Battle overview - CSA

The Battle of Praire grove, which took place December 7, 1862, which was during the Civil war between the Tran-Mississippi Confederates led by Thomas C. Hindman and The Union army led by General Francis Herron and James Blunt before they joined forces. Hindman placed his army between between two of the union divisons eventually attacking Herrons troops first with his cavalary. However, Herrons infantry pushed Hindman back. Then Hindman established his Army on a high ridge northeast of Praire Grove Church. Herron eventually brought his artillery over the Illinois River and had a battle of artilleries. The Union army tried to take the ridge but was held off twice. The Confederates counterattacked, but were repulsed by Union Canisters. Just when it looked like the Confederate's just might win the battle, Blunt's men arrived on the Confederate's left flank. When night came along, neither side had truly won, yet Hindman and his men retreated back to Van Buren.

Hindman decided to attack Herron and defeat him before Blunt could arrive. Herron moved his forces onto a horshoe shape type hill on the Illinois River, which is called Praire Grove. Eventually Blunt's reinforcements arrived and replused Hindman. The casualties were about even for both sides about a 13,000 each. At the end of the battle, the Union was considered the winner of the battle of Praire Grove. The Union was the winner due to their numbers and reinforments, unlike Hindman who really did not have much reinforments, just his own divisions.

The Battle of Praire grove gave the Union control of northwest Arkansas. Herron and Blunt defeated Hindman with sheer force, and numbers, with both sides taking large casualties. Hindman retreated back to Van buren and Fort Smith with fewer than 5,000 men. This resulted in a poor loss for the Confederates, which helped the Union push back the confederates even more and making their territory smaller. Herron and Blunt used good war tactics and strategies to win the battle. The Battle of Praire Grove may not be the most known battle, but it was surely a battle of significance.

1.) Community and conflict " archive " Battle of prairie grove. Community and Conflict RSS. (n.d.). https://ozarkscivilwar.org/archives/342

2.) War of the rebellion: Serial 032 page 0138 Mo.,ark., Kans., ind.. T., and Dept. N. W. Chapter XXXIV. eHistory. (n.d.). https://ehistory.osu.edu/books/official-records/032/0138

3.) A&E Television Networks. (n.d.). Battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas. History.com. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-of-prairie-grove-arkansas

4. Prairie Grove - December 7, 1862. American Battlefield Trust. (n.d.-a). https://www.battlefields.org/learn/maps/prairie-grove-december-7-1862?ms=googlepaid&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA9ourBhAVEiwA3L5RFk4qKWsSfEIWqWOX_5BTKOE8XCD1zBIlfzEa64Y6r_JN5zJpCNC6hBoCOMsQAvD_BwE