Battle of Westport

Significance

The Battle of Westport on October 23, 1864, marked the decisive turning point of Sterling Price's Missouri Expedition, the last major Confederate offensive west of the Mississippi River. Union forces under Samuel R. Curtis, fielding roughly 22,000 troops against Price's 8,500, inflicted a defeat that compelled the Confederate army to retreat and abandon any remaining prospect of seizing Missouri. With more than 30,000 troops engaged, it ranked among the largest engagements fought west of the Mississippi. Following the battle, the United States Army consolidated control over most of Missouri for the remainder of the war, effectively closing the trans-Mississippi theater to large-scale Confederate offensive action.

Forces & casualties

Commanders (2)