Battle of Westport
Part of American Civil War
Battle across Brush Creek as depicted in Missouri State Capitol mural
Date October 23, 1864 Location Present-day Kansas City, Missouri Result Union victory
Combatants
United States of America	Confederate States of America
Commanders
Samuel R. Curtis	Sterling Price
Strength
Army of the Border (22,000)	Army of Missouri (8,500)
Casualties
1,500	1,500

Cannon at Loose Park. Price was said to have watched the battle from a grove of trees here. The "General Tree" long since gone was a landmark for many years.

Wornall House which was used by both sides as a hospital

Memorial to Confederate dead on the high ground at Forest Hill Cemetery (Joseph O. Shelby was buried by the memorial. Waldo P. Johnson is buried behind it

The Battle of Westport, sometimes referred to as the "Gettysburg of Missouri," was fought on October 23, 1864, in present-day Kansas City, Missouri, during the American Civil War. U.S. Army forces under Major General Samuel R. Curtis decisively defeated an outnumbered Confederate Army force under Major General Sterling Price. The conflict was the turning point of Price's Missouri Expedition and helped force his army to retreat. Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America (Confederacy) Commanders Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties 110,000 killed in action, 360,000 total dead, 275,200 wounded 93,000 killed in action, 258,000 total... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 369 pixelsFull resolution (2176 × 1005 pixel, file size: 758 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Battle of Westport as depicted in mural in Missouri State Capitol. ... The Missouri State Capitol is the state capitol building of the U.S. state of Missouri. ... is the 296th day of the year (297th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1864 (MDCCCLXIV) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... Nickname: Location in Jackson, Clay, Platte, and Cass Counties in the state of Missouri. ... Official language(s) English Capital Jefferson City Largest city Kansas City Largest metro area St Louis[1] Area  Ranked 21st  - Total 69,709 sq mi (180,693 km²)  - Width 240 miles (385 km)  - Length 300 miles (480 km)  - % water 1. ... Motto: (traditional) In God We Trust (official, 1956–present) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City Official language(s) None at the federal level; English de facto Government Federal Republic  - President George W. Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence - Declared - Recognized... Motto Deo Vindice (Latin: Under God, Our Vindicator) Anthem (none official) God Save the South (unofficial) The Bonnie Blue Flag (unofficial) Dixie (unofficial) Capital Montgomery, Alabama (until May 29, 1861) Richmond, Virginia (May 29, 1861–April 2, 1865) Danville, Virginia (from April 3, 1865) Language(s) English (de facto) Religion... Samuel R. Curtis (1805 - December 26, 1866) was an American military officer, most famous for his role in the American Civil War. ... General Price Sterling Old Pap Price (September 20, 1809 – September 29, 1867) was an antebellum politician from the U.S. state of Missouri and a Confederate major general during the American Civil War. ... The Army of the Border was a Union force created to guard Missouri against Sterling Prices raid in 1864. ... The Army of Missouri was an independent military command during the American Civil War within the Confederate States Army, created in late 1864 under the command of Maj. ... Maj. ... The Battle of Fort Davidson was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on September 27, 1864 in Iron County, Missouri. ... The Battle of Glasgow was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on October 15, 1864 in Howard County, Missouri. ... The Second Battle of Lexington was a battle in Prices Missouri Expedition of the American Civil War, occurring on October 19, 1864, in Lafayette County, Missouri. ... The Battle of Little Blue River was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on October 21, 1864 in Jackson County, Missouri. ... The Second Battle of Independence was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on October 22, 1864 in Jackson County, Missouri. ... The Battle of Byrams Ford was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on October 22-23, 1864 in Jackson County, Missouri. ... This article needs cleanup. ... Battle of Mine Creek or Battle of the Osage Conflict American Civil War Date October 25, 1864 Place Linn County, Kansas Result Union victory The Battle of Mine Creek,also known as the Battle of the Osage was a calvary battle taking place in Kansas during the American Civil War. ... The Battle of Marmiton River was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on October 25, 1864 in Vernon County, Missouri. ... The Battle of Newtonia II was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on October 28, 1864 in Newton County, Missouri. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (3072 × 2304 pixel, file size: 3. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (3072 × 2304 pixel, file size: 3. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (3072 × 2304 pixel, file size: 2. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (3072 × 2304 pixel, file size: 2. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (3072 × 2304 pixel, file size: 2. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (3072 × 2304 pixel, file size: 2. ... Forest Hill Cemetery is located in Dane County, Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin and was one of the first U.S. National Cemeteries established in Wisconsin. ... Joseph O. Shelby Joseph Orville (Jo) Shelby (December 12, 1830 – February 13, 1897) was a Confederate cavalry general in the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War. ... Waldo Porter Johnson (September 16, 1817 – August 14, 1885) was a United States Senator from Missouri, and later a member of the Confederate Congress during the American Civil War. ... is the 296th day of the year (297th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1864 (MDCCCLXIV) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... Nickname: Location in Jackson, Clay, Platte, and Cass Counties in the state of Missouri. ... Official language(s) English Capital Jefferson City Largest city Kansas City Largest metro area St Louis[1] Area  Ranked 21st  - Total 69,709 sq mi (180,693 km²)  - Width 240 miles (385 km)  - Length 300 miles (480 km)  - % water 1. ... Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America (Confederacy) Commanders Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties 110,000 killed in action, 360,000 total dead, 275,200 wounded 93,000 killed in action, 258,000 total... The United States Army is the largest and oldest branch of the armed forces of the United States. ... Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Samuel R. Curtis (1805 - December 26, 1866) was an American military officer, most famous for his role in the American Civil War. ... Some Confederate soldiers The Confederate States Army (CSA) was organized in February 1861 to defend the newly formed Confederate States of America from military action by the United States government. ... General Price Sterling Old Pap Price (September 20, 1809 – September 29, 1867) was an antebellum politician from the U.S. state of Missouri and a Confederate major general during the American Civil War. ... Maj. ...

