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From previous marker turn right on Paseo, then right on Meyer Blvd, turn left on Troost, turn left into entrance of Forest Hills Cemetery to marker inside entrance.
Shelby's Last Stand Historical Marker
Shelby's Last Stand Historical Marker Inscription
"On October 23, 1864, Confederate General Shelby being forced back from Westport by General Curtis and flanked on the east by General Pleasonton formed a defensive line here behind stone fences running east and west to the State Line. Jackman's Brigade of Shelby's Division arrived after 1:00 P.M. To defend the Confederate right flank. Shelby's 'Iron Brigade' under General Thompson was farther west. Generals Curtis and Pleasonton finally drove the Confederates south.
"Go southeast to the Confederate Monument. Shelby and many of his men are buried here."
The men in Maj. Gen. John S. Marmaduke's division were retreating rapidly down the Harrisonville Road toward New Sant Fe. Maj. Gen. Sterling Price had ordered Brig. Gen. Jo Shelby to fall back from Brush Creek because the wagon train was in danger. As Shelby was working hard to extricate his men from the fighting south of Brush Creek, the Federal artillery from Maj. Gen. Alfred Pleasonton's division opened up on Shelby's left flank. As Shelby began withdrawing, Maj. Gen. James G. Blunt ordered his men to advance in pursuit. As Blunt's and Pleasonton's divisions joined together to pursue the retreating Confederates, Price's army was in danger of being destroyed.
As they retreated south, Shelby looked for a place to regroup his forces. After two miles they came to a long line of stone walls running from the east to the west. Here Shelby was able to rally his cavalrymen to make a stand.
This line of stone walls extended eastward from the point near where you are standing. Here the remnants of Shelby's Division fought gallantly against the combined forces of Curtis' Army of the Border and Pleasonton's Cavalry Division. Shelby was able to buy time so that Marmaduke and Maj. Gen. James F. Fagan to safely withdraw from the battle and for Price's wagon train and cattle herd to get further south. Once Shelby was certain that the rest of Price's Army had escaped, he himself withdrew to the south.
Optional Tour Stop: Confederate Monument and Jo Shelby's Grave [Waypoint = 38.999753 -94.569263] Drive southeast from this marker until you see a tall obelisk. In front of the monument is the grave marker of Jo Shelby.
Ironically, just about 120 feet northeast of Shelby's grave is the grave of George Thoman [Waypoint = 38.999884 -94.568892]
Brig. Gen. Jo Shelby wrote about the stand made by his men to hold off the pursuing Federal cavalry.
Now my entire rear was in possession of the enemy, and the news was brought when [M. Jeff] Thompson was fighting for dear life at Westport. Withdrawing him as soon as possible, and with much difficulty, for he was hard pressed, I fell back as rapidly as I could after the retiring army, the force I had been fighting at Westport coming up just behind, when, reaching the road, the prairie in my rear was covered almost by a long line of troops, which at first I supposed to be our own men. This illusion was soon dispelled, and the two great waves uniting, came down upon one little brigade and Colonel [Alonzo] Slayback's regiment. The prospect was dark and desperate. Not a tree or bush was to be seen for weary miles and miles, and no helping army could be seen anywhere. I knew the only salvation was to charge the nearest line, break it if possible, and then retreat rapidly, fighting the other. The order was given. Thompson and Slayback fell upon them with great fury, mixed in mêlée, and unclasped from the deadly embrace weak and staggering. In attempting to reform my lines (which after breaking through and through the Federals were much scattered) an enfilading battery of six guns swept the whole line, and another in front opened with terrific effect. At the same time the column which followed me from Westport came down at the charge, and nothing was left but to run for it, which was now commenced. The Federals seeing the confusion pressed on furiously, yelling, shouting, and shooting, and my own men fighting, everyone on his own hook, would turn and fire and then gallop away again. Up from the green sward of the waving grass two miles off a string of stone fences grew up and groped along the plain--a shelter and protection. The men reached it. Some are over; others are coming up, and Slayback and Gordon and Blackwell and Elliott are rallying the men, who make a stand here and turn like lions at bay. The fences are lines of fire, and the bullets sputter and rain thicker upon the charging enemy. They halt, face about, and withdraw out of range. My command was saved, and we moved off after the army, traveling all night.
After the war, John N. Edwards, a major and Shelby's adjutant during the battle, wrote about Shelby's Last Stand at Westport.
Shelby reeled back over the prairie from the contest, faint and bleeding, but those alive at their posts were undaunted and unconquered. Two miles in front a huge stone wall rose up from the level earth and stretched away for miles and miles. Shelby marked it with eager eyes and ordered a gallop as swift as the bullets of the enemy. The Federals charged by [Sydney D.] Jackman had rallied now, and came down upon the rear with redoubled speed. [Samuel R.] Curtis hurled forward two huge waves of cavalry, and twelve pieces of artillery played upon the torn and battered division fighting at such fearful odds. The wall was reached. Over it went the foremost line and formed behind it … officers and men make the last desperate hand to hand fight over and around this vine-covered, moss-grown fence. The fight was made chiefly with the revolver and the saber, and every man stood upon his individual merits. The unerring pistol-shot was worth a life, and to miss was to be a victim—cool nerve, and cool nerve alone told the tale. Retreat was useless now—the lion was at bay. Strategy and skill had been expended at Westport—there was no time nor place for either here. A grim, sullen, steadfast, unconquerable decimated division of desperate men held the wall and they meant to die there. Curtis cannot take it, and he dares not try but once. [William S.] Rosecrans’ advance of two heavy divisions charged it twice, but melted away before the stubborn defense, until at last Shelby reformed his bleeding division and rode slowly off unmolested to overtake the retreating army, which he succeeded in doing about sunset.
Confederate Memorial
Shelby's Grave
Brig. Gen. Jo Shelby
Maj. John N. Edwards
George Thoman's Grave
George Thoman
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