The Battle of Helena

The Battle of Helena Arkansas seems to take a backseat compared to other battles. In fact most battles in the Trans-Mississippi Theater--with the exception of Pea Ridge--get very little attention compared with the fighting in the East. The biggest thing that puts the battle in the shadow is it was fought on the same day Vicksburg surrendered and Lee was disengaging at Gettysburg, July 4, 1863. Man, what a day for Old Glory!

Helena sits between Crowley'sRidge (a ragged maze of choppy hills and steep ravines) and the Mississippi River. Being a river town above Vicksburg, the Yankees found it a good staging area and supply dump for the battle down below. Major General Samuel Ryan Curtis took it from the Confederates in July 1862 and the Yankees were determined to keep it.

The commander of the Confederate District of Arkansas , Lt. General Theophilus H. Holmes brought his force of about 7000 to take it. He had been prodded by Secretary of War James Seddon and Lieutenant General Kirby Smith. He was reluctant until he was informed that the garrison had been reduced in numbers for the seige of Vicksburg.

Union Major General Benjamin M. Prentiss had an army of a little over 4000, and he knew the Confederates were coming. He had trees dropped across the roads leading into the town. This was one of the best decisions of the battle--the Rebels couldn't bring their artillery up. One of the worst decisions that day--they attacked without it.

The Confederates only took one position that day. Major General Sterling Price's men stormed up Graveyard hill to take Battery C. They couldn't hold it. The guns on Batteries A, B, and D, along with the Gunboat Tyler on the Mississippi, and Fort Curtis turned all their guns on the Confederate position. It was all down hill for the Confederates from there. It was a very bloody affair.

I urge you to read more about the Battle of Helena and other battles west of the Mississippi. This is where you learn about Indians in the Civil War. You will see what made Jesse James into the outlaw he became. There is much more to the conflict than Grant and Lee.