Battle of Massard Prairie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Massard Prairie |
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| Part of the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 United States |
 Confederate States |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 Maj. David Mefford |
 Brig. Gen. Richard M. Gano |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 6th Kansas Cavalry (about 200 cavalry) | 600 cavalry (possibly more) | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 10 killed 15 wounded 127 captured |
7 killed 26 wounded |
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The Battle of Massard Prairie was a fight during the American Civil War. It happened on July 27, 1864, in a place called Massard Prairie in Sebastian County, near Fort Smith, Arkansas. Soldiers from the Confederate side, led by Brigadier-General Richard Montgomery Gano, made a surprise attack. They targeted a camp of Union soldiers from the 6th Kansas Cavalry. The Confederates won, taking many prisoners and supplies.
This battle shows how the Civil War was fought in Arkansas. It was often about quick raids and ambushes with small groups of soldiers. It wasn't always about huge, long battles. The Confederate victory also showed how hard it was for Union forces to control Arkansas later in the war.
Contents
What Led to the Battle?
Changes After the Camden Expedition
In April 1864, Union General Frederick Steele's plan, called the Camden Expedition, didn't work out. After this, the roles of the Union and Confederate armies in the area changed. The Union forces now tried to defend the Arkansas River from Confederate attacks. The Confederates, feeling stronger, started to attack more often.
The Battle Unfolds
Why Massard Prairie Was Chosen
In July 1864, the Confederates saw a chance to attack. About 200 Union cavalrymen from the Sixth Kansas Cavalry set up camp at Massard Prairie. This spot was less than eight miles south of Fort Smith. They camped there because they needed more horses and food for their horses. The prairie had good grass for grazing. This advanced position also helped protect the Union base at Fort Smith. However, it was also an open spot, easy to attack.
Confederate Plan of Attack
Confederate Brigadier General Douglas H. Cooper saw this weakness. He ordered Brigadier General Richard Gano to attack the Union camp. On July 26, Gano gathered 600 cavalrymen. These soldiers were from Texas and also included Native American fighters. They met at Page's Ferry on the Poteau River, about ten miles southwest of the Union camp.
Gano realized his force might be too small for Cooper's detailed plan. So, he decided to lead all his soldiers directly against the Union camp. The Confederates marched all night. They arrived near Massard Prairie before sunrise on July 27.
Union Camp and the Surprise Attack
The Union cavalrymen were camped among some trees on the south side of the prairie. Most of their horses had been out grazing since daylight. By about 6:00 AM, the horses were nearly a mile southwest of the camp.
At sunrise, Gano's Confederate troops moved forward. A Union soldier on guard duty reported gunfire, which warned Union Major David Mefford and his officers. Within five minutes, the Union cavalrymen, who were on foot, formed a line to face the Confederates. They were told to bring in the horses, protect the sides of the camp, and send messages to Fort Smith for help.
The Fight Begins
Gano's attack stopped these efforts. His men charged the Union troops from the front and from both sides. This caused the Union horses to run away in a panic. The Union cavalry had to fight on foot. Soon, the Union troops were surrounded in the grove of trees.
The Union soldiers had two companies on the left side of the camp and two on the right. They also had better weapons that loaded faster. At first, Major Mefford's soldiers held their ground. They pushed back all the Confederate attacks. But the Confederates had more soldiers and could move around easily. In the open prairie, the mounted Confederates could go around the Union troops whenever they wanted. They would charge, fire, pull back, and then charge again.
Union Retreat and Capture
Slowly, the Union cavalrymen began to lose ground. Some Union soldiers who were lucky enough to get horses had already ridden back to Fort Smith. The remaining Union troops started to retreat, fighting as they went, north across the prairie. The Confederates kept pushing their attack, even though some of their charges were stopped. They kept taking prisoners. Finally, near a house about a mile north of the camp, the last group of Union soldiers was captured.
Confederate Victory and Losses
Gano quickly secured what his army had gained. The Confederates reported capturing about 127 prisoners. They also took valuable carbines (a type of rifle), pistols, camp gear, and other supplies. The Union army had ten soldiers killed and fifteen wounded. The Confederates had seven killed and twenty-six wounded. After burning items they couldn't carry, Gano's troops returned to their camp. They arrived twenty-four hours after they had left. A Union pursuit that tried to follow them was not successful.
What Happened Next?
Impact of the Battle
The Battle of Massard Prairie showed how weak the Union's control was on Arkansas's western border. It also made the Confederates feel more confident. This victory led to another fight a few days later, known as the Action at Fort Smith.