Westport

Westport (which is now within the boundaries of present-day Kansas City) was already an historic city by the time Union and Confederate forces clashed there in 1864. Pioneers traveling along the Oregon, California and Santa Fe Trails had all passed through this town on their way West via Wakarusa watershed ridgelines. Kansas City Pioneer Square monument in Westport features Pony Express founder Alexander Majors, Westport/Kansas City founder John Calvin McCoy and Mountainman Jim Bridger who owned Chouteaus Store next to Kellys Kellys at 500 Westport Road or neighboring Chouteaus Store at 504 Westport are considered to... The Ox Team or the Old Oregon Trail 1852-1906 by Ezra Meeker. ... Main route of California Trail (thick red line), including Applegate-Lassen and Beckwourth variations (thinner red lines) The California Trail was a major overland emigrant route across the Western United States from Missouri to California in the middle 19th century. ... Trail logo The Santa Fe Trail was an historic 19th century transportation route across southwestern North America connecting Missouri with Santa Fe, New Mexico. ... The cowboy, the quintessential symbol of the American Old West, circa 1887. ... The Wakarusa River is a tributary of the Kansas River, approximately 50 mi (80 km) long, in eastern Kansas in the United States. ... A drainage basin is the area within the drainage basin divide (blue outline), and drains the surface runoff and river discharge (green lines) of a contiguous area. ...

Rivers are both byways and barriers.

To understand history, first understand rivers.

Source: Kansas Military History Journal - (Cimarron) Current Events Department A recent printing of Edna Ferbers Cimarron. ...

Price's Missouri Expedition

In September of 1864, Sterling Price led his Army of Missouri into Missouri. Major General William S. Rosecrans, commanding the Federal Department of the Missouri, began assembling troops to repel the invasion. Rosecrans's cavalry, under Major General Alfred Pleasonton, was in pursuit of Price with a large detachment of infantry from the Army of the Tennessee under Andrew J. Smith. Finding St. Louis too heavily fortified, Price moved further west to threaten Jefferson City. After light skirmishing, Price again decided his target was too heavily fortified and moved west once again towards Fort Leavenworth. 1864 (MDCCCLXIV) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... The Army of Missouri was an independent military command during the American Civil War within the Confederate States Army, created in late 1864 under the command of Maj. ... William Starke Rosecrans (September 6, 1819 - March 11, 1898), nicknamed Old Rosy, served as an American military officer. ... Department of the Missouri was a division of the United States Army that functioned through the American Civil War and the Indian Wars afterwards. ... Alfred Pleasonton Alfred Pleasonton was a U.S. Army officer and general of Union cavalry during the American Civil War. ... The Army of the Tennessee was a Union army in the American Civil War, named for the Tennessee River. ... Andrew Jackson Smith (April 28, 1815 – January 30, 1897) was a U.S. Army general during the American Civil War, rising to the command of a corps. ... Alternate uses: see Jefferson City (disambiguation). ... In 1827, Colonel Henry Leavenworth established a post on the bluffs overlooking the western bank of the Missouri River to protect the fur trade, safeguard commerce on the Santa Fe Trail and maintain the peace among the inhabitants. ...

