Swope Parkway - Elmwood in Kansas City in Jackson County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Battle of Westport

Photographed by Thomas Onions, February 28, 2010

1. Battle of Westport Marker

Closeup of Marker.

Inscription.
On the morning of October 23, 1864 Federal cavalry under General Alfred Pleasonton forced a crossing of the Big Blue at Byram's Ford and assaulted this hill which was defended by General Marmaduke's Confederate division. After three hours of heavy fighting Pleasonton broke the Confederate line, enabling him to out-flank the Confederate divisions of Generals Shelby and Fagan, fighting Curtis Union cavalry before Westport.

Erected 1961 by Burns and McDonnell Engineering Company. (Marker Number 18.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Missouri – Battle of Westport series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 23, 1846.

Location. 39° 0.742′ N, 94° 31.973′ W. Marker is in Kansas City, Missouri, in Jackson County. It is in Swope Parkway - Elmwood. It is at the intersection of Elmwood Avenue and 63rd Street, on the right when traveling north on Elmwood Avenue. Parking available streetside. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Kansas City MO 64132, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and on the Santa Fe Trail Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Pratt's Artillery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Marmaduke's Defense Line, October 23, 1864 (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Battle of Westport, October 21-23, 1864

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(approx. ¼ mile away); The Log House, October 23, 1864 (approx. ¼ mile away); Battle of the Big Blue (approx. 0.3 miles away); Byram's Ford Battlefield (approx. 0.4 miles away); Battle of the Big Blue, October 22, 1864 (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of the Big Blue (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kansas City.

Also see . . .
1. Battle of Westport. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on March 12, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. John S Marmaduke. Wikipedia link on the life and career of Confederate division commander who took and lost Byram's Ford during the Battle of Westport. (Submitted on March 7, 2010, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas.)

3. Alfred Pleasonton. Wikipedia Link to the life and career of the Commander of the Union Forces pursuing General Price across Missouri. (Submitted on March 7, 2010, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas.)

Photographed by Thomas Onions, February 28, 2010

2. Battle of Westport Marker

Area photo of the marker showing the hill that was defended by General Marmaduke.

Gen. Alfred Pleasonton, U.S.A. image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress

3. Gen. Alfred Pleasonton, U.S.A.

Civil war photographs, 1861-1865, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.

Gen. John S. Marmaduke, C.S.A. image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress

4. Gen. John S. Marmaduke, C.S.A.

Civil war photographs, 1861-1865, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 7, 2010, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas. This page has been viewed 1,970 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 7, 2010, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas. 3, 4. submitted on January 2, 2021, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.