Battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas
On this day in 1862 northwestern Arkansas and southwestern Missouriare secured for the Union when a force commanded by General James G.Blunt holds off a force of Confederates under General Thomas Hindman at the Battle of Prairie Grove Arkansas.Hindman assembled a force at Fort Smith Arkansas to make an attempt to recapture territory lost during the Pea Ridge campaign of early 1862.He planned to cross the Boston Mountains into northwestern Arkansas and then Missouri but the Union Army of the Frontier commanded by John Schofield made a preemptive move to Maysville Arkansas.
Schofield had to leave the army due to illness and Blunt assumed command.When Hindman sent an advance detachment of cavalry under John Marmaduke through the mountains in late November Blunt moved south and defeated Marmaduke in a minor engagement at Cane Hill.After Cane Hill Hindman moved his 11000-man army across the Boston Mountains and approached Blunts 5000 troops.Hindman prepared to attack but was surprised by the approach of Union reinforcements from Missouri.
In one of the most dramatic marches of the entire war Union General Francis Herron had moved 7000 reinforcements more than 110 miles in three and a half days.Hindman turned to face Herron but then took up defensive positions in Prairie Grove.Herron arrived and attacked Hindman on December 7.
Herron sent only half of his force to the assault believing that this was only part of Hindmans force.Outnumbered nearly three to one Herrons attack failed.Hindman ordered a counterattack but it was repulsed with heavy loses.
Hearing noise from the battle Blunt moved toward Prairie Grove and attacked Hindman later that day.This too failed as did another Confederate counterattack.Darkness ended the engagement with the Confederates still holding the high ground at Prairie Grove.The battle was a tactical draw but Hindmans army was running low on ammunition.
Confederate losses amounted to more than 1400 killed and wounded while the Yankees lost more than 1200.Hindman retreated back to Fort Smith and the region was secured for the Union.
