Battle of Arkansas Post
Arkansas Post, Arkansas, USA
What happened
A Union army under John A. McClernand, with William T. Sherman's corps and gunboats under David Dixon Porter, attacked Fort Hindman, held by Confederates under Thomas J. Churchill. Fort Hindman was a large earth fort on a bluff above the Arkansas River. Union troops landed downriver while Porter's ironclads shelled the fort. On 11 January Union forces attacked, white flags appeared amid confusion, and Churchill surrendered. When the surrender was completed, 4,791 Confederates had been captured.
Why it matters
The fort had guarded a key stretch of the Arkansas River and had raided Union supply boats. After the battle the old post lost its importance.
What came next
An angry Grant ordered McClernand back toward Vicksburg and took personal command of the Vicksburg campaign on 30 January.
Did you know?
Arkansas Post was founded in 1686 by Henri de Tonti and was the first European settlement along the Mississippi River.
Timeline
- 1686Henri de Tonti founds Arkansas Post.
- 9–11 Jan 1863Battle of Arkansas Post.
- 30 Jan 1863Grant relieves McClernand and takes command.
- 4 Jul 1863Vicksburg surrenders.