History Channel Comes to Kansas

Under the glare of a hot Kansas sun wagons of refugees rolled down the Fort
Scott Military Road toward Mine Creek. Men and horses charged into battle
as the sounds of hooves, carbines, and clanking sabres created a symphony of
suffering and destruction. Sound dramatic? Drama and a passion for preserving history brought re-enactors and film makers, under the watchful eye of Bill Kurtis and his Kurtis Productions crew, to Southeast Kansas in early July 2004. The Kurtis crew was in the Pleasanton area to film an upcoming episode of "Investigating History" which airs on the History Channel on Monday nights at 9:00 pm CT.According to Kurtis the production was undertaken due to his love of Kansas history and to give life to long forgotten history. "I wanted to do Mine Creek as an example of how some great historical events are lost in the fog of history.We call it the Lost Battle of the Civil War. But lost no longer! Thanks to you guys." For crew and re-enactors alike the experience was truly incredible!
Braving 100 degree plus temperatures, men, horses, artillery crews, civilians, and medical reenactors came together to recreate the most pivotal events of the Battle of Mine Creek. The high temperatures made recreating a fall, cool weather battle difficult for cast, crew, and animals alike. The production schedule included the filming of a refugee wagon train carrying the war weary to safety. A medical tent provided the Kurtis crew a first hand look at Civil War battlefield medicine. Cavalry units afforded high drama as they recreated the Union charge that spelled the death knell for Confederate forces. After the carnage was over, the story of Barbara Dolson and her mother, angels of the battlefield, dramatized the aftermath of battle and role that civilians played in giving aid and comfort to those touched by the fire of war. For all those involved in the two day production shoot reliving the story of the Battle of Mine Creek and honoring the sacrifices made by all that fought, died, and served were of utmost importance. Part of Sterling Price's ill fated 1864 campaign, the Battle of Mine Creek (October 25, 1864) was the largest cavalry battle in the Trans-Mississsippi theatre of the American Civil War. The battle ensured Union success in the Trans-Mississippi and forced Price to retreat into Confederate territory to never again return to Kansas. The "Investigating History" segment "The Lost Battle of the Civil War" will air on Monday, November 15th at 9:00 pm CT on the History Channel. For more information on "Investigating History" visit the web at www.historychannel.com/investigatinghistory