Browse Exhibits (14 total)

Union Recruitment, Organization, Arms, Supply in the Trans-Mississippi West, 1862

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This exhibit provides insight into Union Recruitment, Organization, Arms, Supply in the Trans-Mississippi West, in 1862.

The Union war effort relied on multiple factors. Union Recruitment, Organization, Arms, and Supply in the Trans-Mississippi West in 1862 all played a role to create an effective power offering advantages over the Confederacy that helped to result in victories such as Prairie Grove. Through the clear advantages in man power, weapon power and supply, along with the help of Organization, the Union could stay in the war longer and be more effective with their campaigns and battles.

Combat and Tactics of the USA

The Battle of Prairie Grove is one historical event with many twists and turns. While researching the tactics and combat of the USA, we constantly changed our position and/or ideas of how this battle ended and how it should have ended. Within this exhibit, you will see and view the time, the power, and the knowledge that came with and was put into the Union's fight during Battle of Prairie Grove. We believe the battle was a tactical and mostly equal duel, where both sides wanted to one up the other and gain the high ground, but here is where General Blunt chose to put his foot forward and think intelligentlly for himself, his army, and for the Union. This will be the first thing you see; General Blunt and his mindset (aka his tactics). What was he thinking? Why did he pull the moves and tactics he did? How did the combat of the Union affect the battle? What role did supporting troops play? 

Written By: Entire Group

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Confederate Recruitment, Organization, Arms, Supply in the Trans-Mississippi West, 1862

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This particular exhibit will focus on the Confederate Recruitment, Organization, Arms, and Supply in the Trans-Mississippi West. Readers will discover how Confederate General Thomas C. Hindman was able to recruit men into the army and how he organized them into many different regiments, once the soldiers were enrolled. This exhibit will also touch on the many different weapons and artillery the Confederate side used during the battle of Prairie Grove and how the Confederates were able to establish supply lines in the Trans-Mississippi West. 

Consequences and Controversies

Prairie Grove inflicted large casualties, was indecisive, and bedeviled by confusion on the field. These and other factors led to controversies on both sides. Union General John Schofield's jealousy, and Confederate General Thomas Hindman's questionable generalship, led to controversy in their respective campaigns, and the large casualty count altered the future of the Arkansas campaign: though the confederacy retreated, the Union brigades had significant recuperation to do before continuing southward towards Van Buren, and the uncertain outcome at Prairie Grove led to further skirmishes along the road in the weeks to come.

Example Exhibit

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Infantry, Artillery, and Cavalry Arms and Tactics

    The Battle of Prairie Grove stands as a testament to the impact of infantry, cavalry, and artillery during the Civil War, showcasing how the tactical deployment and coordination of these three branches of military forces profoundly influenced the outcome of the battle. 

    This exhibit will focus on different aspects of the Battle of Prairie Grove and how these aspects impacted the outcome of the battle. First, the infantry impacted the battle, then artillery, as well as cavalry arms. Then how both sides approached the battle from a tactical point of view.

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Leadership Assessment: Case Studies of Field Officers in Command

Field Grade officers are between the rank of O4 and O6; otherwise known as Majors, Lieutenant Colonels, and Colonels.  In some occurrences, chief warrant officers 3 and 4 (CW3 & CW4) fulfill the position of field grade officers as well.  Although the Army and Marines refer to this group by the name of field officers, the Navy and Coast Guard prefer to label this group as senior officers instead.  While these two titles are similar, the term field officer is usually used to describe any officer who holds command of a theater on land.  Meaning, they are in charge of units that are capable of operating independently.  This is why Field officers are typically seen in charge of brigades, infantry battalions, artillery and/or cavalry batteries, etc.

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Loyalty, Unionist v. Confederate Civilians, Guerrillas

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This exhibit analyzes the role that Unionist and Confederate civilians played during the Battle of Prairie Grove. It focuses on life for innocent individuals during the battle and life after the battle with eye witness recollections. It also dives into civillian guerrillas from the North and South that aided troops in battle as well as their role of events that occured after the battle and their impact on other civilians living in the area. The fighting costed the neighboring civilians their homes, relatives, and impacted their lives for weeks following which played a key factor in their loyalty for which armies they supported. Throughout the battle, several important homes and civilian landmarks were used to guide the firefight and how far it reached. It also explains what they were used for and what occured to them to cause problems for the local land owners the nights after.

Native American & African American Soldiers in the Prairie Grove Campaign

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This exhibit focuses on Native and African Americans and their pivatol role, impact, and how they helped to shape the Civil War and the battle at Prairie Grove. 

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Prairie Grove by the Numbers

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This section will provide insight into the troop numbers relating to the battle.

