tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12336465287506915732024-03-05T07:22:43.643-06:00Arkansas in the Civil WarWelcome to Arkansas in the Civil War! Posted by writer and historian Dale Cox, this site explores the battlefields, historic sites and events of the Civil War in Arkansas, while also exploring other heritage and eco-tourism destinations in the Natural State!Dale Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07756272433232589890noreply@blogger.comBlogger370125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233646528750691573.post-87412196855495201192014-04-30T13:54:00.006-05:002014-04-30T13:54:55.136-05:00Battle of Jenkins' Ferry 150th Anniversary<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_juiB7v-t2tVK-7yQrEg-7ySC86r9XtSlLSA8muZ_TKrsRFAkHZLgTjZL_rYjoIEZB3534vpKFsnMzzK7xH9iCA_IcxsHQpGeSLG9pzxJuWu6TGhYT1AZLi4IhHKeFxHs_VdUhfiLzl6J/s1600/jenkins9-257x171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_juiB7v-t2tVK-7yQrEg-7ySC86r9XtSlLSA8muZ_TKrsRFAkHZLgTjZL_rYjoIEZB3534vpKFsnMzzK7xH9iCA_IcxsHQpGeSLG9pzxJuWu6TGhYT1AZLi4IhHKeFxHs_VdUhfiLzl6J/s1600/jenkins9-257x171.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monument at Jenkins' Ferry State Park</td></tr>
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Today (April 30, 2014) marks the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Jenkins' Ferry, Arkansas.<br />
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The last significant action of the Camden Expedition, as the Arkansas phase of the Red River Campaign is known, the battle took place in the floodplain of the Saline River about 12 miles south of Sheridan, Arkansas.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijF1SX3GBVwyE643Qcx0nty3K0szkNHVfDEQVFu7Y1_JkKGpnoEXw94IrhUxXdzmXWEK8QLivWBRE4trBkXbRATtsGduJl39ep-IQqzVVxD5d31tgVdhHS_J4CWNU-8QJOc1i0ag26Jz91/s1600/steele3nps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijF1SX3GBVwyE643Qcx0nty3K0szkNHVfDEQVFu7Y1_JkKGpnoEXw94IrhUxXdzmXWEK8QLivWBRE4trBkXbRATtsGduJl39ep-IQqzVVxD5d31tgVdhHS_J4CWNU-8QJOc1i0ag26Jz91/s1600/steele3nps.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gen. Frederick Steele<br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Courtesy National Park Service</i></span></td></tr>
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In the Spring of 1864, Union troops from Little Rock and Fort Smith had joined forces for a march to join a second Union army making its way through Louisiana to Shreveport and northeastern Texas. Commanded by General Frederick Steele, the Federals made it as far as Camden before running into a hornets' nest of Confederate resistance.<br />
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Following disastrous defeats at the Battles of <a href="http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/poisonspring" target="_blank">Poison Spring</a> and Marks' Mill, Steele's army faced the very real threat of starvation due to his inability to obtain supplies. Giving up on the idea of pushing forward to Shreveport, he ordered a retreat back to Little Rock.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhGhmlT04MYmHmLnDAqVB_kuX4wtEWVnMhHfEoAakNZrMWI8Ffbl5xlMQgi9OBe8vEkye46CRNvwOSRkdYkuCmYWOhzniujKYCWYa1ikCzkNgMGJxTXkNLt9qdhXAOqZT7ap0RaLZxiUm/s1600/ekirbysmith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhGhmlT04MYmHmLnDAqVB_kuX4wtEWVnMhHfEoAakNZrMWI8Ffbl5xlMQgi9OBe8vEkye46CRNvwOSRkdYkuCmYWOhzniujKYCWYa1ikCzkNgMGJxTXkNLt9qdhXAOqZT7ap0RaLZxiUm/s1600/ekirbysmith.jpg" height="200" width="125" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gen. E. Kirby Smith<br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Library of Congress</i></span></td></tr>
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The Federals reached Jenkins' Ferry on the Saline River on April 29, 1864, and their engineers began building pontoon bridges for the soldiers to use in crossing. Heavy rains, however, turned the river bottom swamp into a muddy morass, bogging down men, cannon and wagons. Then, late on the afternoon of the 29th, Confederate forces arrived on the high ground to the south and began lobbing shells into the Union ranks.<br />
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The main Confederate army came up during the night and heavy fighting began at sunrise on April 30, 1864. As the Union troops threw up temporary breastworks of logs and fence rails, Confederate General E. Kirby Smith ordered wave after wave of Southern attacks.<br />
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The fighting was fierce and bloody as the soldiers fought in mud and water that ranged from a few inches to three feet deep.<br />
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To read more, please visit <a href="http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/jenkinsferry1" target="_blank">www.exploresouthernhistory.com/jenkinsferry1</a>.<br />
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<br />Dale Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07756272433232589890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233646528750691573.post-28289980581665650262012-12-23T13:13:00.000-06:002012-12-23T13:13:07.050-06:00Battle of Van Buren marks 150th this week<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFZ5aox7vXohBoH2A7eLu37Lbpz_iJF7TQ_97oZX39ay-4UU03-Vks1fPE-V3L1MqKVpuyPstj_Ud52ilOEb0DTM8A5-GLPkbKMhEtO-VNtM_C8tO4BfNQhsERBJcO_pV3uvsVZShSlo2/s1600/vanburen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFZ5aox7vXohBoH2A7eLu37Lbpz_iJF7TQ_97oZX39ay-4UU03-Vks1fPE-V3L1MqKVpuyPstj_Ud52ilOEb0DTM8A5-GLPkbKMhEtO-VNtM_C8tO4BfNQhsERBJcO_pV3uvsVZShSlo2/s320/vanburen.jpg" width="219" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crawford County Courthouse</td></tr>
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December 28th will mark the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Van Buren, Arkansas. The Battle of Dripping Springs, a preliminary action, was fought on the same day, 150 years ago this week.<br />
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Over the next few days, I will post on the 150th anniversary of the Union capture of Van Buren, culminating of course with the actual anniversary on Friday.<br />
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In December 1862, Van Buren was - as it is today - the county seat of Crawford County, Arkansas. The town had served as the launching point for General Thomas C. Hindman's Prairie Grove Campaign at the beginning of the month and was the point to which the Confederate army returned after that bloody stalemate in Northwest Arkansas.<br />
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Both armies had been badly bloodied at the Battle of Prairie Grove, but it was the Confederate army that suffered most as its poorly equipped men limped back over the Boston Mountains to the Arkansas River Valley. The Southern army had been loosely and quickly organized to begin with and their inability to defeat the Union Army of the Frontier at Prairie Grove had taken, at least temporarily, the fight out of the men. They came back south suffering from hunger, cold and a shortage of ammunition and other supplies. Demoralization and sickness stalked their ranks during the days and weeks after the battle.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1oq-s5-7fgCHe4MHEMe-fcNt_j8LM5TjytjPcnKt61kaw3GcBdwPi0fvB9tIt_Ah1qUzC-qB6RkGnBAVXYjRR6TxxqYb8u0yVGrq5RDynLY8aQABvo24Nmd30UEGW8GtvsmfyrV5d4g0B/s1600/vanburen2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1oq-s5-7fgCHe4MHEMe-fcNt_j8LM5TjytjPcnKt61kaw3GcBdwPi0fvB9tIt_Ah1qUzC-qB6RkGnBAVXYjRR6TxxqYb8u0yVGrq5RDynLY8aQABvo24Nmd30UEGW8GtvsmfyrV5d4g0B/s1600/vanburen2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Van Buren from the Heights</td></tr>
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The Union army had also suffered heavily at Prairie Grove, but found itself in possession of the field when the Confederates withdrew during the night of December 7, 1862, giving up their commanding position because they didn't have enough ammunition to continue the fight. This increased the morale of the Federal troops while their counterparts in the Confederate army were suffering a decline at the same time.<br />
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Despite the best efforts of General Hindman and his staff, it was the Union army that rebounded from Prairie Grove first. By the last week of December 1862 he knew his men were once again ready for action and he decided to lead them over the Boston Mountains to Van Buren. If he could take the city, he could push the part of Hindman's army not already south of the Arkansas either into or across the river and free - at least temporarily - his position in Northwest Arkansas from any threat of attack for the duration of the winter.<br />
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I will continue to post on the Van Buren 150th over coming days, but until then you can read more at <a href="http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/vanburenbattle1.html">http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/vanburenbattle1.html</a>.<br />
Dale Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07756272433232589890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233646528750691573.post-80969320776374317962012-07-27T22:06:00.004-05:002012-07-27T22:07:54.590-05:00Battle of Massard Prairie (148th Anniversary)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wBsDgazxMsYHfn0KPAB875haMvbA2WNARh9prXV8Ulc_e00Be3Z1w_h_w_lCMHSK4mJDNqVwnmpS8siOtvfSz1iGpBkuivMhKWL6RI8w8COmSI-6WLiT9Vx9AU0_DllDgSPvUZ04H8tx/s1600/massard1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wBsDgazxMsYHfn0KPAB875haMvbA2WNARh9prXV8Ulc_e00Be3Z1w_h_w_lCMHSK4mJDNqVwnmpS8siOtvfSz1iGpBkuivMhKWL6RI8w8COmSI-6WLiT9Vx9AU0_DllDgSPvUZ04H8tx/s1600/massard1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Massard Prairie Battlefield Park<br />
Fort Smith, Arkansas</td></tr>
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Today marked the 148th anniversary of the Battle of Massard Prairie, Arkansas.<br />
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Fought on July 27, 1864, the engagement was a significant cavalry action fought across miles of prairie on the outskirts of Fort Smith. It was a major Confederate victory and resulted in the virtual destruction of Mefford's Battalion of the 6th Kansas Cavalry.<br />
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The battle began when Brigadier General R.M. Gano's Confederates swept down the ridge from today's Fianna Hills community on the southern edge of Fort Smith and caught the Federal forces camped at the Picnic or "Diamond" Grove on Massard Prairie completely by surprise. The Union troops had just moved their herd of horses out onto the prairie to graze when the Confederates struck:<br />
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<em>...As soon as the alarm was given that the enemy was in the prairie, which was about 6 a.m., I sent immediately for the herd, which had been out grazing since daylight, and was about three quarters of a mile southwest of camp. I formed my men on the right of camp to protect my herd as it came in and until it could be secured, but before the horses could be brought up the enemy charged on us, which stampeded the herd and left the men on foot to fight as best as they could.</em><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><em> - Lt. Jacob Morehead, 6th Kansas Cavalry</em>.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDoLwOWp_etXwWBR9sChuODX_hxKhz8oclOlfQBAEQ8HktebAeSizBhQPr6MoxhLqTaurYLUNsNWGkNhIeQGSSgpaU4muWpbgW-fdAZTg3IkF3N6xZfTubkPvo_HjeWHmscG7eHr5hlku/s1600/RMGano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDoLwOWp_etXwWBR9sChuODX_hxKhz8oclOlfQBAEQ8HktebAeSizBhQPr6MoxhLqTaurYLUNsNWGkNhIeQGSSgpaU4muWpbgW-fdAZTg3IkF3N6xZfTubkPvo_HjeWHmscG7eHr5hlku/s1600/RMGano.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gen. R.M Gano, CSA</td></tr>
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Sweeping around the Union right to the sound of the Rebel yells of his Texans, Gano had stampeded the Federal herd and closed in on the Federal camp before Major David Mefford could get his men organized to save the horses and resist. As he approached the grove, Gano detached part of his column to drive right into the center of the trees as he struck the camp on its western flank.<br />
<br />At the same time, Colonel S.N. Folsom led the 1st and 2nd Choctaw Cavalries (C.S.) in a devastating attack on the Union left. These were the same men who exacted had such fierce revenge on black Union troops at the Battle of Poison Spring for attrocities in the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations that they were later accused of massacre.<br />
Charged on right, left and center, the Federal lines collapsed and blue-clad cavalrymen began a desperate attempt to escape to safety across the prairie. By the time the fighting ended, three companies of "Arkansas Feds" (Union soldiers from Arkansas) had evaporated so completely they were not even mentioned in Union reports of the battle. Of the roughly 200 men (four companies) of the 6th Kansas Cavalry engaged in the battle, 144 were killed, wounded or captured.<br />
<br />To read about the Battle of Massard Prairie, please visit <a href="http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/ArkansasCW4">www.exploresouthernhistory.com/ArkansasCW4</a>. Also please consider my book, <em>The Battle of Massard Prairie. </em>It is available in both book and Kindle editions by following these links:<br />
<br />Book -<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=explorescom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0615215904" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615215904/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=explorescom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0615215904">The Battle of Massard Prairie</a> ($14.95)<br />
Kindle - <img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=explorescom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0615215904" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004XD911E/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=explorescom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B004XD911E">The Battle of Massard Prairie, Arkansas</a> ($4.95)<br />
<br />
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=explorescom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004XD911E" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />Dale Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07756272433232589890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233646528750691573.post-65378218284976138292012-07-22T15:57:00.004-05:002012-07-22T15:57:53.519-05:00CSS Arkansas is Attacked at Vicksburg (Again!)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzG1Tr5gZTGXrEteNjM3AMWHt0Vj42Tyq3yJLUyHgAU7rMJDZOo4ZhUn_-U4FQ3paR1y5IsdTdd5RdbFmCdju1e5cBR7pgj5hiZnjSm48zEN-ERw-0l_qlgMR4gdICLt-gam14Xb3tDXE-/s1600/vicksburg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzG1Tr5gZTGXrEteNjM3AMWHt0Vj42Tyq3yJLUyHgAU7rMJDZOo4ZhUn_-U4FQ3paR1y5IsdTdd5RdbFmCdju1e5cBR7pgj5hiZnjSm48zEN-ERw-0l_qlgMR4gdICLt-gam14Xb3tDXE-/s1600/vicksburg.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vicksburg, Mississippi</td></tr>
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On July 22, 1862 (150 years ago today), the Union fleet at Vicksburg made one more run at the famed Confederate ironclad, CSS <em>Arkansas</em>. <br />
The Federals had been shelling the ironclad from long distance for days and, despite their reports of multiple hits, had done no real damage to the <em>Arkansas</em>. The railroad-iron sheathed gunboat intimidated the entire Federal fleet far more than the guns mounted on the bluffs of Vicksburg ever had or ever would.<br />
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They made one more attempt to destroy the Confederate warship on the morning of July 22, 1862, but things did not go well. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiiHbouL6Gz82cWuyy4sQC-RJnMioD-2V9bVundV2kAgJ2R-jLNKyAcVXI3QaHBCY-0Mfi7haiTSqB41KExhL9oStNYEQ7gN8svYQP7c_XEo2R603REK0h2vNyI1C90FEoXEfWJ8sLpzG/s1600/ussessex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiiHbouL6Gz82cWuyy4sQC-RJnMioD-2V9bVundV2kAgJ2R-jLNKyAcVXI3QaHBCY-0Mfi7haiTSqB41KExhL9oStNYEQ7gN8svYQP7c_XEo2R603REK0h2vNyI1C90FEoXEfWJ8sLpzG/s200/ussessex.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USS Essex (Civil War Photo)</td></tr>
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Even though many of the men assigned to the <em>Arkansas</em> were ashore and there were only enough on board to man three guns, the ironclad made a formidable foe. The USS <em>Essex, Queen of the West</em> and <em>General Sumter</em> came in at full speed, planning to ram the Confederate vessel and send it to the bottom of the Mississippi River. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPbux8KpE8VbVMRwSREvWhvSBxA2sAtM8sdEdZxmM7obmZs7skzqUe1OhL-PlLttDQ2hatlCLuGbF19Wb5qavXnEJ6L598lvyS_eGagPoP-qNOQriikhx_R0uLjI0nZW7CNIvrfWygcMH/s1600/USSQueenoftheWest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPbux8KpE8VbVMRwSREvWhvSBxA2sAtM8sdEdZxmM7obmZs7skzqUe1OhL-PlLttDQ2hatlCLuGbF19Wb5qavXnEJ6L598lvyS_eGagPoP-qNOQriikhx_R0uLjI0nZW7CNIvrfWygcMH/s200/USSQueenoftheWest.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USS Queen of the West<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><em>(Civil War Water Color)</em></span></td></tr>
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The <em>Arkansas</em> dodged the <em>Essex</em>, which missed its target and ran aground under heavy fire from the Confederate batteries at Vicksburg. The Union ironclad did succeed in sending a shot through the armor of the <em>Arkansas</em> at close range, killing 6 Confederates and wounding 6 others. Having lost 1 killed and 3 wounded, the <em>Essex</em> worked its way out of the mud and steamed downstream and away from the battle.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxu-6KY7VGzX3JXbCxkiFwpis_SUPXqs0oWhKwPaGRSo1bNdth_gFp_6-z_mzHwLAmZymhV3xxgkaz3CgWRNryvZmHqW1S4M1PMy_C4BAvskGXBrbD1A4Ra_1cFW1jt8DHhWwMG5PQy7t/s1600/CSSArkansas2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxu-6KY7VGzX3JXbCxkiFwpis_SUPXqs0oWhKwPaGRSo1bNdth_gFp_6-z_mzHwLAmZymhV3xxgkaz3CgWRNryvZmHqW1S4M1PMy_C4BAvskGXBrbD1A4Ra_1cFW1jt8DHhWwMG5PQy7t/s200/CSSArkansas2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CSS Arkansas</td></tr>
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The <em>Queen of the West</em> then came on, but missed as well. Turning around and coming back upstream, she succeeded in hitting the <em>Arkansas</em> but did little real damage. Pounded by cannon fire from both the <em>Arkansas</em> and the shore batteries, the <em>Queen</em> limped away back upstream.<br />