Major General Samuel R. Curtis, commander of the Federal Department of Kansas, now faced the threat of Price's army moving into his department, after learning of the Confederate movements from spies including Wild Bill Hickock. Curtis assembled the troops of his department into the Army of the Border. James G. Blunt was recalled from Indian campaigns to lead the 1st Division composed mostly of volunteers regiments and some Kansas militia. Curtis was only able to muster about 4,000 volunteers and asked Kansas governor, Thomas Carney, to call out the state militia to bolster the volunteer forces. Governor Carney immediately suspected Curtis of attempting to draw the militia away from their voting districts as it was nearing time for reelections. Carney was unconcerned with Price's force far away in Missouri and felt it posed no threat to Kansas. When Price turned west toward Jefferson City, Carney relented and Maj. Gen. George Dietzler took command of the division of Kansas Militia joining the Army of the Border. Samuel R. Curtis (1805 - December 26, 1866) was an American military officer, most famous for his role in the American Civil War. ... James Butler Hickok (May 27, 1837-August 2, 1876) better known as Wild Bill Hickok, was a semi-legendary figure in the American Wild West. ... The Army of the Border was a Union force created to guard Missouri against Sterling Prices raid in 1864. ... James Gillpatrick Blunt (July 21, 1826 – July 27, 1881) was a sailor, physician and Union general during the American Civil War. ... Thomas Carney (August 20, 1824 – July 28, 1888) was the second Governor of Kansas. ... George Washington Dietzler was born on November 30, 1826 in Pine Grove, Pennsylvania. ...

Opposing Forces at Westport

Union

Army of the Border - Major General Samuel Ryan Curtis Samuel Ryan Curtis (February 3, 1805 – December 26, 1866) was an American military officer, most famous for his role in the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War. ...

• 1st Division - Major General James G. Blunt
  • 1st Brigade - Colonel Charles R. Jennison
  • 2nd Brigade - Colonel Thomas Moonlight
  • 3rd Brigade - Colonel Charles W. Blair
  • 4th Brigade - Colonel James Hobart Ford

• Kansas State Militia - Major General George W. Dietzler
  • 1st Brigade - Brigadier General M. S. Grant
  • 2nd Brigade - Brigadier General Byron Sherry (manned Kansas City defenses)
  • 3rd Brigade - Brigadier Genreral William Fishbeck^[1]
  • 4th Brigade - Brigadier Genreal J. B. Scott (not engaged)

Department of the Missouri - Major General William S. Rosecrans James Gillpatrick Blunt (July 21, 1826 – July 27, 1881) was a sailor, physician and Union general during the American Civil War. ... Thomas Moonlight was a United States politician and general. ... George Washington Dietzler was born on November 30, 1826 in Pine Grove, Pennsylvania. ... William Starke Rosecrans (September 6, 1819 - March 11, 1898), nicknamed Old Rosy, served as an American military officer. ...

• Provisional Cavalry Division - Major General Alfred Pleasonton
  • 1st Brigade - Brigadier General John B. Sanborn
  • 2nd Brigade - Brigadier General John McNeil
  • 3rd Brigade - Brigadier General Egbert B. Brown
  • 4th Brigade - Colonel Edward F. Winslow

Alfred Pleasonton Alfred Pleasonton was a U.S. Army officer and general of Union cavalry during the American Civil War. ... Brigadier General John McNeil, 1813-1891 John McNeil (February 14, 1813 – June 8, 1891) was a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. ...

Confederate

Army of Missouri - Major General Sterling Price General Price Sterling Old Pap Price (September 20, 1809 – September 29, 1867) was an antebellum politician from the U.S. state of Missouri and a Confederate major general during the American Civil War. ...

