First Battle of Independence, Missouri

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First Battle of Independence Began: August 11, 1862 Ended: Same day Location: Jackson County, Missouri Theater: Trans-Mississippi Theater Campaign: Operations North of Boston Mountains Outcome: Confederate victory Combatants Commanders James T. Buel Lieutenant Colonel, USA J.T. Hughes Colonel, CSA G.W. Thompson Colonel, CSA Strength 700-800 est. Casualties 344 Unknown

On August 11, 1862, Col. J.T. Hughes’s Confederate force, including William Quantrill, attacked Independence, at dawn, in two columns on different roads. They drove through the town to the Union Army camp, capturing, killing, and scattering the Yankees. Lt. Col. James T. Buel, commander of the garrison, attempted to hold out in one of the buildings with some of his men. Soon the building next to them was on fire, threatening them. Buel then, by means of a flag of truce, arranged a meeting with the Confederate commander, Col. G.W. Thompson, who had replaced Col. J.T. Hughes, killed earlier. Buel surrendered and about 150 of his men were paroled, the others had escaped, hidden, or been killed. Having taken Independence, the Rebel force headed for Kansas City. Confederate dominance in the Kansas City area continued, but not for long. (NPS summary)

Order of battle

Union

• Lt. Col. James T. Buel

7th Missouri Cavalry (2 companies)

2nd Battalion Missouri State Militia Cavalry (3 companies); Capt. Jacob Axline

6th Regiment Missouri Enrolled Militia (1 company); W.H. Rodewald

Confederate

• Col./Acting Brigadier John T. Hughes

Hughes' Recruiters

Hays' Regiment

Quantrill's Guerrillas