A Confederate Missouri State Guard victory that forced Union retreat and opened the path to the siege of Lexington.
Key Facts
- Date
- September 2, 1861
- Location
- Vernon County, Missouri
- Duration
- Approximately two hours
- Alternate name
- Battle of the Mules
- Union retreat destination
- Fort Scott, Kansas
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Following his victory at the Battle of Wilson's Creek on August 10, 1861, Sterling Price led the Missouri State Guard northward into Missouri. Union General James H. Lane marched from Fort Scott, Kansas, to intercept Price's advance and positioned his Kansas troops in an ambush along Dry Wood Creek.
Price's Missouri State Guard forces outnumbered Lane's Union Kansas troops and, after a two-hour skirmish at Dry Wood Creek on September 2, 1861, compelled Lane to retreat. In withdrawing, Lane's troops abandoned their supplies and mules, which were captured by the Missourians.
Price continued his northward march after the victory, leveraging momentum to achieve another Confederate success at the siege of Lexington from September 13 to 20, 1861, before eventually returning south. The battle demonstrated the Missouri State Guard's growing capability to threaten Union control of the state.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Sterling Price.
Side B
1 belligerent
James H. Lane.