• Fagan's Division - Major General James F. Fagan
  • Dobbin's Brigade - Colonel Archiblad Dobbin

• Marmaduke's Division - Brigadier General John S. Marmaduke
  • Marmaduke's Brigade - Brigadier General John B. Clark II
  • Freeman's Brigade - Colonel Thomas Freeman

• Shelby's Division - Brigadier Joseph O. Shelby
  • Iron Brigade - Brigadier General M. Jeff Thompson
  • Jackman's Brigade - Colonel Sidney D. Jackman

James Fleming Fagan (March 1, 1828 – September 1, 1893) was a planter, public official, and a major general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. ... John Sappington Marmaduke (1833–1887) was a Confederate general during the American Civil War. ... Joseph O. Shelby Joseph Orville (Jo) Shelby (December 12, 1830 – February 13, 1897) was a Confederate cavalry general in the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War. ... Meriwether Jeff Thompson (January 22, 1826 – September 5, 1876) was a brigadier general in the Missouri State Guard during the American Civil War. ...

The Battle

General Curtis sent the bulk of his 1st Division, under Gen. James Blunt to confront the Confederates at Lexington. Blunt was unable to stop Price but did slow him down and gather information on the size of the Confederate forces. Again along the Little Blue River on October 21, Blunt was forced to retire but not without slowing Price enough for a pursuing Federal cavalry division under Alfred Pleasonton to close the gap between himself and the Rebels. Curtis was nearly 60 years old and age had now taken a toll on his desire for combat. However thanks to his aggressive subordinate, Gen. Blunt, the decision was made to make another stand south of Westport. Blunt personally oversaw the construction of a defensive line established south of the town along Brush Creek perpendicular to the Kansas state line. Alfred Pleasonton Alfred Pleasonton was a U.S. Army officer and general of Union cavalry during the American Civil War. ...

Price who was almost as old as his adversary, Curtis, left direction of the battle lines to his subordinate, General Jo Shelby. Two division under Shelby and James Fagan were poised to assault Blunt along Brush Creek. A third division under John S. Marmaduke was posted at Byram's Ford along the Big Blue River to hold off Pleasonton's Cavalry. Joseph O. Shelby Joseph Orville Shelby (December 12, 1830 – February 13, 1897) was a noted Confederate cavalry general in the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War. ... James Fleming Fagan (1828-1893) was a Major General in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. ... John Sappington Marmaduke (1833–1887) was a Confederate general during the American Civil War. ...

Fighting along Brush Creek

Blunt had three brigades along Brush Creek and a fourth under Col. Charles Blair was coming up from Kansas City. From right to left were the brigades under Colonels Thomas Moonlight, Charles "Doc" Jennison, and James Hobart Ford. At daybreak Ford and Jennison crossed Brush Creek with skirmishers and met Shelby's troopers in an open field beyond. The Confederates attacked and drove the outflanked Federals back across the creek. Thomas Moonlight's brigade was hit so hard that it was forced to retreat across the Kansas state line and Jennison's brigade retreated almost into the streets of Westport. At this crucial point Curtis could hear Pleasonton's guns at Byram's Ford and Col. Blair's fresh brigade just arrived. His spirits lifted Curtis rode to the front lines to personally direct Blair's troops into battle. The reinforced Federals charged across the river but were once again repulsed and retreated back to the north side of the creek. Curtis needed another option besides frontal assaults and while looking for a weak point in the Rebel lines he came across a farmer searching for his lost horse. The farmer directed Curtis to a gulch running up to a rise along Shelby's left flank. Thomas Moonlight's brigade across the border was now in prime position to exploit this opportunity. Moonlight's 11th Kansas Cavalry Regiment escorted a Wisconsin Battery through the gulch and hit Shleby's left brigade under M. Jeff Thompson in the flank. Thomas Moonlight was a United States politician and general. ... A gulch is a deep V-shaped valley formed by erosion. ... Meriwether Jeff Thompson (January 22, 1826 – September 5, 1876) was a brigadier general in the Missouri State Guard during the American Civil War. ...

At the same time Moonlight was hitting the Rebel flank, Blunt renewed the attack along the front with Jennison's and Ford's brigades. The weight of Blunt's attack and the surprise of Moonlight's flanking maneuver was too much and the Rebels were forced back across the prairie to higher. Here they made a stand and several unsuccessful counterattacks. AS disaster was befalling Shelby and Fagan, a similar fate was happening to Price's rearguard under, Marmaduke at Byram's Ford.

