The April 29th Daily Dunklin Democrat had an article about the 145th anniversary of this battle which was to be marked by a re-enactment at the Chalk Bluff Battlefield Park, located a little Piggott, Arkansas.
It was hosted by the Northeast Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail Committee and the Col. Robert G. Shaver Camp 1655 SCV and General James F. Fagan Chapter 280 MOSB.
Six cannons were scheduled along with artillery, infantry, cavalry and civilian re-enactors.
THE BATTLE OF CHALK BLUFF
From Wikipedia
The battle took place May 1st and 2nd, 1863 and was a Confederate tactical victory despite heavier losses.
General John S. Marmaduke's cavalry division fought the second division of the Army of the Frontier. Marmaduke's 5000 troops left Arkansas bound for southeast Missouri in the spring of 1863, but lost at the Battle of Cape Giradeau on April 26th.
They retreated to Chalk Bluff, Arkansas where they planned to cross the St. Francis River. A rear guard was set up on Gravel Hill while a bridge was constructed. Confederates suffered heavier casualties, but delayed the Union force long enough for the bridge to be completed and Marmaduke to escape.
The town of Chalk Bluff no longer exists.
Losses:
US- 23 killed. 44 wounded, and 53 captured
CS- 30 killed, 60 wounded, and 120 missing
Never Heard of This Battle Before. --Old B-Runner
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