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The battle only succeeded to prove to Admiral David G. Farragut and other Union commanders that they would not be able to take Vicksburg using naval power alone. The CSS <em>Arkansas</em>, like the people of her namesake state, had proved herself to be strong, courageous and resilient. She had turned the tide of the first Battle of Vicksburg. <br />
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Farragut's attempt to end the city would end two days later.<br />
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To learn more about historic Vicksburg, please visit <a href="http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/vicksburg1">www.exploresouthernhistory.com/vicksburg1</a>.<br />
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<br />Dale Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07756272433232589890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233646528750691573.post-31554875340498651092012-07-16T00:46:00.006-05:002012-07-16T00:46:51.364-05:00CSS Arkansas Defies the Union Fleet on the Mississippi River<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjH0cmZxYQWQpe9uvktfGsizdD2Aff5zKyCIuTWRuEdbIgJr6dA1OvsUjny9wifjreTlj0zAlpZ4TShlMfd_iYrAfATND-shAqqn46qujdVhI7ueqEXkSHF7fmKUDVib4eOWhlx5zUaKkL/s1600/CSSArkansas2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjH0cmZxYQWQpe9uvktfGsizdD2Aff5zKyCIuTWRuEdbIgJr6dA1OvsUjny9wifjreTlj0zAlpZ4TShlMfd_iYrAfATND-shAqqn46qujdVhI7ueqEXkSHF7fmKUDVib4eOWhlx5zUaKkL/s320/CSSArkansas2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CSS Arkansas as drawn in 1904 by R.G. Skerrett</td></tr>
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150 years ago this week, the CSS <i>Arkansas</i> touched off one of the most dramatic naval battles of the War Between the States.<br />
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Vicksburg, then commanded by Major General Earl Van Dorn, was under attack from a massive river fleet. Admiral David G. Farragut had brought his large ships up the Mississippi after taking New Orleans and Baton Rouge. A U.S. Army flotilla of gunboats and ironclads had come down the river and the two forces were threatening Vicksburg.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wncfgzHw6xR_5Wg-VZmRS9qWGOl7-WVzk2jcVbPHeN-Bs0ArsIryOs5_Gt8SakSu5Yd2Ps9ykW2s7Gwb52LUIvuO2acxMQegGKmKlnT0S4f_ydXkWv1hvbYiuA4XGCg6eP_apw9rGF9l/s1600/vicksburg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wncfgzHw6xR_5Wg-VZmRS9qWGOl7-WVzk2jcVbPHeN-Bs0ArsIryOs5_Gt8SakSu5Yd2Ps9ykW2s7Gwb52LUIvuO2acxMQegGKmKlnT0S4f_ydXkWv1hvbYiuA4XGCg6eP_apw9rGF9l/s1600/vicksburg.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Confederate Battery at Vicksburg, Mississippi</td></tr>
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General Van Dorn, who proved himself a much more capable commander on the defensive at Vicksburg than he had on the offense at Pea Ridge in Arkansas, ordered the <i>Arkansas</i> from her construction port in the Yazoo down to assist in the defense of the city. With a makeshift but courageous crew, Captain Isaac N. Brown brought the makeshift ironclad up to full steam and headed for the Mississippi.<br />
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A steam leak dampened gunpowder in the forward magazine and caused a delay, but the <i>Arkansas </i>was approaching Vicksburg by the morning of July 15, 1862 (150 years ago yesterday). She quickly came under attack from the U.S. gunboats <i>Carondelet</i> (ironclad), <i>Tyler</i> (wooden) and <i>Queen of the West</i> (ram). Most of the men making up the gun crews on the <i>Arkansas</i> had never handled cannon the size of those on board the ironclad, but they quickly fired a shot that disabled the <i>Carondelet</i>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrUG7tlKklZYO6weVwQHTnKjLthyphenhyphenfvvYOvxUNtZdf04mQa1pdv0_7rvv-8tqkyIC2_t4S13O3708xGeo47jGCyaGqPySdzJV2mNkki05FAnnuqjsU_dK4WJ8_5-WsQaJazNFNnkLnn7yk/s1600/CSSArkansas1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrUG7tlKklZYO6weVwQHTnKjLthyphenhyphenfvvYOvxUNtZdf04mQa1pdv0_7rvv-8tqkyIC2_t4S13O3708xGeo47jGCyaGqPySdzJV2mNkki05FAnnuqjsU_dK4WJ8_5-WsQaJazNFNnkLnn7yk/s320/CSSArkansas1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wartime Image of CSS Arkansas at Vicksburg</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;">The approach of the Confederate ironclad caught the Union fleet napping. Most of the ships did not have their steam up and Captain Brown took his vessel close by them, exchanging fire as he passed. Despite fierce cannon fire, he soon tied up at Vicksburg.</span><br />
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Farragut was not content to have had his entire fleet shown up by a single Confederate ship, so he prepared to exact his revenge that night. The same Chicago reporter witnessed the attack:<br />
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<i>...Commodore Farragut made an ineffectual attempt to sink her. His entire fleet passed down the river, each vessel pouring a broadside into the Arkansas as she passed her. The Rebels acknowledge that one 7-inch steel pointed shot went through the Arkansas, but assert that this is the only damage she sustained. A reconnoissance next morning showed that the Arkansas was undergoing repairs, but she did not appear in any danger of sinking.</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSN6ndI4o6RdQSPWFRx6SPyPW8ngtnWiN6V12JQZreDjlRHRJsFr41_rS6oemB-HUJIPPm3IDwv_fwN-yFuDg5CdtNe0jZFPOVatItc08rNVe7EeZaBIwn4_eDYBj700T9hnwI6e4q7BJ/s1600/vicksburg2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSN6ndI4o6RdQSPWFRx6SPyPW8ngtnWiN6V12JQZreDjlRHRJsFr41_rS6oemB-HUJIPPm3IDwv_fwN-yFuDg5CdtNe0jZFPOVatItc08rNVe7EeZaBIwn4_eDYBj700T9hnwI6e4q7BJ/s1600/vicksburg2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Courthouse at Vicksburg, Mississippi</td></tr>
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General Van Dorn described the attack in a telegram dispatched from Vicksburg to the Confederate War Department in Richmond 150 years ago today:<br />
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<i>...Enemy opened all their guns and mortars last evening, and shelled the city and batteries until after dark, when eight of their vessels of war passed down under fire of batteries and Arkansas' broadsides. What damage was done to them I have not learned, though they were repeatedly pierced by shot of the heaviest calibre. One heavy shot passed through the side of the Arkansas, killing two men and wounding three. This was all the damage done to us, with the exception of one house burned down in the city. Our troops here have a contempt for the fleet and bombardment, and await cooling for troops to land. The Arkansas is the admiration of all, and her daring and heroic act has inspired all with the greatest enthusiasm....</i><br />
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Total losses suffered aboard the <i>Arkansas</i> during her daring passage and the subsequent Union attack were 12 killed and 18 wounded, including the casualties mentioned by General Van Dorn. The Union fleet lost 23 killed, 59 wounded and 10 missing (lost in the river). The Confederate general's report was accurate, the Southern ironclad had been pierced only once despite the massive number of Union guns that fired on her.<br />
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I will continue the story of the CSS Arkansas over coming weeks, so be sure to check back for more. You can learn more about historic Vicksburg by visiting <a href="http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/vicksburg1" target="_blank">www.exploresouthernhistory.com/vicksburg1</a>.<br />
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<br />Dale Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07756272433232589890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233646528750691573.post-54955399958180259292012-04-30T17:03:00.001-05:002012-04-30T17:03:37.611-05:00Battle of Jenkins' Ferry (April 30, 1864)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIxJwVW0LHG7VbAfv36WNOi0xMgO_9d9kmoXpnKwXDvGdhutkSzji8mSLcWTu7ssbcQD9FOMv_vliv5QwFM_BExG8P_-LO7Qca5PvWXpRN6zWIxXksL3sgqsky-8bknBBP9Gmp7ptHWpw/s1600/jenkinsferry1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIxJwVW0LHG7VbAfv36WNOi0xMgO_9d9kmoXpnKwXDvGdhutkSzji8mSLcWTu7ssbcQD9FOMv_vliv5QwFM_BExG8P_-LO7Qca5PvWXpRN6zWIxXksL3sgqsky-8bknBBP9Gmp7ptHWpw/s1600/jenkinsferry1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jenkins' Ferry Battle Monument</td></tr>
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Today marks the 148th anniversary of the Battle of Jenkins' Ferry, Arkansas.<br />
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A bloody and important engagement of the Arkansas portion of the Red River Campaign, the battle took place about 12 miles south of Sheridan in the lowlands and swamps along the Saline River.<br />
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Union General Frederick Steele had been badly mauled in a series of battles near Camden over the previous two weeks, particularly at the <a href="http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/poisonspring" target="_blank">Battle of Poison Spring </a>on April 18th. Learning that the Louisiana phase of the campaign to take Shreveport and advance into northern Texas had failed, he decided that discretion was the better part of valor and began to evacuate his fortified position at Camden on April 26, 1864.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18kc0M74SCL6pOw5BKVtqChLqry2J7EEqM7gohHSKm2eiyfV1_Axxn-Kwra-yQ_F09RD8bgrjkmg25I9ecvfsJr78pXKJfOg0EGg0ftcvHPNBtnyWSlldkKADWJuzyeyDyJgryv4JNnEc/s1600/jenkinsferry2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18kc0M74SCL6pOw5BKVtqChLqry2J7EEqM7gohHSKm2eiyfV1_Axxn-Kwra-yQ_F09RD8bgrjkmg25I9ecvfsJr78pXKJfOg0EGg0ftcvHPNBtnyWSlldkKADWJuzyeyDyJgryv4JNnEc/s200/jenkinsferry2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saline River at Jenkins' Ferry</td></tr>
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The Confederates, who had hovered around Camden in large numbers and had defeated several efforts by General Steele to supply his hungry army, quickly moved in pursuit of the retreating Federals. Led by General Kirby Smith in person, they caught up with Steele at Jenkins' Ferry on the morning of April 30, 1864, 148 years ago today.<br />
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The ground over which the battle was fought was horrible for offensive operations. The river was running high and the bottoms were partially flooded. Thick swamps and mud hindered the movement of troops and cannon and greatly impacted Smith's ability to properly coordinate his forces.<br />
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Fighting on the defensive, the Federals were able to condense their lines and throw up breastworks of fence rails and logs. The Confederates had to come at them through the swamps and mud and without the protection of fortifications of their own. The result was a bloody fight that ended when Kirby Smith realized he would not be able to overwhelm the Union lines and ordered the attacks to stop. The Union army slipped across the Saline River during the night, destroying its pontoon bridge behind it, and moved on for Little Rock.<br />
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Total losses in the battle numbered nearly 1,000. The Confederates suffered casualties of at least 86 killed and 356 wounded. The Federals lost an estimated 63 killed, 413 wounded and 45 missing in action.<br />
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To learn more about the Battle of Jenkins' Ferry and Jenkins' Ferry State Park, please visit <a href="http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/jenkinsferry1">www.exploresouthernhistory.com/jenkinsferry1</a>.<br />
<br />Dale Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07756272433232589890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233646528750691573.post-70126272828340116462012-04-20T10:57:00.000-05:002012-04-20T10:57:35.169-05:00Crawford County Courthouse - A Civil War Landmark in Van Buren, Arkansas<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKU1NM5MAUw8XiXbdm-zeEElSYRH1cdFcL4jTD2wCTLMWbQoKdIeEB1dztDgA2M1w7EJc-o6u2PV_yHdTrF1o2-X-7eFT8A9o5vxyXHiRU-WdoXaJo1CuGYaJ2hgxV9wsI3oj3W9tyIU1/s1600/vanburench1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKU1NM5MAUw8XiXbdm-zeEElSYRH1cdFcL4jTD2wCTLMWbQoKdIeEB1dztDgA2M1w7EJc-o6u2PV_yHdTrF1o2-X-7eFT8A9o5vxyXHiRU-WdoXaJo1CuGYaJ2hgxV9wsI3oj3W9tyIU1/s320/vanburench1.jpg" width="219" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crawford County Courthouse</td></tr>
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One of the most beautiful old structures in the Arkansas River Valley, the historic Crawford County Courthouse is believed to be the oldest courthouse in active use west of the Mississippi River.<br />
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The original portion of the building was completed in 1842 and was just seven years old when Van Buren and neighboring Fort Smith became major jumping off points for "Forty-Niners" heading west during the California Gold Rush of 1849. During the early months of that year the population of Van Buren almost doubled when an estimated 1,000 prospective miners showed up in Van Buren ready to start their journey across the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains to California.<br />
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The land on which the Crawford County Courthouse stands was donated by John Drennan and David Thompson. The two town founders had purchased the site for Van Buren from Thomas Phillips for $11,000 and the town itself was surveyed in 1837. The community actually existed to some degree before then. People had been living in and around what became Van Buren since 1819.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRBZv8B_-eOgzvngp3uHCYaCVhJPBtWpRFq1JwZND1dYbXrbnzV-sRAswnvDt8zBNZT0Yz9iMB8MuJU785xZEVZDHgFdS05oY1biN7U6SyK9myudhfuN8wAOHhuG5LbMawT6uhhjUwDyAq/s1600/100_1061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRBZv8B_-eOgzvngp3uHCYaCVhJPBtWpRFq1JwZND1dYbXrbnzV-sRAswnvDt8zBNZT0Yz9iMB8MuJU785xZEVZDHgFdS05oY1biN7U6SyK9myudhfuN8wAOHhuG5LbMawT6uhhjUwDyAq/s320/100_1061.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Historical Marker at Crawford County Courthouse</td></tr>
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One of the most noted cases considered in the courthouse took place in 1857 when Apostle Parley Parker Pratt, a leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day-Saints (Mormon) appeared there after being arrested in the Cherokee Nation of what is now Oklahoma. A member of the Council of the Twelve Apostles of his church, Pratt was accused of various charges related to his marriage to Eleanor McLean. One of his twelve wives, Eleanor had not divorced her previous husband. Pratt was released after being held in Van Buren for five days, but a lynch mob caught up with him at the Wynn farm near Alma and brutally murdered him. (<a href="http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/parleypratt" target="_blank">Please click here to learn more about the Murder of Parley P. Pratt</a>). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpyIdqn5Xi9royCl5BJhmRfGDt_MMq13KdO4AkgQwF73G0wyzfdfO4dOyMOjyUjPzVm0L5uLDBerNbFkqc-K9U_vXpN9mGNp0MpgcEffzQHi3LEvYe0W5wq14TXUkGO5sEWLvZxZOLy6M/s1600/100_1062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpyIdqn5Xi9royCl5BJhmRfGDt_MMq13KdO4AkgQwF73G0wyzfdfO4dOyMOjyUjPzVm0L5uLDBerNbFkqc-K9U_vXpN9mGNp0MpgcEffzQHi3LEvYe0W5wq14TXUkGO5sEWLvZxZOLy6M/s320/100_1062.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crawford County Courthouse</td></tr>
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The courthouse was 20 years old when Union troops attacked Van Buren on December 28, 1862. The Confederate army of General Thomas Hindman had marched north from the town earlier that month in a campaign across the Boston Mountains that culminated at the Battle of Prairie Grove. Unable to defeat the Federal army of Generals James G. Blount and Francis J. Herron, Hindman had fallen back across the mountains to Van Buren. When the Union army had recovered sufficiently from the massive battle in Northwest Arkansas, it pursued the Confederates south to the Arkansas River.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLRlIc0Ej7tsGgMD4SSjnPSbJVGntv0Kzci4bOfvry2j1x1v_wH2hqBgVNX7r_3FAtp-NKGEpDeJ065G-GhMgvyIHgCcmzck7zACa4xdPb0ZKbsFlDAnjbwKhil2T2p4Ys6Pk8AIm4krlf/s1600/100_1074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLRlIc0Ej7tsGgMD4SSjnPSbJVGntv0Kzci4bOfvry2j1x1v_wH2hqBgVNX7r_3FAtp-NKGEpDeJ065G-GhMgvyIHgCcmzck7zACa4xdPb0ZKbsFlDAnjbwKhil2T2p4Ys6Pk8AIm4krlf/s320/100_1074.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One-Room School of Albert Pike is on the Courthouse grounds</td></tr>
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On December 28th the Federals emerged from the mountains at Dripping Springs in northern Crawford County. After a sharp skirmish there, they pursued retreating Confederates south into Van Buren. A running battle took place right through the center of town down the street directly in front of the historic courthouse. (<a href="http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/vanburenbattle1" target="_blank">Please click here to learn more about the Battle of Van Buren</a>.)<br />
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Confederate forces across the river shelled Van Buren that afternoon, but the Crawford County Courthouse survived the battle. Thousands of pages of the county's records, however, were destroyed during the brief Union occupation.<br />
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A fire attributed to arsonists gutted the historic courthouse in 1877, sparking a fight between Van Buren and nearby Alma over which should be the county seat. Van Buren won and the courthouse was rebuilt within its still standing walls. It continues to serve the residents of Crawford County to this day.<br />
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To learn more about historic Van Buren, please visit <a href="http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/vanburen" target="_blank">www.exploresouthernhistory.com/vanburen</a>.<br />Dale Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07756272433232589890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233646528750691573.post-75268394987597323822012-03-22T19:17:00.000-05:002012-03-22T19:17:09.469-05:00The Confederacy abandons Western Arkansas - March 22, 1862<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCuj_yignOab_02DGdmNjN81i3q18MUijoVFxC64zySTsmdI09vMnty-amzQ5IFHUKFzCwpBcl-N8L9B7N93EoxKje3sxz4WqdneKhZYbhPhSTYgsaWQsWxOBu89LNDWBX3HR-yMEi1hmK/s1600/pearidge2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCuj_yignOab_02DGdmNjN81i3q18MUijoVFxC64zySTsmdI09vMnty-amzQ5IFHUKFzCwpBcl-N8L9B7N93EoxKje3sxz4WqdneKhZYbhPhSTYgsaWQsWxOBu89LNDWBX3HR-yMEi1hmK/s1600/pearidge2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pea Ridge Battlefield</td></tr>
