Camden Expedition (continued)
On
April 30th, the Confederate troops caught up with Steele at Jenkins’
Ferry. The Confederates began attacking the troops. The Federal troops
were able to escape because of the rainy and muddy conditions, along with
their superb firepower. Steele ordered the pontoon bridge to be destroyed
behind them as they crossed in order to prevent the Confederates from
following. Steele’s troops finally reached Little Rock on May 3, covered
in mud.
The Camden Expedition was perhaps the greatest federal military disaster of the Civil War in Arkansas. Union forces suffered over 2500 casualties, lost hundreds of wagons and gained not one inch of new territory. The defeat at Camden breathed new life into the Arkansas Confederate forces. Federal forces withdrew to fortified cities such as Little Rock, Pine Bluff, Fort Smith and Helena ceding control of the countryside to the enemy.
Learn more
For more information read Steele's Retreat from Camden and the Battle of Jenkins' Ferry by Edwin C. Bearss. (Available in the museum gift shop.)
