Battle of Mine Creek

Battle of Mine Creek
	Part of the American Civil War
	; It Went Against Us by Samuel J. Reader
Date	October 25, 1864
Location	Linn County, Kansas38°08′42″N 94°43′24″W / 38.14500°N 94.72333°W
Result	Union victory
Belligerents
United States (Union)	Confederate States
Commanders and leaders
Frederick W. Benteen; John F. Philips	John S. Marmaduke (POW); James F. Fagan
Units involved
Army of the Border	Army of Missouri
Strength
2,500–2,600	7,000
Casualties and losses
100–110	1,200
	Mine Creek class=notpageimage\| Location within Kansas

The Battle of Mine Creek, also known as the Battle of Little Osage, was fought on October 25, 1864, in Linn County, Kansas, as part of Price's Missouri Campaign during the American Civil War. Major-General Sterling Price had begun an expedition in September 1864 to restore Confederate control of Missouri. After being defeated at Westport near Kansas City on October 23, Price's army began to retreat south through Kansas. Early on October 25, Price's army was defeated at the Marais des Cygnes. After Marais des Cygnes, the Confederates fell back, but were stalled at the crossing of Mine Creek while a wagon train attempted to cross.

Union cavalry commanded by Colonel John F. Philips and Lieutenant Colonel Frederick W. Benteen caught up to Price's army while it was stalled at the creek crossing. Confederate cavalry commanded by Major General James F. Fagan and Brigadier General John S. Marmaduke attempted to defend against the Union assault, but were soundly defeated. Many Confederate soldiers were captured, including Marmaduke. Later on the 25th, Price was again defeated at the Battle of Marmiton River. After Marmiton River, Price destroyed many of his wagons. On October 28, the Union defeated Price again at the Second Battle of Newtonia, and the shattered Confederate army reached Texas in December. The site of the battle was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 as the Battle of Mine Creek Site, and the Kansas Historical Society created the Mine Creek Battlefield State Historic Site in 1974. Mine Creek is considered to be one of the largest battles between mounted cavalry during the war.