Battlefield Dispatches: 'Thunder on the Prairie'

145th Anniversary

of

The Battle of Mine Creek

"THUNDER on the PRAIRIE"

Sunday, October 25, 2009 marked the 145th Anniversary of the Battle of Mine Creek that was the largest Civil War battle in Kansas and the 2nd largest "Cavalry" battle of the entire Civil War. Before and during this battle the thunder of artillery fire echoed across the rolling prairie in the valley of Mine Creek. The "Union" victory at Mine Creek convinced Confederate Major General Sterling Price not to attack the large Federal supply depot at Fort Scott and to change the direction of his "Army of Missouri" to march east into the friendly state of Missouri. The following official "Union" reports of the Battle of Mine Creek have been edited because of spatial constraints and the complete reports are located on Pages 495,496,332 & 354 in Vol. 41, Part I Reports in The Official Records of the War of the Rebellion.

Report of

Major General Samuel Ryan Curtis

"Battle of the Osage, October 25, 1864.

Mine Creek, a branch of the Osage [River] and the Osage at this point, are small streams several miles apart, both skirted with timber and surrounded by open prairie country. After the affair of Trading Post, considerable delay and consequent separation of troops had occurred at the crossing of the Marais des Cygnes. While General Sanborn halted to breakfast his brigade, General Pleasanton led the advance, consisting mainly of Colonels Benteen's and Philips' brigades, in rapid farther pursuit of the enemy. About three miles from Trading Post the enemy formed on the north side of Mine Creek and made stubborn resistance. The brigade of Colonel Philips, composed of Missouri troops, came into line of battle and commenced firing at long range, his men displaying good discipline good discipline and great gallantry. Colonel Benteen, whose brigade comprised Iowa, Indiana and other troops came up on the left side of this line. Meantime the heavy roar of cannon induced me to hurry forward my own escort with two little howitzers [cannon] and other artillery, at the utmost speed. Colonel Benteen met some of my staff officers on his arrival at the left, who suggested an immediate cavalry charge. The Colonel had already resolved on this movement and only waited for the same order to be communicated to Colonel Philips. Major Weed conveyed the order to Colonel Philips. Colonel Benteen's brigade came into line in a moment and dashed against the enemy's right, outflanking and surrounding it, gaining position on and beyond the creek. Colonel Philips also, with his brigade moved quickly upon the enemy, so as to overpower a large detachment of them, who immediately surrendered as prisoners of war, among them were two rebel generals, Marmaduke and Cabell, killing another (General Graham) and many colonels and other officers & taking altogether 500 or 600 men. General Pleasanton, being in command of the advance had directed the general movement and took an active part in the field. General Lane, Col. Blair, Col. Crawford, Col. Roberts, Maj. Weed, Maj. McKenny, Maj. Hunt & Maj. Curtis of my volunteer and regular staff & Captain Hinton & others of General Blunt's staff were also very active in the field on this occasion, which occupied perhaps 30 minutes.

The rear brigades were also coming up at full speed and the enemy again forming on a hill about a mile in front [& south of Mine Creek]. This point he soon abandoned and we halted to form close up our extended lines. After our rear brigades came near, the whole force advanced with caution in two lines, pressing the enemy beyond the ridge which divided Mine Creek and [the Little] Osage river.

Being mostly a prairie country the troops of both armies were in full view and the rapid onward movement of the whole force presented the most extensive beautiful and animated view of hostile armies I have ever witnessed. Spread over the vast prairies, some moving at full speed in column, some in double lines and others as skirmishers, groups striving in utmost efforts & shifting as occasion required, while great clouds of living masses moved steadily southward, presented a picture of prairie scenery such as neither man nor pencil can delineate.

Major General Samuel Ryan Curtis

Commanding, Army of the Border."

