Stop 15: Second Battle of Independence
[Waypoint 39.093891 -94.415811]
This tour stop is a historical marker located near the intersection of N. Main Street and W. Truman Road in Independence, Missouri. Note: At the time the book on which this tour is based went to press, this marker was missing—a replacement was on order and will be installed across the street near the gazebo at the intersection of Truman and Main.
After heavy fighting at the Little Blue River on the 21st, Price's Confederate Army forced Blunt's cavalry to retreat to the Big Blue River, leaving a rear guard in town. Shelby's Confederates reached town in the late afternoon. After a brisk fight Union troops were driven to the west end of town. Price's army and wagon train then camped in and around Independence. On the 22nd Pleasonton's Union Cavalry, pursuing Price from the east, made a mounted charge through town driving Fagan's Confederates to the west.
