Battle of Pea Ridge

Battle of Pea Ridge
Part of the American Civil War

Harper's Weekly sketch of the battle by J.F. Gookins
DateMarch 7–8, 1862
Location
Near Leetown, northeast of Fayetteville, Arkansas
36°27′16″N 94°02′05″W / 36.45444°N 94.03472°W / 36.45444; -94.03472
Result Union victory
Belligerents
Commanders and leaders

United States Samuel R. Curtis

Earl Van Dorn

Sterling Price (WIA)
Units involved
United States Army of the Southwest Trans-Mississippi District
Strength
10,500[1] 16,500[2]
Casualties and losses
203 killed
980 wounded
201 missing[1]		 ~2,000 casualties[3]
Pea Ridge, Arkansas is located in Arkansas
Pea Ridge, Arkansas
Pea Ridge, Arkansas
class=notpageimage|
Location within Arkansas

The Battle of Pea Ridge (March 7–8, 1862), also known as the Battle of Elkhorn Tavern, took place during the American Civil War near Leetown, northeast of Fayetteville, Arkansas.[4] Federal forces, led by Brig. Gen. Samuel R. Curtis, moved south from central Missouri, driving Confederate forces into northwestern Arkansas. Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn had launched a Confederate counteroffensive, hoping to recapture northern Arkansas and Missouri. Confederate forces met at Bentonville and became the most substantial Rebel force, by way of guns and men, to assemble in the Trans-Mississippi. Against the odds, Curtis held off the Confederate attack on the first day and drove Van Dorn's force off the battlefield on the second. By defeating the Confederates, the Union forces established Federal control of most of Missouri and northern Arkansas.[5]

  1. ^ a b Shea 1997, p. 270.
  2. ^ Shea 1997, pp. 270–271.
  3. ^ Shea 1997, p. 271.
  4. ^ National Park Service battle description Archived October 24, 2005, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Edwin C. Bearss, "The Battle of Pea Ridge." Arkansas Historical Quarterly 20.1 (1961): 74–94