Skirmish at Blackwater Creek

Part of the American Civil War

Date	December 19, 1861
Location	Johnson County, Missouri
Result	Union victory

Belligerents

United States of America

Missouri State Guard

Commanders and leaders

John Pope

Franklin S. Robertson

Strength

~2,000 of the 1st Brigade (engaged)
~2,000 of 2nd Brigade (unengaged)

750+ Robertson's MSG Recruit Regiment

Casualties and losses

2 killed
8 wounded

684+ captured
killed and wounded unknown

The Skirmish at Blackwater Creek (a river) or Skirmish at Milford was an American Civil War skirmish that took place in central Missouri on December 19, 1861 near present day Valley City. It was a victory for the North.

Following the Siege of Lexington, Missouri the secessionist Missouri State Guard withdrew to the southwest portion of Missouri. Some Southern recruiters such as Colonel Franklin S. Robertson remained, attempting to fill their regiments. Robertson, a store owner in Saline County, Missouri born in Kentucky had been granted his commission by Major General Sterling Price at Lexington.

Meanwhile, Union Brigadier General John Pope, in command of the District of Central Missouri, was determined to suppress Southern recruiting in the region. He headed Southwest from Sedalia before turning the main body north toward Warrensburg.

Robertson collected his recruits at Grand Pass where they elected officers. On December 16, 1861 the 750 men began their March south. The plan was to first link up with Colonel J.J. Clarkson’s recruits near Warrensburg, Missouri before proceeding south to General Price. They were unable to merge with Clarkson but they were joined by Colonel Ebenezer Magoffin, who was on parole after being captured while attempting to recruit his own regiment. Magoffin is notable as the brother of Kentucky Governor Beriah Magoffin.

General Pope learned on the evening of December 18 that Robertson’s force would be camped at Milford.

Early the next morning Pope’s force marched toward Knob Noster, Missouri. Pope ordered Colonel Jefferson C. Davis’s brigade to the Blackwater bridge where he was to force the bridge. Simultaneously a battalion of the 2nd Missouri Cavalry (“Merrill’s Horse”) moved northeast to complete the envelopment.

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Wikipedia