Union Espionage, Reconnaissance, and Impacts

Brig. Gen. Frederick Salomon

Brig. Gen. Francis J. Herron (USA)

The Union used spying, reconnaissance, screening and scouting prior to and during the Battle of Prairie Grove. In reports by Brigadier General James G. Blunt reconnaissance was used to get information about the enemy in terms of the enemy's numbers, supplies, or when the enemy was on the move. In Blunt’s after action report we can see his use of reconnaissance and even spying that was used in battles prior in Arkansas and in the Battle of Prairie Grove^[1]. In other after action reports by various soldiers in the Union army, there is also evidence of the use of reconnaissance, spying, and other forms of espionage. For example, in a supplemental report by Milton Byron Cochran he mentions how General Herron sent out “reconnoitering” parties to ascertain the position of the enemy and to see if they had gone into a position that would work to the benefit of the Union in the fight^[2]. There is another report by John M Richardson in the 14th cavalry of Missouri who mentions that the enemy had thought that they were a “reconnaissance party”^[3]. Examples such as these help to provide a glimpse into the use of reconnaissance within the Union military but also how it was used to prepare for battles such as Prairie Grove. 

Other methods of espionage used aside from spying and reconnaissance, were things such as scouting. One example of this is when Brig. Gen. James G. Blunt had ordered Brig. Gen. Frederick Salomon to send his “calvary and howitzers to the intersection of Bottom Road and Fayetteville” from then on they were to be used as scouts to watch the enemy’s movement on December 5th only days prior to Prairie Grove^[4]. In later events after Cane Hill the use of scouts and espionage can be seen in the build up to the Battle of Prairie Grove. On December 6th, a day before the Battle of Prairie Grove, General Herron had sent most of his calvary over to Blunt. This ended up being a poor decision, for he was unable to have the force needed to scout ahead and screen^[5]. On December 7th, Blunt had sent Col. John M. Richardson and his Fourteenth Missouri State militia cavalry along with Theodore Conkey’s company which were the Third Wisconsin cavalry to go and scout Cove Creek road for signs of the enemy^[6]. However, a union scouting party had been sent unbeknownst to Brig. Gen. Blunt and Col. John M. Richardson^[6].

Screening was also an important method used for gathering intelligence although there isn’t much mention of its use in either the after action reports or supplemental reports. There is mention of its lack of use with Union horsemen being unable to perform screening duties prior to the Battle of Prairie Grove, having arrived too late and were put to use in other fields^[7]. This is where the murky nature of  intelligence gathering can emerge with some details not being shared by those in history. However, there is knowledge that screening is something that was used prior to and during battles throughout the civil war and the same can be inferred for the Battle of Prairie Grove.

These brief examples on the uses of espionage tactics such as spying, reconnaissance, scouting, and screening provide great insight as to their incredible usefulness in the civil war and the Battle of Prairie Grove. Much of the information that was received through espionage was of vital importance to the Union side. Intelligence gathering helped in knowing the enemy’s movements, their location, or their tactics.