Battle of Roan's Tan Yard

The Battle of Roan's Tan Yard (also known as Silver Creek) was an action during the American Civil War, occurring on January 8, 1862, in Randolph County, Missouri.

Rumors and sightings of a Confederate force in the Howard County area had circulated for more than a week, but the Union troops could not locate them. On January 7, 1862, information was received that Col. John A. Poindexter and his force of 800 Missouri State Guard recruits were camped on Silver Creek. Detachments from various Union units came together and headed towards the Confederate camp which was about 14 miles northwest of Fayette. Despite heavy fog, the Federal troops found the camp and attacked in the late afternoon, routing the enemy in only 40 minutes and sending those that were not killed, wounded, or captured fleeing for safety. Two companies of Federal cavalry were ordered to cut off the Confederates' retreat, but darkness and heavy fog, together with thick underbrush, rendered it impossible.

Afterward, the Union force destroyed the camp to prevent its further use. The Confederates could no longer use their Randolph County base for recruiting and raiding.

Forces engaged

Union (450 men)

• 4 companies, 1st Missouri Cavalry (Maj. James M. Hubbard)
• 3 companies, 2nd Missouri Cavalry aka "Merrill's Horse" (Maj. Charles B. Hunt)
• 1st Battalion, 1st Iowa Cavalry (Maj. W. G. M. Torrence)
• 4th Ohio Independent Cavalry Company (Capt. John S. Foster)
• Detachment of Birge's Western Sharpshooters

Confederate (800 men)

• 5th Regiment, 3rd Division Missouri State Guard (Col. John A. Poindexter)

Approximate losses

• Union — 6 killed, 19 wounded.
• Confederate — 40 killed, 80 wounded, 28 captured.

References

• National Park Service battle summary
• U.S. War Dept., The War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume VIII, Chapter XVIII, pg. 49, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1880–1901.
• National Park Service battlefield survey