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Confederate Brig. Gen. M. Jeff Thompson recalled that first night after their defeat at the Battle of Westport.
We moved slowly to the middle fork of Grand River, reaching there after night fall to find the trains camped in the greatest confusion. I at last found a portion of our wagons, and we here passed rather a gloomy night, but from the fatigue occasioned by the constant fighting for the three past days, I slept as soundly as if there were not a foeman in a thousand miles ...On the morning of the 24th, we lost several hours in getting the train untangled and forming the Brigade, for in the confusion of the night before, men and wagons—artillery and refugees, were so mixed that it was nearly impossible to unravel them.
The Federal pursuit caught up to Price’s rear guard just north of the Marais des Cygnes River around 1:00 a.m. on October 25, 1864. By this time, Brig. Gen. John B. Sanborn’s brigade was in the lead. The Military Road passed between two hills, referred to as The Mounds. The Confederate rear guard, Brig. Gen. William L. Cabell commanding, is deployed and waiting on these hills. It is dark and a heavy rain is falling. Sanborn’s men skirmish with the Confederates but fail to make any headway. Winslow’s brigade, Lt. Col. Frederick W. Benteen commanding, advances to support Sanborn and is able to drive the Confederates off the hills and across the river. About 100 prisoners, a number of wagons and two artillery pieces are taken.
The climax to Price’s raid arrives a few hours later at the point where the Military Road crosses Mine Creek, a small tributary of the Marais des Cygnes River. The Confederate wagon train is strung out for miles on the Military Road, moving south as fast as possible.
Following the fight at the Mounds, two brigades from Maj. Gen Alfred Pleasonton’s division were now leading the Federal advance. Around mid-morning as Benteen’s and Col. John F. Philips’s brigades came to the top of the hill north of Mine Creek, they saw two Confederate divisions deploying into line of battle. A portion of the Confederate wagon train was still trying to get across the ford at Mine Creek when Maj. Gen. John S. Marmaduke re eived word that the Federals were just north of his position. His only choice was to get ready to defend against a Federal attack. Marmaduke directed Maj. Gen. James F. Fagan to deploy his division on the left while Marmaduke’s division deployed on the right.
Benteen ordered his men to charge the Confederates and was supported by Philips. The Federals broke through the Confederate line, routing them. The Confederates turned and ran, heading south as quickly as possible. Generals Marmaduke and Cabell were captured.
Brig. Gen. Jo Shelby was on his way to attack Fort Scott when he received an urgent message from Maj. Gen. Sterling Price. Marmaduke and Fagan’s men have been routed at Mine Creek, and Shelby must come to their aid. Shelby did return and fought a rear guard action near the Little Osage River. Late in the day on October 25, Shelby fought another rear guard action just north of the Marmaton River at Charlot’s Farm.
That night, Price ordered all non-essential wagons destroyed. The Confederate army was now in full retreat. On October 28, there was another fight near the town of Newtonia, Missouri. This time Maj. Gen. James G. Blunt attacked the Confederate rear guard, but Shelby’s men were able to repulse the attack.
The Federals called off the pursuit after Price crossed the Arkansas River on November 7, 1864. Price continued his retreat through the Indian Territory and into Texas before arriving in Laynesport, Arkansas on December 2, 1864. Price travelled 1,434 miles during his expedition.
Brig. Gen. M. Jeff Thompson
Brig. Gen. John B. Sanborn
Brig. Gen. William L. Cabell
Lt. Col. Frederick W. Benteen
Col. John F. Philips
Maj. Gen. John S. Marmaduke
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