Battle of Pea Ridge

Love: 203 wounded: 980 missing / captured: 201

The Battle of Pea Ridge (also Battle of Elkhorn Tavern called the ) took place during the American Civil War, on 7 and 8 March 1862. Here, troops of the Northern States ( Union ) defeated under Brigadier General Samuel Ryan Curtis, the troops of the South ( Confederacy ) under Major General Earl Van Dorn.

After the start of the Civil War, the Union was within half a year won control of the state of Missouri, the governor had set himself in opposition to the prevailing opinion of the population sided with the Confederacy. Thereupon General Curtis wanted the Confederate State Arkansas conquer, which is south of Missouri.

With approximately 10,000 men and 50 guns Curtis moved in February 1862 in Benton County, Arkansas, and entrenched along the small river Sugar Creek. The Confederate General Van Dorn learned of the attack of the northern states and marched his troops against the Union troops. Van Dorn had together about 16,000 men ( including 800 Cherokee ). He intended to destroy Curtis' army, so that he in turn could conquer Missouri for the Confederacy.

Van Dorn realized that a frontal attack against the removed defense position of the Union troops had to fail, and therefore divided his army on March 4 in two parts. He wanted to include Curtis' army and attack from behind. In order to march faster, he left his supply wagons, which should later prove negligence.

The Confederate Army of the West marched three days through a frosty storm to Benton County. Many Confederate soldiers were ill-equipped and even barefoot. It was the saying that one could find the Army by following the bloody footprints. Hungry and tired, the Confederate troops arrived to their destination.

The decisive factor was the delay of a military unit under General Benjamin McCulloch. Van Dorn ordered McCulloch namely, to unite with him again at the Elkhorn Tavern, the delay allowed the Union General Curtis, however, to respond to the unexpected danger in his back. He came with his army into the gap between the mandrel and Van McCulloch departments and was able to decide the battle for themselves.

The Confederates lost in the battle about 2,000 men, including Generals McCulloch, McIntosh and Slack, while the Union army only 1,400 man forfeited.

After the defeat of Pea Ridge, the remnants of the army Van Dorn were withdrawn to reinforce the Confederate Army Tennessee, and Arkansas remained virtually defenseless back. The less the Confederates were now still able to threaten Missouri.

In turn, General Curtis penetrated deeper into the undefended Arkansas to attack its capital, Little Rock.