Pea Ridge

https://www.nps.gov/peri/index.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pea_Ridge_National_Military_Park Pea Ridge National Military Park is located in northwest Arkansas near the Missouri border. The park protects the site of the Battle of Pea Ridge, fought March 7 and 8, 1862. The battle was a victory for the Union, and helped it gain control of the crucial border state of Missouri. On March 7-8, 1862, over 23,000 soldiers fought here to decide the fate of Missouri which was a turning point of the war in the Trans-Mississippi. This 4,400-acre battlefield honors those who fought and died on these hallowed grounds. Pea Ridge was the most pivotal Civil War battle west of the Mississippi River. The entrance road is located on Highway 62, 1.3 miles east of the intersection of Highways 62 and 72. As one is driving along highway 62, watch for the brown road signs directing one to the entrance road to the park's visitor center. Pea Ridge National Military Park The Pea Ridge Visitor Center is located down the new entrance road from Hwy 62. Once inside the Visitor Center, there is a 28-minute orientation film "Thunder in the Ozarks." The park's film was produced in 2001. The park's museum was opened in 1963, but the exhibits have been completely updated as of February 2010. The park's Eastern National Bookstore is also located in the Visitor Center. When you drive into the park, on the entrance road off Highway 62, you will see trees on either side of the paved road. As you continue to drive slowly along this entrance road, on your left side the trees will open to a large grassy yard. Just beyond the yard is a large barn-like brown building. This building is the visitor center. You will slow down and turn to your left, between two large rock and cement signs that read Pea Ridge National Military Park. Elkhorn Tavern A reconstructed Elkhorn Tavern. Used as a field hospital during the Battle of Pea Ridge, the Elkhorn Tavern is a focal point at Pea Ridge National Military Park. Park Tour Road in Fall Photo of road with trees on both sides of road. Trees have Fall Foliage Park tour road in the fall. Sunset and Green Tree's Photo of the rays of sunshine, shining though dark green trees, with long shadows falling on grass Photo taken at sunset showing the deep green trees. Silent Field Photo of sun setting over the golden grass the battlefield. Silent Field is a photo that shows the sun setting over the golden grass of the battlefield. Men fought and died in this field, on a cold day in March of 1862. Rededication to the Elkhorn Tavern Photo of Union Union artilleryman reenactors standing in front of building. Photo of Union Union artilleryman reenactors standing in front of the Elkhorn Tavern for the rededication of the building. Park Ranger and Cannon Crew Photo of Park Ranger talking about cannon and Cannon Crew. Ranger Troy Banzhaf giving information about 6 lb. cannon and cannon crew. Union Cannons Photo of Union cannons and crew firing cannons in a field. Photo of Union artilleryman reenactors standing in Cox's field firing cannon's on the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Pea Ridge. Union Infantry 150th Photo of Union Infantrymen reenactors standing in front of building with large crowd. Photo of Union Infantrymen reenactors standing in front of the Elkhorn Tavern, with large crowd during demonstration on the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Pea Ridge. . Wildland Fire in Arkansas' National Parks Wildland fire impacts each of the national parks in Arkansas in one way or another. The National Park Service manages wildland fire to protect the public; park communities and infrastructure; conserve natural and cultural resources; and maintain and restore natural ecosystem processes. A prescribed fire is monitored by a firefighter on an all-terrain vehicle. Commemorative Cultural Landscapes of the Midwest Behind the scenes at every NPS memorial site, a team of preservation professionals works to plan, design, and specify the type of treatment that is needed to preserve the physical place and the associated memories. Here are just a few examples of commemorative landscapes in the Midwest Region along with their treatment documents. Trees line both sides of a rectangular plaza of short grass, leading towards a tall flagpole. Death and Dying The somber aftermath of Civil War battles introduced Americans--North and South--to death on an unprecedented scale and of an unnatural kind, often ending in an unmarked grave far from home. Neither individuals, nor institutions, nor governments were prepared to deal with death on such a massive scale, for never before or since have we killed so many of our own. The Civil War revolutionized the American military's approach to caring for the dead, leading to our modern cult Photo of freshly buried marked and unmarked graves near Petersburg, Va. Grassland Management - Restoring Iconic Landscapes and