Price had to abandon his goal of capturing St. Louis after a bloody repulse at the Battle of Fort Davidson and moved into the pro-Confederate region of Little Dixie in central Missouri.

One of these involved sending a 1,200-man brigade led by Brigadier General M. Jeff Thompson of the Missouri State Guard towards Sedalia.

The initial Confederate attack quickly dispersed most of the defenders, although some held out until Thompson brought up the rest of his force.

After paroling or releasing their prisoners and plundering the town, the Confederates left to rejoin Price's main force.

The Confederates then retreated, suffering defeats at the battles of Mine Creek and Second Newtonia later in October, before eventually entering Texas.

Governor Claiborne Fox Jackson supported secession, and formed the pro-secession Missouri State Guard, a militia unit.

[3][4] The Union gained control of Missouri in March 1862 after the Battle of Pea Ridge,[5] and the state was then plagued by guerrilla warfare throughout 1862 and 1863.

By the beginning of September 1864, events east of the Mississippi River, especially the Confederate defeat in the Atlanta campaign, gave Abraham Lincoln, who supported continuing the war, an edge in the 1864 United States Presidential Election over George B. McClellan, who promoted a war-ending armistice that would preserve slavery.

While the fort's defenders retreated that night, Price decided to abandon plans to capture St. Louis as his troops had suffered at least 800 casualties and their morale had been dented.

[11] After giving up the proposed St. Louis thrust, Price's army headed for Jefferson City, although the Confederates were slowed by bringing along a large supply train.

Faulty Confederate intelligence placed Union strength at 15,000, and Price, fearing another defeat like Fort Davidson, decided not to attack the city, and began moving his army towards Boonville the next day.

[17] The particular allure of Sedalia for Price was a rumor that the Union army had thousands of mules and cattle in the town, which would be helpful in feeding and remounting the Confederate force.

[21] While Thompson's command had a nominal strength of about 2,000 men, many of the unit's soldiers were absent visiting their homes in the Boonslick area.

[24] Thompson initially decided to call off the attack on Sedalia, before changing his mind in the belief that the Union infantry was not heading in his direction and that Sanborn was too far away to interfere.

[23] Sedalia was located in the middle of an expansive prairie with few trees or other features to provide cover to an attacking force.

Thompson claimed that "no outrage or murder was committed"[32] and reported capturing a number of weapons and wagons of "goods suitable for soldiers".

Most of the Confederate units that had participated in the fighting became disorganized, and Slayback's Battalion, which was in the best state of organization,[33] performed guard duty after the battle.

Two days later, Union Major General James G. Blunt attempted to stop Price at the crossing of the Little Blue River, but was defeated in the ensuing battle.