Mine Creek Battlefield

-Marmaduke and Cabell Captured-

Continue following the trail north to Trail Marker 10.

Looking East from Trail Marker 10

You are now standing in the middle of where Brig. Gen. William L. Cabell's Brigade was deployed. Remember that once the Federal Cavalry charged it took only 15 to 20 minutes for them to break the Confederate lines in multiple places.

All during the fierce fighting, Maj. Gen. John S. Marmaduke kept on trying to rally his troops to fight off the attacking Federals. It was during this time while Marmaduke was trying to rally his troops that he came to be captured by Pvt. James D. Dunlavy of Company D, 3d Iowa Cavalry. Dunlavy took his prize north and turned him over to Col. Charles W. Blair of the 3d Brigade in Blunt's Division. Blair presented Marmaduke to Maj. Gen. Samuel R. Curtis who was at the Ragain's house on the Mound City Road (present State Highway 52).

General Cabell soon realized that the Confederate line was being routed. Being surrounded, he gathered a small group of troops and tried to break through the Federals south of this position in order to get to and across Mine Creek. Cabell reached the creek and tried to get across, but his horse could not get up the steep bank and fell back. At this point he was captured by a squad from the 7th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. The Federals did not realize that Cabell was a general and Cabell was able to escape. This time he was captured by Sgt. Cavalry N. Young of Company L of the 3d Iowa Cavalry. Still not knowing they had captured a general officer, Cabell managed to escape again. But he ended up being captured yet a third time by Young's squad. Young finally discovered who Cabell was and immediately escorted him to the rear.

Both Young and Dunlavy were later awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for their actions. Colonel William F. Slemmons from Fagan's Division, was also captured. All the colonels in Cabell's Brigade were casualties that day.
 

Brig. Gen. William L. Cabell

Maj. Gen. John S. Marmaduke

Pvt. James D. Dunlavy

Col. Charles W. Blair

Maj. Gen. Samuel R. Curtis