Species A grasslands restoration project at Pea Ridge National Military Park helps rebuild bobwhite quail habitat, while also encouraging a larger grasslands restoration movement across other national parks. Large flames engulf a section of overgrown grasses and shrubs at Pea Ridge National Military Park. Wildland Fire in Oak Woodlands and Savannas of the Midwestern United States Oak woodlands depend on disturbances like fire to survive. Frequent fire created and maintained the open structure and make-up of the woodlands. Today, there are fewer oak woodlands across the central United States. Oak woodlands are converting into forests due to a lack of fire. Oak trees with an understory of grasses and forbs. The Border States The existence of divided populations in Border States had a profound impact on Union and Confederate strategy-both political and military. Each side undertook military and political measures--including brutal guerilla warfare-- in their attempts to control areas of divided loyalty and hostile moral and political views held by local civilians. Painting showing removal of Missouri civilians from their homes by Union troops NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Pea Ridge National Military Park, Arkansas Each park-specific page in the NPS Geodiversity Atlas provides basic information on the significant geologic features and processes occurring in the park. tavern in winter The Civilian Experience in the Civil War After being mere spectators at the war's early battles, civilians both near and far from the battlefields became unwilling participants and victims of the war as its toll of blood and treasure grew year after year. In response to the hardships imposed upon their fellow citizens by the war, civilians on both sides mobilized to provide comfort, encouragement, and material, and began to expect that their government should do the same. Painting of civilians under fire during the Siege of Vicksburg Exploring the Fire and Archeology Interface The Midwest Archeological Center (MWAC) worked with Midwest Region Fire Program to design and carry out experiments to collect information about the effects of fire on various classes of archeological materials. The goals of this project were to assess the fire/archeology interface to provide managers of Midwestern parks with information that will aid in decision-making concerning the stewardship of archeological and natural resources. Firefighters monitoring fire Aquatic Invertebrate Monitoring at Pea Ridge National Military Park Scientists track aquatic invertebrates to assess water quality. Invertebrates include insect larvae, worms, crayfish, and other animals without backbones. Winton Spring Branch at Pea Ridge National Military Park Bird Community Monitoring at Pea Ridge National Military Park Birds are an important part of the world we live in. They eat pests, disperse seeds, pollinate plants, feed us, and provide us with activities. Barred Owl in a tree at Pea Ridge National Military Park Deer Monitoring at Pea Ridge National Military Park The Heartland Inventory and Monitoring Network surveys for deer using nighttime spotlight surveys. Monitoring deer populations helps us understand how they may be changing over time. A deer at Pea Ridge National Military Park. James A. Garfield and the “Yankee Dutchman”: Maj. Gen. Franz Sigel Major General Franz Sigel and James A. Garfield met each other in 1862. General Garfield's letters during the Civil War were put into a book called, The Wild Life of the Army: Civil War Letters of James A. Garfield. This article will examine the relationship and admiration Garfield had for a fellow Union officer. Franz Sigel Series: African American History at Gettysburg Abraham Brian, Basil Biggs, James Warfield, and Mag Palm are just a few of the many individuals that were affected by the Civil War and the Battle of Gettysburg, and each has their own story to tell. We have collected their stories in one place so that you can learn more about their various trials during this tumultuous time in American history. A black and white photograph of a black family posing with a white man and his horse in a dirt road. Peach Orchard at Pea Ridge National Military Park At the time of the Civil War Battle of Pea Ridge, the landscape consisted of woodlands, small settlements, and farms. Crop land and orchards supported residents’ needs. Peach trees were cultivated by European settlers as well as Native American tribes. Today, Pea Ridge National Military Park maintains a demonstration peach orchard of 46 trees at Ford Farm, adding to the appearance and interpretation of the historic context. A row of peach trees surrounded by grass in an orchard. Pea Ridge Online Jr. Ranger Activity Printable kids activity. Union Solider talking with kids. Find Your Park on Route 66 Route 66 and the National Park Service have always had an important historical connection. Route 66 was known as the great road