Second Battle of Newtonia

Other Names: None

Location: Near Newtonia, Missouri

Campaign: Price's Missouri Expedition (1864)

Date: October 28, 1864

Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. James G. Blunt [US]; Maj. Gen. Sterling Price [CS]

Forces Engaged: Five brigades [US]; remnants of Price's Army of Missouri [CS]

Casualties and losses:  650 total (US 400; CS 250)

Result(s): Union victory

Brief Description:

Price's force was in full retreat following its expedition into Missouri. On October 28, 1864, it stopped to rest about two miles south of Newtonia, Missouri. Soon afterward, Maj. Gen. James G. Blunt's Union troops surprised the Confederates and began to drive them. Brig. Gen. Joe Shelby's division, including his Iron Brigade, rode to the front, dismounted, and engaged the Yankees while the other Rebel troops retreated towards Indian Territory. Brig. Gen. John B. Sanborn later appeared with Union reinforcements which convinced Shelby to retire. The Union troops forced the Confederates to retreat but failed to destroy or capture them. Both armies claimed victory. Curtis reported that the Confederates had been "conquered", while Price claimed that Blunt had been driven back 3 miles and to have inflicted severe casualties. Shelby's chief of staff, John Newman Edwards, stated that "another beautiful victory had crowned the Confederate arms".