Battle of Fort Smith facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Fort Smith
Part of the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War
Commissary building of Fort Smith
Date July 31, 1864 (1864-07-31) Location Fort Smith, Arkansas Result Union victory
Belligerents
United States	Confederate States
Commanders and leaders
John M. Thayer	Douglas H. Cooper
Units involved
District of the Frontier	District of the Indian Territory
Strength
3 brigades	2 brigades
Casualties and losses
4 killed 6 wounded 11 captured	2 killed 4 wounded

The Battle of Fort Smith was a small but important fight in western Arkansas. It happened during the American Civil War, a big conflict that divided the United States. This battle showed how the Union army kept control of a key area.

Why the Battle Happened

Confederate Raids and Union Defenses

After a Union army plan called the Camden Expedition didn't work out, some parts of Arkansas were left open. This meant Confederate soldiers could easily attack Union army bases. One such attack happened at Massard Prairie on July 27, 1864. A Confederate general named Richard Gano won that fight. This victory made the Confederates want to try more attacks.

The Battle Begins

Confederate Attack Plan

Just a few days later, General Douglas H. Cooper, who was General Gano's commander, led a Confederate army toward Fort Smith. General Cooper's force included General Gano's brigade (a group of soldiers) and General Stand Watie's brigade.

General Gano's soldiers took their positions on the side of the Poteau River that was in Indian Territory. Meanwhile, General Watie's soldiers moved up from the south, on the Arkansas side of the river.

Union's Strong Defense

General John Milton Thayer was in charge of defending Fort Smith. He had three brigades ready to protect the town.

General Watie's soldiers were the first to meet the Union forces. They ran into the 6th Kansas Cavalry, which was part of Colonel William R. Judson's Union brigade. Colonel Judson's men slowly fell back from Fort No. 2, which was along the Texas Road. This action warned the rest of the Union soldiers that the Confederates were coming.

Artillery Fire and Retreat

General Cooper's men then started to fire cannons at the fort. General Thayer quickly responded. He sent forward soldiers from Colonel James M. Williams' brigade. This group included the 6th Kansas Colored Infantry and two howitzers (a type of cannon) from the 2nd Kansas Battery.

The Union cannons were very good. They soon forced the Confederate cannons and their supporting cavalry (soldiers on horseback) to leave. General Cooper then ordered his troops to pull back. He left some snipers (soldiers who shoot from hidden spots) behind to cover their retreat.

After the Battle

Union Victory and Fort Smith's Fate

After the battle, General Cooper took about $130,000 worth of Union weapons and supplies with him. However, General Thayer and the Union army kept control of Fort Smith. They held onto the fort for the rest of the war. Today, Fort Smith is a protected area known as the Fort Smith National Historic Site.

Who Fought in the Battle

Union Forces

• District of the Frontier – Led by General John M. Thayer
  • 1st Brigade – Led by Colonel John Edwards
  • 2nd Brigade – Led by Colonel James M. Williams
  • 3rd Brigade – Led by Colonel William R. Judson

Confederate Forces

• District of the Indian Territory – Led by General Douglas Cooper
  • Gano's Brigade – Led by General Richard M. Gano
  • Watie's Brigade – Led by Colonel Stand Watie