Battle of the Big Blue, October 23, 1864

Battle of the Big Blue, October 23, 1864. . , The Situation , Late in the day on October 22, Union Maj. Gen. Alfred Pleasonton's cavalry drove the Confederate rear guard from Independence. The Union cavalry continued pursuing the enemy's withdrawal down the Byram's Ford Road until 10:30 p.m. when the fighting stopped., Maj. Gen. Marmaduke deployed Brig. Gen. John B. Clark's Brigade on the high ground overlooking Byram's Ford. Col. Thomas R. Freeman's Brigade was deployed in a skirmish line (Col. Edward T. Fristoe) at Byram's Ford., The Battle Begins , Col. John F. Philips's Brigade attacked toward Byram's Ford with 7th MSM Cav (Lt. Col. Thomas T. Crittendem) followed by 1st MSM Cav (Lt. Col. Bazel F. Lazear) and the 4th MSM Cav (Maj. George W. Kelly). His men became pinned down by the rifle fire from the Confederate skirmish line and shelling from the artillery., The Battle Continues, 7-9:30 a.m. , Col. Edward F. Winslow sent Capt. Edward W. Dee's Battalion (4th Iowa Cav) down a ravine and across the river to attack the enemy's left flank. Surprised, the Confederates withdrew to their main defense line atop Bloody Hill. Phillips's Brigade crossed the river, followed by the rest of Winslow's Brigade. Over the next couple of hours, the Federals slowly advanced toward Bloody Hill., By 9:30 a.m. the Federals reached the base of the rock outcrop (just across the present-day railroad tracks) where it remained pinned down by the heavy artillery and small arms fire from the Confederates above. The high rocky precipice served to shelter the Union advance from the full fury of Confederate bullets and shells., The Battle Continues, 9:30-11 a.m. , Shortly after 9:30 a.m., Brig. Gen. John B. Sanborn's Brigade mounted their horses and charged up Bloody Hill only to be repulsed by the heavy Confederate fire. They quickly withdrew., To support the coming assault, sharpshooters from the 2d New Jersey Cavalry advanced to capture the log house (pictured) located about halfway up the hill., Colonel Winslow attacked with the 4th Iowa Cavalry (Maj. Abial R. Pierce) in the lead, followed by the 3d Iowa Cavalry (Maj. Benjamin S. Jones) and then the 10th Missouri Cavalry (Lt. Col. Frederick W. Benteen). Colonel Philips, on the left of the road, supported Winslow's attack by advancing through a ravine up Bloody Hill., Col. Winslow was severely wounded leading the attack upon Bloody Hill. Col. Frederick W. Benteen of the 10th Missouri Cavalry assumed command of the brigade., The Final Union Assault , The Confederates were running low on ammunition, suffering lengthening supply lines, and in danger of being flanked by the federal assault on Bloody Hill. Marmaduke's Confederates were compelled to withdraw to the west and south down the Harrisonville Road (present day Prospect Avenue) toward Russell's Ford., The collapse of the Confederate's line on the Big Blue exposed the right flank of the remainder of Price's army fighting south of Brush Creek.