Its result was a Confederate victory, continuing the Southern domination of the Jackson County area for a few days while the recruiters completed their work.

Various guerrillas and bushwhackers, most notably those under William Quantrill, had gathered in Missouri and assisted these recruiters as they worked in the region.

Cole Younger and another man conducted a successful reconnaissance of the town on the day prior to the Confederate attack.

On the evening of August 10, several citizens warned Buel of an impending assault on the city; many Union residents had already fled.

The Federals were positioned in three main concentrations: their camp near a rock wall, the bank serving as Buel's headquarters, and the county jail.

Through a flag of truce, Buel arranged a meeting with the new Confederate commander, Col. Gideon W. Thompson, who had replaced Colonel Hughes, killed earlier.

Knowles had guided Thomas' force in a successful ambush of Todd's command in an earlier engagement, killing several of them.

The First Battle of Independence resulted in approximately 344 known Union casualties; total losses for the Confederate side are unknown.

Hays led them in a cooperative attack with other Confederate commands against a Federal force arriving at Lone Jack.

Captain Breckenridge's inability to find any guerrillas in the preceding eleven days, together with his eagerness to surrender, were also considered disgraceful.