Battle of Prairie D'Ane
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Prairie D'Ane (also known as Prairie De Ann, Gum Grove, and Moscow) was fought April 9–13, 1864, in Nevada County, Arkansas as part of the Camden Expedition
of the American Civil War
.
, Confederate capital of Arkansas
, to the east lay the heavily fortified city of Camden
, where many Confederate troops were headquartered, while to the south lay the strategic Little Red River and Shreveport beyond.
Major General
Fred Steele's forces, combined with Brig. Gen. John M. Thayer
's division, marched south from the Cornelius Farm. They soon encountered a Confederate line of battle at Prairie D’Ane and attacked, driving it back about a mile before being checked. Skirmishing continued throughout the afternoon of April 11, forcing Steele to divert line of march forces away from Shreveport toward Camden. Maj. Gen. Sterling Price
's Confederates returned to Prairie D’Ane on April 13, falling upon Steele's rearguard under Thayer. After a four-hour battle, Price disengaged, and Steele's column continued to Camden, occupying the city.
The site of the battle, the Prairie D'Ane Battlefield
is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
and is part of the Camden Expedition Sites National Historic Landmark
.
Camden Expedition
The Camden Expedition was a military campaign in southern and central Arkansas during the American Civil War. It involved Union forces stationed at Little Rock and Fort Smith under the command of Major General Frederick Steele...
of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Opposing forces
In 1864, Prairie De Ann was a circular body of land surrounded by forest, 25 to 30 miles square, a well known landmark one hundred miles southwest of Little Rock. The prairie was something of a crossroads; to the west lay WashingtonWashington, Arkansas
Washington is a city in Hempstead County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 148 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Hope Micropolitan Statistical Area.The city is also home to Old Washington Historic State Park....
, Confederate capital of Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
, to the east lay the heavily fortified city of Camden
Camden, Arkansas
Camden is a city in and the county seat of Ouachita County in the southern part of the U.S. state of Arkansas. Long an area of American Indians villages, the French also made a permanent settlement here because of its advantageous location above the Ouachita River. According to 2007 Census...
, where many Confederate troops were headquartered, while to the south lay the strategic Little Red River and Shreveport beyond.
Battle
On April 10, UnionUnion Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
Major General
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Fred Steele's forces, combined with Brig. Gen. John M. Thayer
John Milton Thayer
John Milton Thayer was a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War and a postbellum United States Senator from Nebraska, as well as governor of Wyoming Territory and governor of Nebraska.-Early life and career:...
's division, marched south from the Cornelius Farm. They soon encountered a Confederate line of battle at Prairie D’Ane and attacked, driving it back about a mile before being checked. Skirmishing continued throughout the afternoon of April 11, forcing Steele to divert line of march forces away from Shreveport toward Camden. Maj. Gen. Sterling Price
Sterling Price
Sterling Price was a lawyer, planter, and politician from the U.S. state of Missouri, who served as the 11th Governor of the state from 1853 to 1857. He also served as a United States Army brigadier general during the Mexican-American War, and a Confederate Army major general in the American Civil...
's Confederates returned to Prairie D’Ane on April 13, falling upon Steele's rearguard under Thayer. After a four-hour battle, Price disengaged, and Steele's column continued to Camden, occupying the city.
The site of the battle, the Prairie D'Ane Battlefield
Prairie D'Ane Battlefield
Prairie D'Ane Battlefield, also known as Prairie D'Ann Battlefield or Prairie De Ann Battlefield, was the Arkansas site of the Civil War Battle of Prairie D'Ane, one of the engagements in the Camden Expedition of 1864....
is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
and is part of the Camden Expedition Sites National Historic Landmark
Camden Expedition Sites
Camden Expedition Sites is a National Historic Landmark consisting of eight historic sites where events of the Civil War's Camden Expedition occurred...
.