Any clue as to the time during the war he speaks of?

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The First Battle of Independence was a minor engagement of the American Civil War, occurring on August 11, 1862, in the city of Independence, located in Jackson County, Missouri.

Confederate
Col./Acting Brigadier John T. Hughes
Hughes' Recruiters
Hays' Regiment
Quantrill's Guerrillas

Principal Commanders: Lt. Col. James T. Buel [US]; Col. J.T. Hughes and Col. G.W. Thompson [CS]

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The Second Battle of Independence was a minor engagement of the American Civil War October 21–22, 1864 centered in Independence, Missouri, with some of the fiercest fighting taking place at the present-day United Nations Peace Plaza; the "Harry Truman" Railroad Depot; George Caleb Bingham's residence in the city, the Community of Christ church's Temple, Auditorium and "Stone Church"; and the headquarters of the Church of Christ (Temple Lot). The Second Battle of Independence was actually two separate battles, the first day resulting in Price's army driving Blunt's army west, out of Independence, and the second day resulting in Pleasonton's cavalry driving Price's army west, out of Independence.
The Second Battle of Independence was part of a series of battles, fought within 7 days near the Kansas-Missouri Border.
Forces Engaged: Provisional cavalry division [US]; Fagan and Marmaduke’s Divisions, Army of Missouri [CS]