North and South, Civil War Sites Dot Arkansas
January 13, 1999
North and South,
Civil War Sites Dot Arkansas
*****
By Craig Ogilvie, travel writer
Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism
Because of its "gateway to the Southwest" location and Mississippi River commerce, Arkansas was an important western target for the Union and Confederacy during the Civil War. Over 750 military engagements were recorded within the state's borders and all major encounters have been preserved as memorials, state parks and a national battlefield.
The first major military action in Arkansas also turned out to be the largest Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi. 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 were defeated by poor leadership and lack of supplies. Some 2,500 casualties resulted from the battle, which historians say prevented the Confederate occupation of Missouri.
Pea Ridge National Military Park covers 4,300 acres in and around the battle site, along U.S. 62 in eastern Benton County. A visitors center, museum, audio-visual theater, and self-guided tours are available to the public.
As federal troops slowly occupied northern Arkansas during the summer and autumn of 1862, Confederate Gen. Thomas C. Hindman of Helena moved 11,000 troops toward Fayetteville in hopes of protecting Fort Smith. On December 7, at the community of Prairie Grove, the opposing armies fought a running battle that lasted until darkness. Again, the lack of supplies forced the rebels to retreat southward and north Arkansas was left to the Union.
Local efforts to preserve Prairie Grove battlefield date to 1908, but the present state park was not opened until 1971. The life of a foot soldier is emphasized at the park's Battlefield Museum. Other facilities include a visitors center, driving or walking tours to a restored 19th century Ozark village, picnic areas, pavilions, amphitheater, and exhibits. Interpretive programs help illustrate the war period and a reenactment of the battle is staged the first weekend in December during even numbered years.
Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park is located on U.S. 62, eight miles west of Fayetteville.
Military efforts to control shipping on the state's riverways brought another Confederate defeat on Jan. 10-11, 1863. Fort Hindman, an earthen fortress overlooking the river at Arkansas Post, was garrisoned by 5,000 rebel troops from Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana. Overwhelmed by 30,000 Union soldiers and a fleet of federal gunboats, the little fort was pounded into submission after a gallant two-day stand. It was the largest Confederate surrender of men west of the Mississippi, and also totally destroyed the historic town of Arkansas Post.
Today, Arkansas Post National Memorial offers a visitors center, exhibits of the Post's rich history, an audio-visual theater, walking trails and historic markers. Due to the river's ever-changing patterns, the remnants of Fort Hindman are now underwater. The park is located 11 miles south of Gillett, off U.S. 165.
In an attempt to relieve federal pressure on besieged Vicksburg and give the Confederacy a much-needed victory, 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. The defeat at Helena was compounded by Union victories at Vicksburg and Gettysburg. It was the turning point for both Arkansas and the "Southern Cause."
With little opposition, federal troops occupied Little Rock on September 10, 1863. The state's Confederate government fled to Washington, in Hempstead County, where it remained until the close of the war. By the end of the year, Union forces controlled almost all areas of the state except for the southwest region.
The last significant military action in Arkansas occurred in the spring of 1864 when Gen. Frederick Steele moved his forces out of Little Rock to complete the conquest of Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana. Steele's command had 13,000 soldiers, 30 cannons, 800 wagons, and 12,000 horses and mules.
At Prairie DeAnn, near Prescott, Confederates attacked Steele's forces and pushed them eastward to Camden, where they endured on short supplies for 11 days. On April 18, a Union wagon train was captured at Poison Spring, west of Camden. Then, on April 25, Confederates took another supply train from Steele's command at Marks' Mill, southeast of Fordyce. More federal prisoners and equipment were captured during this incident than in any battle fought in Arkansas.
Gen. Steele, stranded in Camden, decided to make a dash back to the safety of Little Rock, but was overtaken at Jenkins' Ferry on the Saline River, southwest of Sheridan. With bad weather conditions favoring the retreating northern army, Gen. Steele was able to get his remaining force back into the capital city. His attempt to capture the southwest became known as the Red River Campaign.
Poison Spring, Marks' Mill and Jenkins' Ferry are now part of the Arkansas State Parks system. Each offers outdoor exhibits, trails and picnic areas. Jenkins' Ferry also offers access to the Saline River. At Old Washington State Park, northwest 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. Old Washington is also home of the Southwest Arkansas Regional Archives, a resource center for historical research.
General Lee's surrender to General Grant at Appomattox on April 9, 1865, did not completely halt the war in Arkansas. The last recorded skirmish occurred near Monticello on May 24, 1865.
The centennial anniversary of the Civil War in the early 1960s, launched renewed interest in the subject. Years later, television mini-series such as "North and South" and "The Blue and Gray," plus Ken Burns' award-winning PBS documentary "The Civil War," all contributed to the current national popularity.
The Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail, organized in recent years, is a network of regional non-profit, volunteer organizations seeking to identify, protect, interpret and promote Civil War-related sites in the state. The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, provides general guidance for the groups. Five groups serve all 75 Arkansas counties.
A "Civil War Discovery Trail Guide," produced through a cooperative efforts of the Arkansas Department of Heritage and the Department of Parks and Tourism, is available without charge by calling 1-800-NATURAL, or writing Dept. of Parks and Tourism, One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201. Arkansas information is also available at website: www.arkansas.com.
