Jenkins' Ferry, AR

Date(s): April 30, 1864

Location: Please click on link below for map.

Campaign(s): Camden Expedition [1864]

Battles in Campaign:

• Elkin's Ferry, AR - April 3-4, 1864 C

• Prairie D'Ane, AR - April 9-13, 1864 B

• Poison Spring, AR - April 18, 1864 C

• Marks' Mills, AR - April 25, 1864 D

• Jenkins' Ferry, AR - April 30, 1864 C

Situation:

• The Camden Expedition (March 23–May 2, 1864) was a military campaign in southern and central Arkansas.

• It involved Union forces stationed at Little Rock and Fort Smith under the command of Major General Frederick Steele.

• The plan called for Steele's force to march to Shreveport, Louisiana, where it would link up with an amphibious expedition led by Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks and Rear Admiral David D. Porter, whose force was to advance up the Red River Valley; once joined, the Union force was to strike into Texas.

Commanders:

• Union: Maj. Gen. Frederick Steele

• Confederate: Gen. E. Kirby Smith

Principal Forces:

• Union: Department of Arkansas

• Confederate: Army of Arkansas

Description:

• Maj. Gen. Fred Steele’s forces retreated from Camden after being mauled at Marks’ Mills and Poison Spring.

• On the afternoon of April 29, the Union forces reached Jenkins’ Ferry and began crossing the Saline River, which was swollen by heavy rain.

• Confederate forces arrived on the 30th and attacked repeatedly.

• The Federals repulsed the attacks and finally crossed with all their men and supply wagons, many of which they were compelled to abandon in the swamp north of Saline.

• The Confederates bungled a good chance to destroy Steele’s army, which after crossing the river, regrouped at Little Rock

Photo Gallery:¹

Description of the Battle of Jenkins' Ferry	Description of the Battle of Jenkins' Ferry	Saline River	Saline River
Saline River	Confederate Monument

 

Slide Presentation²: Camden Expedition, AR

Classification³: C

Casualties⁴:

• Union: 521

• Confederate: 443

Results: Union Victory

Battlefield Website:

• The Camden Expedition in Arkansas - Civilwar.org

Recommended Resources:

---

¹ Please click on the image to enlarge it. You may copy the images if you include the following note and link with each image: "Courtesy of civil-war-journeys.org."

² Slide Presentation Updated on 1/31/07. Click on link to view as web-based slide show.

³ Classification:

• A - having a decisive influence on a campaign and a direct impact on the course of the war

• B - having a direct and decisive influence on their campaign

• C - having observable influence on the outcome of a campaign

• D - having a limited influence on the outcome of their campaign or operation but achieving or affecting important local objectives

⁴ Casualties are someone killed, injured, wounded, captured or missing.

Revised 01/02/2009