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Wednesday, December 7, 2011

7 December 1862: Sunday: Battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas

Confederacy - Government
President Davis, worried about Vicksburg, wires General Pemberton at Grenada, Mississippi: "Are you in communication with General J. E. Johnston. Hope you will be re-inforced in time."

The Confederate Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana is organized with Major Generals Van Dorn and Price commanding the First and Second Corps.

Confederacy - Military
Arkansas

In a confusing battle at Prairie Grove, about 12 miles southwest of Fayetteville on Illinois Creek, Confederates under Thomas C. Hundman attack Union forces under James Blunt and Francis J. Herron.

Herron had been ordered to Blunt's support. Hindman, advancing from Van Buren, Arkansas, attempted to defeat the two Union units seperately, but they managed to join after a hard march by Herron's men from Wilson's Creek, Missouri.

The Confederates held their position but bitter winter weather forced them to withdraw during the night. Union troops maintained control of northwest Arkansas.

Casualties
Union

175 killed
813 wounded
263 missing
1251 casualties out of 10,000 troops

Confederate troops
164 killed
817 wounded
336 missing
1317 casualties out of 10,000 troops

Texas
There is a skirmish at Padre Island.

Tennessee
John Hunt Morgan, with about 1,400 men, surprise and capture a Union garrison at Hartsville. Colonel A. B. Moore loses 2,096 men, about 1,800 of whom were taken prisoner.




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Bibliography
The Civil War Day By Day: An Almanac 1861-1865. E.B. Long with Barbara Long, De Capo, 1971

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