west and after World War II families on vacation took to the road in great numbers to visit the many National Park Service sites in the Southwest and beyond. That connection remains very alive and present today. Take a trip down Route 66 and Find Your Park today! A paved road with fields in the distance. On the road is a white Oklahoma Route 66 emblem. Things to Do in Arkansas Find things to do and trip ideas in Arkansas. Front of a high school made of brown brick that rises to a high point in the middle with stairways. Series: Things to Do in the Midwest There is something for everyone in the Midwest. See what makes the Great Plains great. Dip your toes in the continent's inland seas. Learn about Native American heritage and history. Paddle miles of scenic rivers and waterways. Explore the homes of former presidents. From the Civil War to Civil Rights, discover the stories that shape our journey as a nation. Steep bluff with pink sky above and yellow leaves below. Problematic Plant Monitoring at Pea Ridge National Military Park The term "problematic plants" refers to plant species that are exotic, invasive, or pest plants. We monitor Pea Ridge National Military Park for problematic plants and have found 38 species since 2006. Park managers can develop management actions and track the success of their control efforts using the information from our surveys. Chunks of sawn tree trunk next to a pile of cut tree branches. Bird Community Monitoring at Pea Ridge National Military Park, 2021 Birds are great indicators of environmental change. The Heartland Inventory and Monitoring Network has monitored the diverse bird community at Pea Ridge National Military Park since 2008 to understand how it may be changing over time. Knowing how birds are doing helps us protect park habitat. A black and white woodpecker perched outside a hole in a tree trunk. Plant Community Monitoring at Pea Ridge National Military Park Pea Ridge National Military Park focuses on restoration of plant communities that were present at the time of the Battle of Pea Ridge in 1862. Open woodlands and native species are the goal. Heartland I&M Network monitors plants and climate to understand how they may be changing over time and to assess how effective restoration management actions are. Ground flora have increased over time, but woodlands still have high canopy cover despite prescribed burns. Deciduous trees and a measuring tape stretched across a leaf-covered forest floor. Updated Species Database Will Help Boost Amphibian Conservation Across the National Park System To steward amphibians effectively, managers need basic information about which species live in parks. But species lists need constant maintenance to remain accurate. Due to recent efforts, the National Park Service now has an up-to-date amphibian species checklist for almost 300 parks. This information can serve as the basis for innumerable conservation efforts across the nation. A toad sits on red sand, looking into the camera. Deer Monitoring at Pea Ridge National Military Park in Arkansas, 2023 The Heartland Inventory and Monitoring Network has monitored deer at Pea Ridge National Military Park since 2005. Deer are charismatic creatures that were nearly extinct in the early 1900s. Now deer overpopulation is a significant problem that can lead to overbrowsing of park trees and other plants, increasing deer-vehicle collisions, and the spread of disease. We monitor deer to help the park make management decisions that protect deer, park ecosystems, and people. A deer standing in the snow in a woodland. Transformative land management at NPS’ Arkansas Park Zone In 2024, the Arkansas Park Fire Management Zone achieved significant milestones through initiatives funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). With BIL funding, the Arkansas Park Zone treated over 1,400 acres of high-risk land. Flames consume dead and down wood and limbs in a forest near structures. Project Profile: Produce Seed for Central Grassland Ecosystems The National Park Service will increase native seed availability for plants in the mixed grass and tallgrass prairie of the Central U.S., advancing the National Seed Strategy priorities. The project will support established relationships with academic, interagency, and Tribal partners, as well as other stakeholders for seed production. Close up view of a rye plant in a green grassland field. Heartland Network Junior Scientist You can be a Heartland Inventory and Monitoring Network Junior Scientist! Explore what it is like to be a scientist that monitors plants, animals, and their habitats national parks. You will explore the 15 parks of the Heartland Network, make observations, identify animals and plants, and learn why scientists use scientific names for organisms. Visit a Heartland Network Park to complete the activities in the booklet or download the booklet here. A flowering prairie on the cover of a junior scientist booklet.

