From previous marker, go east, turn right on Broadway, continue on J.C. Nichols Parkway across Brush Creek, right turn on Ward Parkway, then left on Sunset Drive. This marker is located near the intersection of Sunset Drive and Ward Parkway.
You are standing in the general area where Col. Charles R. Jennison’s First Brigade crossed Brush Creek as they advanced south to attack the Confederates. Col. James H. Ford’s Fourth Brigade was on Jennison’s left. The valley through which Brush Creek flowed was a thick woodland extending from this point south to the north end of Loose Park. About a half mile or so to the east was a small creek flowing south to north and emptying into Brush Creek. Present day Brookside Boulevard approximately follows the course of this creek, which is no longer visible.
Union Position Historical Marker
Union Position Historical Marker Inscription
"At 9:30 A.M., October 23, 1864, General Curtis's troops from Blunt's Division formed a line along Brush Creek facing south. Jennison's Brigade was west of Wornall; Ford's Brigade east of Jennison's to Oak Street; and Moonlight's Brigade along State Line facing east. Colonel Blair's Kansas Militia Brigade was west of Jennison. Union artillery was to the north firing on the Confederates to the south. About 4,500 men were in line at sun up. Blunt moved south with part of his division and was driven back by Shelby's Confederates."
That Sunday dawned cold with ice edging the sides of Brush Creek. As is often the case today, the creek’s valley was cloaked in fog as the dismounted Federal cavalry waded through the creek to the south side. As they walked up the steep incline, they were not able to see very far ahead and it was eerily quiet. But they all knew the enemy was somewhere south of them.
Meanwhile, Jo Shelby was getting his division organized and moving north towards Westport. Col. Sydney D. Jackman’s Brigade was on the Confederate left flank. On Jackman’s right and making up the Confederate center was Shelby’s Iron Brigade, commanded by Brigadier General M. Jeff Thompson. Fagan’s Division (less Cabell’s Brigade escorting the wagon train) formed on Shelby’s right, east of Wornall and on past present day Troost Avenue.
The two brigades of Shelby’s Division collided with the Federal Brigades under Jennison and Ford just south of Bent’s Farm (present day Loose Park) early on Sunday morning.
Col. Charles R. Jennison
Col. James H. Ford
Brig. Gen. M. Jeff Thompson
Col. Sydney D. Jackman
