The state of Arkansas played a pivotal, though often overlooked, role in the American Civil War, hosting numerous significant engagements that shaped the conflict in the Western and Trans-Mississippi Theaters. These Arkansas Civil War battles were crucial for control of the Mississippi River and the surrounding territories. Initially voting to remain in the Union, Arkansas, like several other Southern states, seceded following the attack on Fort Sumter in April 1861 and President Abraham Lincoln’s call for troops, aligning itself with the Confederacy despite a significant minority opposing the move. Its strategic location made it a hotly contested region throughout the war.
Arkansas contributed substantially to the Confederate war effort, raising 48 infantry regiments, 20 artillery batteries, and over 20 cavalry regiments, with most serving in the Western Theater. Major-General Patrick Cleburne stands out as the state’s most distinguished military leader. However, Arkansas also supplied troops for the Union, including four infantry regiments, four cavalry regiments, one artillery battery of white troops, and six infantry regiments and one artillery battery of “U.S. Colored Troops.” The conflict brought immense devastation, costing more than 10,000 Arkansan lives—both black and white, Union and Confederate—and leaving a legacy of bitterness and widespread property losses that ran into millions of dollars.
Early Engagements and Strategic Victories
The early years of the war saw critical engagements that determined control over key areas of Arkansas and Missouri.
Pea Ridge (Elkhorn Tavern) – March 6-8, 1862
As part of the Pea Ridge Campaign, Major General Earl Van Dorn attempted to outflank the Union position near Pea Ridge. However, his divided army encountered determined Federal resistance. On March 7, the Rebel attack was stalled by fierce fighting and the loss of key Confederate generals, Brigadier General Ben McCulloch and Brigadier General James McQueen McIntosh. Van Dorn’s second column managed to control Elkhorn Tavern and Telegraph Road by nightfall. The following day, Major General Samuel R. Curtis counterattacked with consolidated forces, using artillery effectively to push the Confederates back. Running low on ammunition, Van Dorn abandoned the battlefield. This decisive Union victory secured Federal control of Missouri for the next two years, with 1,384 Union casualties and approximately 2,000 Confederates.
Saint Charles – June 17, 1862
Operations on White River saw Union gunboats and infantry moving to resupply Major General Samuel R. Curtis’s army. Near Saint Charles, Colonel Graham N. Fitch’s 46th Indiana Infantry disembarked to approach Rebel batteries while Union gunboats engaged them. The USS Mound City suffered a catastrophic steam drum explosion, killing over 125 sailors. Fitch halted naval action and attacked the Confederate batteries with his infantry, turning their flank and opening Saint Charles to Federal occupation. The Union sustained 177 casualties, while the Confederates lost 26.
Hill’s Plantation (Cotton Plant) – July 27, 1862
Part of operations near the Cache River, this battle occurred as Union Major General Samuel R. Curtis moved towards Helena in search of supplies. Confederate Major General Thomas C. Hindman sought to prevent this. Union Colonel C.L. Harris’s vanguard blundered into a Confederate ambush at the Cache River. Initial fighting forced a Union retreat, but a subsequent Federal counterattack, bolstered by reinforcements, turned the Confederate retreat into a rout. Despite the Union victory (63 casualties vs. 245 Confederates), Hindman managed to remain between Curtis and his objective, Little Rock.
Turning Points in Northwest Arkansas
Cane Hill – November 28, 1862
During the Prairie Grove Campaign, Brigadier General John Marmaduke’s Confederate cavalry was detached to occupy Cane Hill. Brigadier General James Blunt advanced to destroy Marmaduke’s command. Colonel Joe Shelby’s brigade fought a skillful delaying action to protect Confederate supply trains, eventually establishing a strong defensive perimeter at Cove Creek, repulsing Union attacks. The Federals withdrew, and Confederates returned to Van Buren. Although a tactical Confederate victory in terms of holding ground, Marmaduke’s withdrawal was a strategic setback for Hindman’s plans to retake northwest Arkansas.
Prairie Grove – December 7, 1862
Another major engagement of the Prairie Grove Campaign, Major General Thomas C. Hindman aimed to defeat Brigadier General Francis Herron’s and Brigadier General James Blunt’s divisions before they could unite. Hindman engaged Herron’s cavalry first, then established a defensive line on a wooded ridge. Herron initiated an artillery duel and launched two unsuccessful assaults. Confederate counterattacks were halted by Union canister. When Rebel forces threatened to overrun Herron, Blunt’s men struck the Confederate left flank. The battle ended in a stalemate as night fell, but Hindman’s subsequent retreat to Van Buren solidified Federal control of northwest Arkansas. Union casualties were 1,251, with Confederates losing 1,317.
