Grant desires “Price be pursued to the Arkansas River”: Curtis, Rosecrans, Pleasonton and the “battle” over Price

150 years ago today, Major-General Sterling Price’s campaign was far from over.  Maybe lunging through its last legs, but far from over.  The action at Newtonia on October 28, 1864 had effectively closed Missouri to the Confederacy.  On October 29, Price moved his headquarters south of Pineville, Missouri.  He moved to Maysville the next day. 

October 11, 1864: The fourth, and final, battle of Boonville, Missouri

Perhaps it is just an inside joke among those of us who have studied the Civil War in Missouri to any great extent.  But ask me about the Battle of Boonville  and I’ll respond, “Which one?”  There were four battles fought around Boonville.  None of which might rank as a major battle compared to, say,

“If Price takes Jefferson City he will have to fight for it”: Price threatens Missouri state capital

After making his move towards St. Louis on October 1, 1864, Major-General Sterling Price looked westward to continue his campaign.  The Confederate Army of Missouri marched through the counties along the southern side of the Missouri River in the direction of the state capital at Jefferson City. Along this route were several important tributaries which