The Prairie Grove Campaign: An Introduction
2012; Arkansas Historical Association; Volume: 71; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês
ISSN
2327-1213
AutoresAlan S. Thompson, Mark K. Christ,
Tópico(s)American Environmental and Regional History
ResumoWhen Mat. Gen. Thomas C. Hindman arrived in Arkansas in summer of 1 862, he set into motion a series of events that led to what historian William L. Shea has called the most remarkable turnaround in Civil War.1 Following battle of Pea Ridge in March 1862, Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn had taken his army and everything else that wasn't nailed down to Mississippi, leaving Confederate Arkansas defenseless. Answering an outpouring of cries for help, Confederate authorities ordered Hindman back to his adopted state to take command of Trans-Mississippi District. Hindman arrived in Little Rock on May 31 and began implementing a number of draconian measures that included conscription, martial law, and price controls. By fall of 1862, Hindman's efforts had resulted in creation and equipping of a 20,000-man army from scratch, though his unpopular policies also led to his demotion. He was replaced as commander of Trans-Mississippi by Lt. Gen. Theophilus H. Holmes, though Hindman continued in command of District of Arkansas. Hindman and a portion of his fledgling army had several encounters with Federals in southwest and northwest Arkansas during summer and fall of 1862, and as year drew to a close Hindman's command was camped at Fort Smith. Its Federal counterpart, Army of Frontier, was separated, with Brig. Gen. James G Blunt's Kansas Division in northwest Arkansas while Brig. Gen. Francis J. Herron's two Missouri Divisions were marching in circles in Missouri. Because of drought and a swine cholera epidemic, Hindman had a hard time feeding his troops and horses in Arkansas River Valley. He ordered his cavalry, under command of Brig. Gen. John S. Marmaduke, across Boston Mountains to Cane Hill to take advantage of bountiful harvest and functioning gristmills in that area. Blunt learned of Rebel presence at Cane Hill on November 24, and - not being one to shy away from a fight - he and his 5000 men left their camp on Flint Creek near modern Siloam Springs and rushed toward Cane Hill. On morning of November 28, Blunt attacked Marmaduke's 3000 cavalrymen. The ensuing fight was a day-long, twelve-mile running battle that resulted in about 100 casualties between two sides. Marmaduke withdrew to Dripping Springs above Van Buren while Blunt occupied Cane Hill, allowing his force to live off land. The following day, Marmaduke urged Hindman to move forward with his entire force, about 11,500 men, and attack Blunt, who was now thirty miles deeper into Arkansas with no support closer than Herron's men 120 miles away in Springfield, Missouri. After consulting with his subordinates and a determined conversation with Holmes, Hindman decided to take offensive. On December 3, his Confederate army began march north to Washington County, reaching John Morrow farm southeast of Cane Hill on December 6. That evening, as Hindman was meeting with his division commanders over plans for next day's fight, a messenger arrived with information that General Herron's two divisions were in Fayetteville. Upon learning of Confederate advance on his position, Blunt had sent Herron a request for help, and Herron responded by marching his troops 120 miles in three days - one of great forced marches of Civil War. Hindman changed his plans and left a diversion of 400 cavalrymen behind to deceive Blunt while bulk of his force moved past his flank to intercept Herron. On December 7, armies of Herron and Hindman collided at Prairie Grove, southwest of Fayetteville. Following a skirmish between cavalry forces, Confederates took up a defensive position on a ridge overlooking Illinois River. An artillery duel was followed by a series of Federal infantry assaults that were repulsed with heavy loss, each succeeded by counterattacks that were likewise turned back. …
Referência(s)