Independence II

BATTLE OF INDEPENDENCE II – OCTOBER 22, 1864

A major skirmish as CSA Gen. Price tried to escape being trapped between two large Union forces. Confederate forces suffered badly trying to delay a large Union cavalry force coming from the east. Over the next three days, Price’s Army would be soundly defeated in running battles at Byram’s Ford, Westport, Marais des Cygnes, Mine Creek, and Marmiton River.

Forces Engaged: Union 22,000 vs. CSA 8,500

VISITOR INFORMATION

Stamp Location: National Frontier Trails Museum
Website: www.ci.independence.mo.us & www.jchs.org
Address: 318 West Pacific, Independence MO.
Phone Number: 816-325-7575
Staff Available: Mon-Sat: 9 am-4:30 pm; Sun: 12-4:30 pm
Visit Fee: Museum tour fee: $6/adults; $5/Seniors 62+; $3/Youths 6-17; free/ages 5 and under. Fee not required for stamp.
For battle information, contact: The Civil War Round Table of Western Missouri, https://cwrtwm.org

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

INTERIOR DEPT. SUMMARY:  Maj. Gen. Sterling Price’s army rode west in the direction of Kansas City. On the night of the 21st, he camped at Independence and resumed his westward march the next morning with Brig. Gen. Joe Shelby’s division in the lead followed by Brig. Gen. John S. Marmaduke’s division, with Brig. Gen. James Fagan’s division bringing up the rear. While Shelby’s men met success at Byram’s Ford, the other two columns did not fare as well. Maj. Gen. Alfred Pleasonton’s Union force crossed the Little Blue, beat up a Rebel brigade in Fagan’s command, and occupied Independence. Marmaduke’s division then met Pleasonton about two miles west of Independence, hit the Federals hard, pressed them back, and held them at bay until the morning of the 23rd. Pleasonton’s actions, however, frightened Price and his army, and influenced them, after they had crossed the Big Blue, to send their wagon trains to Little Santa Fe on the Fort Scott Road.

Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. Alfred Pleasonton [US]; Brig. Gen. James Fagan and Brig. Gen. John S. Marmaduke [CS]
Estimated Casualties: Total unknown (US unknown; CS 140)
Result: Confederate victory