Fight for Byram's Ford

Main article: Battle of Byram's Ford

Byram's Ford

Marmaduke's division had the benefit of fortifications on the west bank of Byram's Ford was able to put up a fight against three of Pleasonton's four brigades since 8:00. One of Pleasonton's brigade commanders, Brig. Gen. Egbert B. Brown stalled his attack and was placed under arrest by Pleasonton for disobeying orders. Another of Pleasonton's brigade commanders, Col. Edward F. Winslow was wounded and succeeded by Lt. Col. Frederick Benteen (who would later ride to fame at Little Bighorn). Despite these setbacks the Federal troopers gained the west bank of the river and Marmaduke retired. As Brown's brigade (now lead by Col. John F. Philips) forded the river they came under heavy fire from Marmaduke's artillery. Once they had cross they charged Marmaduke across an open field. In this charge Union troops from Missouri and Arkansas battled Confederates from Missouri and Arkansas. As Marmaduke rejoined Shelby and Fagan, Blunt pounded the consolidated Confederate forces with his artillery. The Battle of Byrams Ford was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on October 22-23, 1864 in Jackson County, Missouri. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (3072 × 2304 pixel, file size: 3. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (3072 × 2304 pixel, file size: 3. ... Frederick Benteen Frederick William Benteen was a military officer during the American Civil War and then during the Black Hills War against the Lakota and Northern Cheyenne. ... Combatants Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, Arapaho United States Commanders Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse George A. Custer â€ , Marcus Reno, Frederick Benteen, James Calhoun â€  Strength 949 lodges (probably 950-1,200 warriors) 31 officers, 566 troopers, 15 armed civilians, ~35-40 scouts Casualties At least 54 killed, ~168 wounded (according to Sitting Bull...

While the main Confederate army was being hit hard on two sides, Pleasonton's fourth brigade under Brig. Gen. John McNeil moved against a Rebel brigade under William Lewis Cabell guarding a ford near Hickman Mills. Likewise McNeil's brigade was able to drive the Confederates from the ford. Brigadier General John McNeil, 1813-1891 John McNeil (February 14, 1813 – June 8, 1891) was a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. ... William Lewis Cabell (January 1, 1827 – February 21, 1911) was a brigadier general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War and later served as Mayor of Dallas, Texas. ...

Confederate Retreat

Federal columns were now converging on Price from three different angles. The Confederates pulled back to a last line of defense along the road to the town of Little Santa Fe and set up a line on Forest Hill. The Confederates set the prairie grass on fire as a smoke screen and the road was strewn with debris from the fleeing Rebel army. The fighting at Westport was over but the following day, Blunt and Pleasonton took up the chase once more.

Results

The Battle of Westport was one of the largest battles west of the Mississippi River, with over 30,000 troops involved and roughly 1,500 casualties on each side. The Union victory put an end to Price's threat to Missouri. The greatly contested border state of Missouri was now firmly in Union control. Price continued to fight mostly rear guard actions on his retreat to Arkansas, where his expedition officially ended November 1, 1864. This was the last campaign in the Trans-Mississippi Theater and the last major Confederate threat to any northern state. For the river in Canada, see Mississippi River (Ontario). ... Official language(s) English Capital Jefferson City Largest city Kansas City Largest metro area St Louis[1] Area  Ranked 21st  - Total 69,709 sq mi (180,693 km²)  - Width 240 miles (385 km)  - Length 300 miles (480 km)  - % water 1. ... The Union was a name used by many to refer to the Northern states during the American Civil War. ... Official language(s) English Capital Little Rock Largest city Little Rock Largest metro area Little Rock Metropolitan Area Area  Ranked 29th  - Total 53,179 sq mi (137,002 km²)  - Width 239 miles (385 km)  - Length 261 miles (420 km)  - % water 2. ... is the 305th day of the year (306th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1864 (MDCCCLXIV) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... The Trans-Mississippi Department, also known as the Trans-Mississippi Theater or Trans-Mississippi District, was the Confederate military designation for the geographic area of operations west of the Mississippi River during the American Civil War. ...

History of Preservation of Battle of Westport Sites and Byram's Ford

(As described in the Monnett Battle of Westport Fund Interpretive and Development Plan)
At the beginning of the twentieth century, public interest was sparked to commemorate the events of the Battle of Westport. In 1906, Paul D. Jenkins published the early book Battle of Westport which stimulated the public preservation effort. In the summer of 1912, a reenactment of the battle at Byram's Ford was staged in Swope Park. (Kansas City Star, September 6,1912)

During the decade following the First World War, Kansas City's civic leaders under the direction of H. H. Crittenden, president of the Missouri Valley Historical Society, presented a concerted effort to have the Battle of Westport sites near present-day Loose Park and at Byram's Ford. Crittenden's father was Col. Thomas Crittenden who lead one of the Union cavalry brigades at Byram's Ford on October 23, 1864 and later served as governor of Missouri.

