Battle of Liberty

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Battle of Liberty
Blue Mills Landing
Blue Mills
Began:

September 17, 1861

Ended:

Same day

Location:

Clay County, Missouri

Theater:

Trans-Mississippi Theater

Campaign:

Operations to Control Missouri

Outcome:

Confederate victory

33 star flag.png
Combatants
Conf Navy Jack.png

Detachments of 3rd Iowa Infantry, Home Guards, and artillery

4th Division, Missouri State Guard

Commanders

John Scott
Lieutenant Colonel, USA

David R. Atchison

Strength

600

Casualties

56

70

  

"General" David R. Atchison - who at one time claimed to have been President of the United States for one day - left Lexington, Missouri on September 15, 1861, and proceeded to Liberty where he met the Missouri State Guard. On the night of September 16–17, his force crossed the Missouri River to the south side and prepared for a fight with Union troops reported to be in the area. At the same time, Union Lt. Col. John Scott led a force of about 600 men from Cameron, on the 15th, towards Liberty. He left his camp in Centreville, at 2:00 am on the 17th. He arrived in Liberty, sent scouts out to find the enemy, and, about 11:00 am, skirmishing began. At noon, Scott marched in the direction of the firing, approached Blue Mills Landing and, at 3:00 am, struck the Confederate pickets. The Union force began to fall back, though, and the Rebels pursued for some distance. The fight lasted for an hour. The Confederates were consolidating influence in northwestern Missouri. (NPS summary)