtake the field, partially because many of the Confederates were wearing captured Union uniforms. Fagan attempted to rally his forces into a line capable of halting the Union pursuit, but the attempt failed. Pleasonton and Curtis arrived on the field late in the fighting, and the battle ended when Pleasonton ordered Benteen and Philips to stop the pursuit.{{sfn|Collins|2016|p=153}}
Although the Confederates had numerical superiority, they were overwhelmed by the rapid attack and greater Union firepower, which included revolvers and breechloading carbines (the Confederates were mostly equipped with muzzle-loaders). The battle itself lasted barely 30 minutes; by the time General Price arrived on the scene, it was practically over. Although many Southerners fought tenaciously, especially Price's artillery, most chose to flee. General Fagan tried to reform these men south of the creek near the Jones house, but was not able to hold his troops there and retreated to a new position atop a treeless mound still further to the south. However, lacking artillery support (Price's artillery had been captured on the main battlefield) and having lost several of his immediate subordinates, Fagan could not hold this position either. Benteen's brigade began its charge up the hill, supported by Union artillery, and Fagan's command broke and ran for the nearby Ft. Scott road. Coming upon this scene, Price tried to rally his retreating men, to no avail.


==Aftermath==
==Aftermath==
Confederate casualties are estimated to have numbered around 1,200.{{sfn|Kennedy|1998|p=385}}<ref name="abt" /> Union losses were around 100<ref name="abt" /> to 110.{{sfn|Kennedy|1998|p=385}} Shelby's division returned in time to provide a [[rear guard]] for the defeated Confederates. Price's surviving wagons would again be delayed late on the 25th, this time at the crossing of the [[Marmaton River]]. After a short fight at the [[Battle of Marmiton River]], Price decided to destroy all of the wagons that did not contain essential military supplies. The retreating Confederates were again defeated at the [[Second Battle of Newtonia]] on October 28. After the defeat at Newtonia, Price's army began to fall to pieces, and was pursued by Curtis' army all the way to the Arkansas River. By December, the shattered remainder of Price's army reached Texas, with the campaign having ended in a decisive defeat. The defeat of Price's expedition marked the last major Confederate operation in the [[Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War|Trans-Mississippi Theater]]. Mine Creek gained the distinction of being one the largest battles between mounted cavalry in the war.{{sfn|Kennedy|1998|pp=384{{endash}}386}}
Confederate casualties were 1,200, including those wounded during the retreat. Union casualties were 100. Benteen and Philips continued their pursuit of Price's diminishing force, joining combat with it again at the [[Battle of Marmiton River]] later that same afternoon. The Army of Missouri would continue its withdrawal until reaching relative safety in Arkansas, though with only about one half of its original numbers. The great Missouri Raid had been a complete fiasco for Price, and the overall Union victory had precisely the opposite effect from what the Confederates had hoped, helping in Abraham Lincoln's successful campaign for reelection and contributing to the overall Union victory in the war.


==Legacy==
The battlefield has been preserved by the [[Kansas Historical Society]] as [[Mine Creek Battlefield State Historic Site]], which includes a museum with details of the battle.
The site of the battle was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1973 as the [[Battle of Mine Creek Site]]. At the time of the listing, the site was considered to be in "good" condition, although the prairie has been converted into cultivated agricultural land, a pond has been constructed, and the number of trees on the site has increased.<ref name="nhrp inventory">{{cite web |title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory {{endash}} Nomination Form |url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NRHP/73000762_text |publisher=United States Department of the Interior |access-date=13 May 2020}}</ref> The [[Kansas Historical Society]] has also preserved the site as Mine Creek Battlefield State Historic Site; the site was officially founded in 1974. Marked trails are present at the site, allowing visitors to view the significant features of the battlefield. A visitor's center has also been constructed.<ref name="kshs">{{cite web |title=Mine Creek Battlefield{{endash}}Plan Your Visit |url=https://www.kshs.org/p/mine-creek-battlefield-plan-your-visit/11877 |publisher=Kansas Historical Society |access-date=13 May 2020}}</ref>


As of 2019, the [[American Battlefield Trust]] and its partners have acquired and preserved {{cvt|326|acres}} of the battlefield.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.battlefields.org/visit/battlefields/mine-creek-battlefield|title=Mine Creek Battlefield|website=[[American Battlefield Trust]]|access-date=June 20, 2023}}</ref>
==Documentary==

