Mine Creek Battlefield,Kansas

The largest cavalry battle west of the Mississippi. In it, 2,500 Union horsemen routed 6,500 Confederate soldiers, killing or capturing over a thousand of them. Mine Creek was the last important Civil War battle in the west, and the last important civil war battle fought in Kansas.

Other Names: Battle of the Osage
Location: Linn County
Campaign: Prices Missouri Expedition (1864)
Date(s): October 25, 1864
Principal Commanders: Gen. Alfred Pleasonton [US]; Brig. Gen. John S. Marmaduke and Maj. Gen. James F. Fagan [CS]
Forces Engaged: Provisional cavalry division [US]; cavalry division [CS]
Estimated Casualties: 1,300 total (US 100; CS 1,200)
Description: About six miles south of Trading Post, where the Marais de Cygnes engagement had occurred, the brigades of Col. Frederick W. Benteen and Col. John F. Phillips, of Maj. Gen. Alfred Pleasontons Provisional Cavalry Division, overtook the Confederates as they were crossing Mine Creek. These Rebels, stalled by their wagons crossing the ford, had formed a line on the north side of Mine Creek. The Federals, although outnumbered, commenced the attack as additional troops from Pleasontons command arrived during the fight. They soon surrounded the Rebels, resulting in the capture of about 600 men and two generals, Brig. Gen. John S. Marmaduke and Brig. Gen. William L. Cabell. Having lost this many men, Prices army was doomed. Retreat to friendly territory was the only recourse.
Result(s): Union victory
CWSAC Reference #: KS003
Preservation Priority: III.3 (Class C)