The Battle of Prairie Grove is not often discussed in conversations about the Civil War. As will soon be explored, Prairie Grove didn’t see the deployment of very many troops by either the Union or the Confederacy, and consequently, didn’t see very many casualties, especially compared to the more well-known Civil War battles. During the Battle of Prairie Grove, the strategies and tactics used by the armies of the Union and the Confederacy were shaped by their different, and occasionally incorrect information about each other’s troop counts.

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Reconnaissance, Scouting, Screening and Spying in the Battle of Prairie Grove

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This exhibit provides insight into how reconnaissance, spying, screening, and scouting were used prior to the Battle of Prairie Grove, during, and also after. 

Reconnaissance, scouting, screening, and spying played an integral role in the Battle of Prairie Grove in terms of understanding how many men both sides, the activities/movements they were making, and the resources they had. However, details such as who, when, and where can at times become murky especially in regard to espionage tactics. There is also evidence that such tactics were also used in battles prior to the Battle of Prairie Grove, such as Cane Hill, where a battle between the Union and Confederate soldiers took place. Through various after action reports and supplemental reports an important glimpse is given on the incredible use of espionage and intelligence gathering.



Introduction By: Kristen Gilchrist

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The Battle of Prairie Grove, December 7, CSA combat & tactics

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The Battle of Prairie Grove is a lesser-known battle that took place in the context of the Trans-Mississippi theatre of battle of the American Civil War. Confederate forces were focusing on the territories of Arkansas and Missouri, and the battle of Prairie Grove was a part of the Confederate forces trying to make up for their loss at Pea Ridge. In this exhibit, we take a look at the causes of this battle, as well as the physical and strategic combat tactics of the Confederate army implemented by their leading general, Thomas Hindman. We also look at the aftermath of the battle and analyze the strengths and weaknesses within the Confederacy that led to their defeat at the Battle of Prairie Grove. 

The Common Solider at Prairie Grove

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The common Soldier in many wars gets overlooked in favor of their grandiouse leaders. The American Civil war is no different. Even Prarie grove, most of the reserch that has been done on the battle has been about the overall battle or the decisions of the leaders. This page is something of a remedy of that, to make sure that this site as a whole does not ignore the experinces of the ordinary soldiers in the story that it tells.

The Common soldier's perspectives and their lives are very important to both Prarie Grove and to the larger war however. Notably, it can show us the bloodshed and violence that was a looming precence over both Prarie Grove and the Civl war. The weapons and the point of views of the soldiers all illistrate bloody reality, and the lives they lived before the battle can offer both a stark contrast to the battle, and an insight on why soldiers were willing to endure the bloodshed of war. 

All in all the lives of the common soldier illuminate the loss and bloodshed present in the civil war, and definitely Prarie Grove. It may not be able to definitively tell us why the battle ended the way it did. What the life of the common soldier can help us understand is why certain decisions were made, and how the experinces of the common soldier effected the battle. 

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The Impact of the Battle of Prairie Grove on the USA and CSA Conduct of the War after December 1862

Thesis: The Battle of Prarie Grove had lasting impacts on multiple militaristic facets of the war for the USA, the conduct of the CSA, and also the civilian population around the area.

Impact on the USA

The lasting impacts that the battle had on the USA are found in the lives of the soldiers the lives of the commanders and how this battle was pivotal for the Union strategy going into 1863.

During this battle soldiers saw horrible sights and experienced tremendous amounts of blood and violence which impacted many of them for the rest of their lives.

Both General Blunt and Herron were celebrated after the battle and were recommended for promotions by General Curtis which led them to further glory.

Winning this battle led to the collapse of Confederate counter-offensives in the region which was a promising sign for 1863.

CSA Conduct After Battle

Following the withdrawal of Hindman's army, some Confederate soldiers engaged in conduct that was both harmful and disruptive to the civilians of the state of Missouri.

Non-combatant individuals were hurt, and killed by these soldiers. Bridges were burned and destroyed. Houses were also shot into.

The treatment of the fallen by the CSA was also questionable, bodies were piled on top of each other in a not-so-pleasant burial and memorial service.

Legacy of the Battle to Local Civilians

The Battle of Prairie Grove left a haunting legacy on those who lived through it.

Julia West Pyeatt's recollections reflect a sense of survival and modesty, finding safety in the midst of the chaos, yet haunted by the constant presence of wounded soldiers in their home.

Caldonia Ann Borden Brandenburg's memories are filled with fear, loss, and bitterness toward the North, as their house was burned down, possessions seized, and their lives disrupted by the destruction caused by both armies.

For Nancy Morton Staples, the legacy is one of profound horror and trauma, witnessing her father's torture by southern robbers, leaving an indelible mark of fear, loss, and deep aversion to the brutality of war on their family.

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