Union Major Emory S. Foster led an 800-man combined force from Lexington, Missouri to Lone Jack, in Jackson County east of Kansas City. Upon reaching the Lone Jack area, he discovered 1,600 rebels under the command Colonel J.T. Coffee and prepared to attack them. About 9:00 pm on the August 15, 1862, he and his men attacked the Confederate camp and dispersed the force. Early the next morning, Union pickets informed Foster that a 3,000-man Confederate force was advancing on him. Soon this force attacked and a battle ensued that involved charges, retreats, and counterattacks. Foster and his brother were severely wounded, unable to withdraw, and were taken to a cabin. The cabin was captured by the Confederates and Foster was about to be executed by a member of Quantrill's Raiders when 18-year old Cole Younger physically threw the gunman out. sparing Foster's and his brother's lives. They gave $1,000 and their handguns to Younger who then delivered them to the Foster' mother in Warrensburg (all despite Younger's being a member of the Confederates). After five hours of fighting and the loss of Foster, Coffee and his 1,500 men reappeared, causing Foster’s successor, Captain M.H. Brawner to order a retreat. The men left the field in good order and returned to Lexington. This was a Confederate victory but the rebels had to evacuate the area soon afterward when threatened by the approach of large Union forces. Except for a short period of time during Price’s Raid in 1864, the Confederacy lost its clout in Jackson County, Missouri.
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