U.D.C. monument and park sign at the entrance to the Massard Prairie Battlefield Park in Fort Smith. |
A closer view of the plaque on the U.D.C. monument at Massard Prairie. The battlefield was preserved through a partnership between citizens, developers, industry and government. |
Looking west across the battlefield from the site of the camp mess of the Sixth Kansas Cavalry. Directly ahead, past the flagpole, was the position of Company D during the battle. |
Looking east from the site of the camp mess showing the position of the left flank of the Union line, which extended into what is now a residential area. |
A still visible open area on the battlefield was the site of the camp parade ground. As the Confederate attack hit the camp, the Federals briefly formed a line with two companies to the right of the parade ground and two to the left. |
Looking from the parade ground southeast to the general area of the camp mess. This was the approximate center of the Federal camp, where one prong of the Confederate attack broke through forcing the general retreat of the Union force. |
Looking southwest past the position of Company D, Sixth Kansas, to the site of the camp mess. Companies D and B, on the right flank of the Federal line, held their position against three distinct charges before realizing that the rest of the line had withdrawn. |
Looking southwest across the position of Company B, Sixth Kansas Cavalry. One arm of the Confederate attack came from straight ahead. Heavy fighting took place at this position, with Company B helping to repulse three charges by Gano's men. |
This is the view looking forward at the right flank of the Union line. The Confederates attacking at this point saw about this view as they rushed repeatedly against the Federals before finally forcing them to give way. |
Once their line collapsed, the Federals tried to retreat north across the open prairie. The move allowed the Confederates to put their superior strength to work, however, and resulted in the capture of more than half of the Union force. |