Historians commemorate Battle of Pea Ridge

It was a cold and snowy day 150 years ago when Yankee soldiers burned much of what is now downtown Bentonville following two intense days of fighting with Confederate troops on the outskirts of town.

Several thousand residents including 2,000 students from Bentonville Schools got a taste of that historical event Friday morning (March 9) as Civil War historians kicked off the sesquicentennial celebration that will last through Sunday.

March 6, 1862
Mattie Blalock of Fort Smith and Dora Maude of Madison County were worried something awful might happen as their husbands had been called up to fight for the cause.

“We had been hearing since August the Yankees were closing in and our boys just had to go push them back” Blalock said. “

She said the Yankee troops had been camped on the outskirts of town, but General Franz Sigel was seen in the Eagle Hotel just off the square having breakfast early this morning.

“He was told our boys were on the way,” Blalock said. “I do hope our boys are okay.”

General Sigel did not want to tear himself away from the hotel, but his messenger insisted it was time to move as Confederate infantry was advancing.

General Sigel grabbed his binoculars to see what is a line of Confederate soldiers marching shoulder-to-shoulder in the winter snow.

Cannons could be heard in the distance as a hungry, cold and tired Confederate infantry made its way into town.

Sigel’s soldiers advanced but after several rounds of gunfire the Union forces withdrew.

Two days of fighting ensued at what is now the historic Pea Ridge Battlefield where 26,000 soldiers fought for the fate of Missouri and West.

This weekend the 4,300-acre national military park honors those who fought for their beliefs. Pea Ridge was noted as one of the most pivotal Civil War battles. The public is invited to attend the re-enactment festivities and memorial service.

Commemorative Events

When: Saturday and Sunday, March 9-10
Time: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Pea Ridge National Military Park, 15930 Arkansas 62 East, Garfield, Ark.