Big Gun Productions
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Big Gun Productions
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Battle of Pea Ridge Re-enactment Tourism Project "Elkhorn" The war in Benton County Arkansas A Documentary by Hank Hustus (Currently in post-production)
The Battle of Pea Ridge (also known as Elkhorn Tavern)The re-enactment honors a significant Civil War battle that involved a brigadier general from Keokuk that saved this part of the nation from ever becoming a battlefield in that bloody war.
We are pleased to be making this documentary for the Keokuk Area Convention & Tourism Bureau and the Bentonville, Arkansas Tourism Bureau about the Battle at Pea Ridge re-enactment.
UnionUnion forces in Missouri during the latter part of 1861 and early 1862 had effectively pushed Confederate forces out of the state. By the spring of 1862, Union Brigadier General Samuel R. Curtis determined to pursue the Confederates back into Arkansas with his Army of the Southwest. Curtis moved his approximately 10,500 Union soldiers and 50 artillery pieces into Benton County Arkansas, along a small stream called Sugar Creek. Union forces consisted primarily of soldiers from Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Ohio. Over half of the Federal soldiers were German Immigrants. Curtis found an excellent defensive position on the north side of the creek and proceeded to fortify it and place artillery for an expected Confederate assault from the south. ConfederacyConfederate Major General Earl Van Dorn had been appointed overall commander of the Trans-Mississippi District to quell a simmering conflict between competing generals Sterling Price of Missouri and Benjamin McCulloch of Texas. Van Dorn's Army of the West totaled approximately 16,000 men, including 800 Cherokee Indian troops, contingents from the Missouri State Guard, Confederate cavalry, infantry and artillery from Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Missouri. Van Dorn was aware of the Union movements into Arkansas and was intent on destroying Curtis's Army of the Southwest and reopening the gateway into Missouri. Description:On the night of March 6, Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn set out to outflank the Union position near Pea Ridge, dividing his army into two columns. Learning of Van Dorn’s approach, the Federals marched north to meet his advance on March 7. This movement—compounded by the killing of two generals, Brig. Gen. Ben McCulloch and Brig. Gen. James McQueen McIntosh, and the capture of their ranking colonel—halted the Rebel attack. Van Dorn led a second column to meet the Federals in the Elkhorn Tavern and Tanyard area. By nightfall, the Confederates controlled Elkhorn Tavern and Telegraph Road. The next day, Maj. Gen. Samuel R. Curtis, having regrouped and consolidated his army, counterattacked near the tavern and, by successfully employing his artillery, slowly forced the Rebels back. Running short of ammunition, Van Dorn abandoned the battlefield. The Union controlled Missouri for the next two years.
Aftermath:Approximately 2,000 Confederates fell in the Battle at Pea Ridge, including a large number of officers. Federal forces suffered approximately 1,400 casualties. One notable fact of this battle is that it was one of the few in which a Confederate Army outnumbered a Union Army. The battlefield at Pea Ridge is now Pea Ridge National Military Park. It features a visitors center and museum, a driving tour, hiking trails. a reconstruction of Elkhorn Tavern, (the scene of the heaviest fighting and is present at its original location) and is acknowledged as one of the best preserved Civil War battlefields. The park also includes a 2.5 mile (4 km) section of the Trail of Tears. For more information of the Park click here.
Map of Pea Ridge, Arkansas
Proceeds from the sale of DVD's will go to the Keokuk and Bentonville Offices of Tourism.
Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn portrayed by Jim Cochran, left, astride his horse, Bob, rides into the field of battle during a Re-enactment of the Battle of Pea Ridge at Rand Park, Keokuk, to confer with his commanders. Van Dorn’s Confederate troops were defeated by Union forces led by Brig. Gen. Samuel Curtis of Keokuk at Pea Ridge, Ark., in March 1862.
The Goal: This documentary is currently in post production of the Battle at Pea Ridge re-enactments in Keokuk, Iowa and Bentonville, Arkansas. This documentary, when finished will be given to the Keokuk and Bentonville Tourism Bureaus to sell. Proceeds of DVD sales will go to help pay for future re-enactments. We thank you for your support. All sponsors are listed to the left side of the web page and will be listed on ending credits of the finished film.
For contributing to help defray the cost of production You may contact us.
RE-ENACTMENT NEWS
Annual Battle of Pea
Ridge last weekend in April For re-enactment information:
you may contact:
Kirk Brandenberger at the Keokuk Area Convention & Tourism Bureau at:
Toll-free;1-800-383-1219
For re-enactment dates in Bentonville, Arkansas
Kalene Griffith, President Bentonville Advertising & Promotion Commission
Toll-free: 1-800-410-2535
Visit Pea Ridge Military Park Web site: http://www.nps.gov/peri
26,000 soldiers fought here to decide the fate of Missouri. The 4,300-acre park honors those who fought for their way of life, North and South.
Pea Ridge NMP Phone (479) 451-8122
Big Gun productions is pleased to be producing this video to help bring more people to the re-enactments in Keokuk and Bentonville and to help further educate future generations about our American Civil War History. Plans are in the works to film a feature about the Pea Ridge, The events leading to the Battle, the Battle and the aftermath. "UP TELEGRAPH ROAD" The Benton County War want to help make this film come to life? feel free to contact us
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{Photo
Courtesy Keokuk Daily Gate}
