The Battle of Massard Prairie, Arkansas
Massard Prairie Battlefield Park - Fort Smith, Arkansas
Massard Prairie Battlefield Park is located near the intersection of Red Pine and Morgans Way in Fort
Smith, Arkansas. To reach the battlefield, take Geren off Highway 45 in southeast Fort Smith and then turn
right on Red Pine. Red Pine ends at its intersection with Morgans Way. The battlefield is to the right.
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.
Battlefield Tour
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that the rest of the line had withdrawn.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.
Battle of Massard Prairie Main Page