Civil War Battle of Prairie Grove Arkansas

On December 7th, 1862, Confederate forces under General Thomas Hindman marched against a Union force in northwestern Arkansas. Determined to turn the tide of the fighting in this far western part of the war, Hindman hoped to push the Federal troops out of Arkansas for good. On the other side was a division of troops under Brigadier General James Blunt. They would meet near the small town of Prairie Grove, Arkansas.

This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As very few images of the actual event are available in the Public Domain, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.

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Script by JCG

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[mcswato]

"The Prairie Grove Airlight Outdoor Telephone Booth is a telephone booth installed at the southwest corner of East Douglas and Parker Streets in Prairie Grove, Arkansas, United States. It is an early example of the Airlight, the first American mass-produced weather-resistant metal telephone booth, which made possible widespread installation of outdoor payphones. In 2015, it became the first phone booth on the National Register of Historic Places."

[otpyrcralphpierre]

I was an Extra in a film named "Louisiana". It starred Margot Kidder and a big French star, but her name escapes me.
It is the story of what a Louisiana family went through during the Civil War. (The first one, not the one that's coming).
The movie was big in France, because of our shared French history. We filmed several civil war scenes on some Famous Louisiana Plantations. I had roles as both a Union soldier and a Rebel soldier. The Rebels were Much more fun! Margot kidder once even took a half dozen of us to a local watering hole and bought us each a beer!

[catofthecastle]

I’m sitting 2 miles from this battlefield right now! Visiting my grandchildren!

[jhoward]

What's not so much known is the importance of logistics of the Trans-Mississippi to the Confederacy. After Prairie Grove, the Confederacy lost whatever chance it had to regain portage in Missouri. After the falls of Vicksburg and Port Hudson, they lost their past portage on the entire Mississippi. This not only cut-off the aforementioned 30, 000 Rebel troops that would be sorely missed in the defense of Georgia, but it also cut off access to the badly-needed beef cattle of Texas. As the war dragged on into 1864 and 65, the Confederate armies in the east would see their meat rations steadily cut due to lack of cattle.

[DennisNDanaReynolds]

I have lived in Arkansas all my life. Let's talk about Prairie grove today. It's a very small older town with what used to have the main highway going through downtown. Now there is a bypass. They have a great battlefield national park with lots of old log cabins and split rail fences around almost all of the place. In the fall they have a huge craft fair in the park. The downtown part of the old building is some of the best antique and craft shops in the state. Also great coffee and ice cream places. Fun place to visit.

[onliwankannoli]

Hey History Guy! Fifty years ago, on January 24, 1972, a Japanese soldier named Shoichi Yokoi was discovered on Guam. He had been hiding in the jungle since 1944, when the Allied forces took control of the island. He was one of the last (but not very last) Japanese soldiers in hiding, unaware that WWII had ended years before. Fascinating story of survival, and historical insight into the wartime Imperial Japanese philosophy.

[Bebe.B.]

I live in Prairie Grove and everytime I hear the story of the battle I learn something new. It's a beautiful park and much beloved by this town. It is constantly being worked on and restored. The ultimate goal being to bring the battlefield back to its historically correct state. I visit the park often and even had a spooky experience there.

[TheArkDoc]

Thank you for doing the battle of Prairie Grove. I grew up in Prairie Grove -- literally on the battle field.

[hillbilly]

We pronounce Hindman with a long I. (e.g. Hind quarter) There's a city park in Little Rock which bears his name although without Civil War attribution. Regardless, thanks for pointing the bow tie our direction...many of us have ancestors involved with those fights and we've not forgotten either. And yes, razorbacks are still a particularly nasty species. (just ask them Texas boys)

[lehampton]

To follow up, you mentioned the Battle of Van Buren fought after this battle. Van Buren is a small town just outside of Ft. Smith on the Arkansas River near the Arkansas Oklahoma border. The aim of the Northern troops was to secure the port of Ft Smith and control of the river as it runs thru the State and empties into the Mississippi River. Control remained in Northern hands until the end of the war.

[colbyh.]

The reenactment at this battlefield is incredible. Attended it several times as a participant.

[kellymcgee]

My Great Great Grandfather Solomon Martin McGee was at both Pea Ridge and Prairie Grove, he was a Corporal in the 8th MS Volunteer Federal Cavalry which at the time had been broken up and was a part of other Union cavalry divisions. It is wonderful to see this episode. Thank you!!

[troidva]

Interesting note: Francis Herron (promoted to Brigadier General and receiving the Medal of Honor for his exploits at the Battle of Pea Ridge in March 1862) was promoted to Major General right after Prairie Grove at the age of 25. This made him the youngest Union Major General for most of the war (George Custer was slightly younger when he was promoted to Major General, but that promotion didn't take effect until the war was nearly over).

[raydunakin]

It might be interesting to do an episode on the history of battle reenacting. When did people start reenacting battles, and why?

[nedludd]

A report on the Army engineers' efforts along the Mississippi would be welcome. They did incredible things there, and elsewhere.

[stevedietrich]

Thanks THG. I had never heard of this particular battle. Since you mentioned action west of the Mississippi river, it reminded me that the westernmost battle of the Civil War took place in Arizona of all places, the Battle of Picacho Pass.

[aarondraper]

The History Guy has made this Arkansan happy. Keep up the good work!

[c.w.johnsonjr]

Thank you History Guy for shining light on the history of the American Civil War west of the Mississippi that deserves to be remember. May I humble suggest the Fall of New Orleans and the Battle of Milliken's Bend, the first battle in which Union African American troops fought for future episodes.

[johngeorges]

My GGG Grandfather led Company K of the 26th Indiana Volunteer Infantry at Prairie Grove. FJ Herron later selected him to lead the Pioneer Company of his Corps. You can see more about him at Find A Grave. His name is Alden Haden Jumper.

[pattilynch]

My great great great grandfathers home was at the battlefield, his name was Archibald Borden. The Yankees burned the home down. The battle was fought near his house. He rebuilt the home after the war and it is still there today. So much history there, thank you for telling this story. My great great grandmother was there for the battle, she was a small girl. She wrote her history and discussed the battle.