State park offers natural beauty, historical insights
Outdoor writer and photographer Corbet Deary is featured regularly in The Sentinel-Record. Today, Deary writes about Poison Springs Battleground State Park.
I recently wrote about stopping in and visiting White Oak Lake State Park during my travels to south Arkansas. I also happened upon another interesting location on that particular day. Although I had actually visited and covered Poison Springs Battlefield State Park a few years ago, I was somewhat excited to return to this location.
Those visiting the facility today will experience a beautiful and tranquil setting. And I would suppose those who are up for a short walk would appreciate the scenery within eyeshot of the Poison Springs Nature Trail.
The designated route lends to a very easy walk and is only a half-mile long. But those embarking upon a short hike along the path will have ample opportunity to see an environment much different from what we are accustomed to here in the Ouachitas.
The substrate in this particular section of the state consists predominantly of sand. Beech, pine and sweet-gum trees are prominent alongside the trail’s edge. An array of interesting plants and shrubs that thrive in the southern region of the state take root along the path, as well. And those who tread quietly and keep a keen eye out for movement are likely to see native critters going about their everyday rituals.
Although a hike along the trail is enjoyable, the main draw to the facility goes much deeper. I’ll be the first to admit that there are much larger state parks across the state, and facilities that have many more outdoor activities to offer. But one would be hard pressed to find a location that was richer in history.
Those visiting the park will be welcomed by a tranquil and beautiful setting. But things were a great deal different many years ago. There was a time when those residing in this section of the state were plagued with uncertainties, and fear saturated the air.
The United States was divided. The North and the South were at odds. Sitting down and hashing out their differences was not feasible. Although many would die, the only resolution appeared to lie on the battlefield. Citizens of this great country would take up arms against their fellow Americans.
The south-central section of Arkansas hosted three significant battles during the Civil War, all of which were a part of the Union Army’s “Red River Campaign.” According to information posted by Arkansas State Parks, the first of these three battles occurred at Poison Springs.
One would suspect that emotions were high in Arkansas during the spring of 1864. Union forces occupied Little Rock, Fort Smith and every town north of the Arkansas River. Confederate soldiers, on the other hand, had a stronghold in the southern sections of the state and were represented from Monticello to Camden, Washington and other towns throughout this section of the state.
According to information posted on the Arkansas State Parks’ website, the Union Army devised a strategy only months earlier. It was essential to overtake the Rebels in Texas, and their plan was to enter through Shreveport, La.
The Union Army left Little Rock under the direction of Gen. Fredrick Steel in late March. They were well equipped, with 12,000 men, 800 wagons, 30 pieces of artillery, and in the neighborhood of 12,000 horses and mules.
There were plenty of obstacles along the way to slow their travels. Confederate forces on the southwest had forced them to make an eastward detour. Muddy conditions produced by heavy spring rains dampened their progress.
These barriers had evidently not been taken into account during the planning process, as supplies grew scarce before reaching their destination. Finally arriving at Camden on April 15, they learned that the Confederate troops were no longer there.
The morale of Steele’s troops likely continued to dwindle when they got word that the forces in Louisiana, who had been heading in their direction with much-needed supplies, were retreating, and the fact that those who were loyal to the Confederates had either relocated or destroyed much of the stockpile of corn that he had planned to despoil.
That in mind, he sent 500 African-American infantrymen, a cavalry of 195, an artillery detachment and a couple hundred wagons to retrieve what supplies had been left behind.
But these plans, too, were muddled on April 17, when a Confederate scout noticed the wagon train and reported back to Confederate Brig. Gen. John S. Marmaduke, whose troops were camped near Camden.
Marmaduke divulged this information to his superior, Gen. Sterling Price. Price saw this as a perfect opportunity. He would prepare his troops and devise a game plan to ambush the Union soldiers.
Meanwhile, Union Gen. Fredrick Steele sent 400 soldiers from Camden, during the night, to support the wagon train. But the support would be of little help, as in the neighborhood of 1,500 Confederate soldiers were waiting.
The Confederate troops had the road blocked and were strategically located on both sides of the road. And as the Union cavalcade neared Poison Springs, on April 18, 1864, the battle began.
Price’s plan proved to be a huge success, as his Confederate troops won the victory at very little cost compared to the loss experienced by the Union wagon train.
The Union force experienced a loss of 300 men at the battle site. However, yet another 80 Union soldiers were killed as they retreated across the sandy substrate in the direction of their fellow troops in Camden.
Only 20 Confederate soldiers lost their lives during the Battle at Poison Springs. Although each and every life was of importance, I would suspect he Confederate military would have considered that a small price to pay to not only detour the progress of their adversaries but to deny access to essential supplies to their enemies.
The Civil War eventually ran its course, setting many standards that we still live by today. And although elated this era is behind us, it’s both moving and humbling to visit battlegrounds such as Poison Springs State Park.
To get to Poison Springs State Park, from Hot Springs travel south on Highway 7 for 26 miles and take a slight right onto I-30 west at Caddo Valley. Go 15 miles and take Exit 63 (Gurdon Exit) and turn right onto Highway 53 north. Travel 5.2 miles and turn right onto North Elm Street. Go nine-tenths of a mile and turn left onto West Main Street. Travel 11 miles and take a left onto Highway 24 east. Travel 3.5 miles and turn right onto Highway 299, travel 450 feet and turn left onto Highway 387. Go 8.6 miles and take a right on County Road 183. Travel 1.4 miles to the destination on the right.