Archives

Arkansas’ Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park is nationally recognized as one of America’s most intact Civil War battlefields. Step back in time with a visit and tour of the site of northwest Arkansas last major Civil War battle.

The Battle of Prairie Grove was fought on December 7th, 1862, between the Confederate Army of the Trans-Mississippi and the Union Army of the Frontier. The Confederates hoped to stop the Union’s Southern advance, with Fort Smith at stake.

Both forces were relatively equal and the battle, which saw fierce fighting and over 2,700 casualties, ended in a tactical draw. It was a strategic victory for the Union, however, who commanded the field after the smoke cleared. Confederate hopes for securing northwest Arkansas declined thereafter.