The Battle of Mine Creek was the focus of the documentary "Lost Battle of the Civil War" by the History Channel, released on November 15, 2004.
On November 15, 2004, the [[History Channel]] released a documentary about the battle titled "Mine Creek: The Lost Battle of the Civil War".<ref name="nevada daily mail">{{cite web |last1=Wade |first1=Lynn A. |title=History Channel Movie About Local Event to Premier in Fort Scott |url=https://www.nevadadailymail.com/story/1080697.html |publisher=Nevada Daily Mail |access-date=12 May 2020 |date=November 11, 2004}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
* [[List of American Civil War battles]]
* [[List of battles fought in Kansas]]
* [[List of battles fought in Kansas]]
* [[Troop engagements of the American Civil War, 1864]]<!-- EDITORS NOTE: This section should primarily contain lists linked to the main article which are directly related to the battle. Thank you. -->


==Notes==
==Notes==
{{reflist}}
{{Notelist}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
* Buresh, Lumir F. ''October 25 and the Battle of Mine Creek'' (Kansas City, MO: The Lowell Press), 1977. ISBN 0-913504-40-8

* Kennedy, Frances H. (ed.). ''The Civil War Battlefield Guide'' (Boston: Houghton Mifflin), 1998. ISBN 0-395-74012-6
==Bibliography==
* [http://www.nps.gov/hps/abpp/battles/ks003.htm National Park Service battle description]
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
* Scott, William Forse. [http://books.google.com/books?id=vAUTAAAAYAAJ&printsec=titlepage ''The Story of a Cavalry Regiment: The Career of the Fourth Iowa Veteran Volunteers from Kansas to Georgia''] (New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons), 1893.
* {{cite book |last=Buresh |first=Lumir F. |title=October 25 and the Battle of Mine Creek |location=Kansas City, Missouri |publisher=The Lowell Press |date=1977 |isbn=0-913504-40-8 }}
* Smith, Ronald D., ''Thomas Ewing Jr., Frontier Lawyer and Civil War General''. Columbia:University of Missouri Press, 2008, ISBN 978-0-8262-1806-3.
* {{cite book |last=Castel |first=Albert |title=General Sterling Price and the Civil War in the West |location=Baton Rouge, Louisiana |publisher=Louisiana State University Press |date=1993 |edition=Louisiana Paperback |isbn=0-8071-1854-0 }}
* Castel, Albert, ''A Frontier State at War: Kansas, 1861-1865''. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1958.
* {{Cite Collins 2016}}
* {{Cite Kennedy 1998}}
* {{cite book |last=Monaghan |first=Jay |title=Civil War on the Western Border, 1854{{endash}}1865 |edition=First Bison |publisher=University of Nebraska Press |location=Lincoln, Nebraska |date=1984 |isbn=978-0-8032-8126-4 }}
{{Div col end}}

==Further reading==
* Castel, Albert, ''A Frontier State at War: Kansas, 1861–1865''. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1958.


==External links==
==External links==
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* {{Commons category-inline}}
* [https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=20261 Battle of Mine Creek] at [[Historical Marker Database]]
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{{Kansas in the Civil War|state=collapsed}}
{{Coord|38.141037|-94.72463|display=title|type:event_region:US-KS}}
{{Portal bar|American Civil War|Kansas}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Battle Of Mine Creek}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mine Creek, Battle Of}}
[[Category:Price's Raid|Mine Creek]]
[[Category:1864 in Kansas]]
[[Category:Union victories of the American Civil War|Mine Creek]]
[[Category:Battles of the American Civil War in Kansas]]
[[Category:Battles of the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War|Mine Creek]]
[[Category:Battles of the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War]]
[[Category:Kansas in the American Civil War]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 1864]]
[[Category:Linn County, Kansas]]
[[Category:Linn County, Kansas]]
[[Category:October 1864 events]]
[[Category:Price's Missouri Expedition]]
[[Category:Union victories of the American Civil War]]

Latest revision as of 16:43, 20 May 2024

Not to be confused with Battle of Mine Run.

