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1865 drawing of Price's Raid
1865 drawing of Price's Raid

The Second Battle of Newtonia was fought on October 28, 1864, near Newtonia, Missouri, between cavalry of the Union Army and the rear guard of the Confederate Army of Missouri. In September 1864, the Confederates launched Price's Raid (pictured), an attempt to create a popular uprising against Union control of Missouri. After being forced to retreat, the Confederates halted to rest near Newtonia. On the afternoon of October 28, Union pursuers caught up and surprised the Confederates. The main Confederate army withdrew, leaving a rear guard under Brigadier General Joseph O. Shelby. Shelby initially had a numerical advantage, and used it to outflank Blunt's shorter line. Blunt was considering a retreat shortly before sundown when reinforcements arrived in the form of Brigadier General John B. Sanborn and his brigade. Sanborn joined Blunt's line, and the Union troops counterattacked. Shelby ordered a retreat and was not pursued until October 30. Modern historians credit the Union with a victory at Newtonia. (Full article...)

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A black-and-white image of two female mechanics servicing an aircraft engine
Two aircraft mechanics servicing a rotary aircraft engine
This week's article for improvement is mechanic, a skilled tradesperson who uses tools to build, maintain, or repair machinery.

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  • Finding reliable sources about the topic
  • Expanding the "Duties and specialities" section
  • Adding information about other types of mechanics

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Gunmen moving towards St George's church
Gunmen moving towards St George's church

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October 28

Statue of Liberty
Statue of Liberty
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Brook Benton
Brook Benton

In 1960, fifteen songs topped the Billboard Hot R&B Sides chart, ranking the top-performing songs in the United States in rhythm and blues (R&B) and related African-American–oriented genres; the chart has undergone various name changes over the decades to reflect the evolution of such genres, and since 2005 has been published by Billboard as Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Brook Benton (pictured) spent the most weeks at number one in 1960, with nine consecutive weeks at number one with "Kiddio" between August and October, and another 14 weeks in the top spot with two duets with Dinah Washington – "Baby (You've Got What It Takes)" and "A Rockin' Good Way (to Mess Around and Fall in Love)" – for a cumulative 23 weeks at the top of the chart. Two of 1960's R&B number ones also topped Billboard's all-genre Hot 100 chart: "Cathy's Clown" by the Everly Brothers and "Save the Last Dance for Me" by the Drifters. (Full list...)

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