Dry Wood Creek

BATTLE OF DRY WOOD CREEK – SEPTEMBER 2, 1861  (a.k.a. Battle of the Mules)
Forces Engaged: Union 600 vs. Gov. Jackson’s secessionist Missouri State Guard 786*

*Figure based on letter from Missouri State Guard Gen. Steen to Missouri State Guard Gen. Price.

VISITOR INFORMATION

Marker Location: 38°1’24.0996”N 94°34’33.8124”W,  Emery’s Truck Stop, 7490 E. 54 Hwy., Deerfield; and Lawrence Cemetery, 3½ miles north of Stotesbury, Mo.
Additional Marker Location: N 37° 50.415, W 094° 21.510, Battle of Drywood marker in Nevada, Corner of Main St. & W. Hunter, in front of the Bushwhacker Jail, 231 N. Main St., Nevada, Mo.
Stamp Location: Bushwhacker Museum
Website: bushwhacker.org
Address: 212 West Walnut, Nevada, Mo. 64772
Phone Number: 417-667-9602
Staff Available:  May 1-Oct 31, Wed-Fri: 10 am-4 pm and Sat: 10 am-1 pm; Nov 1-Apr 30, by appointment only, Mon-Fri: 8 am-5 pm
Visit Fee: Museum tour fee: $5/adults; $2/ages 12-17; $1/<12. Fee not required for stamp.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Here is a short video about the battle from Things You Should Know:

Col. J. H. Lane’s cavalry, comprising about 600 men, set out from Fort Scott to learn the whereabouts of a rumored Confederate force. They encountered a Confederate force, about 6,000-strong, near Big Dry Wood Creek. The Union cavalry surprised the Confederates, but their numerical superiority soon determined the encounter’s outcome. They forced the Union cavalry to retire and captured their mules, and the Confederates continued on towards Lexington. The Confederates were forcing the Federals to abandon southwestern Missouri and to concentrate on holding the Missouri Valley.

OFFICIAL AFTER ACTION REPORTS OF DRY WOOD CREEK

The War of the Rebellion: the Official Records, Series 1, Volume 3; pages 162-165. [Link to Page 162]  •Confederate Reports at Series 1, Volume 53; pages 435-436. •POW Reports at Series 2, Volume 1; page 134.

NEWSPAPER ARTICLES ON THE ACTION AT DRY WOOD CREEK

Sep 1, 1861 New York Tribune “Movements of the Rebels in Missouri–From St. Louis” [Summary: Skirmish in Vernon County, east of Ft. Scott between the troops under Col. Montgomery and Gen. Rains.]

Sep 15, 1861 New York Times “War in Missouri” [Summary: More details on the fight at Dry Wood Creek.]