Battles & Campaigns · 1862
Battle of Prairie Grove
Prairie Grove, Arkansas, USA
What happened
Union forces under James G. Blunt and Francis J. Herron fought a Confederate army under Thomas C. Hindman. Hindman marched to attack Blunt's separate Union division, but Herron's reinforcements arrived. Hindman took up a strong position on high ground at Prairie Grove. Attacks by both sides failed, and the armies separated at dark.
Why it matters
Why it matters: Hindman had to withdraw, giving the Union control of northwestern Arkansas.
What came next
Union forces struck again at Van Buren later that month. The battlefield is now a state park.
Did you know?
Some Confederate soldiers wore captured blue Union uniforms, which helped them surprise Union cavalry that morning.
Timeline
- 7 December 1862Battle of Prairie Grove.
- 29 December 1862Union raid on Van Buren.
- 1957The battlefield park is established.