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PEA RIDGE

In Northwest Arkansas near the Missouri border is Pea Ridge National Military Park, located on Highway 62 east of Pea Ridge. This battle on March 7-8, 1862, was one of the largest fought west of the Mississippi River. Nearly 26,000 soldiers fought to determine whether Missouri would remain under Union control, and whether or not Union armies could continue their offensive south through the Mississippi River Valley. General Van Dorn led 16,000 Confederates against 10,250 Union soldiers, under the command of General Curtis. The South's forces consisted of regular Confederate troops, Missouri State Guard Forces, and about 800 Cherokees. The Union army consisted of soldiers from Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Ohio, about half of which were German immigrants. The reconstructed Elkhorn Tavern is on the site of bitter fighting on both days. The park is one of the most well preserved battlefields in the United States.

About an hour or so south of here, southwest of Fayetteville is Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park which saw heavy fighting in the December 7, 1862, Battle of Prairie Grove that effectively removed northwest Arkansas as a route for Confederate troops to use to invade Missouri. The city of Fayetteville also has the Fayetteville Confederate Cemetery on Rock Street atop East Mountain and Fayetteville National Cemetery at 700 Government Avenue.