|
Battles -
Battle Summaries
|
| Battle Name: |
Dry Wood Creek |
| Other Names: |
Big Dry Wood Creek, Battle of the Mules |
| State: |
Missouri |
| Location: |
Vernon County |
| Campaign: |
Operations to Control Missouri (1861) |
| Dates: |
September 2, 1861 |
| Principal Commanders: |
Col. J.H. Lane [US]; Maj. Gen. Sterling Price and Brig. Gen. James S. Rains [CS] |
| Forces Engaged: |
Kansas Cavalry Brigade (approx. 600) [US]; column of Missouri State Guard [CS] |
| Estimated Casualties: |
Total unknown (US 14; CS unknown) |
| Description: |
Col. J.H. Lane’s cavalry, comprising about 600 men, set out from Fort Scott to learn the whereabouts
of a rumored Confederate force. They encountered a Confederate force, about 6,000-strong, near Big Dry Wood
Creek. The Union cavalry surprised the Confederates, but their numerical superiority soon determined the
encounter’s outcome. They forced the Union cavalry to retire and captured their mules, and the Confederates
continued on towards Lexington. The Confederates were forcing the Federals to abandon southwestern Missouri
and to concentrate on holding the Missouri Valley. |
| Results: |
Confederate victory |
|
