Kirby and others:

Here's an account of the 2nd battle of Independence, Oct. 22, 1864, written by Henry Luttrell of Lawther's 10th Missouri Cavalry. He is describing the fighting west of town against Brown's Brigade. It appeared in the St. Louis Republican on March 6, 1886.

I haven't seen any Union or Confederate accounts that even vaguely resemble this account. Does anyone have an account that coincides with Luttrell's?

Early this morning the enemy made a dash on Fagan's brigade and, report says, captured two guns and 300 prisoners. Companies G, H, I and K of the 10th Regiment are sent to the scene of the disaster. We find the enemy active and aggressive, driving everything before him. Companies I and K deploy into line. The enemy dashed upon the flank of Company I and runs them over a rail fence that in the hurry and uncerctain light of the new day has been overlooked and left standing. But Company K changing front gives the enemy a volley from their Enfields that checks their wild career. Companies G and H deploy to the right and left to protect the flanks and I and K dismount, send their horses to the rear, and lying upon their faces, send a well aimed volley into the ranks of the approaching enemy which causes them to stagger and break ranks. H and G firing and charging at the gallop, send them down the road in confusion. After this the enemy are more careful how they dash upon us. In a couple of hours we are relieved by other troopers and we take our place in the moving column. On the high prairie divide just east of Brush Creek the command comes to a halt.

Bryce A. SUderow