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The shattering defeat suffered by the Confederate army of Major General Earl Van Dorn at the Battle of Pea Ridge ended, at least temporarily, Southern hopes of holding Northwest Arkansas.<br />
By March 22, 1862 (150 years ago today), the remaining Confederate troops in the region had fallen back to Lee Creek in Crawford County and were preparing to leave the area for good. The Union army and navy were pressing on New Madrid and Island No. 10 on the Mississippi River and Van Dorn proposed to his commander, General P.G.T. Beauregard, that he march in support of the trapped garrison there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_G3HuFJDCzYvBXfV7T5oPudm6w9LFAd7nRTSdzbex3RylkFdLVxUz0UmdlxOdzDFxOMWNr8DG1agWjZVX7RU7408jMR7Duu5MwFOIgzQn7QzMoHiR_JvcxMM2G96XpULdP-WHoPO6Niou/s1600/vanburen1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_G3HuFJDCzYvBXfV7T5oPudm6w9LFAd7nRTSdzbex3RylkFdLVxUz0UmdlxOdzDFxOMWNr8DG1agWjZVX7RU7408jMR7Duu5MwFOIgzQn7QzMoHiR_JvcxMM2G96XpULdP-WHoPO6Niou/s1600/vanburen1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arkansas River at Van Buren</td></tr>
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On March 21st he had informed Brigadier General Albert Pike, commanding in the Indian Territory, that he had "decided to march with this army against the enemy now invading the northeastern part of the State." Then on the 22nd, Major General J.P. McCown commanding at New Madrid and Island No. 10 was informed by Beauregard that, "Van Dorn proposes to attack enemy in reverse at New Madrid. Be of good cheer and hold out."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJEkl-fCPQhwaHKBXMuk5r-60FaFmS5iwMMzks4Y1FvEjlngiviU6rMJPPMWAFS3cE73ZP_7OWHghbtiYXlqE0yxCjilkfkZQfIWpObTiX0SWZ3r8CievPvDSPxORjEs26FtJDTaWkJ4-J/s1600/vanburen2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJEkl-fCPQhwaHKBXMuk5r-60FaFmS5iwMMzks4Y1FvEjlngiviU6rMJPPMWAFS3cE73ZP_7OWHghbtiYXlqE0yxCjilkfkZQfIWpObTiX0SWZ3r8CievPvDSPxORjEs26FtJDTaWkJ4-J/s1600/vanburen2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riverfront Historical Marker at Van Buren</td></tr>
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While waiting for instructions from Beauregard, Van Dorn began an immediate movement of his army for Northeast Arkansas. He left quickly and on March 22nd, 150 years ago today, his Assistant Adjutant-General D.H. Maury left Van Buren on the steamboat Lelia. Before leaving, Maury issued a plan of march to Major General Sterling Price:<br />
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<em>...Please direct your march, via Clarksville, Dover, and Springfield (Conway County), toward Batesville, on White River. Expressmen will meet you on this road with instructions which will control you in the further march of your column. The troops of the advance post in Boston Mountains, on Lee's Creek, should not, of course, be relieved until the last moment, and when relieved should march with Greer's cavalry as the rear guard of the army. It is of the greatest importance that the troops of your command should reach White River at the earliest possible date. </em><strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- Dabney H. Maury, CSA, March 22, 1862.</span></strong><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgLyhMfx29yalOR5JvXquDlR3wbOu08sVoujlEEG7ymaQbCOY31CsDFE8Srthbb6zXD_gYd84EtFo3eb3nyME-3Y3_RCR8bjfzKV6bleJ_OMwKUaZwXsJyfB1NwS0-q5YxAMXenGZbdbB/s1600/dhmaury.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgLyhMfx29yalOR5JvXquDlR3wbOu08sVoujlEEG7ymaQbCOY31CsDFE8Srthbb6zXD_gYd84EtFo3eb3nyME-3Y3_RCR8bjfzKV6bleJ_OMwKUaZwXsJyfB1NwS0-q5YxAMXenGZbdbB/s320/dhmaury.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gen. Dabney H. Maury</td></tr>
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Maury went on to instruct Price to assume command that day of "matters in this vicinity preparatory to your march." Scouts were to be left behind to watch the Union army in Washington and Benton County and provide quick alerts should it begin to move. Cavalry regiments on the march from Texas to reinforce the army and within 50 miles of Van Buren were instructed to unite with Greer's cavalry brigade at Ozark. <br />
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The plan to strike against the Union army attacking Island No. 10 was a bold one, but would not happen. The Confederate defenses on the Mississippi River would crumble far faster than any of the Southern generals in the region could imagine. <br />
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The movement of Van Dorn's army, however, placed the western half of Arkansas in a terribly exposed position. With spring arriving, the entire Arkansas River valley from Little Rock to Fort Smith was now subject to Union conquest. Fort Smith was prepared for capture by the Federals and General Pike was ordered to act on the defensive in the Indian Nations. A time of great crisis was developing for the pro-secession people of the region.<br />
<br />Dale Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07756272433232589890noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233646528750691573.post-49616065899321746182012-03-13T13:10:00.003-05:002012-03-13T13:10:53.694-05:00March 13, 1862 - A Link Between Pea Ridge and Horseshoe Bend<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0IzKUI54lrKg7HHPjoVxQ6b7CUVAlf7FKlXUazm_U6__k1T6-GdGeRAv1eGkLFnHjVBgbctZHLzg7MDAr8YDvqGcSTnX4dLa0V64mkTUup4GpVzk4QtMlkoQwdtv_JzuVKDLAEGq7VGL/s1600/benmcculloch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0IzKUI54lrKg7HHPjoVxQ6b7CUVAlf7FKlXUazm_U6__k1T6-GdGeRAv1eGkLFnHjVBgbctZHLzg7MDAr8YDvqGcSTnX4dLa0V64mkTUup4GpVzk4QtMlkoQwdtv_JzuVKDLAEGq7VGL/s1600/benmcculloch.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gen. Ben McCulloch, CSA</td></tr>
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Among the remarkable connections that thread their way through Southern history is the story of the son of a soldier of the Battle of Horseshoe Bend who lost his life while commanding a Confederate division that included soldiers from the CherokeeNation.<br />
Brigadier General Ben McCulloch fell on March 7, 1862, at the Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas. The commander of one of the two Confederate divisions engaged in that battle, McCulloch led a force that included Brigadier General Albert Pike's brigade from the Indian Territory. Among the men in Pike's brigade were warriors from the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw and Creek Nations. <br />
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McCulloch, in turn, was the son of Lieutenant Alexander McCulloch, an officer in the army of Major General Andrew Jackson at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, Alabama. Horseshoe Bend, many believe, started the Creek Nation on a road that would lead to its forced removal to what is now Oklahoma just three decades later. A large force of Cherokee warriors fought on Jackson's side in that battle and figured prominently in his victory.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSwMzz5VmP56ZRZBgLSiRKYz7pR15jlJRn4V81rNmy-ddIlD3dIss3vLxHto2jnGgGzUIpI5icRQA7bBWdH1AInvsFZmLtP54x0nIzSBSTVH1vyuNyRXg_8TW0xJY09BWZgq8ESv3h10U/s1600/horseshoebend1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSwMzz5VmP56ZRZBgLSiRKYz7pR15jlJRn4V81rNmy-ddIlD3dIss3vLxHto2jnGgGzUIpI5icRQA7bBWdH1AInvsFZmLtP54x0nIzSBSTVH1vyuNyRXg_8TW0xJY09BWZgq8ESv3h10U/s1600/horseshoebend1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gun Hill at Horseshoe Bend Battlefield<br />
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">McCulloch's father fought at the Alabama battle.</span></em></td></tr>
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Fought on March 27, 1814, the Battle of Horseshoe Bend was a bloody defeat for the followers of the Red Stick movement within the Creek Nation. Led by Jackson in person, a U.S. Army stormed Red Stick fortifications at the town of Tohopeka. Most of the warriors fought to the death, prompting one eyewitness to observe that the Tallapoosa River "ran red with blood." More than 800 Creek warriors died, while Jackson's force suffered losses of 49 killed and 154 wounded.<br />
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In addition to Alexander McCulloch, noteworthy individuals on the field included Sam Houston, Sequoyah, Menawa, Major Ridge, William McIntosh and others. The famed frontiersman Davy Crockett once claimed to have been there, but was not. (Note: Crockett did fight in other battles of the Creek War).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMIKhGQtqCmr6_e2B2FzKo_CRzOvSqz5hO5c4lnBOCvjJM-Okt0TyHm7s-6_oCLh8BjyCLYgmGg0igTWeViuQCfzNCiqtc2d-h8Brj7ru12-Lhb835nI4GDMOBnUf09ALI0tKJSWq2ornm/s1600/leetown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMIKhGQtqCmr6_e2B2FzKo_CRzOvSqz5hO5c4lnBOCvjJM-Okt0TyHm7s-6_oCLh8BjyCLYgmGg0igTWeViuQCfzNCiqtc2d-h8Brj7ru12-Lhb835nI4GDMOBnUf09ALI0tKJSWq2ornm/s1600/leetown.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leetown Area of Pea Ridge Battlefield<br />
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">McCulloch fell while leading the Confederate attack at Leetown.</span></em></td></tr>
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On March 13, 1862, the New Orleans <em>Times-Picayune</em> memorialized General Ben McCulloch in a column that reminded readers of his father as well:<br />
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<em>Ben McCulloch, whose loss on the field of battle will be mourned by his countrymen, was the son of Alexander McCulloch, who was a lieutenant and aid to Gen. Coffee, of Tennessee, in the battles of Talladega and Horse Shoe Bend, and who resigned his commission in March, 1814.</em><br />
<em>Ben was born in Rutherford county, Tenn., in 1814. He was a captain of Texas Rangers in the Mexican war, and was distinguished for courage and conduct in the battle of Monterey. On the 11th of July, 1846, he was appointed quartermaster, with the rank of major. He was also distinguished in the battle of Buena Vista, and as the commander of a spy company, before that battle, for a most daring and successful reconnoisance. He resigned his staff appointment in 1847. At his death he was a brigadier general, commanding a division, and chiefly composed of Arkansas and Texas troops. The 3d Louisiana, Col. Hebert, was attached to this division.</em><br />
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General Ben McCulloch was first buried on the battlefield at Pea Ridge, but his body rests today at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin. <br />
To learn more about the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, please visit <a href="http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/AlabamaHSB">www.exploresouthernhistory.com/AlabamaHSB</a>.<br />
To learn more about the Battle of Pea Ridge, please visit <a href="http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/pearidgeindex">www.exploresouthernhistory.com/pearidgeindex</a>.Dale Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07756272433232589890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233646528750691573.post-30942650117654071092012-03-08T15:28:00.002-06:002012-03-08T15:30:18.350-06:00The Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas - Day Two<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ground across which the Union army attacked</td></tr>
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<em>The learn about the first day of the Battle of Pea Ridge, please click here: <a href="http://civilwararkansas.blogspot.com/2012/03/battle-of-pea-ridge-arkansas-day-one.html" target="_blank">Day One, Part One</a>.</em><br />
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The sun rose over the Pea Ridge battlefield on March 8, 1862, 150 years ago today, to find the Union army completing its 180 degree change of front and the Confederate army hungry, exhausted and low on ammunition:<br />
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<em>...The sun rose above the horizon before our troops were all in position and yet the enemy had not renewed the attack. I was hardly ready to open fire on him, as the First and Second Divisions had not yet moved into position. Our troops that rested on their arms in the face of the enemy, seeing him in motion, could not brook delay, and the center, under Colonel Davis, opened fire. The enemy replied with terrible energy from new batteries and lines which had been prepared for us during the night. </em><strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- Gen. Samuel Curtis, USA, April 1, 1862.</span></strong><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9e-Xr2ycbGi_mM9tNwGFHQRHYLND3h1kEUw7WMSFF-ZE7xBxFbb6gTKTGozfamgdTjU3AWvUUHIg0i72ryO5wDzGBzIEKu0WXggWgn1nVeUUwaUmphd_YtZ5qZrWLzlRpnzd_KiHwJgn/s1600/jeffersoncdavis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9e-Xr2ycbGi_mM9tNwGFHQRHYLND3h1kEUw7WMSFF-ZE7xBxFbb6gTKTGozfamgdTjU3AWvUUHIg0i72ryO5wDzGBzIEKu0WXggWgn1nVeUUwaUmphd_YtZ5qZrWLzlRpnzd_KiHwJgn/s200/jeffersoncdavis.jpg" width="166" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Col. Jefferson C. Davis, USA</td></tr>
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The opening of the second day of the battle by the men of Colonel Jefferson C. Davis ignited an artillery duel for which the Union army was much better prepared. Curtis moved his batteries into position to create a crossfire that swept the Confederates with shot and shell from multiple directions.<br />
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The Southern batteries simply could not match the intensity of fire of the Federal guns. A portion of Van Dorn's army was positioned in the large rock and ravines of the mountain and the exploding shells shattered rock in all directions, inflicting gruesome injuries on these soldiers.<br />
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Curtis ordered forward his infantry in a staggered attack that began with the advance of his left:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fN1SOrXeWiXzyh3Npf_Yn3B7pyXmhS_NC4ghp-d6NicpwCUHc-K075Fk18PtGId67rww2mhWi5GP-VE5D6MSKK_dYkQMg7p3KnuQmpR8Rkgiey_m4BWWA0bMgEoC5sct7t_QQ2cvGWTP/s1600/pearidge2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fN1SOrXeWiXzyh3Npf_Yn3B7pyXmhS_NC4ghp-d6NicpwCUHc-K075Fk18PtGId67rww2mhWi5GP-VE5D6MSKK_dYkQMg7p3KnuQmpR8Rkgiey_m4BWWA0bMgEoC5sct7t_QQ2cvGWTP/s1600/pearidge2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Position from which the Union left wing attacked</td></tr>
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<em>...The left wing, advancing rapidly, soon began to ascend the mountain cliff, from which the artillery had driven most of the rebel force. The upward movement of the gallant Thirty-sixth Illinois, with its dark-blue line of men and its gleaming bayonets, steadily rose from base to summit, when it dashed forward into the forest, driving and scattering the rebels from these commanding heights. The Twelfth Missouri, far in dvance of others, rushes into the enemy's lines, bearing off a flag and two pieces of artillery. Everywhere our line moved forward and the foe as gradually withdrew. </em><strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- Gen. Samuel Curtis, USA, April 1, 1862.</span></strong><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01KI57b1eyhLVAmL5Xf2a-F6HGco6YoXFyN4CYHSWbkQn1tYmDQkcnROg4oEPnMK-TZZ18egTVCPuy_9ksdEejouzGkiupJ15Htq0ZOFY8HJrONwBa4ZznHGiBNf6QMEgVJ4SpWJEAHDm/s1600/wireroadnps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01KI57b1eyhLVAmL5Xf2a-F6HGco6YoXFyN4CYHSWbkQn1tYmDQkcnROg4oEPnMK-TZZ18egTVCPuy_9ksdEejouzGkiupJ15Htq0ZOFY8HJrONwBa4ZznHGiBNf6QMEgVJ4SpWJEAHDm/s320/wireroadnps.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Telegraph Road, along which part of the Southern army retreated<br />
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">NPS Photo</span></em></td></tr>
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As the Federal lines of battle moved forward, the Confederate army disintegrated. In the words of General Curtis, "no force could have withstood our converging line and concentrated cross-fire."<br />
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Hungry, tired, out of ammunition, the Confederates realized the battle was lost. According to Van Dorn, he ordered a withdrawal from the field that was carried out orderly and with little pursuit. General Albert Pike, however, told a different story. Pike was not even informed that Van Dorn was leaving the field and went forward for orders to find that the Federal troops were 150 yards away and that the Confederate commander was long gone:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gen. Albert Pike, CSA</td></tr>
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Pike described a disorganized but unhurried retreat of streaming lines of troops from their positions on the main line of battle. The Arkansas general described riding among these men trying to keep them organized as much as possible. He began positioning troops to make a stand on level ground north of the battlefield, but as he moved to bring other men into line, he turned around to find that the line had evaporated and the men once again were moving north. He rushed to catch up with them and tried a second time:<br />
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<em>...I rode again to the front and halted the leading battery at the foot of the next level, ordered it into line, facing the rear, gave the necessary commands myself, and had three guns brought into position. Two regiments of infantry were standing there in lines ranging up and down the valley, the flank of each to the enemy. I directed them to form in the rear of the batteries; but at this moment a shell was sent by the enemy up the road from the point of the hill around which we had just passed. The cry of "The cavalry are coming" was raised and everything became confusion.</em> <strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- Gen. Albert Pike, CSA, March 14, 1862.</span></strong><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gen. Samuel Curtis, USA<br />
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Victor of Pea Ridge</span></em></td></tr>
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Had Albert Pike not assumed command of the Confederate cavalry still on the field and ordered it into position to protect the retreating infantry and artillery, Van Dorn's army might well have been completely destroyed. His impromptu rear guard, however, confused and delayed the Federal pursuit long enough for most of the disorganized Confederate army to escape.<br />
