Battlefield Disptaches No. 192: Shiloh Creek, others

Battlefield Dispatches #192

"Shiloh Creek, Charlot's Farm & Little Marmaton Creek"

Very often in the study of the Civil War a battle had different names. Such is the case with the last battle that was fought on October 25, 1864 approximately twelve miles east of Fort Scott & a few miles northwest of Deerfield, Missouri. The common names of this battle are the Battle of Shiloh Creek & Charlot's Farm. However, in his official report, "Union" Colonel Frederick Benteen refers to it as the Battle of "Little Marmaton Creek", which of course adds to the confusion when trying to understand the battle. Shiloh Creek, is indeed a small tributary of the Marmaton River so perhaps this is why Colonel Benteen named it the way he did.

As battles go, it was a small, but critical one & like the Battles of Trading Post, Little Osage & Mine Creek it was a "Union" Victory & successful "Confederate" rear guard action. General Joe Shelby, one of the finest "Cavalry Commanders" in the entire war bar none, was responsible for successfully protecting the rear of the "Price's Army of Missouri" as it crossed Shiloh Creek & then the Marmaton River before going into camp just south of Deerfield, Missouri. It was a "Union" victory, because the "Blue Bellied Billy Yanks" occupied the battleground at the end of the day.

The following "after action" reports are located on Pages 502, 503, 372 & 373 in Series I, Vol. 41, Part I Reports of the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion.

"Battle of Charlot, October 25, 1864

General price's rebel army, being closely pursued after the battle of the Little Osage, continued a rapid retreat. Leaving the Fort Scott road to the right & bearing a little east of south his movement [east into Missouri] soon reduced it certain that this most important post [Fort Scott] of Southern Kansas & the last in my department was entirely safe. Our advance under General McNeil pressed forward in rapid pursuit. Our way across the prairie was plainly, graphically marked by the scattered equipments, wagons, guns, utensils & animals left by the rebels & the fire & smoke created by their burning of the hay & grain & grass along their route. As the passage of the Marmaton, which we now approached, presented a new obstacle for the enemy's encounter he made another stand at this stream. This was to cover [& protect] the passage of his [supply] train, which was a great incumbrance in view of our rapid approach. General McNeil attacked him vigorously with his own brigade, holding him for some time. He was then assisted by Colonel Benteen's which came up at full speed. The enemy showed a line far outflanking McNeil & General Pleasanton immediately sent back for re-enforcements.

As I came near the scene of action, I saw our artillery & cavalry making a vigorous attack on the enemy's center, which soon broke his line & gave us a decided advantage. Still the enemy greatly outflanked us & his wings continued the fight as the sun descended the horizon Another effort on our left drove the enemy's right to the rear & his lines slowly retired in the twilight of the of the evening.

[After the Battle of the Little Osage], "the enemy were completely routed, scattering in disorder, throwing away their arms & leaving many of their killed & wounded. I continued the pursuit through the prairie for several miles & finally about 3:30 brought the entire force to bay at Shiloh Creek. Here, I was joined by the 4th Brigade, under Lieut. Colonel Benteen & by order of the commanding general, [Gen. Pleasanton], I formed both brigades into a double line of battle. Price's entire army formed & resolved themselves into a quadruple line, about 800 yards in front & notwithstanding their line was made four deep, they outflanked me both to the right & to the left. I endeavored to charge & was gallantly supported by Colonel Benteen, but the utmost exertions of officers & men could not move the horses to a trot or gallop. I steadily advanced in line at a walk toward the enemy, who continued to retire, gradually massing his flanks upon his center [Note: This was the perfect execution of a rear guard protecting the Confederate column] when their flight became more rapid & in pursuance of orders from the commanding general I bivouacked [camped] my command on the battlefield passing another night without either forage or rations. In the morning moved to a corn- field & fed, receiving orders to march via of Lamar.

About 10 a.m. I renewed pursuit of Price & found his trail well defined with the debris of burning wagons, artillery ammunition scattered along the road for miles, camp equipage, mess kits, plunder & arms thrown away, all evinced the demoralization consequent upon the vigorous attacks of the preceding day. I secured a large flock of sheep, which I dispatched under guard to the quartermaster at Fort Scott. At his camp over 200 wagons were destroyed by him [Price]. At least 40 wagons were uninjured, among them several wagons loaded with small arms ammunition, most emphatically telling the condition the flying rebels were reduced to. I was delayed here several hours, Price having destroyed the ford & obstructed the roads by felling heavy timber across them. Finally cleared the track & pushed on to Shanghai, [Mo.], arriving at 11 p.m. where, in accordance with the orders of the commanding general Cavalry Division, I reported to Major General Curtis.

Brigadier General, Commanding."

It has been stated in other accounts that on the night of October 25, 1864; the sky above Deerfield, Mo. turned red from the fires from the burning wagons & exploding ammunition! So, ended the Confederate invasion of Kansas in the fall of 1864. The subject of next week's column will describe the ultimate punishment of a Jayhawking Kansas Colonel who was punished for the actions of his men upon their return march through southwestern Missouri after pursing Price's Army to the Arkansas River & of course the WAR WENT ON!