Civil War Sites Advisory Commission

Battle Summaries

National Park Service

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Dry Wood Creek

CWSAC Reference #: MO005

Other Names: Big Dry Wood Creek, Battle of the Mules

Preservation Priority: III.4 (Class D)

Location: Vernon County

Campaign: Operations to Control Missouri (1861)

Date(s): September 2, 1861

Principal Commanders: Col. J. H. Lane [US]; Maj. Gen. Sterling Price and Brig. Gen. James S. Rains [CS]

Forces Engaged: Kansas Cavalry Brigade (approx. 600) [US]; column of Missouri State Guard [CS]

Estimated Casualties: Total unknown (US 14; CS unknown)

Description: Col. J. H. Lane's cavalry, comprising about 600 men, set out from Fort Scott to learn the whereabouts of a rumored Confederate force. They encountered a Confederate force, about 6,000-strong, near Big Dry Wood Creek. The Union cavalry surprised the Confederates, but their numerical superiority soon determined the encounter's outcome. They forced the Union cavalry to retire and captured their mules, and the Confederates continued on towards Lexington. The Confederates were forcing the Federals to abandon southwestern Missouri and to concentrate on holding the Missouri Valley.

Result(s): Confederate victory

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Original Source: http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/battles/mo005.htm

Last Updated: 2/26/1996

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(Source: Civil War Sites Advisory Commission Report: Battle Summaries, published by the National Park Service.)