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Other officers, particularly those of the Missouri State Guard, also fought delaying actions as the army retreated. It is worth noting that the 200 or so mounted men of Colonel Stand Watie's First Cherokee Rifles were among the last Confederate troops to leave the field.<br />
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The Battle of Pea Ridge ended in disaster for the Confederacy, 150 years ago today.<br />
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I will post more on the aftermath of the battle in coming days, so be sure to check back often. You can read more about the Battle of Pea Ridge anytime at <a href="http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/pearidgeindex">www.exploresouthernhistory.com/pearidgeindex</a>.Dale Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07756272433232589890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233646528750691573.post-7094098760872690652012-03-07T22:16:00.001-06:002012-03-07T22:18:52.384-06:00The Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas - A Lull in the Battle<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYChbPfHj2-VhrC1KjbLkppxFQGjJ3m_XwSqWBpWhbxBzzytghKh1mZxqUy8Q4Sjy7yos5Wvq4U95decLT1ahi8nCr2uZSY-d17QvnUgJJvs4hkxlgHLa8d6fMTqb4Fp1FGnjXgR5UIqKY/s1600/pearidgeday2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYChbPfHj2-VhrC1KjbLkppxFQGjJ3m_XwSqWBpWhbxBzzytghKh1mZxqUy8Q4Sjy7yos5Wvq4U95decLT1ahi8nCr2uZSY-d17QvnUgJJvs4hkxlgHLa8d6fMTqb4Fp1FGnjXgR5UIqKY/s1600/pearidgeday2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Confederate Position on night of March 7, 1862</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<em>This is part three of a series of posts on the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas. To read the previous parts first, please see: <a href="http://civilwararkansas.blogspot.com/2012/03/battle-of-pea-ridge-arkansas-day-one.html" target="_blank">The Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas - Day One, Part One</a> and <a href="http://civilwararkansas.blogspot.com/2012/03/battle-of-pea-ridge-arkansas-day-one_07.html" target="_blank">The Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas - Day One, Part Two</a>.</em><br />
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The night of March 7, 1862, brought an end to the bloody first day of the Battle of Pea Ridge. The moans and cries of the wounded echoed off the rocks of the ridge and the bodies of the dead carpeted the ground. On the Federal side of the battlefield, General Curtis positioned his line of battle in the edge of trees, with a wide and open field in front of them and there they slept on their arms for the night:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzvftTaHvIzWGts9jut4ZgyLxYdfB99TDWnkEcGtrY51aqB0t6oKbFqgKV0_IPCSU30zzBadCZd8qGFiqcKsllmhGG7gZfHjpnfofInqHfEWoGHRlqkMboD3crgFjAY6zgEQQRDATYXjI/s1600/pearidgemap3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzvftTaHvIzWGts9jut4ZgyLxYdfB99TDWnkEcGtrY51aqB0t6oKbFqgKV0_IPCSU30zzBadCZd8qGFiqcKsllmhGG7gZfHjpnfofInqHfEWoGHRlqkMboD3crgFjAY6zgEQQRDATYXjI/s320/pearidgemap3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Union Military Map of the Pea Ridge Battlefield</td></tr>
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<em>...I directed a detail from each company to bring water and provisions, and thus without a murmur these weary soldiers lay and many of them slept within a few yards of the foe, with their dead and wounded comrades scattered around them. Darkness, silence, and fatigue soon secured to the weary broken slumbers and gloomy repose. The day had closed in some reverses on the right, but the left had been unassailed and the center had driven the foe from the field. </em><strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- Gen. Samuel Curtis, USA, April 1, 1862.</span></strong><br />
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Realizing that the fight would reopen the next morning along what had been his right flank, General Curtis completed the 180 degree pivot of his army by concentrating the entire Federal force along his final line of the day. The plan was for him to be able to resume the battle on the morning of the 8th with his entire army ready to fight on the front opened by the Confederates along the Telegraph road.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmwb0bFQnaypxxYC_-7gUS1B4FbT8siw0mmIc4H3LB9KGv7GyHAYNho2oc2qZKSWhZIM9HE6MVmbNFicjt7Ka9XCd2s0QxSC_amtbhD7maYL99gjkWMncjhk0LXzkYbR48XpfuOXeUsOw/s1600/elkhorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmwb0bFQnaypxxYC_-7gUS1B4FbT8siw0mmIc4H3LB9KGv7GyHAYNho2oc2qZKSWhZIM9HE6MVmbNFicjt7Ka9XCd2s0QxSC_amtbhD7maYL99gjkWMncjhk0LXzkYbR48XpfuOXeUsOw/s1600/elkhorn.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elkhorn Tavern<br />
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Inside Confederate Lines on the night of March 7, 1862</span></em></td></tr>
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On the Confederate side of the field, General Van Dorn assessed the situation that night to find that he was far from ready to resume another full day of battle:<br />
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<em>...In the course of the night I ascertained that the ammunition was almost exhausted, and that the officer in charge of the ordnance supplies could not find his wagons, which, with the subsistence train, had been sent to Bentonville. Most of the troops had been without any food since the morning of the 6th and the artillery horses were beaten out. It was therefore with no little anxiety that I awated the dawn of day.</em><strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- Gen. Earl Van Dorn, CSA, March 27, 1862.</span></strong><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gQRZyv_gv7aMYSXWgf0wKdlyHr-j6pmMseGJbh6WuC0Bj5NprZd19bMF8otMVhJq17Irjlzd9A0k7KnFHnweAeVCjiQcFDxY4-rNmSAse2oG5dP-5cVO14U8MjmORDeCCmVXqp4xV-Zk/s1600/slack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gQRZyv_gv7aMYSXWgf0wKdlyHr-j6pmMseGJbh6WuC0Bj5NprZd19bMF8otMVhJq17Irjlzd9A0k7KnFHnweAeVCjiQcFDxY4-rNmSAse2oG5dP-5cVO14U8MjmORDeCCmVXqp4xV-Zk/s320/slack.jpg" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gen. William Y. Slack, CSA</td></tr>
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The speed with which Van Dorn had marched his army into battle now turned on him. He had entered the engagement at Pea Ridge with a larger army than his Federal opponents, but he had not given proper care to his logistics or the condition of his men. Now, with one entire division of his army disorganized and confused, he found that his men had no food and very little ammunition. <br />
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In addition, he had lost a large number of his senior officers in the first day's fighting. In McCulloch's Division, Generals Ben McCulloch and James McIntosh had been killed and Colonel Louis Hebert, who had then assumed command, was missing and feared dead. In Price's Division, General William Y. Slack had been mortally wounded during the early phases of the attack down the Telegraph road. He would die two weeks later.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Col Stand Watie, CSA</td></tr>
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To make matters worse, most of the troops of McCulloch's Division did not move to Van Dorn's position during the night. When he came up after another night of marching, General Pike (who had assumed command of McCulloch's battered force) was able to bring up only a portion of the infantry, Welch's cavalry squadron from Texas, a single battery and Colonel Stand Watie's First Cherokee Rifles. He reached Telegraph road to find all in confusion and spent hours trying to find General Van Dorn and receive orders as to where he should place his men.<br />
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As Van Dorn and Price tried to prepare for a resumption of the action the next day, their men lay exhausted and hungry on the cold ground. They had not eaten in 36 hours and were dangerousloy low on ammunition. From the Federal side of the field they could hear with their own ears evidence that the enemy was preparing to resume the fight:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQFupEjlFsIv-ppW5o9ucWS66bz_GrCywNFV3Vd9Q8uw6gsoiUK1YcE0O2cj7avbTg1Z5BOFOfFICw93o_WR_SdryeQeyf0Mbe6YLq8SXKwP1V8EGO6hNFjv1oHJy9I9kru4CeyXqYLgB/s1600/pearidge2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQFupEjlFsIv-ppW5o9ucWS66bz_GrCywNFV3Vd9Q8uw6gsoiUK1YcE0O2cj7avbTg1Z5BOFOfFICw93o_WR_SdryeQeyf0Mbe6YLq8SXKwP1V8EGO6hNFjv1oHJy9I9kru4CeyXqYLgB/s1600/pearidge2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pea Ridge National Military Park<br />
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">View from the Union lines on the night of March 7, 1862</span></em></td></tr>
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<em>...During the night great commotion was audible in the camp of the enemy. Their artillery and baggage wagons seemed to be continually moving. The officers of my command preserved their lines unbroken, in readiness for any emergency.</em><strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> - Col. Henry Little, First Brigade Missouri Volunteers (CSA), March 18, 1862.</span></strong><br />
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About the only good news received by any of the Confederate troops that night came in the middle of the night when Colonel Henry Little's First Missouri Brigade received an unexpected gift from the Union army:<br />
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<em>...About midnight the sound of wheels approached. We opened our lines and admitted a caisson with ammunition, which, through mistake of the driver, came to seek one of the divisions of the Federal army in the ranks of his adversaries.</em> <strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- Col. Henry Little, First Brigade Missouri Volunteers (CSA), March 18, 1862.</span></strong><br />
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So passed the night of March 7, 1862, and predawn hours of March 8, 1862, 150 years ago tonight. I will post on the second day of the battle tomorrow, so be sure to check back! Until then, you can read more at <a href="http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/pearidgeindex">www.exploresouthernhistory.com/pearidgeindex</a>.<br />
<br />Dale Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07756272433232589890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233646528750691573.post-19908952500568622042012-03-07T17:37:00.002-06:002012-03-07T22:23:01.324-06:00The Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas - Day One, Part Two<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GUoq_s3MnV2JT15xAUySxLT9G6pVSk4BX4yLU0HcgPOnO8FuQFhlr-_WOUx3aJ0Dha1E1KWKYnaE1RYay2rwBhtxSwbKri8CCMOYZNmGju64sC0PREXryc-mNCRyhGgKZg6Nu7Xv4zvB/s1600/elkhorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GUoq_s3MnV2JT15xAUySxLT9G6pVSk4BX4yLU0HcgPOnO8FuQFhlr-_WOUx3aJ0Dha1E1KWKYnaE1RYay2rwBhtxSwbKri8CCMOYZNmGju64sC0PREXryc-mNCRyhGgKZg6Nu7Xv4zvB/s1600/elkhorn.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elkhorn Tavern</td></tr>
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<em>This is part two of a post on the 150th anniversary of the first day of the Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas. To read the first part, please click here: <a href="http://civilwararkansas.blogspot.com/2012/03/battle-of-pea-ridge-arkansas-day-one.html" target="_blank">The Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas - Day One, Part One</a>.</em><br />
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The loss of three division commanders in such a short time on the Leetown sector of the battlefield completely disrupted the Confederate attack there. General Albert Pike did what he could to reorganize the shattered force, but there were no further Southern attacks that day on the Leetown front.<br />
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As the battle diminished at Leetown, however, it increased in severity along the Telegraph road. Van Dorn and Price drove forward against Carr's forces and heavy fighting erupted. Curtis ordered Generals Asboth and Sigel to change front from the Sugar Creek lines they had been holding and push to the relief of Colonel Carr.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gen. Alexander Asboth, USA</td></tr>
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Curtis himself accompanied Asboth, who boldly pushed forward ahead of his main body and rushed to Carr's assistance, arriving just in time:<br />
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<em>...General Asboth had planted his artillery in the road and opened a tremendous fire on the enemy at short range. The Second Missouri Infantry also deployed and earnestly engaged the enemy. About this time the shades of night began to gather around us, but the fire on both sides seemed to grow fierce and more deadly. One of my bodyguard fell dead, my orderly received a shot, and General Asboth was severely wounded in the arm. </em><strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- Gen. Samuel Curtis, USA, April 1, 1862.</span></strong><br />
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At Pea Ridge, Asboth proved the estimation of him later written by General William Tecumseh Sherman that he was personally brave. Despite his severe wound, Asboth did not quit the field and continued to direct the fire of his cannon until they had completely used up their ammunition and had no choice but to fall back.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Telegraph Road, where Asboth stood with his artillery</td></tr>
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<em>...This caused another battery that I had located on the right of the road to follow, this latter fearing a want of support. The infantry, however, stood firm or fell back in good order, and the batteries were soon restored, but the caissons got quite out of reach. The artillery firing was renewed, however, and kept up till dark, the enemy firing the last shot, for I could not find another cartridge to give them a final round; even the little howitzers responded, "No cartridges." </em><strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- Gen. Samuel Curtis, USA, April 1, 1862.</span></strong><br />
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On the Confederate side, General Van Dorn reported that he learned at 3 p.m. that Generals McCulloch and McIntosh had been killed. Despite the failure of the attack on the Federal right flank, he decided to push forward the attack down the Telegraph road:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKcL3SiL5k_c1rzeRpJB6vhT_xt_ZBctGSeLaSix4WkZ76Pi3JQQezz0ngZiBHb0ok6n5gfvggLCaMnTpzm6rymlxBamz-Hr04bQW6JCxW7BeUzCiOlZ2f3a6XTtuQiHfJmZF36SIwGO3/s1600/pearidgeday2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKcL3SiL5k_c1rzeRpJB6vhT_xt_ZBctGSeLaSix4WkZ76Pi3JQQezz0ngZiBHb0ok6n5gfvggLCaMnTpzm6rymlxBamz-Hr04bQW6JCxW7BeUzCiOlZ2f3a6XTtuQiHfJmZF36SIwGO3/s1600/pearidgeday2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Confederate cannon at Pea Ridge</td></tr>
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<em>...I nevertheless pressed forward with the attack, and at sunset the enemy was fleeing before our victorious troops at every point in our front, and when night fell we had driven him entirely from the field of battle.</em><br />
<em> Our troops slept upon their arms nearly a mile beyond the point at which he made his last stand, and my headquarters for the night were at the Elkhorn Tavern. We had taken during the day seven cannon and about 200 prisoners.</em><strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> - Gen. Earl Van Dorn, CSA, March 27, 1862.</span></strong><br />
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While the Federal troops would prove the next day that they had not fled from the field, Van Dorn's report indicated that he had largely lost communication with McCulloch's Division and had no knowledge of what was happening on that part of the battlefield.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKoKOjKwbFCMNaR2BzhS1O1K6quBDxOYcsCCT5KfVZBcj50SlJMQGmxSFUrLhCIPYw508u99Z3Xm0nnsThqfUM0if5yGg7UEoWSpzSv3QbXDl3_AuDMel1iJds2LYs_vaiLiIXw-wq-xh/s1600/sterlingprice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKoKOjKwbFCMNaR2BzhS1O1K6quBDxOYcsCCT5KfVZBcj50SlJMQGmxSFUrLhCIPYw508u99Z3Xm0nnsThqfUM0if5yGg7UEoWSpzSv3QbXDl3_AuDMel1iJds2LYs_vaiLiIXw-wq-xh/s200/sterlingprice.jpg" width="130" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gen. Sterling Price, CSA</td></tr>
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General Price described the Confederate attack down Telegraph road in much greater detail:<br />
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<em>...I now advanced my whole line, which gradually closed upon the enemy and drove them from one position to another, until we found them towards evening in great force on the south and west of an open field, supported by masked batteries.</em><br />
<em> The artillery and infantry of my left wing were brought up to attack them, and they did so with a spirit and determination worthy of all praise. The fiercest struggle of the day now ensued; but the enemy was driven back and completely routed. My right had engaged the enemy's center at the same time with equal daring and equal success, and had already driven them from their position at Elkhorn Tavern. Night alone prevented us from achieving a complete victory, of which we had already gathered some of the fruits, having taken two pieces of artillery and quantity of stores.</em> <strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- Gen. Sterling Price, CSA, March 22, 1862.</span></strong><br />
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Nightfall brought the bloody fighting to an end and then men of both sides slept on their arms I will post later tonight about what happened during the night and what went through the minds of the commanders of both sides as they prepared to fight again the next day.<br />
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<a href="http://civilwararkansas.blogspot.com/2012/03/battle-of-pea-ridge-arkansas-lull-in.html" target="_blank">Please click here to continue to The Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas - A Lull in the Battle</a>.<br />
You can read more about the Battle of Pea Ridge anytime at <a href="http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/pearidgeindex">www.exploresouthernhistory.com/pearidgeindex</a>.Dale Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07756272433232589890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233646528750691573.post-4754504073533285782012-03-07T13:11:00.003-06:002012-03-07T22:20:43.359-06:00The Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas - Day One, Part One<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0HwgTjwNzYwkjBgVqdf_0uVTYF-AqCCRvI1MTdYjq_s3FpFZJONzIQnwtBE05eJwcHiOtBorsJ5vDxioC2U6RES7FbhArCyDg1AftOrswLJyrhTAm0yanhX5w61n8NCVZ9ipeuX2YsSA/s1600/pearidge3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0HwgTjwNzYwkjBgVqdf_0uVTYF-AqCCRvI1MTdYjq_s3FpFZJONzIQnwtBE05eJwcHiOtBorsJ5vDxioC2U6RES7FbhArCyDg1AftOrswLJyrhTAm0yanhX5w61n8NCVZ9ipeuX2YsSA/s1600/pearidge3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pea Ridge National Military Park</td></tr>
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Today marks the 150th Anniversary of the first day of the Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas.<br />
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Also called the Battle of Elkhorn Tavern, the engagement at Pea Ridge began when the morning of March 7, 1862, revealed Major General Earl Van Dorn's Confederate army moving in full force around the right flank of Major General Samuel Curtis's entrenched Union army. <br />
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Having fought with Federal troops near Bentonville the previous day and then sending part of his force up the Telegraph or Wire Road after them to keep up the impression that he intended a frontal attack on the Union army, Van Dorn moved out on a long, difficult and exhausting night march via a route called the Bentonville Detour. This road passed was a cut-off of sorts that connected Bentonville with the Telegraph Road just north of the Pea Ridge Battlefield.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNBc77bMFYuCTVSpJlUpkBHgV2skFm3jty4iAOAs7YjgeJyz8RMwI5le_IDODhAGUVGIth53RMpjzC25r7nlLzFD_udGq9NN6diKjiHzWmJ_iBs9R5k8Khy_ABP6auJggTdYrTLdnBdeT/s1600/benmcculloch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNBc77bMFYuCTVSpJlUpkBHgV2skFm3jty4iAOAs7YjgeJyz8RMwI5le_IDODhAGUVGIth53RMpjzC25r7nlLzFD_udGq9NN6diKjiHzWmJ_iBs9R5k8Khy_ABP6auJggTdYrTLdnBdeT/s1600/benmcculloch.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gen. Ben McCulloch, CSA</td></tr>
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Van Dorn's plan was to strike Curtis on the right flank and rear. The commanding general himself accompanied the division of Major General Sterling Price, which followed the detour all the way around the Union army until it struck the Telegraph Road. In heavy force, Price and his men then began an advance south towards Elkhorn Tavern intending to hit Curtis from behind.<br />
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The other division was commanded by Brigadier General Ben McCulloch. He was to hit the right flank of the Union army as Price came down to strike it in the rear. If all went well, Van Dorn would smash Curtis and either force his surrender, put his men into flight into the mountains where they could not be supplied or drive them into Little Sugar Creek, which they were facing.<br />
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It didn't go as hoped. The road was long and hard and conditions were bad. The Confederate infantry spent the night trudging through cold mud and shivering in the winter weather of the Ozark Plateau. The supply wagons were far in the rear and as the march continued through the night, the distance between them and the main fighting force grew and grew.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JYM2h9K43_GsVupScFcxGxyw8gieXwsT3lUnzJdk4EGayYccuh4J9S_X1IrikmgNxquBrb5gC4zQ8mN-KixKV0pa2oevJ61j65RFIy-N-uvwJVyanSWDmUqqL04U8sISobz7To7RzEmM/s1600/samuelcurtis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JYM2h9K43_GsVupScFcxGxyw8gieXwsT3lUnzJdk4EGayYccuh4J9S_X1IrikmgNxquBrb5gC4zQ8mN-KixKV0pa2oevJ61j65RFIy-N-uvwJVyanSWDmUqqL04U8sISobz7To7RzEmM/s200/samuelcurtis.jpg" width="130" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gen. Samuel Curtis, USA</td></tr>
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Sunrise came and Van Dorn was not in position to begin his attack. The Federals observed his troops moving around their right and began to adjust accordingly. Even so, the surprise move almost ended in victory for the Confederates.<br />
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Convening a meeting of his officers at the tent of Brigadier General Alexander Asboth, Curtis ordered his commanders to begin a complete change of front of his army. This was a remarkable thing to attempt under any conditions, but with an enemy attack pending it was intensely difficult and dangerous. The Union commander, however, had no choice. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADNGL-J5bMO3WsyiiMNQx7F42cUJjO3ScjVD_fE266cZv9a6ZCXL7g1xsN5jHCfz26G7Pl4PUdmHeZpx7dkHFYXmmn8Y2QSuLWkEDGd7r-OsXTxRWzHh45h5o5lyaRN75YXNNq29yk_95/s1600/grenvilledodge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADNGL-J5bMO3WsyiiMNQx7F42cUJjO3ScjVD_fE266cZv9a6ZCXL7g1xsN5jHCfz26G7Pl4PUdmHeZpx7dkHFYXmmn8Y2QSuLWkEDGd7r-OsXTxRWzHh45h5o5lyaRN75YXNNq29yk_95/s200/grenvilledodge.jpg" width="166" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Col. Grenville Dodge, USA</td></tr>
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As this meeting was underway, a courier arrived to report that Confederate troops could be seen moving in force along the Ford road to the west. Colonel Peter Osterhaus was ordered to move with his division to probe the movement. As Osterhaus began to move his men to the west in the direction of Leetown, a small community on the battlefield, a second courier arrived to report that a second body of Confederates was moving south in force on the Telegraph Road, aiming for Elkhorn Taver and the Union supply trains.<br />
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Colonel Grenville Dodge's brigade was just outside the tent at the time and Curtis order Dodge's commander, Colonel Eugene Carr, to take Dodge's brigade and half the Confederate force advancing down the Telegraph Road. Carr moved out promising the battle would be over in an hour.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTiE2y1tvWwc36p5u5VYN-a8-lDlXNOrBpzC6YckOPR9bF47xSsjfk11eRhqInhr3bm8CeZtbUboFgmkOqvH-6UThj3SsB8otc80P1uVoNSDq5QAKRkS_1_F5LwjqBl7UFPnkM8SVmHd5/s1600/leetown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTiE2y1tvWwc36p5u5VYN-a8-lDlXNOrBpzC6YckOPR9bF47xSsjfk11eRhqInhr3bm8CeZtbUboFgmkOqvH-6UThj3SsB8otc80P1uVoNSDq5QAKRkS_1_F5LwjqBl7UFPnkM8SVmHd5/s1600/leetown.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leetown Battlefield at Pea Ridge National Military Park</td></tr>
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Osterhaus struck first, engaging the Confederates under McCulloch near Leetown and finding them to be in greatly superior force. Ordering his division forward, McCulloch began to push back the Federals. General Curtis ordered Colonel Jefferson C. Davis (not to be confused with Confederate President Jefferson Davis) to march to the support of Osterhaus and his men.<br />
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Almost simultaneously, Price attacked Union forces on the northern end of the battle, deploying his division out on both sides of Telegraph Road and pushing for Elkhorn Tavern. The Battle of Pea Ridge was now underway:<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUQ_10O0IFco4uHpB6Yo30l6NwW3pew-Chb4nXsrU7eZ5g20uvZVWp6HGtltZhLVr1WXpmepiUbnIVWmcrdbyYCXPlDL8vk7zwPqJYk7Ot880aybG9xx0cRGH3Y6wZgZwqEkrDsm5ttOH/s1600/jeffersoncdavis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUQ_10O0IFco4uHpB6Yo30l6NwW3pew-Chb4nXsrU7eZ5g20uvZVWp6HGtltZhLVr1WXpmepiUbnIVWmcrdbyYCXPlDL8vk7zwPqJYk7Ot880aybG9xx0cRGH3Y6wZgZwqEkrDsm5ttOH/s200/jeffersoncdavis.jpg" width="166" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Col. Jefferson C. Davis, USA</td></tr>
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<em>...The battle raged...with terrible fury. Colonel Davis held the position against fearful numbers, and our brave troops nobly stood or charged in steady lines. The fate of the battle depended on success agaisnt this flank movement of the enemy [i.e. the movement by McCulloch against the Union right], and here near Leetown was the place to break it down. </em><strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- Gen. Samuel Curtis, USA, April 1, 1862.</span></strong><br />
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It in the woods and fields near Leetown that disaster struck the Confederate army. Realizing that the Federal forces opposing him were growing in strength, General McCulloch came up to view the Union lines in person before launching a major attack against them when he was shot down. So ended the life of on of the most remarkable men in the history of Texas, the South and the United States.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqOyfs9d5ecIEd138jkSxNvPUSYER9zgWVpskr5LYEx5IwPpsKNSz8q1In6b8GPL4D3D52hj85WKFrzLmNBxQHfEZE4cLxAzVytfM1VupGE6USQ43UpwrRzxAmcRk9JN7Rkx5ohQf4QGo/s1600/jamesmcintosh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqOyfs9d5ecIEd138jkSxNvPUSYER9zgWVpskr5LYEx5IwPpsKNSz8q1In6b8GPL4D3D52hj85WKFrzLmNBxQHfEZE4cLxAzVytfM1VupGE6USQ43UpwrRzxAmcRk9JN7Rkx5ohQf4QGo/s200/jamesmcintosh.jpg" width="143" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gen. James McIntosh, CSA</td></tr>
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Command of the division now fell to Brigadier General James McIntosh, but within fifteen minutes he too was shot down just a short distance from where McCulloch had been killed. He died on the battlefield, becoming the first Confederate general from Florida to give his life in the cause of the South.<br />
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Colonel Louis Hebert, of Louisiana, now assumed the command and ordered the attack. It went well at first and the Federals were driven back. Smoke, friendly fire and wooded terrain, however, created great confusion in the Confederate ranks and the attack stalled. Hebert became separated from his men and was taken prisoner. <br />
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<a href="http://civilwararkansas.blogspot.com/2012/03/battle-of-pea-ridge-arkansas-day-one_07.html" target="_blank">Please click here to continue to The Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas - Day One, Part Two</a>.<br />
<br />
You also can read more at <a href="http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/pearidgeindex">www.exploresouthernhistory.com/pearidgeindex</a>.Dale Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07756272433232589890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233646528750691573.post-4990800279736326792012-03-05T20:56:00.002-06:002012-03-05T20:56:32.359-06:00March 5, 1862 - The Confederates concentrate at Elm Springs<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4IouxwHG7rB4w0eIgmSjsmmF3yLevdg7Za-BY0ujlLiD1o2Z3sJwAKUZLCOLumzW2aQYAKHmPM6VmVOy66qSM7olJd9wh_ZR7QaE52IgaxFuvI7u3veJrVyDVSMn6MmIZw5iPhGkLuvM-/s1600/wireroad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4IouxwHG7rB4w0eIgmSjsmmF3yLevdg7Za-BY0ujlLiD1o2Z3sJwAKUZLCOLumzW2aQYAKHmPM6VmVOy66qSM7olJd9wh_ZR7QaE52IgaxFuvI7u3veJrVyDVSMn6MmIZw5iPhGkLuvM-/s1600/wireroad.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Telegraph or Wire Road at Pea Ridge Battlefield</td></tr>
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On March 5, 1865, 150 years ago today, the Confederate army of Major General Earl Van Dorn concentrated at Elm Springs in Northwest Arkansas. The Battle of Pea Ridge was now just two days away.<br />
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Elm Springs is located near Springdale, roughly between Fayetteville and Bentonville. It provided a logical point for the Confederates to organize for the coming battle. With plenty of water from a cluster of natural springs and plenty of wood for fuel, it was also a good staging point where all of the Southern troops coming down out of the Boston Mountains could gather. It was also within easy striking distance of both Bentonville and the main Federal camps at Sugar Creek near Pea Ridge.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqaCyZG93PBdz27APxBwClLmP461QoGkAFmzvJCYHMAVRzqaxFbrQOFse1vmeo2yP6hJLn3VrQLNL9Is-NG4hyJu7n2M2HL1KEC5S8beQDdVJ2yHggnfxH0Udo4R7d8ixh0k8rHzF7XupU/s1600/elmsprings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqaCyZG93PBdz27APxBwClLmP461QoGkAFmzvJCYHMAVRzqaxFbrQOFse1vmeo2yP6hJLn3VrQLNL9Is-NG4hyJu7n2M2HL1KEC5S8beQDdVJ2yHggnfxH0Udo4R7d8ixh0k8rHzF7XupU/s320/elmsprings.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Topographic Map of Elm Springs<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Click to Enlarge)</span></td></tr>
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Colonel Greer of the Third Texas Cavalry, which had led off the advance from the Boston Mountains on the 4th, described the advance of Van Dorn's army to Elm Springs:<br />
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<em>...After leaving Fayetteville General McIntosh's brigade, which was composed exclusively of cavalry, marched up the Telegraph or Springfield road for 4 miles, while General Price's division, with the rest of our army, was ordered up the Elm Springs road. Four miles from Fayetteville Colonel Stone was ordered with his regiment to proceed a few miles farther up the Telegraph road, where he would remain during the night and rejoin our forces the next day. The rest of General McIntosh's brigade turned to the left, and after carefully reconnoitering the country and getting all the information we could of the enemy, joined the main body of our army at Elm Springs. Considerable snow fell again that night. - </em><strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Col. E. Greer, Third Texas Cavalry, CSA, March 1862.</span></strong><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03RdT7lnfF2uEWHVXZdKjg3IYTgLO7naj_7UUdqYTiUGxxMlHroaEUNJksyiWTCGZuLC0VbhX0-IOdQBy9EC6A-pFz3759PCTJfNkxy_9oLpsw66oWC0txoQj9bSxYA2MOYRXlIJj9uTO/s1600/jamesmcintosh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03RdT7lnfF2uEWHVXZdKjg3IYTgLO7naj_7UUdqYTiUGxxMlHroaEUNJksyiWTCGZuLC0VbhX0-IOdQBy9EC6A-pFz3759PCTJfNkxy_9oLpsw66oWC0txoQj9bSxYA2MOYRXlIJj9uTO/s320/jamesmcintosh.jpg" width="229" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gen. James McIntosh, CSA<br />
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Commander of the Confederate Cavalry Brigade</span></em></td></tr>
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The position of the troops on the night of the 5th showed initial signs of General Van Dorn's plan for the coming battle. The Telegraph (Wire) Road, up which Colonel B.W. Stone was ordered to move with the Sixth Texas Cavalry, was the main road leading directly to Sugar Creek and the main Union encampment. Based on the movement of the main body of the Confederate army to Elm Springs, Van Dorn clearly was not planning a direct attack up the main road leading to the Union army.<br />
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Instead, the concentration of the Confederate force at Elm Springs showed that Van Dorn planned to continue north to Bentonville and then swing right (east) to hit the Federal army on its right flank. This would flank the strong position taken up by General Curtis behind Sugar Creek, eliminating the use of the creek as a natural barrier and bypassing the breastworks the Federals had thrown up on the slopes overlooking the creek.<br />
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The halt at Elm Springs also allowed time for Brigadier General Albert Pike to come up with his forces from the Indian Territory. He was now in Northwest Arkansas and would reach Elm Springs the next morning.<br />
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The snow continued to pile up on the night of the 5th, creating more misery for the freezing men in the Confederate army and more difficulty for the teams trying to bring up their wagon trains of supplies.<br />
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I will continue to post on the Battle of Pea Ridge tomorrow, so be sure to check back for an article on the Confederate army's move into position for battle. You can read more about the battle before then at <a href="http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/pearidgeindex">www.exploresouthernhistory.com/pearidgeindex</a>.<br />Dale Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07756272433232589890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233646528750691573.post-74269353873241309222012-03-04T14:05:00.000-06:002012-03-04T14:06:37.189-06:00March 4, 1862 - The Confederates come down from the Mountains<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UF89HqnqMrhBpwfdAB2Xvjs47gunyCnXzgCFOIe9zHjYkcqK_05IY7QA85MZWoJP-Rg-eRVOfGxMkCZhfbYECvQOjGpPMpIun75MzhNRDfsKLKaLy42qbLHWJrINrHPA9iGNiRmb9SHu/s1600/elkhornwinter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UF89HqnqMrhBpwfdAB2Xvjs47gunyCnXzgCFOIe9zHjYkcqK_05IY7QA85MZWoJP-Rg-eRVOfGxMkCZhfbYECvQOjGpPMpIun75MzhNRDfsKLKaLy42qbLHWJrINrHPA9iGNiRmb9SHu/s320/elkhornwinter.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow blankets Pea Ridge Battlefield <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(NPS Photo)</i></span></td></tr>
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On the morning of March 4, 1862, 150 years ago today, Confederate Major General Earl Van Dorn marched his Army of the West out of the Boston Mountains and onto the Ozark Plateau of Washington and Benton Counties, Arkansas.<br />
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As the Confederates moved out, Brigadier General James McIntosh's cavalry brigade was ordered to take the lead. This was a standard military move. The cavalry would move out ahead of the main body to clear the roads of any enemy pickets, to scout and to secure the route of march.<br />
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Part of this movement was spearheaded by Colonel Elkanah Greer and the Third Texas Cavalry. Organized at Dallas in June of 1861, the Third Texas was a seasoned regiment, having fought at Wilson's Creek, Chustenahlah and other actions:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_lKx4gQGstkY4wd5oWANsT0n1XPlk3jBdcdXmtjYi238kqqye7H_IxfinElDGaZiA6IeEZhIZ_2VsSW1Ybq6o4QLPjzf6HLqHvUf9NChtjMQH6FmG6ry7Bwbjz1JhQYjq5orJC-4jRoc/s1600/devilsden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_lKx4gQGstkY4wd5oWANsT0n1XPlk3jBdcdXmtjYi238kqqye7H_IxfinElDGaZiA6IeEZhIZ_2VsSW1Ybq6o4QLPjzf6HLqHvUf9NChtjMQH6FmG6ry7Bwbjz1JhQYjq5orJC-4jRoc/s1600/devilsden.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Boston Mountains</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i> At 7 o'clock on the morning of the 4th we left our encampment on Boston Mountains, my regiment going in advance.</i><br />
