Battle of Fort Smith
Part of the American Civil War

Commissary building of Fort Smith
DateJuly 31, 1864 (1864-07-31)
Location
Sebastian County, Arkansas
Result Union victory
Belligerents
 United States (Union)  Confederate States
Commanders and leaders
United States John M. Thayer Confederate States of America Douglas H. Cooper
Units involved
District of the Frontier District of the Indian Territory
Strength
3 brigades 2 brigades
Casualties and losses
4 killed
6 wounded
11 captured		 2 killed
4 wounded

The Battle of Fort Smith was a battle fought on July 31, 1864 in Sebastian County, Arkansas during the American Civil War.

Background

In the wake of the failed Camden Expedition, areas of Arkansas lay prone to cavalry raids against Union outposts.[1] One such raid occurred at Massard Prairie on July 27, 1864 where Confederate forces under Brigadier-General Richard M. Gano won a victory, encouraging further engagement.[2]

Opposing Forces

Union

  • District of the Frontier – BG John M. Thayer
    • 1st Brigade – Col John Edwards
    • 2nd Brigade – Col James M. Williams
    • 3rd Brigade – Col William R. Judson

Confederate

  • District of the Indian Territory – BG Douglas H. Cooper
    • 5th Texas Cavalry Brigade – BG Richard M. Gano
    • First Indian Brigade – BG Stand Watie

Battle

Several days later Gano's superior, Brigadier-General Douglas H. Cooper, led a Confederate division several miles north to Fort Smith. Cooper's force consisted of Gano's brigade and Brigadier-General Stand Watie's brigade. Gano took position along the Indian Territory side of the Poteau River while Watie moved up from the south on the Arkansas side. Brigadier-General John M. Thayer commanded the town's defenses with three brigades. Watie's men made first contact with the 6th Kansas Cavalry of Colonel William R. Judson's brigade. Judson's men fell back from Fort No. 2 along the Texas Road, alerting the rest of the Union garrison of the Confederate arrival.[3] Cooper's men began to shell the fort. Thayer responded by sending forward units from Colonel James M. Williams' brigade, including the 6th Kansas Colored Infantry and two howitzers from the 2nd Kansas Battery. The Union artillery proved superior and soon drove off the Confederates.[3] Cooper ordered a withdrawal, leaving snipers behind to cover the retreat.[4]

Aftermath

Cooper took with him approximately $130,000 worth of Union arms and supplies.[4] Thayer maintained control of Fort Smith for the duration of the war. Fort Smith is preserved within Fort Smith National Historic Site.

See also


References

  1. ↑ Civil War Timeline – Encyclopedia of Arkansas
  2. ↑ Civil War at Fort Smith AR
  3. 1 2 Action at Fort Smith
  4. 1 2 Battle of Fort Smith, Arkansas

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