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

Byram's Ford Battlefield

Photographed by Thomas Onions, February 28, 2010

1. Byram's Ford Battlefield Marker

Closeup of Marker

Inscription. At 8 A. M. on October 23, 1864, Federal cavalry under General Alfred E. Pleasonton forced a crossing of the Blue River at Byram’s Ford and attacked the stone ridge, which was defended by Confederate troops under John S. Marmaduke. After 3 hours heavy fighting and severe casualties, the hill was taken. This defeat of Marmaduke’s division enabled Pleasonton to outflank General Sterling Price’s Confederate Army, and contributed to General Samuel S. Curtis’s Union victory at the Battle of Westport.

Erected by Native Sons of Kansas City. (Marker Number 16.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Kansas City - Native Sons and Daughters of Greater Kansas City, and the Missouri – Battle of Westport series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1638.

Location. 39° 0.915′ N, 94° 31.648′ W. Marker is in Kansas City, Missouri, in Jackson County. It is in Swope Parkway - Elmwood. It is on Manchester Trafficway 0.2 miles north of East 63rd Street, on the right when traveling east. There is a pullout at the marker site. 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: Battle of the Big Blue (within shouting distance of

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this marker); Battle of the Big Blue, October 22, 1864 (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Battle of the Big Blue (about 500 feet away); Taking Bloody Hill (about 700 feet away); Battle of the Big Blue, October 23, 1864 (about 700 feet away); The Log House, October 23, 1864 (about 700 feet away); Saving Kansas City's Battlefield (about 700 feet away); Marmaduke's Defense Line, October 23, 1864 (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kansas City.

Also see . . .
1. Battle of Byram's Ford (aka Battle of Big Blue River) October 22, 1864. American History Central website entry (Submitted on April 18, 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 fought here. (Submitted on March 16, 2010, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas.)

3. Sterling Price. Wikipedia link to the life and military career of the overall Confederate Commander. (Submitted on March 16, 2010, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas.)

4. Samuel Curtis. Wikipedia link to the life and career

Photographed by Thomas Onions, February 28, 2010

2. Byram's Ford Battlefield Marker

Area photo of marker.

of the overall Union Commander. (Submitted on March 16, 2010, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas.)

5. Alfred Pleasonton. Wikipedia Link to the life and career of the Commander of the Union Forces pursuing General Price across Missouri. (Submitted on March 16, 2010, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 16, 2010, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas. This page has been viewed 3,207 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 16, 2010, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas.