The Battle of Pea Ridge: A Pivotal Clash in the American Civil War

The Battle of Pea Ridge, fought on March 7-8, 1862, was a decisive Union victory that secured control of northern Arkansas and Missouri for the remainder of the American Civil War. The battle was fought between Union forces led by Major General Samuel Curtis and Confederate forces led by Major General Earl Van Dorn.

The Battle of Pea Ridge: A Captivating Guide to the Battle of Elkhorn Tavern, which was an American Civil War Clash in Arkansas That Took Place in March of 1862 (Battles of the Civil War)

by Captivating History

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Language	:	English
File size	:	10350 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	71 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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Background

In the early months of the Civil War, the Confederate army controlled most of Missouri and Arkansas. In February 1862, Union forces under General Curtis began a campaign to retake Missouri. Curtis's army marched from St. Louis to Springfield, where they were joined by reinforcements from Kansas and Iowa.

Meanwhile, Van Dorn's Confederate army was advancing from Arkansas into Missouri. Van Dorn's plan was to link up with Confederate forces in Missouri and launch a joint invasion of Illinois and Kentucky. Curtis learned of Van Dorn's plans and decided to intercept him at Pea Ridge.

The Battle

The Battle of Pea Ridge began on March 7, 1862, with a Confederate attack on Union positions on Sugar Creek. The Confederates were initially successful, but the Union forces rallied and counterattacked, driving the Confederates back. The fighting continued throughout the day, with both sides suffering heavy losses.

On March 8, the Confederates launched a second attack on the Union positions. This time, the Confederates were able to break through the Union lines and capture several artillery batteries. However, the Union forces were able to rally and launch a counterattack that drove the Confederates back once again. The battle ended with a Confederate retreat.

Aftermath

The Battle of Pea Ridge was a significant Union victory. The victory secured control of northern Arkansas and Missouri for the Union for the remainder of the war. The battle also boosted the morale of Union forces and helped to turn the tide of the war in the West.

The Confederate defeat at Pea Ridge had a number of consequences. The loss of Missouri and Arkansas deprived the Confederacy of a valuable source of supplies and manpower. The defeat also damaged the Confederacy's reputation and made it more difficult to attract new recruits.

Key Figures

* **Major General Samuel Curtis:** Union commander at Pea Ridge * **Major General Earl Van Dorn:** Confederate commander at Pea Ridge * **Brigadier General Franz Sigel:** Union general who played a key role in the Union victory at Pea Ridge * **Brigadier General James M. McIntosh:** Confederate general who was killed at Pea Ridge

Legacy

The Battle of Pea Ridge is considered to be one of the most important battles of the American Civil War. The Union victory at Pea Ridge helped to secure the Union's control of the West and paved the way for the eventual Union victory in the war.

Image Gallery

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  Union soldiers at the Battle of Pea Ridge

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  Confederate soldiers at the Battle of Pea Ridge

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  Battlefield of Pea Ridge

Further Reading

* **The Battle of Pea Ridge: A Pivotal Clash in the American Civil War** by John C. Pemberton * **Pea Ridge: The First Civil War Battle in the West** by William L. Shea * **The Battle of Pea Ridge: A History and Guided Tour** by Larry Wood

The Battle of Pea Ridge: A Captivating Guide to the Battle of Elkhorn Tavern, which was an American Civil War Clash in Arkansas That Took Place in March of 1862 (Battles of the Civil War)

by Captivating History

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	10350 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	71 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE