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1st Battle of
Newtonia, September 30, 1862
Following the Battle of Pea Ridge, in March 1862, most Confederate and
Union troops left northwestern Arkansas and southwestern Missouri. By late
summer, Confederates returned to the area, which caused much apprehension
in nearby Federally-occupied Springfield, Missouri, and Fort Scott,
Kansas. Confederate Col. Douglas Cooper reached the area on the 27th and
assigned two of his units to Newtonia where there was a mill for making
breadstuffs. In mid-September, two brigades of Brig. Gen. James G. Blunts
Union Army of Kansas left Fort Scott for Southwest Missouri. On the 29th,
Union scouts approached Newtonia but were chased away. Other Union troops
appeared in nearby Granby where there were lead mines, and Cooper sent
some reinforcements there. The next morning, Union troops appeared before
Newtonia and fighting ensued by 7:00 am. The Federals began driving the
enemy, but Confederate reinforcements arrived, swelling the numbers. The
Federals gave way and retreated in haste. As they did so, some of their
reinforcements appeared and helped to stem their retreat. The Union forces
then renewed the attack, threatening the enemy right flank. But newly
arrived Confederates stopped that attack and eventually forced the
Federals to retire again. Pursuit of the Federals continued after dark.
Union gunners posted artillery in the roadway to halt the pursuit. As
Confederate gunners observed the Union artillery fire for location, they
fired back, creating panic. The Union retreat turned into a rout as some
ran all the way to Sarcoxie, more than ten miles away. Although the
Confederates won the battle, they were unable to maintain themselves in
the area given the great numbers of Union troops. Most Confederates
retreated into northwest Arkansas. The 1862 Confederate victories in
southwestern Missouri at Newtonia and Clarks Mill were the Souths apogee
in the area; afterwards, the only Confederates in the area belonged to
raiding columns.
2nd Battle of Newtonia, October 28, 1864
Prices force was in full retreat following its expedition into
Missouri. On October 28, 1864, it stopped to rest about two miles south of
Newtonia, Missouri. Soon afterward, Maj. Gen. James G. Blunts Union
troops surprised the Confederates and began to drive them. Brig. Gen. Joe
Shelbys division, including his Iron Brigade, rode to the front,
dismounted, and engaged the Yankees while the other Rebel troops retreated
towards Indian Territory. Brig. Gen. John B. Sanborn later appeared with
Union reinforcements which convinced Shelby to retire. The Union troops
forced the Confederates to retreat but failed to destroy or capture them.
Courtesy of NPS Battle Summaries |
