Battle of Pea Ridge

Battle of Pea Ridge Elkhorn Tavern Began: March 6, 1862 Ended: March 8, 1862 Location: Benton County, Arkansas Theater: Trans-Mississippi Theater Campaign: Pea Ridge Campaign Outcome: Union Victory Combatants Army of the Southwest Army of the West Commanders Samuel R. Curtis Major General, USA Earl Van Dorn Major General, CSA Strength 10,500 16,000 Casualties 1,349 4,600

On the night of March 6, Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn set out to outflank the Union position near Pea Ridge, dividing his army into two columns. Learning of Van Dorn’s approach, the Federals marched north to meet his advance on March 7. This movement—compounded by the killing of two generals, Brig. Gen. Ben McCulloch and Brig. Gen. James McQueen McIntosh, and the capture of their ranking colonel—halted the Rebel attack. Van Dorn led a second column to meet the Federals in the Elkhorn Tavern and Tanyard area. By nightfall, the Confederates controlled Elkhorn Tavern and Telegraph Road. The next day, Maj. Gen. Samuel R. Curtis, having regrouped and consolidated his army, counterattacked near the tavern and, by successfully employing his artillery, slowly forced the Rebels back. Running short of ammunition, Van Dorn abandoned the battlefield. The Union controlled Missouri for the next two years. (NPS summary)

See also

• Albert Pike, leader of the Confederates in the battle