Battle of Chalk Bluff

Battle of Chalk Bluff Began: May 1, 1863 Ended: May 2, 1863 Location: Clay County, Arkansas Theater: Trans-Mississippi Theater Campaign: Marmaduke’s Second Expedition into Missouri Outcome: Confederate victory (tactical) Union victory (strategic) Combatants 2nd Division, Army of the Frontier Force under command of Brig. Gen. John McNeil Marmaduke's cavalry division Commanders William Vandever Brigadier General, USA John S. Marmaduke Brigadier General, CSA Strength 2,000 Casualties 120 Killed: 23 Wounded: 44 Missing/captured: 53 210 Killed: 30 Wounded: 60 Missing/captured: 120

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Union Brig. Gen. William Vandever pursued Brig. Gen. John S. Marmaduke to Chalk Bluff, where the Confederates hoped to cross the St. Francis River. To ford the river, Marmaduke established a rearguard that received heavy punishment on May 1–2. Although most of Marmaduke’s raiders crossed the St. Francis River, they suffered heavy casualties and therefore ended the expedition.