<i> That night we encamped near Fayetteville. The day had been very cold, with quite a snow-storm during the morning. </i> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>- Col. E. Greer, Third Texas Cavalry, CSA, March 1862.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Missouri State Guard, under Major General Sterling Price, stepped off in the wake of the cavalry from its camps near Cove Creek. Price later described how Van Dorn had ordered him to march with only three days rations and supplies:</span></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-TmY6F1ErA1GitVuguETbvVuQZ6cUe1-cLoyxBy5TNpel8cYo0cHIm-F32HFxC1_VYO1eALkZkgp53BjS3mb6hSS8gP7w6wqw4sxIeOnhMTvgAhbxQLYiVhxPfvxLLx-Gs9l7Z1qjeJf/s1600/covecreekroad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-TmY6F1ErA1GitVuguETbvVuQZ6cUe1-cLoyxBy5TNpel8cYo0cHIm-F32HFxC1_VYO1eALkZkgp53BjS3mb6hSS8gP7w6wqw4sxIeOnhMTvgAhbxQLYiVhxPfvxLLx-Gs9l7Z1qjeJf/s1600/covecreekroad.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cove Creek Road</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>...That officer having arrived at Cove Creek and assumed command of the Confederate forces in Western Arkansas, I gladly placed myself and my army under his orders, and in obedience to these toop up the line of march in the direction of Bentonville on the morning of March 4, provided with three days' cooked rations, leaving my baggage and supply trains to follow slowly in the rear.</i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b> - Gen. Sterling Price, CSA, March 22, 1862.</b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The total force under Price consisted of 6,818 men with eight batteries of field artillery. General Ben McCulloch marched with a similar size force, but due to his death in the coming battle did not file a report on his movements.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZjnE6aSFYfuQ0qM05I-unwvjYG9XSdsAdF6FIWKMddB1Il738cQeN4vFG8e8SluQNhyIJ_Zs_Jqwnc4xI3ENlhw7nlnueYxzCqnEZzBzKWUlwnasilRwQN8uJfwQ6MR5zSWffdMQy1VG/s1600/vandornnps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZjnE6aSFYfuQ0qM05I-unwvjYG9XSdsAdF6FIWKMddB1Il738cQeN4vFG8e8SluQNhyIJ_Zs_Jqwnc4xI3ENlhw7nlnueYxzCqnEZzBzKWUlwnasilRwQN8uJfwQ6MR5zSWffdMQy1VG/s1600/vandornnps.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gen. Earl Van Dorn, CSA</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Brigadier General Albert Pike, meanwhile, had linked up with Colonel Stand Watie's First Cherokee Rifles at Cincinnati on the western border of Arkansas and on the 4th pushed on into Northwest Arkansas to link up with Van Dorn's army. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Confederate army was assembling for battle and, for one of the few times in a major battle during the war, would outnumber its opponent. The Battle of Pea Ridge was now three days away.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">They day and night of March 4th were bitterly cold in the mountains and, as Colonel Greer later noted, heavy snow fell, particularly in the higher elevations. Van Dorn himself was sick with fever and had been with the army less than 24 hours, but insisted on the immediate advance.The weather, the terrain and his failure to properly organize his supply system would haunt him in the days to come.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I will continue to post on the Battle of Pea Ridge over coming days so be sure to check back often. You can read more about the battle anytime at <a href="http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/pearidgeindex" target="_blank">www.exploresouthernhistory.com/pearidgeindex</a>.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span> </span></span>Dale Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07756272433232589890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233646528750691573.post-3688083034663993972012-03-03T12:47:00.003-06:002012-03-03T12:48:24.635-06:00March 3, 1862 - Van Dorn reaches the Boston Mountains<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0-eYZQgN3j-rhAVi4c6mOJ0g4KsSMj7ngaI7jy0ybqOnS7bGQvO4lFaODx6Qs5B-mz82OMvbCkHCxef58l3iX7Cd31YUjDhAp6R0I-UjZJZiAIBpCHxUz2nQNbSYrB9suc8tForEq3c0/s1600/drippingspringscamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0-eYZQgN3j-rhAVi4c6mOJ0g4KsSMj7ngaI7jy0ybqOnS7bGQvO4lFaODx6Qs5B-mz82OMvbCkHCxef58l3iX7Cd31YUjDhAp6R0I-UjZJZiAIBpCHxUz2nQNbSYrB9suc8tForEq3c0/s1600/drippingspringscamp.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Confederate Camp in Boston Mountains</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
On March 3, 1862, 150 years ago today, Confederate General Earl Van Dorn reached the camps of the combined forces of Sterling Price and Ben McCulloch in the Boston Mountains between Fayetteville and the Arkansas River:<br />
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<i>...[B]eing satisfied that the enemy, who had halted at Sugar Creek, 55 miles distant, was only waiting large re-enforcements before he would advance, I resolved to attack him at once. Accordingly I sent for General Pike to join me near Elm Springs with the forces under his command. </i><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- Gen. Earl Van Dorn, March 27, 1862.</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Van Dorn's plan was solid, but he was so determined to attack that he moved before he had a full understanding of the logistics of the situation facing him. As a result he would outrace his supplies, a critical mistake if the coming battle should last for more than one day.</span></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMvKnh0fg5lUrxYVdkFHytYjTND_Kn0IL0o9V3pwqmU_hNlot4BedQ9IyvV31kTu-3zar0MqELyAjLKlemFmUhSXCgiOv6Jk0nHxCDSMqHD39CLY9sbGDy4yvMlgO4kHdal-uuiJlboZif/s1600/pikenps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMvKnh0fg5lUrxYVdkFHytYjTND_Kn0IL0o9V3pwqmU_hNlot4BedQ9IyvV31kTu-3zar0MqELyAjLKlemFmUhSXCgiOv6Jk0nHxCDSMqHD39CLY9sbGDy4yvMlgO4kHdal-uuiJlboZif/s200/pikenps.jpg" width="165" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gen. Albert Pike, CSA</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">On the same day, even before receiving the commanding general's orders, General Albert Pike had marched from Park Hill in the Cherokee Nation with O.C. Welch's squadron of Texans, the First Choctaw and Chickasaw Regiment and Colonel D.N. McIntosh's Creek Regiment. His immediate objectives were the towns of Evansville and Cincinnati, on the border between Arkansas and the Cherokee Nation. Colonel Stand Watie was waiting in Cincinnati with his Second Mounted Cherokee Rifles and would join Pike's force as he advanced.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0H3swg61yi-SaD3Vrlb9PXI2dfS1I5EGVAl-mpRsBfLmndu4z_laz8NuJ2V1uoK-ZKoIsLKnW4-ZiPNXHbjroCeZsW_6YJjwClvn-QV0scF-0IyK73j0NyqHzlWQdjmKBz2Ssqr-n3mDK/s1600/standwatienps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0H3swg61yi-SaD3Vrlb9PXI2dfS1I5EGVAl-mpRsBfLmndu4z_laz8NuJ2V1uoK-ZKoIsLKnW4-ZiPNXHbjroCeZsW_6YJjwClvn-QV0scF-0IyK73j0NyqHzlWQdjmKBz2Ssqr-n3mDK/s200/standwatienps.jpg" width="138" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Col. Stand Watie, CSA</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Van Dorn, meanwhile, would march out from the camps in the Boston Mountains the next morning and engage the Federals at Pea Ridge just three days later on the 7th. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">His strategy was to swing around the right flank of the Union army of General Samuel Curtis, which was then encamped and entrenched on the north side of Sugar Creek in Benton County, Arkansas. If he could carry out this movement quickly and without being detected, Van Dorn believed he could launch simultaneous attacks on Curtis's right flank and rear, destroying the Union army before it knew what had hit it.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I will continue to post on the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Pea Ridge tomorrow, so check back then to learn about the Confederate march from the mountains. Until then you can read more about the Battle of Pea Ridge at <a href="http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/pearidgeindex" target="_blank">www.exploresouthernhistory.com/pearidgeindex</a>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><br />
<br />Dale Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07756272433232589890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233646528750691573.post-80581168143822665302012-03-02T11:30:00.002-06:002012-03-02T11:30:39.378-06:00March 2, 1862 - Van Dorn approaches the Scene of Action<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrP2OtGvzQDJ73b4jWj842m0ipyWBG3AUwLYbaSVhC0pgTjQ8BQLiHzBY9HIuLmNeqocNx27ajY9MR2Zobcmn5zaiY5mPEewWgXi78GIoExSYEtZRXiuVIDuAhve_xGT9W7M4pb_-YSJhu/s1600/earlvandorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrP2OtGvzQDJ73b4jWj842m0ipyWBG3AUwLYbaSVhC0pgTjQ8BQLiHzBY9HIuLmNeqocNx27ajY9MR2Zobcmn5zaiY5mPEewWgXi78GIoExSYEtZRXiuVIDuAhve_xGT9W7M4pb_-YSJhu/s1600/earlvandorn.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gen. Earl Van Dorn, CSA</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
March 2, 1862, 150 years ago today, found Confederate General Earl Van Dorn approaching the scene of the action in Northwest Arkansas.<br />
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He was in Pocahontas on February 22, 1862, when he learned that Springfield, Missouri, had fallen and that General Sterling Price's Missouri State Guard was retreating into Arkansas: <br />
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<i>...I received dispatches on February 22, informing me that General Price had rapidly fallen back from Springfield before a superior force of the enemy, and was endeavoring to form a junction with the division of General McCulloch in Boston Mountains. For reasons which seemed to me imperative I resolved to go in person and take command of the combined forces of Price and McCulloch. </i><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- Gen. Earl Van Dorn, CSA, March 27, 1862.</span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvsL-x-2zhAPecS7bY6u3AuBgaKMIEfNkHF8z3HBnl2PsvXfEKYUvRLAEURloW-KnopsToh3_ozUYJrAqiCAqpwMflex27-1RoCc2kvv9wk2gT6hnlkekslOmvAJLBMC7WZS_7H4r4KbS/s1600/vanburen7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvsL-x-2zhAPecS7bY6u3AuBgaKMIEfNkHF8z3HBnl2PsvXfEKYUvRLAEURloW-KnopsToh3_ozUYJrAqiCAqpwMflex27-1RoCc2kvv9wk2gT6hnlkekslOmvAJLBMC7WZS_7H4r4KbS/s1600/vanburen7.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arkansas River</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The magnitude of the emergency was evident and Van Dorn began to move. At the same time, the Confederate forces in the Boston Mountains continued to rest and regain their strength. Supplies flowed up from the Arkansas River and news came from west of the line that General Albert Pike was approaching with a large force of Native American Confederates. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">With Van Dorn on hand to overrule any disputes that might arise from the long-standing bickering between Generals Price and McCulloch, the Confederate army would be ready to defend itself. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Confederate commander had more in mind than just defense, however, and would prove it the next day. Although he was sick with fever, Van Dorn was as aggressive as ever and dreamed not just of defeating Curtis in Northwest Arkansas, but of taking Missouri and marching on St. Louis. This dream would lead him to undertake a bold gamble. He would show his hand in just five days at the Battle of Pea Ridge.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Be sure to check back tomorrow as I post on the Confederate army's advance to Pea Ridge. You can learn more about the battle anytime at <a href="http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/pearidgeindex" target="_blank">www.exploresouthernhistory.com/pearidgeindex</a>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></b>Dale Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07756272433232589890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233646528750691573.post-59709128930437642622012-03-01T11:48:00.001-06:002012-03-01T11:48:18.499-06:00Pea Ridge #15 - Arkansas Rallies to oppose the InvasionAs General Earl Van Dorn scrambled to pull together a Confederate army to oppose the occupation of Northwest Arkansas by strong Federal forces, he was gratified by the speed with which the men of Arkansas responded to his call. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWal8GZVhbzEoIjpcw2Cc95LyVynV9r76d6sxk-lKEs1rJx1-CJN1mRiirgjg4QilsDFSH2Jp9N-YP7z-cY3zJinRUUeGBY4ny9jhq4Et5E8C_OdMTymZmHX4C-9xP0L9eGP6EJov1Cdb6/s1600/ozarks2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWal8GZVhbzEoIjpcw2Cc95LyVynV9r76d6sxk-lKEs1rJx1-CJN1mRiirgjg4QilsDFSH2Jp9N-YP7z-cY3zJinRUUeGBY4ny9jhq4Et5E8C_OdMTymZmHX4C-9xP0L9eGP6EJov1Cdb6/s320/ozarks2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boston Mountains of Arkansas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The following report from the Pocahontas <i>Herald</i> appeared in the Louisiana <i>Daily True Delta</i> on March 4, 1862. While the report was not dated, it appears to have been written around the first of March (150 years ago today) and details the rapid movement of men from throughout Arkansas to the Boston Mountains:<br />
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<i>ARKANSAS RALLYING. - From all parts of the State, says the Pocahontas Herald, we hear the most flattering acconts of volunteering, and think that by the 5th of March over 10,000 sons of Arkansas will have enrolled their names and offered their services for the glorious cause of liberty and southern rights. In this county alone, fully three hundred men will go forth to battle under the late call, and we hear that other counties adjoining us are doing nearly as well. To talk of drafting Arkansians is sheer nonsense. If the men are needed all that is necessary is to call them out and furnish them guns to fight with. </i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>- Louisiana Daily True Delta, March 4, 1862.</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOV_vWJhCI25DH7XRcT1lFtlsUpmdHPnEWZRYq5eId6hk6GlqZvHFrS7cWPeKlEHqm8hQsqFPiAsKf-Xr0T7D_IqTlC7PEySfufgQ3IPtUCUZkg7NdyQ_sVNX84bfkMn5RCq3UY1sUE2M5/s1600/vanburen7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOV_vWJhCI25DH7XRcT1lFtlsUpmdHPnEWZRYq5eId6hk6GlqZvHFrS7cWPeKlEHqm8hQsqFPiAsKf-Xr0T7D_IqTlC7PEySfufgQ3IPtUCUZkg7NdyQ_sVNX84bfkMn5RCq3UY1sUE2M5/s1600/vanburen7.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arkansas River landing at Van Buren</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The men were reinforcements for the forces of Confederate Generals Ben McCulloch, Sterling Price and James McIntosh, all of which were positioned south of the Boston Mountains ridge in Crawford County.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Although Union General Samuel Curtis did not know it, the initiative that he had maintained so well in his advance down through Missouri and into Arkansas was now beginning to shift. A naturally aggressive officer, Van Dorn would move with characteristic speed to try to destroy his Federal counterpart. The Battle of Pea Ridge was now less than one week away.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">In addition to the rapid movement of men, cannon and supplies to the south side of the Boston Mountains near Van Buren, troops also were on the march from the Indian Territory of today's Oklahoma. Brigadier General Albert Pike had marched for Northwest Arkansas on February 28th and was slowly moving for the Arkansas line near which he expected to link up with the Cherokee troops of Colonel Stand Watie. Together they would move thousands of Native American troops forward to take part in the Battle of Pea Ridge.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I will begin to accelerate my postings on the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Pea Ridge tomorrow, so be sure to check back regularly. You can also read more anytime at <a href="http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/pearidgeindex" target="_blank">www.exploresouthernhistory.com/pearidgeindex</a>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><b> </b></span>Dale Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07756272433232589890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233646528750691573.post-45362177846190513212012-02-25T15:45:00.000-06:002012-02-25T15:45:19.544-06:00Pea Ridge #14 - Gen. Albert Pike prepares to move to Arkansas<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY92cf6aKhZjY_asno-i7DIp4ce2cSV0kArMvvjaKFArQ9TzqGv2lJntcsgawlICRbfxGFw-x_lRPK1JFSqhf170AjqF4_xcnQun5fN5ZjIfwEmOL_79AF15JkSI1qj-fl2vMgidq8QOpA/s1600/fortgibson1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY92cf6aKhZjY_asno-i7DIp4ce2cSV0kArMvvjaKFArQ9TzqGv2lJntcsgawlICRbfxGFw-x_lRPK1JFSqhf170AjqF4_xcnQun5fN5ZjIfwEmOL_79AF15JkSI1qj-fl2vMgidq8QOpA/s1600/fortgibson1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fort Gibson Historic Site</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On February 15, 1862, 150 years ago today, Brigadier General Albert Pike began his efforts to bring reinforcements to the Confederate troops in the Boston Mountains from the Indian Territory of what is now Oklahoma.<br />
