Battle of Glasgow

Battle of Glasgow Began: October 15, 1864 Ended: Same day Location: Howard County, Missouri Theater: Trans-Mississippi Theater Campaign: Price’s Missouri Expedition Outcome: Confederate victory Combatants Glasgow garrison Commanders Chester Harding Colonel, USA John B. Clark Brigadier General, CSA Joe Shelby Brigadier General, CSA Strength 800 Casualties '400 50

While Maj. Gen. Sterling Price led his men westward across Missouri, he decided to send a detachment to Glasgow to liberate weapons and supplies in an arms storehouse, purported to be there. This combined mounted infantry, cavalry, and artillery force laid siege to the town and the fortifications on Hereford Hill. Before dawn on October 15, Confederate artillery opened on the town and Rebels advanced on Glasgow by various routes, forcing the Yankees to fall back. The Union forces retreated out of town and up the hill toward the fortifications on Hereford Hill. There they formed a defensive line in this area, but the Confederates continued to advance. Convinced that he could not defend against another Confederate attack, Col. Chester Harding surrendered around 1:30 pm. Although Harding destroyed some Federal stores, Price’s men found rifle-muskets, overcoats, and horses. The Confederates remained in town for three days before rejoining the main column with new supplies and weapons and marching on towards Kansas City. The victory and capture of supplies and weapons were a boost to Price’s army's morale. (NPS summary)