Conflict: American Civil War
Combatants: Confederates vs. Federals
Location: Arkansas (USA)
Outcome: Inconclusive (Federal victory)
On this day in 1862, a Confederate army of 10,000 soldiers led by General Thomas Hindman surprised a roughly equal number of General James Blunt's Federal troops in Northern Arkansas. Although the two armies fought to a draw and suffered similar casualties, the Southerners are forced to withdraw after the battle leaving Northwest Arkansas in Federal hands.
19th Iowa and 20th Wisconsin Charge Prairie Grove by J Irvine Dungan
Points of Interest:
Hindman initially attacked and repulsed a 3,000 man column marching down from Missouri in an attempt to divide the Federal forces, but failed to follow up on his success.
Hindman fled to Brazil for several years after the war and returned to Arkansas only to be slain by an unknown assassin in 1868.
General James G. Blunt by an unknown photographer
General Thomas C. Hindman by Aurelius O. Revenaugh