The Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas

Today is the 146th anniversary of the Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas.

Sometimes called the Battle of Elkhorn Tavern, this massive engagement was found in Northwest Arkansas on March 7-8, 1862 between the Confederate army of Gen. Earl Van Dorn and the Union army of Gen. Samuel Curtis.

The battle raged over thousands of acres for two days before a Union attack finally forced a Confederate retreat. One of the largest Civil War battles fought west of the Mississippi River and also one of the largest battles of the war, Pea Ridge is generally credited with preserving the state of Missouri for the Union. It also opened the door for further Union invasion of Arkansas.

To read more about the Battle of Pea Ridge, please visit our section on Pea Ridge National Military Park at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/pearidgeindex. We also are beginning a series on the battle today at our sister blog, Arkansas in the Civil War.