Dry Wood Creek (September 2, 1861)

Also called the Battle of Big Dry Wood Creek and Battle of the Mules, this skirmish between the Kansas Cavalry Brigade and the Missouri State Guard took place in Vernon County. It began when General James H. Lane's Kansas Brigade of about 600 troops set out from Fort Scott, Kansas to learn the whereabouts of a rumored Confederate force. They soon surprised a Confederate force of about 6,000-strong, near Big Dry Wood Creek. The stronger Confederate force, commanded by Major General Sterling Price and Brigadier General James S. Rains soon drove the cavalry to retreat and captured their mules in the meantime. The Rebels then continued on towards Lexington, forcing the Federals to abandon southwestern Missouri and to concentrate on holding the Missouri Valley. The skirmish resulted in about 14 Federal casualties. The number of Confederate casualties is unknown.

Lexington (September 13-20, 1861)

Taking place in Lafayette County, this battle is also referred to as the Battle of the Hemp Bales. A major Confederate victory, the rebels were commanded by Major General Sterling Price, leading some 12,000 troops of the Missouri State Guard. After their success at Wilson's Creek, the Guard consolidated forces in the northern and central part of the state and marched on Lexington. There, Colonel James A. Mulligan commanded an entrenched Union garrison of about 3,500 men. Price’s men first encountered Union skirmishers on September 13th south of town and pushed them back into the fortifications. The Major General,  having bottled the Union troops in Lexington, then decided to await his ammunition wagons, other supplies, and reinforcements before assaulting the fortifications. By the 18th, Price was ready and ordered an assault. The Missouri State Guard moved forward amidst heavy Union artillery fire and pushed the enemy back into their inner works. On the 19th, the Rebels consolidated their positions, kept the Union forces under heavy artillery fire and prepared for the final attack. Early on the morning of the 20th, Price’s men advanced behind mobile breastworks, made of hemp, close enough to take the Union works at the Anderson House in a final rush. Mulligan then requested surrender terms after noon, and by 2:00 pm the Federal men had vacated their works and stacked their arms. This Unionist stronghold had fallen, further bolstering southern sentiment and consolidating Confederate control in the Missouri Valley west of Arrow Rock. In the end the battle resulted in estimated Union casualties of 1,874 compared to just 100 Confederate.

Liberty  (September 17, 1861)

Taking place in Clay County, this battle is also referred to as Blue Mills Landing or Blue Mills. On September 15, 1861, Confederate General D.R. Atchison left Lexington and marched towards Liberty, where he met up with the Missouri State Guard. The next night, his forces 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 Lieutenant Colonel John Scott was leading a force of about 600 men from Cameron, Missouri towards Liberty, on the 15th. Camping at Centreville, he and his men departed at about 2:00 a.m. on the 17th. When Scott arrived in Liberty, he sent out scouts to find the enemy, and, about 11:00 a.m., skirmishing began. At noon, Scott marched in the direction of the firing, approached Blue Mills Landing and, at 3:00 a.m., struck the Confederate pickets. However, the Union force began to fall back and the Rebels pursued for some distance. The fight lasted for an hour. Estimated casualties in the battle were 56 Union and 70 Confederate.