Action at Ashley's Station facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Action at Ashley's Station
Part of the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War
Date August 24, 1864 Location Prairie County, Arkansas, United States Result Confederate victory
Belligerents
United States	Confederate States
Commanders and leaders
Christopher Columbus Andrews Greenville M. Mitchell Washington F. Geiger	Joseph O. Shelby
Units involved
54th Illinois Infantry Regiment 1st Nebraska Cavalry Regiment	Shelby's Cavalry
Casualties and losses
977 killed, wounded and captured	173 killed and wounded

The Action at Ashley's Station was a big fight during the American Civil War. It happened on August 24, 1864, in Prairie County, Arkansas. This battle was between Confederate cavalry (soldiers on horseback) led by General Joseph O. Shelby and Union soldiers. The Union forces were commanded by General Christopher Columbus Andrews, along with Colonels Greenville M. Mitchell and Washington F. Geiger.

The Battle Begins

Union General Christopher Columbus Andrews saw about 2,250 horsemen coming towards his station. He thought they were friendly Union troops on a regular trip. But it was actually Confederate General Joseph O. Shelby and his soldiers. By the time General Andrews realized this, it was too late.

General Shelby had tricked Andrews. He had added two new groups of soldiers to his force. Many of these new soldiers were volunteers who didn't even have weapons. Shelby's plan was to meet up with another Confederate general, Sterling Price, who wanted to attack Missouri.

A Clever Disguise

Shelby's soldiers were mostly wearing Union uniforms. This made it even harder for Andrews to tell them apart from his own troops. The Confederates attacked quickly. They managed to capture three forts while the Union soldiers were busy.

Meanwhile, Colonel Greenville M. Mitchell gathered his remaining companies. He pushed forward to try and stop Shelby's attacks. Mitchell asked General Andrews for help. Andrews was able to send 890 more soldiers as backup.

Reinforcements Arrive

These extra soldiers were led by Colonel Washington F. Geiger. They came from DeValls Bluff, Arkansas. Andrews could send help because many forts had been built along the White River. These forts helped stop Confederates from destroying the railroad tracks. They also helped generals talk to each other.

These forts were called "Hay Stations." They helped soldiers protect and gather hay from fields near the river. Colonel Geiger's troops then fought with Shelby's soldiers. They battled for two hours.

Destroying Union Supplies

Some of the Confederate forces were pushed back. But the main Confederate army was busy destroying hay machines. They also tore up parts of the railroad near the White River. The volunteers Shelby had recruited helped a lot with this destruction.

Because Shelby had so many more soldiers, the Confederates could damage important Union supplies. They focused on the Hay Stations and the Union railroads. Shelby chose his best soldiers to destroy the Hay Stations. These groups were led by Colonel David Shanks, Colonel Sidney D. Jackman, and Colonel Thomas H. McCray.

As night came, Geiger's troops started heading back to the White River. But they were stopped by another short fight. They fought for about 30 minutes at Big Cypress Creek, Arkansas. After that, they finally returned to their base.

What Happened Next

General Shelby's soldiers and cavalry destroyed a lot of Union property. They ruined over ten miles of railroad track. They also burned about 3,000 bales of hay. Twenty hay-cutting machines were destroyed. They attacked five Union stations. Many horses and other farm animals were killed too.

These battles at the White River were the last attacks General Joseph O. Shelby and his troops made in northeast Arkansas that summer.

Who Was Hurt

General Joseph O. Shelby's troops had about 173 casualties. Most of these were injuries. Shelby also wrote in his records that his troops captured 577 Union soldiers. He said they killed or wounded about 200 more. However, General Christopher Columbus Andrews reported fewer Union casualties. He said only 400 to 500 Union soldiers were hurt or captured, including those from Geiger's troops.