Skirmish at Terre Noire Creek facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Skirmish at Terre Noire Creek
Part of the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War
Date April 2, 1864 Location Clark County, Arkansas Result Union victory
Belligerents
United States	Confederate States
Commanders and leaders
Frederick Steele Samuel Allen Rice	Joseph O. Shelby William Lewis Cabell
Units involved
1st Brigade, Third Division, Department of Arkansas, except 33rd Iowa Infantry	Shelby’s Cavalry Brigade; Detachment of Cabell's Cavalry Brigade
Casualties and losses
8 killed, 23 wounded, 32 missing	Unknown killed and wounded

The Skirmish at Terre Noire Creek was a small battle during the American Civil War. It happened on April 2, 1864. This fight is also known as the Skirmish at Wolf Creek or Skirmish at Antoine. It was part of a bigger plan called the Camden Expedition.

The battle took place near Terre Noire Creek in Clark County, Arkansas. Confederate soldiers, led by Joseph O. Shelby, attacked a Union supply train. This train was carrying important supplies for Union Major General Frederick Steele's army. Steele's army was trying to reach Shreveport, Louisiana. They wanted to join another Union force there.

Union soldiers guarded the wagon train. These included the Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry, Fiftieth Indiana Infantry, and Ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Even though the Union soldiers won this small fight, it caused problems. Steele's army was delayed and had to change its route. They were already low on food and supplies. This skirmish made their journey even harder.

Why the Battle Happened

The Big Plan: Red River Campaign

In 1864, Ulysses S. Grant became the main general for the Union Army. He wanted all Union armies to attack the Confederates at the same time. This would keep the Confederate forces busy everywhere. One big plan was the Red River Campaign.

This campaign aimed to take control of western Louisiana and Texas. Union Major General Nathaniel P. Banks was in charge of this part of the plan. He wanted to capture Shreveport, Louisiana. Shreveport was a key Confederate supply center.

Steele's Role in the Plan

President Abraham Lincoln also supported this plan. He was worried about France's influence in Mexico. He thought controlling Texas would help. So, General Banks was supposed to move up the Red River. Union gunboats would support him.

General Frederick Steele was to lead a large Union force from Little Rock, Arkansas. His job was to meet Banks's army at Shreveport. This combined force would then move into Texas.

Challenges for Steele's Army

Steele did not think his part of the plan was a good idea. The roads in Arkansas were very wet and muddy. His army would struggle to get supplies. He also worried about Confederate attacks.

Despite his concerns, Steele received orders from General Grant. He had to cooperate with Banks and march to Shreveport. Steele left Little Rock on March 23, 1864. He had about 8,000 soldiers. Another 4,000 soldiers were supposed to join him later.

Confederate forces in Arkansas were ready for Steele. Major General Sterling Price commanded them. He had several cavalry brigades. These brigades were sent to stop Steele's advance.

The Skirmishes

Confederate Attack Plan

Steele's army moved slowly because of the rain. They reached Arkadelphia on March 29. Steele waited for more troops, but they did not arrive. Meanwhile, Confederate generals planned their attack.

Confederate Brigadier General Joseph O. Shelby left Camden, Arkansas to follow Steele. Other Confederate cavalry brigades, led by Colton Greene and William Lewis Cabell, moved to get in front of Steele. All these brigades were under John S. Marmaduke.

On April 1, Steele's army left Arkadelphia. They were heading toward the Little Missouri River. Marmaduke learned where Steele was. He ordered Shelby to attack the back of the Union column. Cabell was to attack the front. Greene would close in from the south.

The Fight at Terre Noire Creek

On April 2, Shelby's force attacked. About 1,200 Confederate cavalrymen hit the side and back of Steele's wagon train. This happened as the wagons crossed a tricky area near Terre Noire Creek.

The Union soldiers fought back hard. They managed to cross the creek. Then, they set up cannons and defensive lines. The Fiftieth Indiana Infantry pushed the Confederates back across the creek. Union Colonel Thomas Benton chased the Confederates to prevent another attack. His cannons caused many Confederate casualties.

While Benton fought, other Confederates attacked the wagon train three more times. The Fiftieth Indiana, led by Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Well, and Captain Martin Voegel's Wisconsin battery, held them off. Union Brigadier General Samuel Allen Rice was in charge. He said the fighting lasted from noon until evening. Protecting the long wagon train was very difficult.

A Confederate regiment from Cabell's brigade also attacked the front of the Union column. They fought at Terre Noire Creek before slowly retreating. Around 2:00 p.m., Steele changed his army's direction. They headed toward Okolona, Arkansas.

Later that day, four companies of the Ninth Wisconsin Infantry were attacked. They were protecting the rear of the Union column. The Fiftieth Indiana returned to help them. Skirmishing continued until dark. The Union train finally camped near Okolona around 10:00 p.m.

General Rice reported Union losses. Eight soldiers were killed, 23 were wounded, and 32 were missing. Confederate casualties were not reported.

What Happened Next

Delays and Retreat

The Confederate attacks caused major delays for Steele's army. They also forced him to change his route. This was a big problem because Steele's soldiers were on half-rations. They had very little food left. They needed supplies badly.

Steele had to detour east to Camden to get food. But the Confederates kept attacking his army along the way. There were more skirmishes and battles. These included fights at Okolona on April 3 and the Battle of Elkin's Ferry on April 3–4.

On April 9, more Union troops joined Steele. But they brought almost no food. Steele realized he could not stay in the area. He ordered supplies to be sent to him at Camden.

Camden and Further Battles

After the Battle of Prairie D'Ane, Steele's army moved toward Camden. The Confederates had left Camden, so Steele's army entered the town on April 15. However, they found very few supplies there.

Steele had to send out groups to find food. These groups were attacked by Confederates. The Union suffered heavy losses at the Battle of Poison Spring and the Battle of Marks' Mills.

Confederate troops from Louisiana also began to arrive. They had defeated General Banks's army. Steele learned about Banks's defeat. He also knew more Confederate soldiers were coming.

So, Steele's army left Camden on April 27, 1864. They retreated back to Little Rock. They fought off pursuing Confederates at the Battle of Jenkins' Ferry on April 30. Steele's force finally reached Little Rock on May 3, 1864. The campaign had been costly for the Union. They had many casualties and did not achieve their main goal.