Local Militia Men Help Win Battle of Westport – 1864
The Battle of Westport was a major turning point in the Civil War. It took place on October 23, 1864. Many local men were part of the Kansas State Militia and involved in the battle! Some call this battle the “Gettysburg of the West.” It was the largest battle fought west of the Mississippi.
Major General Sterling Price was a Confederate cavalry officer. He planned to take over Missouri, install a secessionist as state governor, and thus firmly establish Missouri as a Confederate state. His attack on the state of Missouri is often called “Price’s Raid.” His defeat at the Battle of Westport put an end to his plan.
Union Major General Samual Ryan Curtis led the Army of the Border, made up of about 15,000 men, including the Kansas State Militia. They approached Price and his men from the west. Major General Alfred Pleasonton’s Provisional Calvary Division, with over 5,000 Union men, approached from the east. The Army of the Border encountered Price’s flank at Brush Creek (just south of today’s Country Club Plaza). As more and more Kansas militia arrived, including Baldwin area men, the fight became more difficult for the rebels. (Our local men marched about 50 miles from Baldwin to Westport!)
Eventually, Curtis and the 9th Wisconsin Battery were able to outflank Price’s men and attack them from the rear. Pleasonton’s cavalry arrived after winning the battle at Byram’s Ford and blocked Price from the east. Price was now surrounded on three sides. The battle was over, and he was defeated.
Colonel Sandy Lowe led the Kansas State Militia troops from our area, with various captains commanding the different companies. The muster roles of those participating are very long and include many historical family names. Companies D and G were from Baldwin and included men such as William Barricklow, W.H. Toohaker, and Silas Dexter. Company L from Black Jack included R.H. Pearson and Nacious Averel [Narcisse Avril] – ancestor of John Jackson. Company K from Prairie City included C. Butel – ancestor of ALL the Butel/Butells. From Company F of “Douglas County” was George Briethaupt, Franklin and William Deay, and George Houseman. Still more local volunteers were mustered from the Marion (Company B) and Willow Springs (Company A) areas.
These militia were supplemental to the regular servicemen of the Army of the Border & the Provisional Calvary Division fighting this battle. Our country has been fortunate to have had so many dedicated service men and women since its inception. Many Baldwin area men and women have a long history of proud military service.
And their specialness continues after discharge! Local veterans continue to serve our community in many ways. Two examples are provided by the members of Baldwin City’s American Legion Post 228. These veterans beautify our downtown streets and Highway 56 with US flags on national holidays. For Memorial Day, they place flags on hundreds of graves of veterans buried in local cemeteries. We are so fortunate to experience these displays of honor, pride, and respect. ALL veterans are important members of our community.
The citizens of Baldwin and the surrounding area are grateful to our veterans. We appreciate your service and the sacrifices you have made for our country. We appreciate that you are part of our community. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all you have done and continue to do. We can never repay you!
Full muster roles for the 1864 Kansas State Militia can be found on the Kansas Memory website at https://www.kansasmemory.org/item/228044/page/1
— M Jardon, Nov. 2023, Updated Jan. 2025
*********************************
- First printed in The Maple Weekly, (Baldwin’s weekly newspaper).
- Reprinted with permission.
- Learn more about the Baldwin City community – events, people, businesses, jobs, opportunities – a great place to live and grow!
- Subscribe to The Maple Weekly at https://baldwinmaple.com/the-maple-weekly/
*********************************
