Gallery: Battle of Prairie Grove
Thomas Hindman
Confederate General Thomas C. Hindman assumed command of the Trans-Mississippi District (Arkansas, Missouri, and the Indian Territory) on May 31, 1862. He intended to reestablish a viable Confederate presence in the region—a daunting task after the Confederate defeat at Pea Ridge, considering that General Earl Van Dorn’s beaten army had withdrawn to the east side of the Mississippi and Union General Samuel R. Curtis’ army had marched through northern Arkansas.
Hindman declared martial law throughout the district and immediately began issuing orders. The new commander burned cotton to keep it from the Federals, established facilities to produce military goods, enforced the Conscription Act, dismissed incompetent officers, and recruited partisan fighters. Despite public opposition, Hindman continued his successful methods.
Hindman’s accomplishments were impressive. “His genius was especially administrative,” remarked a Confederate officer. “Nothing escaped his vigilance and his energy. Resources, arms, supplies and army sprang into being almost by the magic of his will.” In a matter of a few weeks, Hindman created an army and supply system practically from scratch.
Many well-to-do Arkansans complained to President Jefferson Davis, but he rejected their demands that Hindman be removed. Davis did decide to place Hindman under the command of a less controversial commander, and chose Major General Theophilus H. Holmes, a classmate from West Point.
In December 1862, Hindman saw an opportunity for his army to crush a Union force under the command of General James Blunt in northwest Arkansas. Blunt had pursued the forces of General John Marmaduke after a victory at Cane Hill, Arkansas; in the process he had isolated his division by more than 100 miles from his supporting units.
Hindman’s plans were foiled by the efforts of the 2nd and 3rd Divisions of the Army of the Frontier under the command of General Francis Herron. Herron marched his men more than 100 miles in three and a half days, and on December 7 attacked Hindman’s army at Prairie Grove, outside Fayetteville. After furious fighting, when it seemed as though Herron might be overwhelmed, Blunt arrived on the field. The battle ended as a tactical draw, but Hindman withdrew south to Van Buren.
Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 31880
