October 21, 1864---The Battle of The Little Blue River

OCTOBER 21, 1864:                   

The Battle of The Little Blue River, Missouri: 

General Sterling Price C.S.A. neatly but barely escapes from blasted Lexington (his one escape route was to have been covered by Kansas Militia who refused to enter Missouri and fight there).   

Price is able to move his forces to the Little Blue River, a small creek five miles from Independence (later the birthplace of President Harry S Truman, 1884-1972).  

He is met there by a Union force, and for one of the few times in the war enjoys overwhelming numerical superiority (8,500 to 2,000) over General Thomas Moonlight, U.S.A. Regardless, Moonlight makes Price pay for every inch of ground. 

Overwhelmed, the Union forces break away after six hours of heavy fighting, and Price occupies Independence.