Battle of Mine Creek
Part of the American Civil War

It Went Against Us by Samuel J. Reader
DateOctober 25, 1864 (1864-10-25)
Location
Linn County, Kansas
38°08′42″N 94°43′24″W / 38.14500°N 94.72333°W / 38.14500; -94.72333
Result Union victory
Belligerents
 United States (Union)  Confederate States
Commanders and leaders
United States Frederick W. Benteen
United States John F. Philips		 Confederate States of America John S. Marmaduke (POW)
Confederate States of America James F. Fagan
Units involved
United States Army of the Border Confederate States of America Army of Missouri
Strength
2,500–2,600 7,000
Casualties and losses
100–110 1,200
Mine Creek is located in Kansas
Mine Creek
Mine Creek
class=notpageimage|
Location within Kansas

The Battle of Mine Creek, also known as the Battle of Little Osage, was fought on October 25, 1864, in Linn County, Kansas, as part of Price's Missouri Campaign during the American Civil War. Major-General Sterling Price had begun an expedition in September 1864 to restore Confederate control of Missouri. After being defeated at Westport near Kansas City on October 23, Price's army began to retreat south through Kansas. Early on October 25, Price's army was defeated at the Marais des Cygnes. After Marais des Cygnes, the Confederates fell back, but were stalled at the crossing of Mine Creek while a wagon train attempted to cross.

Union cavalry commanded by Colonel John F. Philips and Lieutenant Colonel Frederick W. Benteen caught up to Price's army while it was stalled at the creek crossing. Confederate cavalry commanded by Major General James F. Fagan and Brigadier General John S. Marmaduke attempted to defend against the Union assault, but were soundly defeated. Many Confederate soldiers were captured, including Marmaduke. Later on the 25th, Price was again defeated at the Battle of Marmiton River. After Marmiton River, Price destroyed many of his wagons. On October 28, the Union defeated Price again at the Second Battle of Newtonia, and the shattered Confederate army reached Texas in December. The site of the battle was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 as the Battle of Mine Creek Site, and the Kansas Historical Society created the Mine Creek Battlefield State Historic Site in 1974. Mine Creek is considered to be one of the largest battles between mounted cavalry during the war.

Background

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Main article: Price's Missouri Expedition
Map of Price's Raid
Map of Price's Raid

During the American Civil War, in the fall of 1864, Major General Sterling Price led an expedition into Missouri hoping to capture that state for the Confederacy and affect the 1864 United States Presidential Election. Price formed an army consisting of three divisions (commanded by Major General James F. Fagan and Brigadier Generals John S. Marmaduke and Joseph O. Shelby) and left Arkansas for Missouri in September. On September 26, Price's army found and assaulted a Union force near Pilot Knob. Price's army was repulsed in the ensuing Battle of Fort Davidson, although the Union garrison retreated after the battle. The Confederates then moved north towards the Missouri River and captured a small Union force at the Battle of Glasgow on October 15 and began moving towards Kansas City.

Union columns commanded by Major Generals Samuel R. Curtis and Alfred Pleasonton began pursuing Price, who won another victory at the Second Battle of Lexington on October 19. A delaying action at the Battle of Little Blue River (October 21) allowed Union forces to catch up with Price. After smaller clashes at the battles of Second Independence (October 22) and the Big Blue River (October 22 and 23), Curtis and Pleasonton decisively defeated Price's army at the Battle of Westport on October 23.

The Confederates began retreating through Kansas, and early on October 25, Price's army was defeated in a small action near the Marais des Cygnes River. Price's army was slowed during the retreat by a large supply train, which halted at the ford at Mine Creek. Union cavalry caught up to the stalled Confederates during the late morning on the 25th.[1]

Opposing forces

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Union

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Further information: Mine Creek Union order of battle

The Union forces pursuing Price's column were all organized into the Army of the Border, commanded by Curtis. Curtis' army contained two divisions. The first was commanded by Major General James G. Blunt and consisted of four brigades, commanded by Colonels Charles R. Jennison, Thomas Moonlight, Charles W. Blair,[a] and James H. Ford. The division was almost entirely cavalry, and contained militia units, especially in Blair's brigade. Blunt's men were from Kansas, Wisconsin, and the Colorado Territory. Curtis' second division was commanded by Pleasonton, and also contained four brigades. Pleasonton's brigades were commanded by Colonel John F. Philips, Brigadier Generals John McNeil and John B. Sanborn, and Lieutenant Colonel Frederick W. Benteen. Like Blunt's division, Pleasonton's division was primarily cavalry and contained a substantial militia element. Pleasonton's units were from Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana.[3]

