O
n December 7, 1862 the Confederate Army of Major General Thomas C. Hindman engaged the Union divisions of Brigadier General Francis J. Herron and James G. Blunt near Prairie Grove Church. Hindman's original plan to strike Blunt, isolated at Cane Hill, AR, was foiled by the timely arrival of two Union divisions under Herron.
Hindman bypassed Blunt at Cane Hill on the morning of December 7 and marched to meet Herron. The two armies collided at Prairie Grove. Hindman's Confederates took a defensive position on a ridge overlooking the Illinois River. The battle began with an artillery dual which opened the way for a Union attack. Between 11:00 am and 2:00pm two Union attacks met with bloody repulse.
The battered Union forces were reinforced between 2:30 and 3:00 by Blunt's arrival on the battlefield. The fighting spread westward, along the ridge with savage attack and counter attack until darkness ended the fighting. Under cover of darkness, the Confederate Army, its ammunition nearly exhausted, retreated south.
Prairie Grove marked the last major Civil War engagement in northwest Arkansas. Never again did a Confederate army attempt to use the area as an avenue of invasion to Missouri.
REPORTS FROM THE FIELD
(excerpts from the Official Records)
Report of Colonel William W. Orme, Ninety-fourth Illinois Infantry. commanding Second Brigade. When I reached Illinois Creek, I advanced the infantry across the creek, the Ninety-fourth Illinois on the left of the road and the Nineteenth Iowa on the right of the road, placing both regiments under cover of the bluffs of the steam. Immediately afterward the battery was ordered across the creek, and placed in position on the high ground to the left of the road.
Skirmishers were sent forward from both regiments. The enemy's batteries were opened upon us. The firing was very accurate, the shells falling on the right and in the rear of the Ninety-fourth Illinois; but they were soon silenced and compelled to retire their batteries to a less exposed position, from which they fired only at intervals. The Twentieth Wisconsin Infantry, having advanced on the right of the Nineteenth Iowa, I sent out three companies of the Nineteenth Iowa and skirmishers, and ordered the remaining seven companies to advance and support the Twentieth Wisconsin, which was now moving forward through an open field on the right of the road, and at the same time I ordered the Ninety-fourth Illinois to advance through the brush to an open field on the left. Here the Ninety-fourth received the first fire from the enemy, which was hotly returned, and the enemy felt back to a position under cover of the fence.
Meanwhile the Nineteenth Iowa had received and returned the fire of the enemy, and now advanced steadily up the hill to the left of the white house, and across the orchard back of the house to a fence, behind which the enemy in greatly superior
Twentieth Wisconsin having already commenced to fall back in disorder, the Nineteenth Iowa was unable to hold its position, and was compelled to fall back across the orchard, when Lieutenant-Colonel McFarland fell, shot through the body Major Kent then took command and rallied a portion of his men near the position of the Ninety-fourth Illinois.
After the Nineteenth Iowa and Twentieth Wisconsin were driven back, the rebels poured down in large numbers on our left, but were twice repulsed with heavy slaughter by the Ninety-fourth Illinois and the well-served canister from Battery E. But the rebels continuing to menace our left flank in large force, and the battery being so far advanced, with no support but the Ninety-fourth Illinois, which was kept continually engaging the enemy the battery and the infantry regiment were ordered to fall back.
The three companies of skirmishers of the Nineteenth Iowa were brought out to the road by my direction, when they came up in perfect order. The different portions of the Nineteenth Iowa then fell back and formed in line across the creek.
As the sun set, the firing on both sides closed, the infantry resting on their arms, without camp-fires during the whole night.
Report of Major Daniel Kent, Nineteenth Iowa Infantry. The Nineteenth Regiment, 500 strong, was ordered into line of battle at 12 noon., Lieutenant-Colonel McFarland in command. By order of Colonel Orme, three companies were detached and deployed as skirmishers. The companies were A~ B, and C, and, owing to the circumstances, Lieutenant Root, acting adjutant of the regiment, was ordered to take command, which was done. The skirmishers advanced under a heavy fire to a cornfield on the right of Battery E, First Missouri Light Artillery, and were ordered to hold it at all hazards, which was done, until ordered to fall back and form in line of battle. The regiment was then ordered to advance to the left of the while house on the hill, to support the Twentieth Wisconsin Infantry, which was hotly engaged. The Nineteenth, led by Lieutenant-Colonel McFarland, advanced up the hill steadily, and across the orchard back of the house, when the Twentieth Wisconsin gave way. The Nineteenth still advanced to the fence adjoining the wood, when the enemy, who lay concealed, arose to their feet, three regiments deep, pouring a destructive fire us from three sides, which caused the regiment to waver and fall back to the battery, on the left of the road leading up the hill. Lieutenant-Colonel McFarland here fell, shot through the body. I then took command, and rallied what was left of the regiment, as the regiment met with a severe loss in the charge. I then left the men I had rallied in charge of Captain Roderick, of Company K, and went to rally some scattered troops. Colonel Orme then rode up arid ordered Captain Roderick to fall in and rally with the Ninety-fourth Illinois, which he did, led by Colonel Orme in person, driving the enemy back with great slaughter, and holding their position until ordered to fall back and reform.
In the retreat of the Twentieth Wisconsin, the color-bearer was shot, letting fall the colors. when the enemy made a desperate effort to get them, but a portion of the Nineteenth Iowa rallied and got possession of and carried them off the field.
Colonel W. W. ORME, Commanding Second Brigadier. Back to Previous page.