The mayor and City council of Kansas City passed ordinances recognizing the sites associated with the Battle of Westport and Byram's Ford in 1923. These activities were followed by the introduction of a bills in 1924 in the United States Congress to create a national military park to commemorate the Battle of Westport. The first proposal provided for acquisition of a site in the present Loose Park area on Wornall Road at 55th Street.

When this tract became unavailable, efforts for a national memorial then focused in 1925 and 1926 on the Byram’s Ford Big Blue River site. In the testimony before the Congress, the proponents of the Big Blue site advocated the acquisition of the Hagerman tract located on the slope of Bloody Hill. The witnesses testified in 1926 that one of the log houses that was present during the battles in 1864 still stood on this Hagerman tract in 1926. This effort was unsuccessful and the project then ceased for several years.

During the 1950s much of the battlefield was disturbed by the construction of commercial and industrial buildings beginning in 1955 with the construction of an office building facing 63rd Street atop the ridge of Bloody Hill on the former Hagerman tract. This structure was used by Allstate Insurance and then by the Burns and McDonell engineering firm. Between 1956 and 1962 the Meadow area of the site was heavily damaged by the construction of eight buildings for the Byram’s Ford Industrial Park. Two large industrial plants were built on the ridge to the north of the old Byram’s Ford Road. The developer of the industrial park erected a memorial to the Civil War at the crossing of Manchester Trafficway near the historic route of the Byram’s Ford Road.

On the eve of the Civil War centennial in 1958, the Civil War Round Table of Kansas City was formed with former President Harry S. Truman as one of its charter members. Dr. Howard N. Monnett of the Round Table researched, spoke and wrote extensively about the Action Before Westport. Dr. Monnett’s book by that title was published in 1964 at the time of centennial of the Battle of Westport. Dr. Monnett’s enthusiasm for the subject within the Kansas City Round Table led to the discussion of creating an automobile tour of the widely dispersed sites associated with the three-day conflict.

As a memorial to his vision, the leaders of the Kansas City Round Table in 1975 formed the Howard N. Monnett Battle of Westport Fund, Inc. as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable corporation for the purpose of commemorating and interpreting for the public the sites and battlefields associated with the Battle of Westport. By 1979 the founders of the Monnett Fund had successfully raised funds from throughout the community to purchase and erect permanent signage and monument markers at 25 sites and had created a self-guided automobile tour. These markers included a monument marker in the Meadow site and several wayside markers on Bloody Hill.

In 1979 and 1980, the leaders of the Monnett Fund began the initial efforts to place portions of the Byram’s Ford site on the National Register of Historic Places. This effort was stymied by the confused ownership of many of the tracts in the environs of the Ford and by the unwillingness of owners to voluntarily agree to the site’s nomination to the Register.

The Monnett Fund in 1983 began its role as an actual owner and steward of a portion of the tracts comprising the Big Blue Battlefield. The Monnett Fund’s leaders obtained the donation from Commerce Bank of fifty acres of the battlefield and adjacent tracts which had been subject to foreclosure. This donation included the site of Byram’s Ford crossing on the Big Blue River.

The Historic District was nominated and entered upon the National Register in 1989. The District is Byram's Ford Road Site on the east side of Hardesty Avenue as the old road descends from the east bluff above the Blue River. The second tract is at the ford itself and designated as "Byram's Ford Site." (Marmor at 19)

The Byram's Ford Road Site of the Historic District was acquired in 1995 through a joint effort of The Fund and the APCWS. Title was transferred to the Kansas City Parks Department in April 1995.

Recent intensive archaeological survey in 1996 on behalf of the United States Army Corps of Engineers have provided artifact documentation of the fighting which took place on the area between Byram's Ford and rock out cropping west of the ford. As a result, it has been recommended that the Historic District be amended to include generally that tract which is currently owned by the Fund. (The legal description for the tract is Lot 6 of the Byram's Ford Industrial Park). (Marmor at 60)

Further work in the form of intensive metal detecting and artifact analysis was recommended as appropriate treatment of the site. The projected levee work by the Corps was noted to have an adverse impact upon the additional tract, and mitigation was recommended. (Marmor at 1 "Abstract")

See www.battleofwestport.org [2] for more information about the Monnett Battle of Westport Fund, its preservation efforts, and its capital campaign to raise money for the acquisition of key tracts of land. Additionally, the Fund is currently working to raise money to support the opening and operation of a visitors centor. The group's website includes the video Saving Kansas City's Battlefield[3], which shows what the battlefield will look like following full restoration to its 1864 appearance.