Confederate

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Further information: Mine Creek Confederate order of battle

Price had divided his force into three divisions, commanded by Marmaduke, Shelby, and Fagan. Fagan's division contained four brigades, commanded by Brigadier General William L. Cabell and Colonels William F. Slemons, Archibald S. Dobbins, and Thomas H. McCray. Several miscellaneous units were assigned to Fagan's division, but not placed in any brigade. Fagan's units were from Arkansas and Missouri. Marmaduke's division consisted of two brigades, commanded by Brigadier General John Bullock Clark Jr. and Colonel Thomas R. Freeman. Marmaduke's men were from Missouri, Arkansas, and Texas. Shelby's division contained three brigades, commanded by militia officer M. Jeff Thompson and Colonels Sidney D. Jackman and Charles H. Tyler. The men of Shelby's division were from Arkansas and Missouri. Price's army consisted almost entirely of cavalry.[4]

Battle

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Despite the skirmish near the Marais des Cygnes, Price did not believe his force was in substantial danger, and sent Shelby's division towards Fort Scott to make an attempting at capturing the post. Marmaduke and Fagan remained with some of the wagon train near the crossing of Mine Creek, north of the Little Osage River. The crossing of Mine Creek was not easily navigated, and a pileup soon formed. The Confederates decided to make a stand north of the creek in an attempt to protect the wagons. Fagan and Marmaduke formed an 800 yards (730 m)-long line, with Fagan on the left and Marmaduke on the right. Four cannons were positioned in the center of the line, and two more were posted on each flank.[5] The Confederate line was defended by an estimated 7,000 men.[6][7]

Some of the leading Union troops caught up with the Confederate column. However, Blunt's division was lagging, and would not arrive in time for the battle.[8] Philips' brigade reached the field first, and a long-range fight began. The Confederates used their artillery; Philips' force lacked artillery, and was forced to be contented with long-range fire from repeating rifles. Cabell entertained the thought of attacking Philips with his brigade of Confederates, but decided against a charge due to the disorganization of the Confederate line and the arrival of Benteen's Union brigade.[9] Combined, Philips' and Benteen's brigades numbered about 2,500[10] to 2,600 men.[6] Despite being outnumbered, the Union commanders decided to attack the Confederate line. One of the driving factors behind the decision to attack was Benteen's belief that the Confederates had made an error in the emplacement of their artillery.[11] The Confederate cannons were placed close to the front line, and would only have the chance to fire one or two rounds before a cavalry charge could reach them.[12]

The Union charge was made while the cavalrymen were still mounted;[12] the Confederate forces were also on horseback.[10] The Union attack faltered during the middle of the charge, when both the 10th Missouri Cavalry of Benteen's brigade and Philips' brigade stopped the attack before reaching the Confederate line. The 10th Missouri had met heavy small arms fire from the Confederate lines stopped under the fire, and Philips halted his brigade to keep in line with Benteen. This left the Union cavalrymen stationary and vulnerable to a potential Confederate counterattack. The Confederates were too disorganized to attempt a counterattack and the 4th Iowa Cavalry of Benteen's brigade broke the impasse by renewing the attack. The 3rd Iowa Cavalry followed the 4th Iowa, and eventually the whole of Benteen's brigade rejoined the charge.[13] Benteen's force aimed for the center of Marmaduke's side of the Confederate line, and Philips' brigade headed towards Fagan's left flank once the unit resumed forward progress.[6]

Once Benteen and Philips reached the main Confederate line, the position did not hold long. The Union troopers' repeating rifles gave them a firepower advantage over the Confederates, who were mostly armed with single-shot weapons. Clark's Confederate brigade became engaged in a melee, and quickly fell back. Marmaduke's other brigade, Freeman's, contained mainly newly recruited men and fell back before the Union charge completely reached their line. After Clark and Freeman fell back, the position of Cabell's Confederate brigade became exposed, and it too retreated. Soon, almost the entire Confederate line was in retreat towards the crossing of Mine Creek.[14] Unable to cross the creek, many of the Confederates soldiers were captured.[11] One of the prisoners was Marmaduke himself. The Confederate general was captured by Private James Dunlavy of the 3rd Iowa. As a reward for capturing Marmaduke, Dunlavy was given military leave for the remainder of his time of service.[15] Dunlavy later received the Medal of Honor for "[g]allantry in capturing Gen. Marmaduke".[16] Cabell was also made a prisoner, and the Union troops captured either eight[11] or ten cannons.[15]

