Synopses & Reviews
The 1862 battle of Pea Ridge in northwestern Arkansas was one of the largest Civil War engagements fought on the western frontier, and it dramatically altered the balance of power in the Trans-Mississippi. This study of the battle is based on research in archives from Connecticut to California and includes a pioneering study of the terrain of the sprawling battlefield, as well as an examination of soldiers' personal experiences, the use of Native American troops, and the role of Pea Ridge in regional folklore.
Review
A model campaign history that merits recognition as a major contribution to the literature on Civil War military operations.
Journal of Military History
Review
Shines welcome light on the war's largest battle west of the Mississippi.
USA Today
Review
Pea Ridge is destined to become a Civil War classic and a model for writing military history.
Civil War History
Review
A thoroughly researched and well-told account of an important but often neglected Civil War encounter.
Kirkus Reviews
Review
[A]ssured of a place among the best of all studies that have been published on Civil War campaigns.
American Historical Review
Synopsis
On 6-8 March 1862, one of the earliest pitched battles of the Civil War took place on a wintry field in northwestern Arkansas. Based on archival research, this study reveals how the battle of Pea Ridge dramatically altered the balance of power in the Trans-Mississippi in favor of the Federals, and also details the use of Native American troops. 43 illustrations; 18 maps.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. [387]-409) and index.
About the Author
William L. Shea, professor of history at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, is author of The Virginia Militia in the Seventeenth Century. Earl J. Hess is associate professor of history at Lincoln Memorial University. He is author of several books, including Lee's Tar Heels: The Pettigrew-Kirkland-MacRae Brigade and Pickett's ChargeThe Last Attack at Gettysburg. Earl J. Hess is associate professor of history at Lincoln Memorial University. He is author of several books, including Lee's Tar Heels: The Pettigrew-Kirkland-MacRae Brigade and Pickett's ChargeThe Last Attack at Gettysburg.
Table of Contents
Contents
Preface
1. Winter Campaign
2. Price's Running Stand
3. The Hunter and the Hunted
4. Rush to Glory
5. Death of a Texan
6. Battle in the Brush
7. A Battle Half Won
8. Clash in Cross Timber Hollow
9. Perseverance beside a Tavern
10. High Tide at Elkhorn
11. Soften the Heart
12. Thunder in the Ozarks
13. Victory and Defeat
14. The Vulture and the Wolf
15. Marching through Arkansas
Conclusion. A Military Analysis of Pea Ridge
Appendix 1. The Legacy of Pea Ridge
Appendix 2. Order of Battle
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Maps
1-1. Southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas
2-1. Springfield to Little Sugar Creek
2-2. Northwestern Arkansas
4-1. Bentonville: McIntosh Attempts to Intercept Sigel
5-1. Pea Ridge: Midday, March 7
5-2. Leetown: Osterhaus Engages McCulloch on Foster's Farm
5-3. Leetown: McCulloch and McIntosh Are Killed
6-1. Leetown: Hébert Advances against Davis
6-2. Leetown: Hébert Breaches the Federal Line
7-1. Leetown: The Federals Counterattack and the Confederates Withdraw
8-1. Elkhorn Tavern: Van Dorn and Carr Deploy
9-1. Elkhorn Tavern: Vandever Attacks Slack
9-2. Elkhorn Tavern: Carr Shortens His Line as Van Dorn Prepares to Attack
10-1. Elkhorn Tavern: Van Dorn Attacks and Carr Falls Back across Ruddick's Field
11-1. Pea Ridge: Night of March 7-8
12-1. Elkhorn Tavern: 9:00 A.M., March 8
12-2. Elkhorn Tavern: 10:00 A.M., March 8
15-1. March of the Army of the Southwest, February-July 1862
Illustrations
Samuel Ryan Curtis
Franz Sigel
Sterling Price
Benjamin McCulloch
Earl Van Dorn
Albert Pike
Elkhorn Tavern
Telegraph Road
Alexander Asboth
James McIntosh
The northern bluff of Little Sugar Creek, from Telegraph Road near the site of Trott's store
Remains of trenches the Federals constructed atop the northern bluff of Little Sugar Creek
Grenville M. Dodge
Peter J. Osterhaus
Foster's farm, looking northeast from the approximate location of Elbert's battery
Nicholas Greusel
Louis Héebert
Jefferson C. Davis
Morgan's woods, east of Leetown Road
Julius White
Oberson's field, looking northwest from the site of Davidson's battery
Eugene A. Carr
Tanyard Ravine, looking northward down the slope that forms the head of this ravine
Huntsville Road, looking west toward Elkhorn Tavern
Henry Little
Francis J. Herron, William Vandever, and William H. Coyl
Elkhorn Tavern, with the head of Tanyard Ravine to its rear and the eastern extremity of Big Mountain in the background
Hunt Wilson's painting of Guibor's battery in action against Carr's beleaguered Federals on the evening of March 7
Artillery pieces mark the location of Guibor's battery in front of Elkhorn Tavern on the evening of March 7
Clemon's field, looking east from Dodge's position
Hunt Wilson's painting of Pratt's store on the morning of March 8
An Artillery piece marking the location of Welfley's battery atop Welfley's Knoll
Welfley's Knoll, looking west from Telegraph Road across Ruddick's field
Hunt Wilson's painting of the Confederate army just before it began to retreat from the battlefield on March 8
Sandstone columns on the west face of the rocky promontory on Big Mountain
The battlefield of March 8, looking south from the rocky promontory on Big Mountain
The battlefield of March 8, looking southwest from the rocky promontory on Big Mountain
The battlefield of March 8, looking west from the rocky promontory on Big Mountain Cyrus Bussey
Frederick Steele
"Pioneers from Carr's Division, May 21, 1862," by Robert O. Sweeney
"Elkhorn Tavern, Battle Ground of Pea Ridge, Ark.," by Robert O. Sweeney
The 37th Illinois battling Hébert's brigade in Morgan's woods, March 7, 1862