The Second Battle of Lexington was a battle in Price's Missouri Expedition of the American Civil War, occurring on October 19, 1864, in Lafayette County, Missouri. Maj. ... The American Civil War was fought in the United States from 1861 until 1865 between the United States – forces coming mostly from the 23 northern states of the Union – and the newly-formed Confederate States of America, which consisted of 11 southern states that had declared their secession. ... October 19 is the 291st day of the year (292nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1864 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Lafayette County is a county located in the state of Missouri. ...

Maj. Gen. Sterling Price's march along the Missouri River was slow, providing Union forces a chance to concentrate against him. Maj. Gen. William S. Rosecrans, commanding the Department of the Missouri, proposed a pincer movement to trap Price and his army, but he was unable to communicate with Maj. Gen. Samuel R. Curtis, commander of the Department of Kansas, to formalize the plan. Curtis was having problems because many of his troops were Kansas militia and they refused to enter Missouri, but a force of 2,000 men under the command of Maj. Gen. James G. Blunt did set out for Lexington. On October 19, Price's army approached Lexington, collided with Union scouts and pickets about 2:00 p.m., drove them back, and engaged in a battle with the main force. The Yankees resisted at first, but Price's army eventually pushed them through the town to the western outskirts and pursued them along the Independence Road until nightfall. Without Curtis's entire force, the Union troops could not stop Price's army, but they did further retard their slow march. Blunt gained valuable information about the size and disposition of Price's army. General Price General Sterling Price (September 20, 1809–September 29, 1867) was an antebellum politician from the U.S. state of Missouri and a Confederate general during the American Civil War. ... The Missouri River and its tributaries N.P. Dodge Park, Omaha, Nebraska High silt content makes the Missouri (left) noticeably lighter than the Mississipi here at their confluence above St. ... The Union Army refers to the United States Army during the American Civil War. ... William Starke Rosecrans (September 6, 1819 - March 11, 1898), nicknamed Old Rosy, served as an American military officer. ... Samuel R. Curtis (1805 - December 26, 1866) was an American military officer, most famous for his role in the American Civil War. ... A militia is a group of citizens organized to provide paramilitary service. ... James Gillpatrick Blunt (July 21, 1826 – July 27, 1881) was a sailor, doctor and Union general during the American Civil War. ... Lexington is a city located in Lafayette County, Missouri, United States. ...

References

• National Park Service battle description