Lieut. Colonel Frederick Benteen's

Report

"The morning of the 25th broke & gave promise of a dull and dreary day, when I was ordered with my brigade to march to the [Marais des Cygnes] River and cross, receiving from you [Major General Alfred Pleasanton] the order to charge the enemy whenever the opportunity offered. The skies now cleared & the sun smiled out upon the scene as if foretelling the glorious day that awaited us. After forming, a few advanced skirmishers were thrown out to prevent a too sudden approach upon the enemy, who might be behind any of the numerous hills of the undulating prairie. Three short miles were scarcely accomplished when one of the advanced skirmishers galloped back & reported that the enemy was only a few hundred yards ahead in line of battle, in large force, & with 8 pieces of artillery. About the same time Major Hunt of General Curtis' staff came up & told me the enemy's exact position, stating that there was a brigade already in position in his front, but too weak to begin the attack. I at once determined to form on the left of this brigade, especially as a few more paces brought us in view of the line of rebels; seeing the position which he had his artillery, I immediately surmised that the rebel commander had committed a fatal blunder & resolved to capture it. I sent an officer to the commanding officer of the brigade on my right with the information that I was going to CHARGE and a request for him to CHARGE with me, for GOD'S SAKE and at the same time formed my command in column of regiments in the same manner I had formed them for marching and immediately SOUNDED the CHARGE. The line of the brigade on my right was soon passed, but it did not charge with us; this brigade I have since learned was the one commanded by Col. J. F. Philips of the Missouri State Militia. The fire of the enemy was so hot that for a moment it staggered even my own gallant regiment, but it soon recovered & went on with an exulting YELL. At the time the CHARGE was SOUNDED, I gave the orders for the different regiments to execute a right half wheel [partial right turn]] & dispatched my staff to see it executed, then to completely cut off the enemy's chance to escape with his artillery. The maneuver was successfully executed and we captured the guns in a shorter space of time than is necessary to record it. THEN BEGAN A FIERCE HAND-TO-HAND FIGHT, ONE THAT SUPASSED ANYTHING FOR THE TIME IT LASTED I HAVE EVER WITNESSED.

The enemy was completely routed and driven in the wildest confusion from the field: several of his wagons were abandoned in the narrow road that crosses the creek just in the rear of his position. Many of his force were left dead & wounded upon the field & in our hands. It is a matter of impossibility for me to state the number, as I had no opportunity of passing over the scene of the conflict afterward.

Lieut. Col., 10th Missouri Vol. Cavalry, Comdg. 4th Brigade."

Colonel John F. Philips

Report

"The enemy took position on the open prairie with Mine Creek, a tributary of the Osage, in his immediate rear. The enemy was formed at 600 yards distance in treble [three] lines and in overwhelming force. My ground was high & commanding. Here the whole rebel army and train were in full view. The scene was grand, the work before us of fearful import. An aide was sent to inform the Major General commanding [MG Alfred Pleasanton] that Price's army was in my immediate front and that I confronted him with my little command [approx. 1200 troops] in line of battle. The enemy's vastly superior numbers [approx. 8,000 troops] enabled him to outflank me, which he evidently intended to do, by his movements. To meet this I was compelled to extend my line to the right by opening files & swinging off one squadron some 60 yards. I had no reserve force; the enemy had 8 guns [cannon] in position, which he now began to use. As yet no artillery had come to my assistance, it having been delayed at the Marais des Cygnes by obstructions placed there by the enemy.

At this juncture Benteen's brigade [approx. 1800 troops] came up on my left & as soon as his advance regiment [the 10th Mo. Vol. Cav.] got into position I began the attack. Benteen's brigade came down on the enemy's right handsomely & fiercely. Two pieces of our artillery came up and opened fire. My brigade attacked the enemy's center and left with tremendous energy, when the fighting became general and terrific. The impetuosity of the onset surprised and confounded the enemy. He trembled & wavered & the wild shouts of our soldiers rising above the din of battle told that he gave way. With pistol we dashed into his disorganized ranks and the scene of death was as terrible as the victory was speedy and glorious. Major General Marmaduke, Brigadier General Cabell, some colonels, several line officers, four cannons, one stand of colors [flags] & a large number of prisoners were captured by this brigade. The ground in our front was strewn with the enemy's dead, dying & wounded. Every gun the enemy pointed at us fell into our hands. Our advantage was followed up as energetically as possible, making the rout complete. This successful charge produced great consternation and demoralization among the enemy, as evidenced by his rapid flight, the destruction of much of his [supply] train, the disgorging and scattering of his ill-gotten plunder. As soon as my brigade could be reorganized I moved forward & advanced to where the enemy was reported to be for a renewal of the fight.

JOHN F. PHILIPS

Colonel, Commanding Brigade."

So ended the Battle of Mine Creek, the largest Civil War battle in Kansas and the second largest cavalry battle in the entire Civil War and of course the WAR WENT ON!