1st Battle of Independence
At sunrise on August 11, 1862, Colonel John T. Hughes,
commander of the Confederate troops, was killed by a shot to the head
while leading a surprise attack against Federal forces. The volley came from troops under the leadership of Captains Breckinridge and Axline. Colonel Hughes fell motionless to the ground while leading a charge against the right flank of Captain Axline's position.
The surprise attack came from the Confederate Troops and Quantrill’s Partisan Rangers. Captain
Breckinridge was taken by such surprise that he immediately shouted:
“Boys, we are completely surrounded, and we had better surrender.” This
was the first command heard by the troops, but it was not long before
Captain Axline was able to successfully counter that order and get their
men to rally a few yards from here behind a stone fence.
Captain
Axline was able to repel several charges from the Confederates on this
location before he received a message from over-all commander
Lieutenant-Colonel James Buel ordering him to surrender to Colonel
Thompson. Colonel Thompson succeeded command of the Confederates after
the death of Colonel Hughes. Captain Axline reluctantly surrendered.
Brigadier General John T. Hughes Camp #614, Sons of Confederate Veterans.
