Independence II

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Independence II (1864)

War:

American Civil War

Date(s):

22 Oct 1864

Location:

Jackson County, Missouri, US

Outcome:

Confederate victory

Description:

Maj. Gen. Alfred Pleasonton, USA
Brig. Gen. James Fagan and Brig. Gen. John S. Marmaduke, CSA

The North had a cavalry division, the South one and a half.

Union losses aren’t known; Confederate losses were about 150.

Price had continued west in the direction of Kansas City, despite increasing Union strength ahead of him and pressure behind. On the night of the 21st, he camped at Independence and resumed his westward march the next morning with Jo Shelby’s division in the lead, followed by John Marmaduke’s division, and James Fagan’s division bringing up the rear.

While Shelby’s men met success at Byram’s Ford, the other two did not fare as well. Alfred Pleasonton’s Union force crossed the Little Blue, beat up a Rebel brigade of Fagan’s command, and occupied Independence. Marmaduke, and half his division, rushed back to pick up the pieces of Fagan’s force. What they found were fugitives: Pleasanton had outflanked Fagan and smashed the cohesion of the division. Marmaduke headed through the ragtag troops and met Pleasonton about two miles west of Independence. At first they hit the Federals hard and pressed them back, but gradually they realized the size of the Union force. After the first lull they looked around themselves and knew how slender their strength was. The next Union attack broke the Confederate line, and Marmaduke escaped because his horse was faster than those of the men running away with him.

However, it was late, and Price’s army at least had several hours of night to recover themselves, even if they were now in the jaws of the vice. Pleasonton’s presence frightened Price and influenced him (after crossing the Big Blue) to send the wagon trains to Little Santa Fe on the Fort Scott Road.

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eHistory Staff

Selected sources:
American Battlefield Protection Program, Heritage Preservation Services, National Park Service.

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