Battle of Mount Elba facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Mount Elba
Part of the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War
Date March 30, 1864 (1864-03-30) Location Mount Elba, Arkansas Result Union victory
Belligerents
United States (Union)	CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
Col. Powell Clayton	Brig. Gen. Thomas Dockery
Casualties and losses
4	130

The Battle of Mount Elba was a small but important fight during the American Civil War. It happened on March 30, 1864, in the town of Mount Elba, Arkansas. This battle was part of a larger plan by U.S. General Steele, known as the Camden Expedition.

What Was the Battle of Mount Elba?

The Battle of Mount Elba was a minor skirmish, which means a small fight, during the American Civil War. It took place on March 30, 1864. The battle happened in Mount Elba, Arkansas. It was part of a bigger military plan called the Camden Expedition.

A Daring Plan

To help the Camden Expedition, Union Colonel Powell Clayton led a special mission. His goal was to raid Longview, Arkansas. Longview was a port town on the Saline River. The raid aimed to keep Confederate forces busy. This would stop them from attacking General Steele's main army.

Colonel Clayton's cavalry force crossed the Saline River at Mount Elba. They easily moved past a small guard force there. Clayton then split his soldiers into two groups. One group set up a blocking position to the west. This was near a place called Marks Mill.

Capturing the Enemy

One hundred chosen soldiers, led by Lieutenants Greathouse and Young, went to Longview. Their mission was to destroy a Confederate pontoon bridge. A pontoon bridge is a temporary bridge made of floating sections.

On March 29, the lieutenants surprised the Confederate soldiers. They captured about 250 men. These soldiers belonged to Brigadier General Thomas P. Dockery's brigade. A brigade is a large group of soldiers.

The Fight at Mount Elba

After the capture, Confederate forces in the area knew Union soldiers were nearby. They tried to trap Colonel Clayton's group. They attacked the Union bridgehead at Mount Elba on March 30, 1864. A bridgehead is a secure area on the enemy's side of a river.

Colonel Clayton successfully led his soldiers back across the Saline River. They defeated the Confederate forces in the Battle of Mount Elba. Then, they returned to Pine Bluff, Arkansas. They brought over 260 Confederate prisoners with them. The Union army had very few losses in this fight. Only two Union soldiers died, and eight were missing.

What Happened Next?

This first part of the Union expedition was a big success. However, the rest of the Camden Expedition did not go as planned. But the Battle of Mount Elba was a clear victory for the Union forces.