Confederate Defeat

Confederate Defeat. . , Although the Confederates greatly outnumbered the Union troops at Mine Creek, the Union army clearly had an advantage with its weapons. The Confederates were armed with long muzzle-loading infantry rifles, which were difficult to reload on horseback. They were no match for the Union troops' shorter breech-loading carbines, which were quickly reloaded at the rear of the barrel. Many Confederates fired one shot then turned their horses and fled. Others stayed and used their rifles as clubs when the two forces, still astride their horses, clashed in fierce hand-to-hand combat., A number of Union troops gained position behind the Confederates and hand-to-hand combat erupted near the creek. The steep creek banks were slippery and crumbling from the recent rain, the rushing water was deep, and wagons blocked the route. Union troops took advantage of the situation and captured many prisoners, including Major General Marmaduke., By 11:30 a.m. the Confederates were in full retreat with Union forces close behind. Later that evening Price gave orders to burn half the wagons so the army could travel faster.