Fiercely assailed by both sides

On Oct. 21 and 22, two battles occurred between Kansas City and east of Independence, Mo. These battles were those of the Little Blue and Big Blue that were named after two streams, the crossing of which was contested by both Union troops from Kansas and Confederate forces that were advancing towards Kansas City. Both of these battles were Confederate victories. However, by engaging the enemy the Union troops delayed the Confederate advance which allowed more Kansas troops to arrive and strengthen the Union defense of Kansas City, and they allowed a provisional Union Army, commanded by Major General Alfred Pleasonton, that was marching west from Jefferson City to close the gap between it in pursuit of the Confederate forces commanded by Major General Sterling Price.

The following descriptions of these battles are excerpts from the Union after action reports which are located in Series I, Vol. 41, Part I Reports of the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion on Pages 477- 481.

Battle of the Little Blue

Major R. H. Hunt, Chief of Artillery:

"By your direction I placed McLain's Battery in position and opened fire on the enemy with what result I cannot state. I also placed two mountain howitzers [small cannon] connected with your body guard in position in the open field, but finding it too much exposed to the enemy's sharpshooters I directed an advance with two additional howitzers of the 11th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry. They took position in the shelter of a friendly house, supported on the right by Colonel Ford and had no support on the left. Artillery opened fire on the enemy canister & spherical case [fragmenting artillery shells] at short range and drove them back like sheep. At this juncture I received from the commanding General orders to fall back which was just in the nick of time. We retreated, firing and keeping the foe at a respectable distance. Lieutenant Gill of your body guard lost 15 horses out of forty and the 15th Kansas Vol. Cavalry lost several. The last artillery firing was commanded by Lieut. Gill of your body guard that was supported by a portion of cavalry from your body guard."

Colonel Jennison's Report:

"On the 21st of October, the enemy having advanced from Lexington, met the 2nd Brigade at the Little Blue at an early hour in the morning. In this engagement the 15th Kansas Regiment commanded by Lieut. Col. Hoyt and the 3rd Wisconsin Cavalry commanded by Lieutenant [James B.] Pond were dismounted and disposed in advantageous position, which had hardly been accomplished when the lines were FIERCELY ASSAILED by the enemy at all points and the contest became extremely spirited , though from the nature of the ground and the protection of our timber casualties were not heavy. For some hours the engagement was maintained with varying results, our line alternately falling back and advancing, the howitzer battery being actively and apparently effectively engaged until it became evident that the enemy was numerically superior to such an extent that it would be impossible to hold the ground and a retrograde movement was commenced in the direction of Independence."

Battle of the Big Blue

Major R. H. Hunt, Chief of Artillery:

"The General [Curtis] sent me out with body guard to re-enforce. Reached a distance of about two miles from town (Westport); met the [Kansas] militia falling back in confusion; halted them and made them go back; sent a messenger to Colonel Jennison asking him where I could render him the most service. He informed me that the enemy was flanking him on the right and left and for me to fall back on the Westport Road to keep the enemy out of town. I did so. Met Colonel [Thomas] Moonlight passing west to check the enemy from going into Kansas. Soon the 15th under Colonel Hoyt, also came. We all marched in the double quick until we reached the Kansas prairie west of Westport; here we deployed inline; met the enemy square in the face. I turned the command of the body guard over to Captain Gove and gave my services to Colonel Moonlight. The enemy opened fire from two pieces of rifled artillery upon us at the distance of a mile, supported by Fagan's or Shelby's division. They drove us steadily from about 3 o'clock until nearly dark when our skirmish line was re-enforced. I assumed command of it and drove the enemy back some two miles, capturing several prisoners, among them a Lieutenant, whom I delivered to the commanding general in Kansas City that night."

Colonel Thomas Moonlight:

"At the Big Blue, on the 22nd, the 2nd Brigade was ordered to hold Simmons' Ford and report the movements of the enemy. None coming and the 1st Brigade at Byrum's Ford retreating, the 2nd Brigade in double-quick whipped around by Westport and met the enemy at the State Line and checked his advance into Kansas and by the setting sun drove him back into Missouri. The fight continued until dark, after which the pursuit was abandoned and my command moved up to Shawnee Mission for the purpose of protecting forage and rations. In this fight Company G of the 11th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, escort for Major General Curtis, joined my command on the occasion and participated in the fight as also did the howitzers under the command of Major Hunt, Chief of Artillery."

Now, the Battles of the Little and Big Blue were over and the stage was set for the Battle of Westport which occurred on Sept. 23, 1864 and has been called the "Gettysburg of the West" and of Course the War Went On!