Confederate order of battle at the Battle of Westport facts for kids
The Battle of Westport was a really important fight during the American Civil War. It happened in October 1864, near what is now Kansas City, Missouri. This battle was a big part of a plan by Confederate General Sterling Price to try and take back Missouri for the South.
This article tells you about the different groups of soldiers and their leaders who fought for the Confederate Army in this battle. Think of it like a team roster, showing who was in charge of which part of the army. The Union Army's list of units is in a separate article.
Contents
Understanding the Ranks
When you read about armies, you'll see lots of abbreviations for military ranks. Here's what they mean:
- MG = Major General: A very high-ranking officer, usually in charge of a large group of soldiers called a division.
- BG = Brigadier General: An officer who commands a brigade, which is a smaller group of soldiers than a division.
- Col = Colonel: An officer who leads a regiment.
- Ltc = Lieutenant Colonel: The second-in-command of a regiment, or sometimes leading a smaller group like a battalion.
- Maj = Major: An officer who leads a battalion, which is a smaller group than a regiment.
- Cpt = Captain: An officer who leads a company, a small group of soldiers.
- Lt = 1st Lieutenant: An officer who helps lead a company.
Other Abbreviations
- w = wounded: This means the person was injured during the battle.
Price's Army of Missouri
The entire Confederate force was called the Army of Missouri, and it was led by MG Sterling Price. His army was made up of several large sections called divisions, each with its own commander.
Fagan's Division
MG James F. Fagan led this division. It was made up mostly of cavalry, which are soldiers who fight on horseback.
| Division | Brigade | Main Units |
|---|---|---|
|
Fagan's Division |
Cabell's Brigade
|
This brigade included several Arkansas Cavalry regiments and battalions, like Gordon's, Gunter's, Harrell's, Hill's, Monroe's, Morgan's, and Witherspoon's. They also had Hughey's Arkansas Battery with two cannons. |
| Dobbin's Brigade | This group had Dobbin's, McGhee's (Col James H. McGee was wounded on Oct. 23), and Witt's Arkansas Cavalry regiments. They also had Blocher's Arkansas Battery with two cannons. | |
| Slemons' Brigade | This brigade included Slemons's, Carlton's, Crawford's, and Wright's Arkansas Cavalry regiments. | |
| McCray's Brigade
|
This brigade had the 15th Missouri Cavalry, and the 45th and 47th Arkansas (mounted) regiments. | |
| Unattached Units
|
These were smaller groups not assigned to a specific brigade, including Anderson's Arkansas Cavalry Battalion, Lyle's Arkansas Cavalry, and Rogan's Arkansas Cavalry. |
Marmaduke's Division (1st Missouri Division)
BG John S. Marmaduke led this division, which was also known as the 1st Missouri Division. He had a small group of soldiers, the 5th Missouri Cavalry, Company D, and a scouting company, who rode with him as an escort.
| Division | Brigade | Main Units |
|---|---|---|
|
Marmaduke's Division
|
||
| Marmaduke's Brigade | This brigade included the 3rd, 4th, 7th, 8th, and 10th Missouri Cavalry Regiments, Davies's Missouri Cavalry Battalion, and Hogan's Engineer Company. | |
| Artillery
|
This group handled the cannons, including Harris' Missouri Battery (with 2 or 3 guns) and Hynson's Texas Battery (with 3 guns). | |
| Freeman's Brigade
|
This brigade had Ford's Arkansas Cavalry Battalion, and Freeman's and Fristoe's Missouri Cavalry Regiments. |
Shelby's Division
BG Joseph O. Shelby led this division, which was famous for its tough fighting.
| Division | Brigade | Main Units |
|---|---|---|
|
Shelby's Division |
Shelby's Iron Brigade
|
This famous brigade included the 5th, 11th, and 12th Missouri Cavalry, Crisp's Cavalry Battalion, Elliott's Missouri Cavalry, Johnson's Cavalry Battalion, and Slayback's Missouri Cavalry Battalion. They also had Collin's Missouri Battery with two cannons. |
| Jackman's Brigade | This brigade included Hunter's Missouri Cavalry, Jackman's Missouri Cavalry, Schnable's Missouri Cavalry Battalion, and Williams' Missouri Cavalry Battalion. They also had Collins' Missouri Battery with two cannons. | |
| Tyler's Brigade
|
This group included Coffee's, Perkin's, and Searcey's Missouri Cavalry. They also had many unorganized recruits who were new to the army. | |
| Unattached Unit | This was the 46th Arkansas Infantry (mounted), which was not assigned to a specific brigade within Shelby's division. |
