Lexington I (Battle of the Hemp Bales)

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Lexington I (1861)

War:

American Civil War

Also known as:

Battle of the Hemp Bales

Date(s):

13 Sep 1861 - 20 Sep 1861

Location:

Lafayette County, Missouri, US

Outcome:

Confederate victory

Principal Commanders:

Confederate: Sterling Price

Description:

Col. James A. Mulligan, USA

The US garrison was about 3,500; Price had about 12,000 Missouri State Guards.

Union losses were over 1,700; Confederate losses around 100.

Following the victory at Wilson’s Creek, the Confederate Missouri State Guard consolidated in the northern and central part of the state. The next move was (under the command of Maj. Gen. Sterling Price) on Lexington. Col. James A. Mulligan commanded the entrenched Union garrison of about 3,500 men.

Price’s men first encountered Union skirmishers on September 13 south of town and pushed them back into the fortifications. Price, having bottled the Union troops up in Lexington, sensibly decided to await his ammunition wagons, other supplies, and reinforcements before assaulting the fortifications. By the 18th, Price was ready and ordered an assault. The Missouri State Guard moved forward amidst heavy Union artillery fire and pushed the Unionists back into their inner works.

On the 19th, the Rebels consolidated their positions, kept the Yankees under heavy artillery fire and prepared for the final attack. Early on the morning of the 20th, Price’s men advanced behind mobile breastworks, made of hemp, close enough to take the Union works at the Anderson House in a final rush. Mulligan requested surrender terms after noon, and by 2:00 pm his men had vacated their works and stacked their arms. This Unionist stronghold had fallen, further bolstering southern sentiment and consolidating Confederate control in the Missouri Valley west of Arrow Rock.

Content provided by:
eHistory Staff

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

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