Prospect Road (Harrisonville Road) Tour Stop 15 (Battle of Westport Driving Tour) (Price's Raid)

Marker Inscription: This was the main road to Harrisonville. Fagan’s Confederate Division was posted here at noon on Oct.23, 1864. At daylight that day Gen. Price’s huge wagon train moved south on this road. After his defeat at Byram’s Ford Gen. Marmaduke retreated south following Price’s column. Gen. Fagan was reinforced by Jackman’s Brigade. They faced east. Sanborn of Pleasanton's Div. attacked them but was driven back but he and Benteen then drove them to the south and west.

Prospect Road, which runs north and south on the east side of Kansas City was once known as Harrisonville Road. While it is now an urban artery street, this road held a great deal of historical significance during the American Civil War. During this time the road was a major route from Kansas City and Westport to communities to the south, including Harrisonville. The road was made of gravel and was a main route for travel, goods, and for services to and from the towns to the north. “Harrisonville Road witnessed numerous skirmishes and engagements throughout the Civil War. These smaller conflicts were part of the ongoing struggle for control and dominance along this strategic route” (Kennett, 2003). Controlling the road was a significant objective during the Battle of Westport, the largest Civil War battle west of the Mississippi River, as well. A historic marker erected by (insert who erected the marker) It is located in Southeast Kansas City near the intersection of Meyer Blvd and Wabash Avenue. (hmbd.org). 

The Battle of Westport was fought on October 23, 1864, during the American Civil War. This battle was a major moment in the conflict. The Union and Confederate forces clashed in and around present-day Kansas City, Missouri as a desperate struggle for control of the region. The early stages of the battle saw intense fighting as Union General Samuel R. Curtis engaged Confederate General Sterling Price's forces. Major Sterling Price invaded Missouri with the Confederate Army of Missouri. His goal was simple, to seize war supplies and to find and recruit supporters of the Confederacy. On Sunday, October 22, 1864 Major General James F. Fagan and General Jo Shelby were forced to cross the Big Blue River. Price sent the Confederate Division posted at this spot along Harrisonville Road at noon. General Price ordered his large wagon train of 600 wagons and 3,000 cattle south on Harrisonville Road. Price left General William L. Cabell’s Brigade to guard the wagon train along with several thousand unarmed recruits for the Confederate army. (TCWM). Union troops led by Major General Samuel R. Curtis attacked the Confederate forces. The Confederate forces lost, due to poor supplies such as inferior weapons, hungry troops, casualties in the battle, and running out of ammunition. 

The Harrisonville Road in Kansas City, Missouri stands as a witness to the intense struggles of the American Civil War. By examining the battles that we went over that occurred along this strategic route, this site contributes to a deeper understanding of the Civil War in the West.

“Harrisonville Road (Prospect) Historical Marker.” Historical Marker, 10 Feb. 2023, www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=28709.

“Harrisonville Road (Prospect) Historical Marker.” Historical Marker, 10 Feb. 2023, www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=28709.  

Harrisonville Road (Prospect) - Kansas City, Mo. - Missouri Historical Markers on Waymarking.Com, www.waymarking.com/waymarks/wm8DEF_Harrisonville_Road_Prospect_Kansas_City_Mo. Accessed 16 Oct. 2023.  

The Civil War Muse a Grawader Enterprises website - www.thecivilwarmuse.com. “The Civil War Muse.” The Civil War Muse - Harrisonville Road Historical Marker, www.thecivilwarmuse.com/index.php?page=harrisonville-road. Accessed 16 Oct. 2023.  

“The Battle of Harrisonville.” The Battle of Harrisonville, www.mycivilwar.com/battles/620823b.html. Accessed 16 Oct. 2023.  

“Area 13: Harrisonville/Lone Tree.” Cass County Public Library, 23 Jan. 2018, www.casscolibrary.org/casscountyhistory/map13/#:~:text=When%20the%20Civil%20War%20broke,of%20the%20war%20in%201865.  

Monnett, Howard N., and John H. Monnett. Action before Westport, 1864. University Press of Colorado, 1995.  

. Bryan, Tony O’. “Civil War on the Western Border: The Missouri-Kansas Conflict, 1854-1865.” Battle of Lone Jack | Civil War on the Western Border: The Missouri-Kansas Conflict, 1854-1865, civilwaronthewesternborder.org/encyclopedia/battle-lone-jack#:~:text=800%20Union%20soldiers%20vs.,or%20wounded%20on%20both%20sides. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.  

“Maximilian Maria Rudolph William Grebe.” Genealogy.Com, www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/grebe/47/. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.