Philips' and Benteen's brigades crossed the ford and continuing pursuing the Confederates. Confusion began to overtake the field, partially because many of the Confederates were wearing captured Union uniforms. Fagan attempted to rally his forces into a line capable of halting the Union pursuit, but the attempt failed. Pleasonton and Curtis arrived on the field late in the fighting, and the battle ended when Pleasonton ordered Benteen and Philips to stop the pursuit.[17]

Aftermath

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Confederate casualties are estimated to have numbered around 1,200.[18][7] Union losses were around 100[7] to 110.[18] Shelby's division returned in time to provide a rear guard for the defeated Confederates. Price's surviving wagons would again be delayed late on the 25th, this time at the crossing of the Marmaton River. After a short fight at the Battle of Marmiton River, Price decided to destroy all of the wagons that did not contain essential military supplies. The retreating Confederates were again defeated at the Second Battle of Newtonia on October 28. After the defeat at Newtonia, Price's army began to fall to pieces, and was pursued by Curtis' army all the way to the Arkansas River. By December, the shattered remainder of Price's army reached Texas, with the campaign having ended in a decisive defeat. The defeat of Price's expedition marked the last major Confederate operation in the Trans-Mississippi Theater. Mine Creek gained the distinction of being one the largest battles between mounted cavalry in the war.[19]

Legacy

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The site of the battle was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 as the Battle of Mine Creek Site. At the time of the listing, the site was considered to be in "good" condition, although the prairie has been converted into cultivated agricultural land, a pond has been constructed, and the number of trees on the site has increased.[20] The Kansas Historical Society has also preserved the site as Mine Creek Battlefield State Historic Site; the site was officially founded in 1974. Marked trails are present at the site, allowing visitors to view the significant features of the battlefield. A visitor's center has also been constructed.[21]

As of 2019, the American Battlefield Trust and its partners have acquired and preserved 326 acres (132 ha) of the battlefield.[22]

On November 15, 2004, the History Channel released a documentary about the battle titled "Mine Creek: The Lost Battle of the Civil War".[23]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ William Fishback, a militia officer, accompanied Blair's brigade in an unofficial role.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Kennedy 1998, pp. 380–384.
  2. ^ Buresh 1977, p. 47.
  3. ^ Buresh 1977, pp. 207–206.
  4. ^ Buresh 1977, pp. 204–207.
  5. ^ Castel 1993, pp. 239–240.
  6. ^ a b c Kennedy 1998, p. 384.
  7. ^ a b c "Mine Creek (Battle of the Osage)". battlefields.org. American Battlefield Trust. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  8. ^ Monaghan 1984, p. 338.
  9. ^ Collins 2016, p. 143.
  10. ^ a b Castel 1993, p. 240.
  11. ^ a b c Castel 1993, p. 241.
  12. ^ a b Collins 2016, p. 144.
  13. ^ Collins 2016, p. 147.
  14. ^ Collins 2016, p. 149.
  15. ^ a b Monaghan 1984, p. 339.
  16. ^ "Dunlavy, James". National Medal of Honor Museum. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  17. ^ Collins 2016, p. 153.
  18. ^ a b Kennedy 1998, p. 385.
  19. ^ Kennedy 1998, pp. 384–386.
  20. ^ "National Register of Historic Places Inventory – Nomination Form". United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  21. ^ "Mine Creek Battlefield–Plan Your Visit". Kansas Historical Society. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  22. ^ "Mine Creek Battlefield". American Battlefield Trust. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  23. ^ Wade, Lynn A. (November 11, 2004). "History Channel Movie About Local Event to Premier in Fort Scott". Nevada Daily Mail. Retrieved May 12, 2020.

Bibliography

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Further reading

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  • Castel, Albert, A Frontier State at War: Kansas, 1861–1865. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1958.
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