Battle Name: |
Lone Jack |
Other Names: |
None |
State: |
Missouri |
Location: |
Jackson County |
Campaign: |
Operations North of Boston Mountains (1862) |
Dates: |
August 15-16, 1862 |
Principal Commanders: |
Maj. Emory S. Foster [US]; Col. Jeremiah Vard Cockrell, Col. G.W. Thompson, and
Col. Upton Hays [CS] |
Forces Engaged: |
Detachments from fourteen companies of cavalry and a section of artillery (800 men) [US];
unknown [CS] |
Estimated Casualties: |
270 total (US 160; CS 110) |
Description: |
Maj. Emory S. Foster, under orders, led an 800-man combined force from Lexington to Lone Jack.
Upon reaching the Lone Jack area, he discovered 1,600 Rebels under Col. J.T. Coffee and prepared to attack
them. About 9:00 pm on the 15th, he and his men attacked the Confederate camp and dispersed the force. Early
the next morning, Union pickets informed Foster that a 3,000-man Confederate force was advancing on him. Soon
afterwards, this force attacked and a battle ensued that involved charges, retreats, and counterattacks. After five
hours of fighting and the loss of Foster, Coffee and his 1,500 men reappeared, causing Foster’s successor, Capt.
M.H. Brawner to order a retreat. The men left the field in good order and returned to Lexington. This was a
Confederate victory, but the Rebels had to evacuate the area soon afterward, when threatened by the approach of
large Union forces. Except for a short period of time during Price’s Raid, in 1864, the Confederacy lost its clout in
Jackson County. |
Results: |
Confederate victory |
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