Mississippi River and Indian Territory Control
Arkansas Post – January 9-11, 1863
Part of the Operations Against Vicksburg, Confederate forces at Fort Hindman had been disrupting Union shipping on the Mississippi River. Major General John McClernand, with a combined land and naval force, moved to capture it. Union troops landed on January 9 and advanced towards the fort. Major General William T. Sherman’s corps overran Rebel trenches. Rear Admiral David Porter’s fleet bombarded the fort on January 10 and 11, eventually passing it to cut off retreat. Under this envelopment and McClernand’s assault, the Confederate command surrendered. This Union victory, though costly (1,047 Union casualties vs. ~5,500 Confederates, mostly by surrender), eliminated a key impediment to Union shipping on the Mississippi.
Helena – July 4, 1863
Concurrently with Grant’s Vicksburg operations, Lieutenant General Theophilus Holmes attacked Helena to relieve pressure on Vicksburg. Despite having more troops and initially capturing some fortifications, the Rebels were repelled. Helena remained a vital Union enclave in the Trans-Mississippi theater and later served as a base for the expedition that captured Little Rock. The Union victory resulted in 239 Union casualties and 1,614 Confederates.
Honey Springs – July 17, 1863
This battle was a crucial part of the Operations to Control Indian Territory. Union Major General James G. Blunt, surmising Confederate forces under Brigadier General Douglas H. Cooper were concentrating to attack Fort Gibson, decided to strike first. Blunt, with a diverse force of white, Native American, and African American troops, advanced on Honey Springs. The Confederates suffered from wet powder and command issues, leading to their retreat after repulsing an initial attack. This significant Union victory ensured Federal control of Indian Territory north of the Arkansas River, with 79 Union casualties against 637 Confederates.
Devil’s Backbone – September 1, 1863
Following the Confederates’ withdrawal from Fort Smith, Union Major General James G. Blunt ordered Colonel William Cloud to pursue them. At Devil’s Backbone, Confederate forces under Cabell ambushed approaching Union troops, halting their advance temporarily. However, Union forces, aided by artillery, regrouped and forced the Confederates to retire to Waldron. The Union victory came at a cost of 16 casualties, while Confederates sustained 47.
The Fall of Little Rock and the Camden Expedition
Bayou Fourche – September 10, 1863
As part of the Union Advance on Little Rock, Major General Fred Steele’s Army of Arkansas commander sent Brigadier General John W. Davidson’s cavalry division across the Arkansas River. Davidson encountered Confederate troops at Bayou Fourche, and with artillery support from the north side, forced them to flee back to Little Rock, which fell to Union troops that evening. The capture of Little Rock further contained the Confederate Trans-Mississippi theater, isolating it from the rest of the South. Union casualties totaled 72; Confederate casualties are unknown.
Pine Bluff – October 25, 1863
During the Union Advance on Little Rock, Colonel Powell Clayton’s cavalry encountered Brigadier General John S. Marmaduke’s advancing men. After refusing a demand for surrender, Clayton slowly retreated into Pine Bluff. Approximately 300 African-American soldiers swiftly constructed barricades from cotton bales around the court square. Despite attempts to take the square by force and burn out Union forces, the Confederates failed and retired. This Union victory resulted in 56 Union casualties and 40 Confederates.
Camden Expedition Battles (April 1864)
The Camden Expedition was a major Union offensive in Arkansas, aiming to establish Federal control over southwest Arkansas. This campaign involved several skirmishes and battles:
- Elkin’s Ferry – April 3, 1864: Union forces, seeking a crossing over the Little Missouri River, reached Elkin’s Ferry before the Confederates and successfully crossed, repelling attempts to stop them.
- Prairie D’Ane – April 10-13, 1864: A series of engagements during the expedition, where Union forces under General Frederick Steele faced Confederate resistance.
- Poison Spring – April 18, 1864: Confederates ambushed a Union foraging party, leading to a significant defeat for the Federals, particularly impacting African-American troops.
- Marks’ Mills – April 25, 1864: A Confederate ambush of a Union supply train resulted in a devastating defeat for the Federals, with heavy casualties and the loss of critical supplies.
- Jenkin’s Ferry – April 30, 1864: The final major battle of the Camden Expedition, where Union forces successfully repelled pursuing Confederates while crossing the Saline River, but the campaign ultimately failed to achieve its objectives, forcing the Union retreat back to Little Rock.
The Camden Expedition, despite initial Union objectives, ended in failure, demonstrating the Confederates’ resilience in the Trans-Mississippi theater, though it drained their resources.
Conclusion: A Lasting Legacy
The Arkansas Civil War battles were a period of profound upheaval and sacrifice. The war irrevocably altered the state’s landscape, economy, and social fabric. Beyond the battlefields, programs like the draft, high taxes, and martial law eroded enthusiasm for the Confederate cause, particularly towards the war’s end. The immense human cost, both military and civilian, left a legacy of bitterness and hardship that would take generations to overcome. After the tumultuous period of Reconstruction, Arkansas was officially readmitted to the Union in 1868, beginning its long journey of recovery and reunification. The echoes of these fiercely fought battles in Arkansas continue to resonate, reminding us of the pivotal role the state played in one of America’s most defining conflicts.
