Directions to Stop #3.2: Trail Marker 2 is located just south and west of Trail Marker 1. Just follow the trail heading south to the next marker. This tour stop is located near Pleasanton, Kansas 66075.
Description: You are standing on Fort Scott Road in between the opposing forces. Take a moment to think about the troops that were just about ready to start fighting. It's about 11:00 A.M. on the morning of October 25, 1864. Marmaduke had originally planned to get across the stream and set up his rear guard defense on the south side of Mine Creek. He felt he would be able hold off the Federals from that position. But just before 11:00 A.M., Marmaduke had found that the Mine Creek crossing was blocked. Because of the heavy rains the creek was a raging torrent. The two available fords were backed up with over 100 wagons still trying to get across. To further complicate matters, a wagon had overturned and was now blocking the ford.
Marmaduke realized he would have to set up his defense line on the north side of the creek. He deployed Clark's and Freeman's Brigades as a rear guard. The Confederate line extended about 800 yards and contained about 4,825 men. At this point Philips' Brigade came across a ridge about 1,000 yards north of the Confederates. As the Federals came into view, Marmaduke requested assistance from Fagan' Division. Fagan had gotten all of his division south of Mine Creek except for Cabell's Brigade. After Marmaduke's request, Cabell's Brigade immediately deployed into the line of battle. Cabell was about to order a charge when Benteen's Brigade joined Philips to the north.
Fagan brought the rest of his division across to the north side of the creek and extended the Confederate line west. Marmaduke felt he was now confronted by an overwhelming force and sent back a request to Price for reinforcements. Neither Marmaduke nor Fagan deployed any of their troops as a reserve force.
Look to the south. Off in the distance there are two red markers. The marker directly south of you marks the initial Confederate line of battle across the Fort Scott Road. There is another red marker to the southeast (it may be difficult to pick out from where you are standing) that marks the right flank of the Confederate line. The Confederate line of battle extended about three quarters of a mile to the west from this marker.
Now turn and look to the north at the Federal position. Up on the hill by the red marker was the Federal line of battle.
Philips immediately saw that the Federals were outnumbered. They were facing more than 6,000 Confederates along with their artillery. He sent back a request to Pleasonton for reinforcements. Philips' Brigade came under Confederate artillery fire and became pinned down. Philips' artillery returned this fire.