Battle of Westport - Turning Tides - Kansas City, Missouri
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iconions
N 39° 01.704 W 094° 35.672
15S E 361978 N 4321137
This is marker for Tour Stop 8 of the Battle of Westport Auto Tour. There are 9 separate markers here. This stop is near the intersection of 55th & Pennsylvania Avenue.
Waymark Code: WM8B9X
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 03/06/2010
Views: 4
Text of the Marker:
In the Civil War Midyears
Turning Tides
The North Scores
Key Victories
In July, 1863, the South lost at Gettysburg and at Vicksburg, and the tide of victory turned to the North. Union gunboats took control of the Mississippi, isolating Confederates west of the river. In November, 1863, Chattanooga fell and by July, 1864, Atlanta, Richmond and Petersburg were under siege. The Confederacy was being split and its capitol threatened.
(map of situation mid 1863 - mid 1864)
The South Devises a Desperate Plan to Capture St. Louis and Turn the Union From the East
Confederate troops from Missouri and Arkansas would raid Missouri, rally the loyal men there, capture St. Louis and bring Missouri into the Confederacy. Success could possibly change the course of the war.
C.S.A. Headquarters ordered the plan into operation on August 4, 1864. (The logistics problems of this raid would rand with those of U.S. General Sherman's march through Georgia.)
On September 19, the C.S.A. Army of Missouri rode out from Pocahontas, Arkansas, with General Sterling Price, a Missourian, in command. Generals James Fagan, John Marmaduke and Joseph Shelby led three divisions of cavalry with artillery.
(picture of Confederate cavalry)
Web link: [Web Link]
History of Mark:
The above link is for the Civil War muse that describes this Tour Stop 8.
Additional point: N 39° 01.688 W 094° 35.828
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Visit Instructions:
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