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Pike was then in command of Confederate forces in the Nations and had been instrumental in organizing a significant force there and pushing pro-Union Indian troops into Kansas. As the call for help went out from Northwest Arkansas, he prepared to move to the support of Price and McCulloch: <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZL6qPUOMEwjNn3FG9p8J1RgxbYuap7NMRAy5DQNjvHmZoJhqDiMy4Y1wisDwTAV1vFs1UBwW_gyZ-ugi1ULwyxNcWPv_grJrSZ7vZpOE9XfYAUIw6MNkjDM2GyH2fOzbd5Z3xvUWogiq/s1600/pikenps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZL6qPUOMEwjNn3FG9p8J1RgxbYuap7NMRAy5DQNjvHmZoJhqDiMy4Y1wisDwTAV1vFs1UBwW_gyZ-ugi1ULwyxNcWPv_grJrSZ7vZpOE9XfYAUIw6MNkjDM2GyH2fOzbd5Z3xvUWogiq/s200/pikenps.jpg" width="165" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gen. Albert Pike, CSA</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>...On February 25 I reached Cantonment Davis, near Fort Gibson, with Colonel Cooper's Choctaw and Chickasaw battalion, which had been encamped near the mouth of the Canadian. The same evening Col. D.N. McIntosh's regiment of Creeks arrived at the same point. I had in charge a large amount of coin and other moneys for the different Indian tribes, and found delegations of the Osages, Comanches, and Reserve Indians awaiting me, and the disposition of the moneys left unexpectedly in my hands, together with the dealings with the Indian tribes, detained me there three days. </i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>- Gen. Albert Pike, CSA, March 14, 1862.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fort Gibson had long been an important landmark of the western frontier. Established in 1824, it was the "end point" of the Train of Tears and as such was the place where thousands of Native American families ended their long forced march to new land west of the Mississippi. It was occupied by Confederate troops early in the war and was the setting for several important councils with the various Indian nations. </span></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY92cf6aKhZjY_asno-i7DIp4ce2cSV0kArMvvjaKFArQ9TzqGv2lJntcsgawlICRbfxGFw-x_lRPK1JFSqhf170AjqF4_xcnQun5fN5ZjIfwEmOL_79AF15JkSI1qj-fl2vMgidq8QOpA/s1600/fortgibson1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY92cf6aKhZjY_asno-i7DIp4ce2cSV0kArMvvjaKFArQ9TzqGv2lJntcsgawlICRbfxGFw-x_lRPK1JFSqhf170AjqF4_xcnQun5fN5ZjIfwEmOL_79AF15JkSI1qj-fl2vMgidq8QOpA/s1600/fortgibson1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fort Gibson Historic Site</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Indians had entered the service of the Confederacy on the condition that they not be expected to cross the borders of their territory. In asking them to do so, Pike was making a major request. They were willing to do so, but insisted they receive their disbursements from the Confederate government first:</span><b> </b></span><br />
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<i>The Choctaws, Chickasaws, and Creeks refused to march until they were paid off, and as by their treaties with us they could not be taken out of the Indian country without their consent, I had no alternative but to submit. The payment of the Choctaws and Chickasaws occupied three days.</i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b> - Gen. Albert Pike, CSA, March 14, 1862</b>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pike and his men would play a significant role in the coming Battle of Pea Ridge. I will continue to post on the 150th anniversary of the Pea Ridge Campaign, with attention on the role of the Indian troops in it, over coming days, so be sure to check back often. You can also read more at <a href="http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/pearidgeindex" target="_blank">www.exploresouthernhistory.com/pearidgeindex</a>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">You can learn more about historic Fort Gibson at <a href="http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/okfortgibson" target="_blank">www.exploresouthernhistory.com/okfortgibson</a>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span>Dale Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07756272433232589890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233646528750691573.post-49784478364890842122012-02-23T00:33:00.000-06:002012-02-23T00:33:11.491-06:00Pea Ridge #13 - The Skirmish at Fayetteville, Arkansas<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnt87pB54pZn06KJ0VFPTB_xi59AqukXcXGt3Pu1PSSrQXtZRJ3kLzbHJ3Z5ZI9pQezOPmI8FLxFdf5DjIv-cc_04BMr97MsDZgi1w_hrxdy2GERVFxqvu2b0QzMeVX-3k26I9S_V9UBe5/s1600/fayetteville1-250x166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnt87pB54pZn06KJ0VFPTB_xi59AqukXcXGt3Pu1PSSrQXtZRJ3kLzbHJ3Z5ZI9pQezOPmI8FLxFdf5DjIv-cc_04BMr97MsDZgi1w_hrxdy2GERVFxqvu2b0QzMeVX-3k26I9S_V9UBe5/s1600/fayetteville1-250x166.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Headquarters House in Fayetteville</td></tr>
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At 11:20 a.m. on February 23, 1864, 150 years ago today, a dispatch from General Alexander Asboth announced that his troops had just raised the U.S. flag over Fayetteville, Arkansas.<br />
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Ordered south from the Union army camps at Sugar Creek, Asboth hit Fayetteville, driving out Confederate pickets and riding with his troops into the center of town to find public buildings burning around him. A small force of Southern cavalry was found formed on the south side of town and even as his men raised the Stars and Stripes from the top of the Washington Courthouse, orders were given to the Third Iowa Cavalry to charge the lingering Confederates:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl769S2bOD3nlBc299Pl-yodgoBQbN7r0_rS8-mfO0eTVaP9nXpKQYwA59e45aOwjPgcr0xbe1v_A065u_6Yqwc9_2AMAq1Iv6-aYaMTBtHiiACI4OB5pcQ1L_8QUVxPtkYOKDXUdJAp7p/s1600/asboth1s-175x250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl769S2bOD3nlBc299Pl-yodgoBQbN7r0_rS8-mfO0eTVaP9nXpKQYwA59e45aOwjPgcr0xbe1v_A065u_6Yqwc9_2AMAq1Iv6-aYaMTBtHiiACI4OB5pcQ1L_8QUVxPtkYOKDXUdJAp7p/s1600/asboth1s-175x250.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gen. Alexander Asboth, USA</td></tr>
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<i>...All the troops were in the best spirits, and the Third Iowa Cavalry, forming the advance guard, behaved very well, dismounting at command to act as infantry in the bushes. Of the activity, zeal, and energy of Colonel Phelps I cannot speak to highly.</i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b> - Gen. Alexander Asboth, USA, February 23, 1862.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Casualties in the Skirmish at Fayetteville were light. One Union soldier was wounded, while one Confederate was killed and two others wounded (one thought to be mortal).</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_SIliYTlxM9qI3NNveWb9rCZjQr6KEVrjmYl6Fv07godLSkwYQmsZSK8CQxg1Z4ay_ckMbWqofR0Cg269c5maRAdztXiZHrX-SekSzS4kbxzKobE-wxumgu2kHNzjDVrt7-fb1iS9cqT/s1600/fayetteville3-290x195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_SIliYTlxM9qI3NNveWb9rCZjQr6KEVrjmYl6Fv07godLSkwYQmsZSK8CQxg1Z4ay_ckMbWqofR0Cg269c5maRAdztXiZHrX-SekSzS4kbxzKobE-wxumgu2kHNzjDVrt7-fb1iS9cqT/s1600/fayetteville3-290x195.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another View of Headquarters House</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">As he consolidated his position in town, Asboth set up his headquarters at the home of Judge Jonas March Tebbetts. The home, now the Headquarters House Museum, still stands in Fayetteville. Built in 1853, the house is one of the few good examples of Greek Revival architecture left in Northwest Arkansas. It is located at 118 East Dickson Street in Fayetteville and is owned by the <a href="http://www.washcohistoricalsociety.org/hispro/hqh.php" target="_blank">Washington County Historical Society</a>. </span><b> </b></span><br />
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Legend holds that Asboth displayed his famed sweet tooth while in residence at the Tebbetts' House. A jar of preserves supposedly was set out for everyone at the table to enjoy but he ate them all himself.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXHR2XV4bcEdk0CDiTQNEHgc5n-SJ6A2E5tTLkDMSAad7gTFmW0nQpi-WG7OGOb6QsDbnQ_f3jq3AeaDG0IpXudmDrzkm6SOAQusMFL0HXSl0-n4SGm00JicDBXHWLHhzZ7xKjSfQ6IST/s1600/asboth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXHR2XV4bcEdk0CDiTQNEHgc5n-SJ6A2E5tTLkDMSAad7gTFmW0nQpi-WG7OGOb6QsDbnQ_f3jq3AeaDG0IpXudmDrzkm6SOAQusMFL0HXSl0-n4SGm00JicDBXHWLHhzZ7xKjSfQ6IST/s1600/asboth.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gen. Alexander Asboth, USA</td></tr>
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The occupation of Fayetteville was welcomed by the Unionist citizens, but many of those who favored secession left with the Confederate troops. To those who remained, Asboth issued a printed declaration on the same afternoon:<br />
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<i>...I have occupied your town to arrest the wanton destruction of public and private property already inaugurated by the Confederate troops; to sustain those of its inhabitants who have been faithful to the laws; to encourage all who may have been faithful to the laws; to encourage all who may have temporarily wavered in their duty under the threats of bad and designing men, and to establish the law and order essential to the public weal. While, therefore, calling upon the loyal citizens of this town to aid me in the furtherance and accomplishment of these objects, I at the same time offer to all who may have faltered in their fealty, but who shall now truthfully declare their allegiance to the laws of the Union, the protection of its flag. Deserted fire-sides cannot be guarded, but every house containing a living soul shall of the protection of our power. None, therefore, should depart. Those absent should return.</i> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>- General Alexander Asboth, USA, February 23, 1864.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The first Union occupation of Fayetteville would be relatively brief, but for the moment symbolized that Union troops had driven all significant Confederate forces out of Northwest Arkansas and into the Boston Mountains to the south.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I will continue to post on the Pea Ridge Campaign over coming days, so be sure to check back often at <a href="http://civilwararkansas.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://civilwararkansas.blogspot.com</a>. You can read more about the Battle of Pea Ridge anytime at <a href="http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/pearidgeindex" target="_blank">www.exploresouthernhistory.com/pearidgeindex</a>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><b> </b></span><i> </i>Dale Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07756272433232589890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233646528750691573.post-12051005385362070012012-02-21T00:00:00.002-06:002012-02-21T00:00:47.360-06:00Pea Ridge #12 - The Union Army rests at Sugar Creek<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VPWmcJQuv_g-jSjLq16cgTqMjMEr5FcynObNyX0vO7uoOtEjmZBIkz25wslzEn-lK3krNzMygbqlIfz81KeQxY2JBVFrHpBOZr9Zskhyphenhyphenfp_dSBlpVy0LSZGuvFgy7cSR5Retss_lhSfv/s1600/nwarkansas1864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VPWmcJQuv_g-jSjLq16cgTqMjMEr5FcynObNyX0vO7uoOtEjmZBIkz25wslzEn-lK3krNzMygbqlIfz81KeQxY2JBVFrHpBOZr9Zskhyphenhyphenfp_dSBlpVy0LSZGuvFgy7cSR5Retss_lhSfv/s320/nwarkansas1864.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map showing Pea Ridge Battlefield and Sugar Creek (at top)</td></tr>
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News reports the front in Northwest Arkansas began to appear in regional newspapers on February 21, 1862, 150 years ago today.<br />
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A special correspondent to the St. Louis <i>Democrat</i> got a message out from Springfield the previous evening. He reported that the main army was continuing to rest at Sugar Creek, near what would soon become the Pea Ridge Battlefield:<br />
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<i>A messenger left our army at 10 o'clock A.M. yesterday, and reached here at 4 P.M. to-day. The army retsed at Sugar Creek, eight miles beyond the Arkansas State line.</i><br />
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<i>Since the skirmish on Monday fourteen of the enemy were ascertained to be killed and three wounded. Capt. Switzler received a severe wound int he neck. Adjutant-General McKinney is wounded, though not dangerously. Our troops were bivouacking about eight miles from Cross Hollow, where Price had taken up his quarters. Cross Hollow is a deep ravine, through which runs the Fayetteville road, and is crossed by two other ravines, forming a level area in the valley between the salient point of six promontories. </i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>- Report to St. Louis Democrat dated Springfield, Missouri, February 20, 1862.</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrbcR7diOoIHyG2fIdCWQYOf2CNjg273zewrerT1qp4xkD-ptIzLKXv1UmwyHEO3MJ91JHyfjJxXL7Rkp4Q_pQ_yZhzYo-JuVsiu5j8yi5HXKCFXhhxym8nISLmnAkWjND2n1gRRb4anPu/s1600/pearidgebaserelief2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrbcR7diOoIHyG2fIdCWQYOf2CNjg273zewrerT1qp4xkD-ptIzLKXv1UmwyHEO3MJ91JHyfjJxXL7Rkp4Q_pQ_yZhzYo-JuVsiu5j8yi5HXKCFXhhxym8nISLmnAkWjND2n1gRRb4anPu/s320/pearidgebaserelief2.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Topographic Map. Camps were along Creek at bottom.</td></tr>
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The reports indicated that a battle was soon expected between General Curtis' Union Army and the Confederate force under Generals Price and McCulloch.<br />
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Later in the day a second report came in, describing the Battle of Dunigan's Farm which had taken place four days earlier (see: <a href="http://civilwararkansas.blogspot.com/2012/02/pea-ridge-9-battle-of-dunagins-farm.html" target="_blank"><i>Pea Ridge #9 - The Battle of Dunigan's Farm</i></a>).<br />
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<i>Second Dispatch - Springfield, Mo., Feb. 20 - From the escort which accompanied the messenger from General Curtis to this place I have gathered some additional particulars of the skirmish at Sugar Creek on Monday. The enemy were concealed in the woods which line both sides of the road. The country is broken, hilly woodland. The First Missouri Cavalry, while charging up the hill, were fired upon by the ambushed foe concealed beyind the trees. After receiving a murderous fire, inw hich thirteen of our men fell and five were wounded, the cavalry fell back and formed in line. Major Brown came up and shelled the woods with his mountain howitzers. The enemy replied with their artillery. The latter ceased firing, and our advance fell back to their camp. Major Brown was wounded in the wrist. Capt. Switzler, of Wright's Battalion, Fourth Cavalry, and Major T.C. McKinney, assistant adjutant-general, are also reported among the wounded. </i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>- Report to St. Louis Democrat, dated Springfield, Missouri, February 20, 1862.</b></span><br />
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The report indicated that a number of Confederates had been captured but otherwise noted that details were meager.<br />
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Contrary to the first report, there was no real prospect of an immediate battle. Both armies took advantage of the lull to rest and and reorganize after the first phase of the campaign. Both had been in constant motion for weeks and the rest was needed.<br />
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I will continue posting on the 150th anniversary of the Pea Ridge Campaign in coming days, so check back often. You can read more about the Battle of Pea Ridge anytime at <a href="http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/pearidgeindex" target="_blank">www.exploresouthernhistory.com/pearidgeindex</a>.<br />
<br />Dale Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07756272433232589890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233646528750691573.post-39901782056544402412012-02-19T19:54:00.003-06:002012-02-19T19:54:31.270-06:00Pea Ridge #11 - The Burning of Camp Benjamin<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HLGq66egDf85WWNc5LVnf-WE8Dyk1eqr6_BmOGZuNj5Sc5NgOHzki6TWP2wj8tQIjgDwFsa1XUVVkzbBmB8DBzt3Nit8Yd0UpF2thxSr0MjASEKCKzkUFi3byf5ipkAh-m5yMNyvj3yv/s1600/mccullochnps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HLGq66egDf85WWNc5LVnf-WE8Dyk1eqr6_BmOGZuNj5Sc5NgOHzki6TWP2wj8tQIjgDwFsa1XUVVkzbBmB8DBzt3Nit8Yd0UpF2thxSr0MjASEKCKzkUFi3byf5ipkAh-m5yMNyvj3yv/s1600/mccullochnps.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gen. Ben McCulloch, CSA</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Aware now that his camps at Cross Hollow could not be defended, Confederate General Ben McCulloch ordered them destroyed.<br />
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Some of the finest winter quarters of the Civil War went up in smoke and flame as McCulloch's men pulled out to withdraw into the Boston Mountains. General Sterling Price's Missouri State Guard had already pushed into the mountains. <br />
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To protect the rear of his withdrawing column and carry out the destruction, McCulloch had cavalry cross the mountains from their winter camps in the Arkansas River Valley. Among the units that came over was the Sixth Texas, which reached Camp Benjamin 150 years ago today. The troopers saw to the destruction of the solid cabins that had once sheltered Colonel Louis Hebert's men: <br />
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<i>...I was detailed to destroy the winter quarters in the vicinity of Cross Hollow and to bring up and protect the rear of the army, which was then falling back on Boston Mountains. As the thick, curling volumes of smoke and lurid glare of flame arose from Camp Benjamin my troops doggedly turned to the duty of rear guard for the army, and maintained this position until we were encamped upon the mountain. </i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>- Unidentified Member of Sixth Texas Cavalry, 1862.</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQWnBaG72gUHTFoaHFI35MeLFFrckwwmh6kJjJL_DaU0vHUzxWINZRin07I8ZSTKbpqmY2PSzed3oy9eM5X9ymo4xPqIfhZ7Yp14t6iQGMF5asYeP1qg9KcUXJX1QOqYaZCAblqgcjbeN/s1600/drippingsprings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQWnBaG72gUHTFoaHFI35MeLFFrckwwmh6kJjJL_DaU0vHUzxWINZRin07I8ZSTKbpqmY2PSzed3oy9eM5X9ymo4xPqIfhZ7Yp14t6iQGMF5asYeP1qg9KcUXJX1QOqYaZCAblqgcjbeN/s1600/drippingsprings.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dripping Springs, Arkansas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Following the Wire and other roads south through the mountains, the Confederates fell back to the area around Dripping Springs in Crawford County. The cavalry blocked the passes into the mountains.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The movement put the forces under McCulloch and Price into positions they could easily defend. This gave them time to halt, rest, resupply and organize. McCulloch and Price had feuded quite a bit the previous year, but now they were forced to come together for the sake of their common cause. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Federals did not try to follow the Confederates into the mountains, but would advance as far south as Fayetteville in coming days. Their long advance, however, was all but over. The initiative would now turn to the Southern army and its new commander, General Earl Van Dorn.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I will continue to post on the 150th anniversary of the Pea Ridge Campaign over the next few weeks, so be sure to check back regularly. You can also learn more about the Battle of Pea Ridge at <a href="http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/pearidgeindex">www.exploresouthernhistory.com/pearidgeindex</a>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><b> </b></span><br />
