Battle of Prairie D'Ane facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Prairie D'Ane |
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| Part of the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War |
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 Prairie D'Ane Battlefield |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 United States (Union) |
 Confederate States |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 Maj. Gen. Frederick Steele |
 Maj. Gen. Sterling Price |
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| Units involved | |||||||
| Department of Arkansas | District of Arkansas | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 13,000 | 7,000 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 100 | 50 | ||||||
The Battle of Prairie D'Ane was a series of fights during the American Civil War. It took place in Nevada County, Arkansas, from April 9 to 13, 1864. This battle was part of a larger plan called the Camden Expedition. This expedition was launched by the Union army. It was part of the Red River Campaign, which aimed to defeat Confederate forces.
The main idea was for two Union armies to attack at the same time. One army, led by Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks, would move up the Red River. The other army, led by Maj. Gen. Frederick Steele, would march southwest from Little Rock, Arkansas. Their goal was to push the Confederate army, led by Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith, back to Shreveport, Louisiana. If they succeeded, they hoped to combine their forces and move into Texas.
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What was Prairie D'Ane?
Prairie D'Ane means "Donkey Meadow" in French. It was a large, open grassy area about 20 miles wide. This prairie was surrounded by thick pine forests. In 1864, it was a well-known place in southwest Arkansas.
The prairie was an important crossroads. To the west was Washington, Arkansas, which was the Confederate capital of Arkansas. The Confederates had moved their government there after leaving Little Rock in 1863. To the east was Camden, Arkansas, a city with many Confederate troops. South of the prairie was the important Red River. Beyond that was Shreveport, Louisiana.
Why was this area important?
The Union Army captured Little Rock in September 1863. The Confederates moved their government to Washington, Arkansas. As they retreated, they built strong defenses along the roads. They built large earth and log walls at the northern edge of Prairie D'Ane.
Winning at Prairie D'Ane would open the way for the Union army to reach Washington. But defending the prairie was tricky for the Confederates. The wide-open space was good for their cannons. However, it also gave the attacking Union forces plenty of room to move around. This made it easier for the Union to go around the Confederate defenses. Many of these defenses were built by enslaved people. Confederate cavalry groups also rode around to bother the Union forces.
Who fought in the battle?
The Confederate forces were led by Maj. Gen. Sterling Price. His army included cavalry from Arkansas and Missouri. They also had some Arkansas State Troops. These troops were divided into three cavalry groups.
The attacking Union forces were led by Maj. Gen. Frederick Steele. His army was called the Seventh Army Corps. It included two infantry (foot soldier) groups and one cavalry (horse soldier) group. They also had five artillery (cannon) groups. Most of these soldiers were from states like Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Illinois. Some were also from Arkansas and Kansas. This included two new regiments of United States Colored Troops.
Many Union soldiers were sick. Diseases like typhoid fever, measles, and malaria were common. These illnesses made many soldiers too weak to fight. Death by disease was much more common than death in battle for soldiers on both sides.
How did the battle unfold?
The battle began with Union cavalry crossing the Little Missouri River. They set up a defensive line. Union infantry followed them across the river. They expected an attack at dawn, but it was quiet.
Later, some Union companies went forward and met Confederate soldiers. Skirmishes, or small fights, broke out. The Union forces held their ground at the river crossing. Confederate forces, led by General John Marmaduke, began to arrive.
On April 4, the Confederates launched a large attack. Union soldiers, though outnumbered, fought bravely. They used the thick woods for cover. They resisted several attempts by the Confederates to go around their sides.
A Union officer named Lieutenant-Colonel F.M. Drake ordered his men to "Stand Fast." They fought hard for two hours. The Confederates tried to dislodge them with cannon fire. Finally, the Confederates tried a third flanking move. This caused some Union companies to break apart.
However, another Union officer, Colonel Charles Kittredge, brought up more troops. They used new, powerful rifles. Their heavy gunfire stopped the Confederate attack. The Confederates suffered serious losses. Seeing more Union troops arrive, General Marmaduke decided to retreat. He marched his forces south to join the main Confederate army.
Why did the Union change plans?
After the fighting, the rest of Steele's Union army crossed the river. They rested for a few days. Steele learned from wounded Confederates about the enemy's strength. He saw the strong Confederate defenses on the prairie.
On April 10, the Union army attacked the Confederate line. They pushed the Confederates back about a mile. The Confederates slowly retreated, planning to defend their capital at Washington. They hoped to get more soldiers from Shreveport.
The Union army was running low on food. They had marched on half-rations from Little Rock. They needed food for themselves and their animals. Steele also heard rumors that the other Union army, led by Banks, had been defeated.
Steele had not wanted to march into southwest Arkansas. He had been ordered to by General Ulysses S. Grant. Now, deep in enemy land, with little food and muddy roads, Steele was worried. If the rumors about Banks were true, Kirby Smith's Confederate army would be free to attack Steele with many more soldiers.
Steele decided to change his plan. He would turn his army east and go to Camden, Arkansas. He hoped to find supplies there. He also wanted to wait for news about Banks's army.
What happened next?
Steele sent one of his divisions to pretend to attack Washington. This was a trick to draw the Confederates into a fight. Meanwhile, the main Union force quickly moved east towards Camden. The Confederates soon realized the trick. They fought a small battle at Moscow, on the edge of the prairie.
Steele's main force entered Camden with little trouble. But they found very few supplies. They also learned that Banks had indeed been defeated.
The Union army then suffered more losses. Confederates attacked their supply wagons at Poison Springs and Marks Mills. Steele decided he had to retreat from south Arkansas to save his army. His army moved north from Camden on April 27. The Confederates chased them all the way to the Saline River. The campaign ended with the Battle of Jenkins' Ferry on April 29–30, 1864.
After the battle
The place where the Battle of Prairie D'Ane happened is now a historic site. It is called the Battle of Prairie D'Ane Historic Site. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is also part of the Camden Expedition Sites National Historic Landmark.
Protecting the battlefield
The American Battlefield Trust and its partners have worked to save parts of the battlefield. They have bought and protected 811 acres of the land where the battle took place.
