Sunday, November 30, 2008

Battle of Prairie Grove Events set for Next Weekend


Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park in Northwest Arkansas is planning a full slate of events next weekend to commemorate the 146th anniversary of the Battle of Prairie Grove and the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the battlefield park.
Prairie Grove Battlefield is located in the town of Prairie Grove just southwest of Fayetteville and the Northwest Arkansas metro area.
The battle was one of the most significant of the Civil War and one of the bloodiest of the war in the Trans-Mississippi. Tens of thousands of Union and Confederate troops battled for control of the ridge at Prairie Gove in an all-day battle in 1862. Although the fighting ended in a tactical draw, Confederate forces withdrew during the night leaving Northwest Arkansas in the hands of the Union.
The battlefield park today is one of the most beautifully preserved in the nation. Walking trails and a driving tour take visitors through the areas of heaviest fighting and past numerous preserved landmarks, including the historic Borden House seen here. Some of the heaviest and bloodiest fighting of the day took place in the yards and orchards around the house site.
If you would like to learn more about next weekend's events, which include the unveiling of a new painting of the battle, large-scale reenactments, living history demonstrations and more, please visit http://civilwararkansas.blogspot.com. The site will offer detailed information on plans for next weekend through the coming week.
You can also read more about the Battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas by visiting www.exploresouthernhistory.com/ArkansasPG1.

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