<br />Dale Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07756272433232589890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233646528750691573.post-46743575499806983152012-02-18T15:19:00.000-06:002012-02-18T15:19:01.492-06:00Pea Ridge #10 - The Action near Bentonville, Arkansas<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJPCpdRmqyqqiXHqhPIrLY-dObne5QNWJWbIwXIY14wqGmVdtUz4RU-xyDK-50C78DJmb2rtL99hZhM22vRvt4HZZlxIW9yU14MjoMFMRABwgixX9xvMi56rcTaoybjlrpsqciSvm5QNh/s1600/asbothnps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJPCpdRmqyqqiXHqhPIrLY-dObne5QNWJWbIwXIY14wqGmVdtUz4RU-xyDK-50C78DJmb2rtL99hZhM22vRvt4HZZlxIW9yU14MjoMFMRABwgixX9xvMi56rcTaoybjlrpsqciSvm5QNh/s1600/asbothnps.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gen. Alexander Asboth, USA</td></tr>
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Having concentrated his main army behind Sugar Creek and pushed back Hebert's men the previous day (see <a href="http://civilwararkansas.blogspot.com/2012/02/pea-ridge-9-battle-of-dunagins-farm.html" target="_blank">Pea Ridge #9 -The Battle of Dunagin's Farm</a>), Union General Samuel Curtis ordered Brigadier General Alexander Asboth to push forward to Bentonville on February 18, 1862, 150 years ago today.<br />
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A former Hungarian freedom fighter and the Chief of Staff who had helped General John C. Fremont organize the Union army to defend Missouri the previous year, Asboth was at his best when operating with cavalry in advance of an army. He moved quickly and efficiently at 9:30 a.m.:<br />
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<i>...Following Sugar Creek 4 1/2 miles, I struck the Cassville and Springfield Road (which leaves the Wire road at a point 6 miles behind Sugar Creek Crossing, where the First and Second Divisions were last encamped), and after surprising a dismounted rebel cavalry picket 4 miles this side of Bentonville and taking some of their horses and all their saddles and bridles, I occupied Bentonville at 20 minutes past 12 o'clock. </i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>- Gen. Alexander Asboth, USA, February 19, 1862.</b></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWU9giWgyNCb9mQUcmYLFjaCbHFZzQkTfjVjXn5Z2UOrcnbs5LmlUylenijdtPR2eyniITmJCfZKWfj3wXErl3Of40gQw4OmMZgSLok2IFHV_X6ZEHGbYe8KOO1acu-oFDhOsTUuZQX74/s1600/fremonthussars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWU9giWgyNCb9mQUcmYLFjaCbHFZzQkTfjVjXn5Z2UOrcnbs5LmlUylenijdtPR2eyniITmJCfZKWfj3wXErl3Of40gQw4OmMZgSLok2IFHV_X6ZEHGbYe8KOO1acu-oFDhOsTUuZQX74/s320/fremonthussars.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fremont Hussars (Civil War Drawing)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Action near Bentonville was a quick skirmish. The Union force consisted of the Benton and Fremont Hussars from the Fourth and Fifth Missouri Cavalry Regiments (US) and two pieces of light artillery under Captain Elbert of the First Missouri Flying Battery. Sweeping aside the cavalry picket outside of town, Asboth rolled into Bentonville on horseback to find the town occupied by part of Colonel Frank Rector's Seventeenth Arkansas Infantry (CS).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAiYeEU81EZMZhNjNWxaKR9lHo9NzV6xEbjmbfvVbr6V8LcExRdY0VKDP18roM3C-Y_zC_QTd0pHxta1JymKchygDdbsEpB-VD_ugSEzyJ7_4mpFHCVBBTRfwD2UDxy2p0_q4A3Tl502-T/s1600/asboth2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAiYeEU81EZMZhNjNWxaKR9lHo9NzV6xEbjmbfvVbr6V8LcExRdY0VKDP18roM3C-Y_zC_QTd0pHxta1JymKchygDdbsEpB-VD_ugSEzyJ7_4mpFHCVBBTRfwD2UDxy2p0_q4A3Tl502-T/s1600/asboth2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">General Asboth (foreground) and his dog</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Confederates were removing equipment and supplies from Bentonville. There are two versions of what happened next. Major C. Schaeffer Bornstein, Chief of Staff, reported that there was a brief battle::</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">...After a short engagement the rebels were driven to flight, leaving behind a large amount of provisions, arms, wagons and horses. Besides that, our forces captured a number of prisoners, and took possession of their regimental flag, which they found hoisted at the courthouse. </span></i><b>- Major C. Schaeffer Bornstein, USA, March 4, 1862.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b> </b><span style="font-size: small;">General Asboth reported, however, that there was no resistance in the town:</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjC8ggg0AVwvNnm8X43dk2KkMhC_FjGZEDvc79uRANqfqDllT-npyFsYLRbG-9Q0-ZwV-MIXhyrIO3cs4PryvnHbWaOVAC6uAUk0o2hm5G0k8XfO2KNzmBvrIwv70-1hzekQZyRrDzG6NB/s1600/nwarkansas1864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjC8ggg0AVwvNnm8X43dk2KkMhC_FjGZEDvc79uRANqfqDllT-npyFsYLRbG-9Q0-ZwV-MIXhyrIO3cs4PryvnHbWaOVAC6uAUk0o2hm5G0k8XfO2KNzmBvrIwv70-1hzekQZyRrDzG6NB/s320/nwarkansas1864.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Civil War map showing Bentonville, Arkansas</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>...Bentonville was entirely deserted upon our taking possession of it. In a short time, however, we collected from the bushes in its vicinity about 60 men, 32 of whom, being rebel soldiers or taken with arms, I brought in as prisoners.... To the others, sick and wounded and non-combatant inhabitants of the town, I administered the oath of allegiance. </i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>- Gen. Alexander Asboth, USA, February 19, 1864.</b></span> </span></span><br />
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Asboth reported that the Confederate troops from Bentonville had evacuated their camp there to reinforce the main Southern position at Cross Hollows. After doing some scouting of the area, he returned to the primary Union camps at 7:30 p.m. and presented the captured flag to General Curtis.<br />
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The taking of Bentonville with such relative ease convinced General Curtis that he could move a flanking force around to the west from his position at Sugar Creek to force Confederate General Ben McCulloch's main body from its camps at Cross Hollows. McCulloch realized this as well and immediately prepared to evacuate that position and its comfortable winter quarters.<br />
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I will continue to post on the 150th anniversary of the Pea Ridge Campaign over coming days and weeks, so be sure to check back regularly. You can always read more about the Battle of Pea Ridge at <a href="http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/pearidgeindex" target="_blank">www.exploresouthernhistory.com/pearidgeindex</a>.<br />
<br />Dale Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07756272433232589890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233646528750691573.post-33085232764618494312012-02-17T14:07:00.001-06:002012-02-17T14:07:28.816-06:00Pea Ridge #9 - The Battle of Dunagin's Farm, Arkansas<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpHeCYl2jjJIveOB4fbYlS1VCHHbutKR9TIml70uASdBi1FDTq55EkNEq3r5Px4q3ogHXJR7HuWW9CmF04IqSd_3nXsq5zl5DktnJpxGyNaXQwGPnrJSCVw9r0JhhYVf8N8jHt-2byb7R/s1600/pearidge2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpHeCYl2jjJIveOB4fbYlS1VCHHbutKR9TIml70uASdBi1FDTq55EkNEq3r5Px4q3ogHXJR7HuWW9CmF04IqSd_3nXsq5zl5DktnJpxGyNaXQwGPnrJSCVw9r0JhhYVf8N8jHt-2byb7R/s320/pearidge2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Wire Road passes Elkhorn Tavern</td></tr>
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The Union army continued to push south down the Wire Road on the morning of February 17, 1862, passing through Cassville and into the rolling mountain country south of that city.<br />
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The route of Curtis's cavalry took it across the Arkansas state line just north of Elkhorn Tavern and then through the fields and woods that would soon be the scene of the Battle of Pea Ridge. As the mounted forces reached Sugar Creek, they once again encountered stiff resistance from the Confederates, this time under the command of Colonel Louis Hebert of Louisiana.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSVbKlzFKtvf3u_yKBkst-Dp8sfX0gzrq68FBWBCHpaIZ6w9dLMFE-n1q1ckGqIMYay0eBmbWy-1oN6xAQkTWmIOWHlPdjku48inbJNn9DeUPHj0zrTuXsD-aAbogOXJBaUwFgNAQW-F3/s1600/louishebert2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSVbKlzFKtvf3u_yKBkst-Dp8sfX0gzrq68FBWBCHpaIZ6w9dLMFE-n1q1ckGqIMYay0eBmbWy-1oN6xAQkTWmIOWHlPdjku48inbJNn9DeUPHj0zrTuXsD-aAbogOXJBaUwFgNAQW-F3/s1600/louishebert2.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Col. Louis Hebert, CSA</td></tr>
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Pushing up to the creek and forming for the attack, Wright's Battalion of Missouri Cavalry and McConnell's Battalion of the 3rd Illinois Cavalry drove forward on the Wire Road and into the teeth of a Confederate crossfire:<br />
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<i>...Colonel Ellis, leading the charge, took the road and received a heavy cross-fire from the enemy. As I approached, I discovered a heavy column of the enemy on either side of the road. I at once deployed my battalion to the right and charged their lines. Major McConnell went to the left. For a few minutes the fight was well contested on the right, the heavy timber and dense underbrush affording good coverage for the enemy. I ordered a saber charge after firing our carbines and pistols, but soon found that the brush was too dense to make it rapid enough. - </i><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Lt. Col. Clark Wright, Clark's Battalion, February 17, 1862.</span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUxvZQTTjnaOPRWv5EQ-9lXQLPKocUr85zfn5uEju0UyTh-5eVWZai04cAzmJn5EL_b3NFKkXCnYbYX5fUK9TDQYvbeJCVY0-R7PZDNwxqVwyfmSCYdRALmrUSrM_hnyR-l-EMpRN4Xkx/s1600/dunigansfarm3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUxvZQTTjnaOPRWv5EQ-9lXQLPKocUr85zfn5uEju0UyTh-5eVWZai04cAzmJn5EL_b3NFKkXCnYbYX5fUK9TDQYvbeJCVY0-R7PZDNwxqVwyfmSCYdRALmrUSrM_hnyR-l-EMpRN4Xkx/s320/dunigansfarm3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aerial View of Dunigan's Farm Battlefield</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Unable to cut through the Confederate resistance with sabers, Lt. Col. Wright ordered his men to return sabers and shift to their carbines. This tactic work and his battalion pushed forward, focing the Southern left from its position in the brush and into open ground beyond. This accomplished, Wright's Missourians fell back about 200 yards and reformed. Their loss was 1 killed and 3 wounded.<br />
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Curtis reported that the battle had been opened with artillery fire by the Confederates, to which his own cannon had replied, but that the cavalry charge succeeded in driving the Southern defenders from their high ground. He did not attempt to estimate Southern losses, but reported his own total losses in the fight as 13 killed and 15-20 wounded:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsC7AJ8xIV3kJAuV6Nu4Y4ShcSrtqxZc3GjdQ1xknDnd6X7PhNjrc-AnPZav0ojCgvCebuwpxquLD2nzn1qcMfLCOefFy_uTW3yakzn-N0bTjpRa4QalxB7xvUwIAp8P6fkZOxKZlbPiV/s1600/dunigansfarm1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsC7AJ8xIV3kJAuV6Nu4Y4ShcSrtqxZc3GjdQ1xknDnd6X7PhNjrc-AnPZav0ojCgvCebuwpxquLD2nzn1qcMfLCOefFy_uTW3yakzn-N0bTjpRa4QalxB7xvUwIAp8P6fkZOxKZlbPiV/s320/dunigansfarm1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USGS Topo Map of Dunigan's Farm Battlefield</td></tr>
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<i>...My advance encamped on the battle ground. General Sigel's command is 4 miles back and will reach me this morning. Have sent cavalry forward to annoy and explore. Cross Hollow is their next point, 12 miles ahead. I shall also await the arrive of the First and Second Divisions, as this is their great boasted trap for the Federal Army.</i> - <b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Samuel R. Curtis, February 18, 1862.</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Battle of Dunigan's Farm is also known as the Battle of Battle of Little Sugar Creek. The Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas named it one of its Most Endangered Places for 2011. <a href="http://www.preservearkansas.org/index.php?page=2011-most-endangered-places" target="_blank">Please click here to read their comments</a>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> An important delaying action of the Pea Ridge Campaign, the stand by Hebert at Dunigan's Farm gave Price time to fully extract his Missouri State Guard from danger and reach the reinforcements waiting in Northwest Arkansas under General Ben McCulloch.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I will continue posting on the 150th Anniversary of the Pea Ridge Campaign over coming days, so be sure to check back regularly. You can read more about the Battle of Pea Ridge anytime at <a href="http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/pearidgeindex" target="_blank">www.exploresouthernhistory.com/pearidgeindex</a>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></b>Dale Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07756272433232589890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233646528750691573.post-2729880631355460582012-02-15T15:19:00.001-06:002012-02-15T15:21:02.885-06:00Pea Ridge #8 - Skirmish at Flat Creek, Missouri<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWNc_5P57mx-U4ssJV-ljzYZcVTKkXkW9T2kq8mSa94IWNjxTw8OxcSStDn-IekUrrsxuLGxu4fRHoXTz1V3hpDYnZJieTJN3Hh9gDlCaxNdecZSkBpJpBJa9SfIEWJ0izwMG1noy3MR1/s1600/pricenps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWNc_5P57mx-U4ssJV-ljzYZcVTKkXkW9T2kq8mSa94IWNjxTw8OxcSStDn-IekUrrsxuLGxu4fRHoXTz1V3hpDYnZJieTJN3Hh9gDlCaxNdecZSkBpJpBJa9SfIEWJ0izwMG1noy3MR1/s320/pricenps.jpg" width="209" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gen. Sterling Price, CSA<br />
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">National Park Service</span></em></td></tr>
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February 15, 1862 (150 years ago today) found the Union army poised and ready for battle at Crane Creek in Southwest Missouri. The heavy fight that General Samuel Curtis hoped for did not develop, however, and the Confederates continued what he called a "precipitate flight."<br />
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The truth was that General Sterling Price was unwilling to sacrifice the lives of the men in the Missouri State Guard (CSA) in a battle he knew he could not win. As a result, he continued to move his army south down the Wire Road for Arkansas, but kept a strong rear guard in place to hold back any sudden move by the pursuing Federals.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3kQerVT9u403wvj8pbk9OuSolyOtYd8yydgXVSVL1BH44Escx-yeIp2hO9yk4GcDNaG20-h8wa6onf5fR5bZzPael1eRpfRlk5QL0P_PlmwfsCTjIXvndU0Qi05HDpmBY3kt7RqZfcNh/s1600/FlatCreekMissouri3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3kQerVT9u403wvj8pbk9OuSolyOtYd8yydgXVSVL1BH44Escx-yeIp2hO9yk4GcDNaG20-h8wa6onf5fR5bZzPael1eRpfRlk5QL0P_PlmwfsCTjIXvndU0Qi05HDpmBY3kt7RqZfcNh/s320/FlatCreekMissouri3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flat Creek, Missouri<br />
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">USGS Photo</span></em></td></tr>
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Having passed Crane Creek, Curtis ordered his cavalry forward to "overtake and charge the enemy." The horsemen moved forward rapidly and soon approached Flat Creek, a mountain stream that flows west to east and eventually feeds the White River (today's Table Rock Lake).<br />
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They reached the crossing of Flat Creek to find that the fight was definitely not out of Price's Missourians:<br />
<em>...When they arrived here [i.e. Flat Creek] they were fired on by artillery and therefore made a stand until other forces came up. The little howitzers returned the fire of the enemy, and kept them at bay till I got heavier batteries in position and drove the enemy forward. The valley is very strong for the enemy, and I wonder he did not make a better stand. I am taking the straggling cattle for rations to-night, and will move on to Cassville at 4. </em><strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- Gen. Samuel Curtis, USA, February 1862.</span></strong><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjieqaqP267ysljtmbQeXlDsPYo5LZlS4OXOAcNVU9xLmqvbZ2HdnRJIPcgr4h6rGleejVIZEpYd5y5-H8JyVltSakuFKKZdjKi_c6PAoaXVb9f95mXbVaruzuOW5q6kisofrnzycMAjxzX/s1600/sigelna.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjieqaqP267ysljtmbQeXlDsPYo5LZlS4OXOAcNVU9xLmqvbZ2HdnRJIPcgr4h6rGleejVIZEpYd5y5-H8JyVltSakuFKKZdjKi_c6PAoaXVb9f95mXbVaruzuOW5q6kisofrnzycMAjxzX/s320/sigelna.gif" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gen. Franz Sigel, USA<br />
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">National Archives</span></em></td></tr>
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Curtis was still having difficulty making contact with the second main column of his army led by General Franz Sigel. With little practical knowledge of that general's location and movements, Curtis expressed hope that they would meet soon:<br />
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<em>I hope the force of your command is near me to-night. My men are living on meat, and have hardly time to cook it; but they seem eager to push forward, either to take Price or drive him out of the State. </em><strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- Gen. Samuel Curtis to Gen. Franz Sigel, February 15, 1862.</span></strong><br />
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Flat Creek township, it is interesting to note, was the childhood home of actor Don Johnson, famed for his roles in "Miami Vice" and numerous movies. On February 15, 1862, however, it was home to a sharp skirmish as General Sterling Price continued to fight delaying actions so his army could safely withdraw from Missouri into Northwest Arkansas.<br />
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I will continue to post on the 150th Anniversary of the Pea Ridge Campaign over coming days, so be sure to check back often. You can read more about the Battle of Pea Ridge anytime you like at <a href="http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/pearidgeindex">www.exploresouthernhistory.com/pearidgeindex</a>.Dale Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07756272433232589890noreply@blogger.com2