Memorial

First stop on the Westport tour route at the Harris Hotel across the street from Kelly's where Curtis had his headquarters

Map of tour route at Kelly's in Westport

Although many signs and placards commemorating some aspect of the Battle of Westport are present throughout Kansas City today, the main memorial for the battle is located in the Sunset Hill neighborhood just south of the Country Club Plaza. Because the center of the main battlefield comprises present-day Loose Park and a portion of the lower (Wornall) campus of The Pembroke Hill School, the memorial is at the southern end of Loose Park, along West 55th Street. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 682 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2187 × 1924 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 682 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2187 × 1924 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 482 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1292 × 1607 pixel, file size: 580 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Tour Route of Battle of Westport (at first stop in Westport). ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 482 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1292 × 1607 pixel, file size: 580 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Tour Route of Battle of Westport (at first stop in Westport). ... J.C. Nicholss home in Sunset Hill, located on West 55th Street between Ward Parkway and State Line Road The Country Club District is the name of a group of neighborhoods comprising an upscale, historic residential district in Kansas City, Missouri, and Johnson County, Kansas, USA, developed by noted... . ... Kansas Citys Country Club Plaza The Country Club Plaza (often referred to as the Plaza) is an upscale shopping district in Kansas City, Missouri, USA. It was the first shopping center in the world designed to accommodate shoppers arriving by automobile. ... The Pembroke Hill School (commonly known simply as Pembroke Hill) is a nonsectarian, coeducational, private preparatory school in Kansas City, Missouri, USA. The school is located on two campuses, the Ward Parkway Campus and the Wornall Campus, both in Kansas Citys Sunset Hill neighborhood near the Country Club Plaza. ...

A Battle of Westport driving tour starts in Westport at Kelly's Westport Inn, the oldest standing building in Kansas City, Missouri. It consists of a series of placards, one at each stop, giving both a detailed history of what occurred there and directions to the next stop. Stops along the self-guided tour include the Wornall House, which served as a hospital during the battle, and Forest Hill Cemetery, the final resting place of many men and officers of General Joseph Shelby's "Iron Brigade". Kansas City Pioneer Square monument in Westport features Pony Express founder Alexander Majors, Westport/Kansas City founder John Calvin McCoy and Mountainman Jim Bridger who owned Chouteaus Store next to Kellys Kellys at 500 Westport Road or neighboring Chouteaus Store at 504 Westport are considered to... Forest Hill is the name of several neighbourhoods: Forest Hill, London in London, England Forest Hill, Toronto in Toronto, Ontario, Canada Forest Hill, San Francisco in San Francisco, California, United States Forest Hill, Newark, New Jersey in Newark, New Jersey, United States It is also the name of a number...

Noteworthy Participants

Several participants in the battle later went on gain national fame in other ways, many of them in the American Old West. Buffalo Bill Cody served as a private in the 7th Kansas Cavalry or "Jennison's Jayhawker" Regiment. Wild Bill Hickock served as scout for General Curtis. Frederick Benteen who assumed command of a brigade at Byram's Ford would later fight with George A. Custer at the Battle of Little Bighorn. Senator Jim Lane and Kansas Governor Samuel J. Crawford served on Curtis' staff. Thomas Theodore Crittenden, served in the Kansas Militia Cavalry forces and was later buried in Forest Hill Cemetery, scene of fighting during Price's retreat from Westport. The cowboy, the quintessential symbol of the American Old West, circa 1887. ... Buffalo Bill (February 26, 1846 – January 10, 1917) was born William Frederick Cody in the American state of Iowa. ... Jayhawkers were guerrilla fighters during the American Civil War in Kansas who often clashed with States Rights and pro-slavery partisans, as well as Missouri militia units. ... James Butler Hickok (May 27, 1837-August 2, 1876) better known as Wild Bill Hickok, was a semi-legendary figure in the American Wild West. ... Frederick Benteen Frederick William Benteen was a military officer during the American Civil War and then during the Black Hills War against the Lakota and Northern Cheyenne. ... George Armstrong Custer George Armstrong Custer (December 5, 1839 - June 25, 1876) was an American cavalry commander in the Civil War and the Indian Wars who is best remembered for his defeat and death at the Battle of the Little Bighorn against a coalition of Native American tribes, led by... The Battle of the Little Bighorn, also called Custers Last Stand, was an engagement between a Lakota-Cheyenne combined force and the 7th Cavalry of the United States Army that took place on June 25, 1876 near the Little Bighorn River in the eastern Montana Territory. ... James Henry Lane (June 22, 1814 – July 11, 1866) was a United States Senator and Union partisan. ... Samuel James Crawford (April 10, 1835 - October 21, 1913) was an American general and the third Governor of the state of Kansas ((1865 – 1868)). He also served as one of the first members of the Kansas state legislature. ... Thomas Theodore Crittenden (January 1, 1832–May 29, 1909) was a U.S. army officer and political figure. ...

