Major-General Sterling Price had begun an expedition in September 1864 to restore Confederate control of Missouri.

On October 28, the Union defeated Price again at the Second Battle of Newtonia, and the shattered Confederate army reached Texas in December.

Union columns commanded by Major Generals Samuel R. Curtis and Alfred Pleasonton began pursuing Price, who won another victory at the Second Battle of Lexington on October 19.

A delaying action at the Battle of Little Blue River (October 21) allowed Union forces to catch up with Price.

The Confederates began retreating through Kansas, and early on October 25, Price's army was defeated in a small action near the Marais des Cygnes River.

Price's army was slowed during the retreat by a large supply train, which halted at the ford at Mine Creek.

[1] The Union forces pursuing Price's column were all organized into the Army of the Border, commanded by Curtis.

Marmaduke's division consisted of two brigades, commanded by Brigadier General John Bullock Clark Jr. and Colonel Thomas R. Freeman.

Shelby's division contained three brigades, commanded by militia officer M. Jeff Thompson and Colonels Sidney D. Jackman and Charles H. Tyler.

[4] Despite the skirmish near the Marais des Cygnes, Price did not believe his force was in substantial danger, and sent Shelby's division towards Fort Scott to make an attempting at capturing the post.

Marmaduke and Fagan remained with some of the wagon train near the crossing of Mine Creek, north of the Little Osage River.

One of the driving factors behind the decision to attack was Benteen's belief that the Confederates had made an error in the emplacement of their artillery.

[11] The Confederate cannons were placed close to the front line, and would only have the chance to fire one or two rounds before a cavalry charge could reach them.

The Confederates were too disorganized to attempt a counterattack and the 4th Iowa Cavalry of Benteen's brigade broke the impasse by renewing the attack.

[13] Benteen's force aimed for the center of Marmaduke's side of the Confederate line, and Philips' brigade headed towards Fagan's left flank once the unit resumed forward progress.

The Union troopers' repeating rifles gave them a firepower advantage over the Confederates, who were mostly armed with single-shot weapons.

Marmaduke's other brigade, Freeman's, contained mainly newly recruited men and fell back before the Union charge completely reached their line.

After a short fight at the Battle of Marmiton River, Price decided to destroy all of the wagons that did not contain essential military supplies.

By December, the shattered remainder of Price's army reached Texas, with the campaign having ended in a decisive defeat.

Marked trails are present at the site, allowing visitors to view the significant features of the battlefield.