Prairie Grove Battlefield LbNA #6346 (ARCHIVED)
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Add Location| Owner: | Cock o' the Trail  |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Oct 27, 2003 |
| Location: | |
| City: | Prairie Grove |
| County: | Washington |
| State: | Arkansas |
| Boxes: | 1 |
| Found by: | Nac Trail Cat |
|---|---|
| Last found: | Oct 23, 2007 |
| Status: | FFaaFaOF |
| Last edited: | Oct 27, 2003 |
(NOTE; Replaced in new spot Dec. 5, 2006; required Park permit subsequently obtained; verified in place 8-10-07.)
Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park is located on U.S. 62 a few miles WSW of the city of Fayetteville and on the eastern edge of the village of Prairie Grove. There is no fee for entrance and parking, although there are some paid activities in the Battlefield Museum. By all means, take the opportunity to visit the Museum at the Visitor Center/Hindman Hall.
While not in the same league as the more widely-known epics at Antietam, Gettysburg, or Shiloh, for example, it was one of the more important encounters between Union and Confederate forces that were contesting the frontier states just west of the Mississippi River early in the Civil War. On December 7, 1862 more than 20,000 men were engaged here in a battle that blocked the Confederate drive towards Missouri.
First admire the monument- actually a sturdy displaced chimney moved from a nearby mill - and the low stone wall that surrounds it. The latter is constructed of stones taken from old area buildings - a novel idea. Then, with an explanatory brochure and map in hand, take the self-guided driving tour of the battlefield. Be sure to tary at Tour Site #6, part way down the long slope over which artillery fired at opposing positions. Try to imagine the grim reality of the mortal combat that took place here over 140 years ago.
Looking off at a bearing of 10°, count off 50 steps into the grove of osage orange trees that now dot the slope. A large tree with the trunk split asunder previously hid this letterbox - our meager tribute to the memories of the brave soldiers who fought here. Now, you must right face and march off at about 120 degrees to find a low stone bench, where the replacement letterbox is hidden. (The new stamp isn't much to brag about, tho; the material needed planing smooth before working in the design. Oh well . . . another visit to AR to visit my sister's family seems likely.)
Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park is located on U.S. 62 a few miles WSW of the city of Fayetteville and on the eastern edge of the village of Prairie Grove. There is no fee for entrance and parking, although there are some paid activities in the Battlefield Museum. By all means, take the opportunity to visit the Museum at the Visitor Center/Hindman Hall.
While not in the same league as the more widely-known epics at Antietam, Gettysburg, or Shiloh, for example, it was one of the more important encounters between Union and Confederate forces that were contesting the frontier states just west of the Mississippi River early in the Civil War. On December 7, 1862 more than 20,000 men were engaged here in a battle that blocked the Confederate drive towards Missouri.
First admire the monument- actually a sturdy displaced chimney moved from a nearby mill - and the low stone wall that surrounds it. The latter is constructed of stones taken from old area buildings - a novel idea. Then, with an explanatory brochure and map in hand, take the self-guided driving tour of the battlefield. Be sure to tary at Tour Site #6, part way down the long slope over which artillery fired at opposing positions. Try to imagine the grim reality of the mortal combat that took place here over 140 years ago.
Looking off at a bearing of 10°, count off 50 steps into the grove of osage orange trees that now dot the slope. A large tree with the trunk split asunder previously hid this letterbox - our meager tribute to the memories of the brave soldiers who fought here. Now, you must right face and march off at about 120 degrees to find a low stone bench, where the replacement letterbox is hidden. (The new stamp isn't much to brag about, tho; the material needed planing smooth before working in the design. Oh well . . . another visit to AR to visit my sister's family seems likely.)