Johnny Ringo fought under Shelby on the Confederate side. Thomas C. Reynolds joined Gen. Price's staff and hoped that Price's army might capture Jefferson City and install him as governor of a Confederate government in Missouri. The Only Known Photograph of John Peters Ringo John Peters Ringo (May 3, 1850-July 13, 1882), better known as Johnny Ringo, was a cowboy who became a legend of the Old West because, among other things, of his alleged involvement in the Gunfight at the OK Corral, in Tombstone... Thomas C. Reynolds from official Missouri Governor portrait gallery in Missouri State Capitol Thomas Caute Reynolds (October 11, 1821 – March 30, 1887) was a lawyer and politician. ...

Command Disputes

^  By order of Maj. Gen. Blunt (General Field Orders No. 2) the militia regiments of W.H.M. Fishbeck, brigadier general of militia, were placed under command of Charles W. Blair, colonel of volunteers. Fishbeck was infuriated that his command was placed under command of a volunteer officer. On the grounds of Kansas law stating militia should be kept under the command of militia officers, Fishbeck disregarded Blunt's order. Blunt had Fishbeck arrested and was held until released by order of Maj. Gen. Curtis. Upon his release Fishbeck resumed command of the 5th, 6th and 10th Kansas Militia regiments with orders to obey directives that came from Maj. Gen. Blunt. This cumbersome arrangement had Brig. Gen. Fishbeck in direct command of the militia units attached to the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, and Col. Charles Blair in overall command of the brigade. Howard N. Monnett describes the arrangement as a "brigade within a brigade". Blair and Fishbeck led the militia into action at Westport (accompanied onto the field by General G.W. Dietzler) and in the pursuit of Price until Maj. Gen. Curtis ordered the militia to return home.

References

• National Park Service battle description
• Howard N. Monnett: Action Before Westport, 1864. Westport Historical Society, 1995 (1964) ISBN 0-87081-413-3
• Fred L. Lee: The Battle of Westport, October 21-23, 1864. Westport Historical Society, 1996 (1976) ISBN 0-913504-38-6 (battlefield tour guide).

v • d • e Missouri in the American Civil War
Pre-War:	Missouri Compromise · Dred Scott Decision · Bleeding Kansas · Armed Neutrality
1861:	Missouri Constitutional Convention · Liberty Arsenal · St. Louis Arsenal · Camp Jackson Affair · Missouri State Guard · Price-Harney Truce · Grant's First Command · Governor on the Run · Battle of Boonville · Battle of Carthage · Gamble's Provisional Government · Battle of Athens · Battle of Wilson's Creek · Frémont Martial Law · Battle of Dry Wood Creek · Platte Bridge Railroad Tragedy · Sacking of Osceola · Battle of Lexington I · Battle of Liberty · Battle of Fredericktown · Missouri secession · Battle of Springfield I · Department of the Missouri · Battle of Belmont · Gratiot Street Prison · Burning of Platte City · Battle of Mount Zion Church
1862:	Army of the West · Battle of Roan's Tan Yard · Battle of Island Number Ten · Battle of Kirksville · First Battle of Independence · Battle of Lone Jack · First Battle of Newtonia · Palmyra Massacre · Battle of Clark's Mill
1863:	Battle of Springfield II · Battle of Hartville · Battle of Cape Girardeau · Battle of Chalk Bluff · General Order № 11
1864:	Centralia Massacre · Army of Missouri · Price's Raid · Battle of Fort Davidson · Battle of Glasgow · Battle of Lexington II · Battle of Little Blue River · Battle of Byram's Ford · Second Battle of Independence · Battle of Westport · Battle of Marmiton River · Battle of Newtonia II
Reconstruction:	James-Younger Gang