Second Battle of Lexington

Fully aware of General Sterling Price’s movement through eastern and central Missouri, troops across western Missouri and eastern Kansas continue to prepare for a potential attack. In part because of political issues across state lines and the low morale of Kansas soldiers, only 2,000 Union troops travel eastward with Major General James G. Blunt. In what has become known as the second Battle of Lexington, Price’s army arrives from the opposite direction to meet and engage Blunt’s force. Blunt is able to gauge the number of men in Price’s command and slows Price’s movement toward Kansas City, but the relatively small Union force cannot prevent the Confederates from occupying Lexington.