Battle of Pea Ridge

Battle of Pea Ridge

Preserving Missouri's allegiance to the Union was a paramount objective of the Confederate government during the early stages of the Civil War. This goal motivated the Battle of Wilson's Creek near Springfield, Missouri, in August 1861, and was a significant factor leading to the Battle of Pea Ridge in March 1862.

To achieve this objective, Brig. Gen. Samuel R. Curtis was appointed to command the Federal Southwestern District of Missouri. His primary mission was to expel Confederate forces from the state. By mid-February 1862, Curtis and his troops had successfully pursued their main adversaries, Maj. Gen. Sterling Price and the pro-Confederate Missouri State Guard, into Arkansas.

In the Boston Mountains south of Fayetteville, Price allied with Brig. Gen. Ben McCulloch, forming a combined army of 16,000 men under the command of Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn. On March 4, this force advanced northward to penetrate Missouri and seize St. Louis. However, 10,500 Federal troops were entrenched along the bluffs above Little Sugar Creek, near Elkhorn Tavern and Elkhorn Mountain, part of the larger Pea Ridge plateau.

Understanding that a direct assault on Curtis's well-fortified positions would likely result in disaster, Van Dorn maneuvered northward to flank the Federals. He planned to launch his attack at dawn on March 7, but his troops, fatigued and poorly equipped after a grueling three-day march, fell behind schedule. McCulloch's forces lagged significantly, temporarily prompting Van Dorn to divide his army. He ordered McCulloch to maneuver around Elkhorn Mountain's west end and then turn east along Ford Road to rejoin Price’s troops near Elkhorn Tavern. These delays afforded Curtis valuable time to reposition and prepare his defenses.

McCulloch's men, including two regiments of Cherokee Indians led by Brig. Gen. Albert Pike executed this maneuver and encountered intense fire near Leetown. This engagement resulted in the deaths of McCulloch and Brig. Gen. James McIntosh, along with the capture of the ranking colonel, effectively dismantled their command structure and caused McCulloch's forces to scatter.

Meanwhile, Van Dorn and Price launched an attack east of Elkhorn Mountain, where Price’s Missourians gradually forced the Federals back. By nightfall, they secured Elkhorn Tavern and the vital Telegraph and Huntsville roads. During the night, the survivors of McCulloch's skirmish at Leetown joined their ranks.

On the morning of March 8, Curtis launched a counterattack in the tavern area. A sustained two-hour artillery barrage severely weakened the Confederate line, followed by a coordinated infantry assault that shattered their defenses. Recognizing that his ammunition was dwindling, Van Dorn ordered a retreat. The Battle of Pea Ridge concluded with a Union victory, and most of the troops from both sides subsequently moved east of the Mississippi to engage in other campaigns. Throughout the war, Missouri remained aligned with the Union while maintaining a politically neutral stance, although it supplied troops and resources to both factions.