####
Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, (501) 682-7606
E-mail: [email protected]
May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
"Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"
North and South,
Civil War Sites Dot Arkansas
*****
By Craig Ogilvie, travel writer
Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism
Because of its "gateway to the Southwest" location and Mississippi River commerce, Arkansas was an important western target for the Union and Confederacy during the Civil War. Over 750 military engagements were recorded within the state's borders and all major encounters have been preserved as memorials, state parks and a national battlefield.
The first major military action in Arkansas also turned out to be the largest Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi. 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 were defeated by poor leadership and lack of supplies. Some 2,500 casualties resulted from the battle, which historians say prevented the Confederate occupation of Missouri.
Pea Ridge National Military Park covers 4,300 acres in and around the battle site, along U.S. 62 in eastern Benton County. A visitors center, museum, audio-visual theater, and self-guided tours are available to the public.
As federal troops slowly occupied northern Arkansas during the summer and autumn of 1862, Confederate Gen. Thomas C. Hindman of Helena moved 11,000 troops toward Fayetteville in hopes of protecting Fort Smith. On December 7, at the community of Prairie Grove, the opposing armies fought a running battle that lasted until darkness. Again, the lack of supplies forced the rebels to retreat southward and north Arkansas was left to the Union.
Local efforts to preserve Prairie Grove battlefield date to 1908, but the present state park was not opened until 1971. The life of a foot soldier is emphasized at the park's Battlefield Museum. Other facilities include a visitors center, driving or walking tours to a restored 19th century Ozark village, picnic areas, pavilions, amphitheater, and exhibits. Interpretive programs help illustrate the war period and a reenactment of the battle is staged the first weekend in December during even numbered years.
Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park is located on U.S. 62, eight miles west of Fayetteville.
Military efforts to control shipping on the state's riverways brought another Confederate defeat on Jan. 10-11, 1863. Fort Hindman, an earthen fortress overlooking the river at Arkansas Post, was garrisoned by 5,000 rebel troops from Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana. Overwhelmed by 30,000 Union soldiers and a fleet of federal gunboats, the little fort was pounded into submission after a gallant two-day stand. It was the largest Confederate surrender of men west of the Mississippi, and also totally destroyed the historic town of Arkansas Post.
Today, Arkansas Post National Memorial offers a visitors center, exhibits of the Post's rich history, an audio-visual theater, walking trails and historic markers. Due to the river's ever-changing patterns, the remnants of Fort Hindman are now underwater. The park is located 11 miles south of Gillett, off U.S. 165.
In an attempt to relieve federal pressure on besieged Vicksburg and give the Confederacy a much-needed victory, 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. The defeat at Helena was compounded by Union victories at Vicksburg and Gettysburg. It was the turning point for both Arkansas and the "Southern Cause."
With little opposition, federal troops occupied Little Rock on September 10, 1863. The state's Confederate government fled to Washington, in Hempstead County, where it remained until the close of the war. By the end of the year, Union forces controlled almost all areas of the state except for the southwest region.
The last significant military action in Arkansas occurred in the spring of 1864 when Gen. Frederick Steele moved his forces out of Little Rock to complete the conquest of Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana. Steele's command had 13,000 soldiers, 30 cannons, 800 wagons, and 12,000 horses and mules.
At Prairie DeAnn, near Prescott, Confederates attacked Steele's forces and pushed them eastward to Camden, where they endured on short supplies for 11 days. On April 18, a Union wagon train was captured at Poison Spring, west of Camden. Then, on April 25, Confederates took another supply train from Steele's command at Marks' Mill, southeast of Fordyce. More federal prisoners and equipment were captured during this incident than in any battle fought in Arkansas.
Gen. Steele, stranded in Camden, decided to make a dash back to the safety of Little Rock, but was overtaken at Jenkins' Ferry on the Saline River, southwest of Sheridan. With bad weather conditions favoring the retreating northern army, Gen. Steele was able to get his remaining force back into the capital city. His attempt to capture the southwest became known as the Red River Campaign.
Poison Spring, Marks' Mill and Jenkins' Ferry are now part of the Arkansas State Parks system. Each offers outdoor exhibits, trails and picnic areas. Jenkins' Ferry also offers access to the Saline River. At Old Washington State Park, northwest 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. Old Washington is also home of the Southwest Arkansas Regional Archives, a resource center for historical research.
General Lee's surrender to General Grant at Appomattox on April 9, 1865, did not completely halt the war in Arkansas. The last recorded skirmish occurred near Monticello on May 24, 1865.
The centennial anniversary of the Civil War in the early 1960s, launched renewed interest in the subject. Years later, television mini-series such as "North and South" and "The Blue and Gray," plus Ken Burns' award-winning PBS documentary "The Civil War," all contributed to the current national popularity.
The Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail, organized in recent years, is a network of regional non-profit, volunteer organizations seeking to identify, protect, interpret and promote Civil War-related sites in the state. The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, provides general guidance for the groups. Five groups serve all 75 Arkansas counties.
A "Civil War Discovery Trail Guide," produced through a cooperative efforts of the Arkansas Department of Heritage and the Department of Parks and Tourism, is available without charge by calling 1-800-NATURAL, or writing Dept. of Parks and Tourism, One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201. Arkansas information is also available at website: www.arkansas.com.
Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, (501) 682-7606
E-mail: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
"Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"