Pea Ridge National Military Park Arkansas National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Official Map and Guide ^X The Battle That Saved Missouri For the Union Control of Missouri was a prime objective of both Union and Confederate forces during the first year of the Civil War. It was the reason the Battle of Wilson's Creek was fought near Springfield, Mo., in August 1861, and it was one of the reasons for the clash at Pea Ridge in March 1862. The Battle of Pea Ridge marked the end of a campaign that began on Christmas Day, 1861, with the appointment of Brig. Gen. Samuel R. Curtis to head the Federal Southwestern District of Missouri. Acting with more zeal than his predecessors, Curtis began pushing Confederate and pro-Confederate forces out of the State. By mid-February 1862, he and his troops had chased their main opponents, Maj. Gen. Sterling Price and the Missouri State Guard, into Arkansas. In the Boston Mountains south of Fayetteville, Price joined forces with Brig. Gen. Ben McCulloch's Confederates. There Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn took command of this combined 16,000-man force and on March 4 headed it northward, intending to strike into Missouri and capture St. Louis. But dug in across his path on the bluffs overlooking Little Sugar Creek, not far from Elkhorn Tavern and nearby Pea Ridge, were Curtis' 10,500 Federals. Van Dorn knew that a frontal assault against Curtis' troops would be suicidal, so he swung north to come in behind them. He planned to strike at dawn on March 7, but his troops, weary from a difficult three-day march, arrived hours behind schedule. This gave Curtis time to pull his men away from Little Sugar Creek, face about, and prepare to receive the assault. Van Dorn now decided to launch a twopronged assault, hoping to catch Curtis in the middle. First, he sent McCulloch's troops, including two regiments of Cherokee Indians under Brig. Gen. Albert Pike, west of Pea Ridge and the Round Top to drive down upon the village of Leetown. They ran into an intensive fire that resulted in the deaths of McCulloch and Gen. James Mcintosh and the capture of the ranking colonel. With their acknowledge Pike in his official report. Van Dorn's other two subordinate commanders, The other prong of the attack fared considerably better. Attacking east of Pea Ridge, Price's Missourians slowly but steadily pushed the Federals back until, at nightfall, they held Elkhorn Tavern and the crucial Telegraph and Huntsville Roads. During the night the survivors of McCulloch's Leetown fight joined them. On the morning of March 8 Curtis counterattacked in the tavern area. His massed artillery severely punished the Confederates and his concerted infantry and cavalry attacks began to crumple their defenses. Still, the Confederates held. By mid-morning, however, Van Dorn realized that his ammunition was running short and ordered his troops to withdraw. The battle of Pea Ridge was over. Missouri was in Union hands, and most of the Union and Confederate troops moved east of the Mississippi to fight in other campaigns. £ GPO 1989-242-345/801 73 Action on March 8, 1862 Action on March 7, 1862 The Commanders Brig. Gen. Albert Pike 1 commanded the Confederate Indians who fought at Pea Ridge. Their performance in the battle, however, failed to impress Confederate commander Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn 2, who refused to command structure practically destroyed, McCulloch's men scattered from the field. Maj. Gen. Sterling Price 3 and Brig. Gen. Ben McCulloch 4, had teamed up once before at Wilson's Creek, but their relationship was a stormy one, mainly because of McCulloch's indifference to Missouri's fate and his low opinion of Price's State Guard. Union commander Brig. Gen. Samuel R. Curtis 5 won promotion for his performance at Pea Ridge. So did Curtis' second in command, Germanborn Brig. Gen. Franz Sigel 6, who saw the Federal victory at Pea Ridge as sweet revenge for his earlier defeat at Wilson's Creek at the hands of Price and McCulloch. Art by Harold Smelcer V Pea Ridge National Military Park Arkansas National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Touring Pea Ridge Battlefield After stopping at the visitor center, follow the arrows from the parking area to the old Telegraph Road. The road got its name in 1860 when a telegraph line was strung along it. In 1858, the Butterfield Overland Mail Company routed its stage coaches over this road to Fort Smith and points west. 11 Federal Artillery The Union artillery massed here on the morning of March 8 finally drove the Confederates from around Elkhorn Tavern. The Federal line extended from the guns on the hill to your right to a point almost directly behind the visitor center. 1 General Curtis' Headquarters Site The Union commander located his headquarters in this vicinity just before the battle. His troops were entrenched along the bluffs overlooking Little Sugar Creek about two miles south of here. Curtis believed that any Confederate attack wou