Battle of Pea Ridge (1862)

The Battle of Pea Ridge, fought on March 7–8, 1862, near Leetown, Arkansas, resulted in Union victory under Brigadier General Samuel R. Curtis. This engagement established Federal control over most of Missouri and northern Arkansas, effectively shutting Confederate forces out of Missouri.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. In late 1861 and early 1862, Union forces in Missouri pushed Confederate troops, including the Missouri State Guard, out of the state. Brigadier General Samuel R. Curtis moved south from central Missouri, driving Confederate forces into northwestern Arkansas. Earl Van Dorn, a Confederate Major General, commanded the Army of the West, which included approximately 16,000 men.

Tactical Maneuvers. On March 4, 1862, Van Dorn split his army into two divisions under Price and McCulloch. Instead of attacking Curtis head-on, he ordered a march north along the Bentonville Detour to get behind Curtis and cut his lines of communication. Van Dorn was commanding infantry rather than his specialty, cavalry, during this engagement.

Outcome. Despite battling brilliantly in the early stages, Van Dorn was defeated by a smaller Union force. The victory established Federal control of most of Missouri and northern Arkansas. This outcome secured Union dominance in the region, preventing Confederate re-entry into Missouri.

People involved

Sources

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