Battle of Bayou Fourche

Location: Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas

Date: 10 September 1863

Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. John W. Davidson [US]; Brig. Gen. John S. Marmaduke [CS]

Forces Engaged: Cavalry Division, Army of Arkansas, Arkansas Expedition [US]; District of Arkansas [CS]

Estimated Casualties: Total unknown (US 72; CS unknown)

Description: On September 10, 1863, Maj. Gen. Fred Steele, Army of Arkansas commander, sent Brig. Gen. John W. Davidson’s cavalry division across the Arkansas River to move on Little Rock, while he took other troops to attack Confederates entrenched on the north side. In his thrust toward Little Rock, Davidson ran into Confederate troops at Bayou Fourche. Aided by Union artillery fire from the north side of the river, Davidson forced them out of their position and sent them fleeing back to Little Rock, which fell to Union troops that evening. Bayou Fourche sealed Little Rock’s fate. The fall of Little Rock further helped to contain the Confederate Trans-Mississippi theater, isolating it from the rest of the South. The Battle of Bayou Fourche was not the most important battle in Arkansas, but it was a major victory for the Union. By taking Little Rock, the North had control of most of Northern Arkansas and cut off a majority of the railroads, limiting supplies the the Confederates further South.

Result(s): Union victory.

Partial List of Units Involved:

CSA
27th Arkansas Infantry Regiment

USA
2nd Missouri Light Artillery Regiment, Battery K
2nd Missouri Light Artillery Regiment, Battery M
2nd Missouri Light Artillery Regiment, Landgraeferer's Battery Horse Artillery