Prairie D'Ane, AR

Date(s): April 9-13, 1864

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: Maj. Gen. Sterling Price

Principal Forces:

• Union: Department of Arkansas

• Confederate: District of Arkansas

Description:

• On April 10, Maj. Gen. Frederick Steele’s Union forces, combined with Brig. Gen. John M. Thayer’s division, marched south from the Cornelius Farm.

• They soon encountered a Confederate line of battle at Prairie D’Ane and attacked, driving it back about a mile before being checked.

• Skirmishing continued throughout the afternoon of April 11, forcing Steele to divert line of march forces away from Shreveport toward Camden.

• Maj. Gen. Sterling Price’s Confederates returned to Prairie D’Ane on April 13, falling upon Steele’s rearguard under Thayer.

• After a four-hour battle, Price disengaged, and Steele’s column continued to Camden, occupying the city.

Slide Presentation¹: Camden Expedition, AR

Classification²: B

Casualties³: Unknown

• Union:

• Confederate:

Results: Union Victory

Battlefield Website:

• The Camden Expedition in Arkansas - Civilwar.org

Recommended Resources:

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

² 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

³ Casualties are someone killed, injured, wounded, captured or missing.