Arkansas Was Strategic Early Civil War Target
December 7, 1999
Arkansas Was Strategic Early Civil War Target
*****
Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism
Due to its "gateway to the Southwest" location and Mississippi River access, Arkansas was an early Civil War target. Of the more than 750 skirmishes and battles recorded in the state, several sites have been preserved as memorials to the nation's most tragic war.
The first major military action in Arkansas also turned out to be the largest. Over 26,000 soldiers participated in the Battle of Pea Ridge, north of Fayetteville, on March 7-8, 1862. Confederate forces outnumbered the Union Army, but poor leadership and a lack of supplies brought a costly defeat for the South.
Pea Ridge National Military Park covers 4,300 acres in and around the battle site, along U.S. 62, between Rogers and Eureka Springs. A visitor center, museum, and self-guided tours are available.
During late autumn, 1862, more than 11,000 Confederate troops were moved toward Fayetteville in hopes of protecting Fort Smith. On December 7, at the community of Prairie Grove, opposing armies fought a running battle that lasted until darkness. Again, a lack of supplies forced the rebels to retreat.
Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park, located eight miles west of Fayetteville on U.S. 62, includes a museum, visitor center, driving or walking tours to a restored 19th century Ozark village, picnic area, pavilion and interpretive programs.
Efforts to control shipping on the state's rivers brought another Confederate defeat at Arkansas Post on Jan. 10-11, 1863. Over 30,000 Union troops and a fleet of gunboats overwhelmed some 5,000 rebel soldiers, garrisoned at the little outpost. Arkansas-based rebels staged an attack on Union troops at Helena on July 4, 1863. Once again it was a tragic day for the Confederates. Little Rock was occupied on September 10, 1863 with little opposition as the state's Confederate government fled to Washington, in Hempstead County.
The last significant military action in Arkansas occurred in the spring of 1864, when 13,000 federal troops under Gen. Frederick Steele moved south in hopes of completing the conquest of the state and the Great Southwest.
Attempts to supply Steele's army were met with defeats at Poison Spring, near Camden, and Marks' Mill, near Fordyce. The stranded army made a hasty retreat back to the safety of Little Rock, with the Confederates in pursuit all the way to the Saline River. A standoff in bad weather at Jenkins' Ferry, southwest of Sheridan, allowed the fleeing Union forces to escape back into Little Rock.
Poison Spring, Marks' Mill and Jenkins' Ferry are now part of the Arkansas State Parks system. Each offers outdoor exhibits, nature walks and picnic sites. At Old Washington State Park, north of Hope, visitors may tour the 1836 Courthouse that served as the Confederate State Capitol, plus several other historic buildings that make up the park.
For more information about the Civil War in Arkansas, call 1-800-NATURAL; or write the Department of Parks and Tourism, One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201. Visit the Department's official website at www.arkansas.com.
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Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, (501) 682-7606
E-mail: info@arkansas.com
May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
"Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"
Arkansas Was Strategic Early Civil War Target
*****
Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism
Due to its "gateway to the Southwest" location and Mississippi River access, Arkansas was an early Civil War target. Of the more than 750 skirmishes and battles recorded in the state, several sites have been preserved as memorials to the nation's most tragic war.
The first major military action in Arkansas also turned out to be the largest. Over 26,000 soldiers participated in the Battle of Pea Ridge, north of Fayetteville, on March 7-8, 1862. Confederate forces outnumbered the Union Army, but poor leadership and a lack of supplies brought a costly defeat for the South.
Pea Ridge National Military Park covers 4,300 acres in and around the battle site, along U.S. 62, between Rogers and Eureka Springs. A visitor center, museum, and self-guided tours are available.
During late autumn, 1862, more than 11,000 Confederate troops were moved toward Fayetteville in hopes of protecting Fort Smith. On December 7, at the community of Prairie Grove, opposing armies fought a running battle that lasted until darkness. Again, a lack of supplies forced the rebels to retreat.
Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park, located eight miles west of Fayetteville on U.S. 62, includes a museum, visitor center, driving or walking tours to a restored 19th century Ozark village, picnic area, pavilion and interpretive programs.
Efforts to control shipping on the state's rivers brought another Confederate defeat at Arkansas Post on Jan. 10-11, 1863. Over 30,000 Union troops and a fleet of gunboats overwhelmed some 5,000 rebel soldiers, garrisoned at the little outpost. Arkansas-based rebels staged an attack on Union troops at Helena on July 4, 1863. Once again it was a tragic day for the Confederates. Little Rock was occupied on September 10, 1863 with little opposition as the state's Confederate government fled to Washington, in Hempstead County.
The last significant military action in Arkansas occurred in the spring of 1864, when 13,000 federal troops under Gen. Frederick Steele moved south in hopes of completing the conquest of the state and the Great Southwest.
Attempts to supply Steele's army were met with defeats at Poison Spring, near Camden, and Marks' Mill, near Fordyce. The stranded army made a hasty retreat back to the safety of Little Rock, with the Confederates in pursuit all the way to the Saline River. A standoff in bad weather at Jenkins' Ferry, southwest of Sheridan, allowed the fleeing Union forces to escape back into Little Rock.
Poison Spring, Marks' Mill and Jenkins' Ferry are now part of the Arkansas State Parks system. Each offers outdoor exhibits, nature walks and picnic sites. At Old Washington State Park, north of Hope, visitors may tour the 1836 Courthouse that served as the Confederate State Capitol, plus several other historic buildings that make up the park.
For more information about the Civil War in Arkansas, call 1-800-NATURAL; or write the Department of Parks and Tourism, One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201. Visit the Department's official website at www.arkansas.com.
Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, (501) 682-7606
E-mail: info@arkansas.com
May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
"Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"
Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, 501-682-7606
E-mail: info@arkansas.com
May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
"Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"