Liberty in Clay County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Civil War Memorial
Photographed by Tony Meyers, August 4, 2011
1. Battle of Blue Mills Landing - Civil War Memorial Marker
Erected 1931 by the William Jewell class of 1931.
Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Science & Medicine • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is September 17, 1861.
Location. 39° 14.918′ N, 94° 24.795′ W. Marker is in Liberty, Missouri, in Clay County. It can be reached from East Mississippi Street 0.1 miles east of North Jewell Street. This historical marker is located on the pathway approximately 100' northwest from the entrance to the Grand River Chapel on the campus of William Jewell College. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 544 East Mississippi, Liberty MO 64068, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker and memorial is in the Missouri River Corridor and in Greater Kansas City. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, and in the Corn Belt. 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: Mass Grave Site (here, next to this marker); Grand River Baptist Church (a few steps from this marker); The Trenches On The Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); John Priest Greene President's Home
this page online
Regarding Civil War Memorial. Although the verbiage of the marker indicates that the trenches were dug following the Battle of Blue Mills Landing (a.k.a. The Battle of Liberty) September 17, 1861, some historians suggest that the trenches were actually dug in 1862 in anticipation of a Confederate attack on the Federally occupied buildings on the William Jewell campus.
Additional keywords. Battle of Liberty Battle of Blue Mills Landing William Jewell College
Photographed by Tony Meyers, August 4, 2011
2. Civil War Memorial Marker as viewed from the path near the Grand River Chapel.
The battle commemorated by this marker, was fought September 17, 1861 approximately 3 miles south Of Liberty, Missouri. That action is also referred to as the Battle of Liberty. The battle, which resulted in a Confederate victory, allowed approximately 4,000 additional Missouri State Guard troops to cross the Missouri river at Blue Mills Landing and join General Sterling Price's army at the battle of Lexington, Missouri.
Photographed by Tony Meyers, August 4, 2011
3. Approximate area where trenches were dug. The trenches are no longer visible.
The President's home on the campus appears in the background.
Photographed by Tony Meyers, August 20, 2011
4. The main battlefield as it appears today. Looking south while driving on South Liberty Bend Road.
The main battle occurred south of Liberty approximately .4 mile south of Missouri Highway 210 at the point where South Liberty Bend Road turns east and becomes NE 52nd Street. N 39.18703 W 94.38157
Photographed by Tony Meyers, August 20, 2011
5. The Battle of Liberty (Blue Mills Landing) - Battlefield as it appears today.
Looking west at NE 52nd and South Liberty Bend Road.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 4, 2011, by Tony Meyers of Liberty, Missouri. This page has been viewed 2,321 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 4, 2011, by Tony Meyers of Liberty, Missouri. 4, 5. submitted on August 30, 2011, by Tony Meyers of Liberty, Missouri. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
