Battle of Mine Creek - Pleasanton, Kansas
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member iconions
N 38° 08.676 W 094° 43.402
15S E 348985 N 4223261
This was the only Civil War battle fought between regular units of Union and Confederate forces on Kansas soil.
Waymark Code: WM3A06
Location: Kansas, United States
Date Posted: 03/02/2008
Published By:Groundspeak Charter Member BruceS
Views: 86

From the Wikipedia website on the Battle:
(visit link)

The Battle of Mine Creek, also known as the Battle of the Osage, was a cavalry battle that occurred in Kansas as part of Price's Raid during the American Civil War.

About six miles south of Trading Post, site of the Battle of Marais des Cygnes, the brigades of Col. Frederick W. Benteen and Col. John F. Phillips, of Union Maj. Gen. Alfred Pleasonton's Provisional Cavalry Division, overtook the Confederates as they were crossing Mine Creek. The Confederates, stalled by their wagons crossing the ford, had formed a line on the north side of Mine Creek, with Brig. Gen. James F. Fagan's division on the left, John S. Marmaduke's on the right, and eight cannons on the prairie.

The Federals, although outnumbered, commenced the attack as additional troops from Pleasonton's command arrived during the fight. Benteen attacked Marmaduke's center in a column of regiment's, mounted. Supported later by Philips who hit Fagan's left. The speed of the attack did not allow time for the cavalrymen to dismount, making this one of the largest mounted cavalry fights of the war. Although the Confederates had numerical superiority, they were overwhelmed by the rapid attack and greater Federal firepower, which included revolvers and breechloading carbines. The battle lasted only 30 minutes, resulting in the capture of about 600 men and two generals, Marmaduke and Brig. Gen. William L. Cabell. The Confederate casualty figure of 1,200 includes those captured as well as soldiers injured during the retreat. Having lost this many men, Price's army was doomed. Retreat to friendly territory was the only recourse.

More information outside the Wikipedia entry:

The Union forces lost approximately 120 casualties - only 1 officer was killed - Lt H. W. Curtis of the 4th Iowa. he is buried in the Soldier's Lot in Mound City, Kansas five miles west of here.

The two army commanders - Sterling Price and Alfred Pleasanton were not on the field. Price was at the head of the wagon train that had already crossed the creek and was unaware of the danger at the rear of his army. Phillips and Benteen had ridden well ahead of the rest of the Cavalry Division.

Two Medal of Honors were awarded at Mine Creek - Private James Dunlavy of Company D of the 3rd Iowa, who captured General Marmaduke and Sergeant Calvary Young of Company L of the 3rd Iowa for the Capture of General Cabell.

Colonel Frederick Benteen, commander of one of the brigades in this battle, would also fight another famous battle on June 25, 1876, on the hills in Montana called the Little Big Horn. He would fight with Major Marcus Reno and survive this battle.

Type of site: Battlefield

Address:
20485 Kansas Highway 52
Pleasanton, Ks US
66075-9549


Phone Number: 913-352-8890

Admission Charged: $5 or less

Website: [Web Link]

Driving Directions:
Two miles south on U.S. 69, one-half mile west on K-52 in Pleasanton, Kansas


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