MINE CREEK CIVIL WAR BATTLEFIELD STATE HISTORIC SITE
Pivotal event on the western front of the Civil War
HOURS
Battleground:
Self-guided walk-through site open dawn to dusk daily
Museum:
Mid-March - Mid October
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Wednesday - Saturday
Closed Mid-October - Mid-March and state holidays
EVENTS CALENDAR
LOCATION
U.S. 69 to Mound City exit, west one-half mile on K-52
Address
20485 K 52
Pleasanton KS 66075
ADMISSION
Members Free
Adults $6
Special* $5
Youth (5-17) $3
* Special = Seniors 65+, active military, college students with ID
Portions ADA accessible
Call ahead for
Group Tours
School Tours
This battleground marked a decisive turning point on the Civil War's western border. A Union cavalry unit engaged and defeated a Confederate supply mission in 1864. Tour the museum, walk the battleground, and discover stories of those who fought for friends, family, and home.
Tour Mine Creek
Glimpse the interpretive battleground signs and museum exhibits to see the experiences awaiting your visit.
History of the site
Confederal General Sterling Price was formerly governor of Missouri when he received orders to invade the state and gather recruits, capture cities, and collect supplies. As Price slowly advanced west, the Union prepared. Confederates encountered Union forces several times, including the battles at Little Blue River and Westport.
By late October the Confederates were in retreat as they entered Kansas. They hoped to reach Fort Scott, in the southeast corner of the state, for much need supplies. Their 10-mile wagon train carried what they had taken in Missouri. Union troops soon approached the Confederates’ rear guard. As they attempted to cross the rain swollen Mine Creek their supply wagons became mired in mud. There they were forced to stop and form a defensive skirmish line.
As the Union cavalry attacked. the Confederate cavalry struggled with their weapons at hand—long muzzle-loading infantry rifles difficult to reload on horseback. Union troops carried shorter breach-loading carbines. Confederates could fire but once before Union forces reached their line. Adding to the confusion of the battle were the uniforms, Confederates had requisitioned Union supplies.
Within 30 minutes Confederates began to retreat. They suffered more casualties; approximately 250 wounded, 300 killed, and 600 captured. Union troops had 94 wounded, 15 killed, and 1 captured. Confederates continued their retreat to the South. This among the last battles in the western theater.
Members of the community who had been watching events of the day unfold, quickly began to tend to the wounded and bury the dead. Samuel Reader, a Union soldier from Kansas, was held as prisoner during the battle. His illustrated diary recounted his experiences.
LISTEN TO THESE STORIES ONLINE AND ONSITE
James Dunlavy
Barbara Dolson
Community Voices
More About Mine Creek
