Battle of Arkansas Post Facts

January 9–11, 1863

Arkansas Post Battle facts, including dates, location, casualties, leaders, who won, and more interesting facts you might not know. This fact sheet provides a quick overview of the battle and is for kids doing research and students preparing for the AP U.S. History (APUSH) exam.

John McClernand, Union General, Portrait

Major General John A. McClernand commanded the Union land forces at the Battle of Arkansas Post. Image Source: Wikipedia.

Quick Facts

  • Also Known As: The Battle of Arkansas Post is also called the Battle of Fort Hindman.
  • Date Started: The battle started on January 9, 1863.
  • Date Ended: The fighting ended on January 11, 1863.
  • Location: The battle took place in Arkansas County, Arkansas.
  • Who Won: The Union won the Battle of Arkansas Post.

Interesting Facts

  • The Union commanders were Major General John A. McClernand and Flag Officer David D. Porter.
  • The Confederate commander was Brigadier General Thomas J. Churchill.
  • The number of Union soldiers that participated in the Battle of Arkansas Post was about 33,000.
  • The number of Confederate soldiers that participated in the Battle of Arkansas Post was about 5,500.
  • The Confederacy suffered 5,500 casualties at the Battle of Arkansas Post, including 709 killed and wounded, and 4,791 surrendered.
  • The Union army at Battle of Arkansas Post was the largest ever assembled for any battle in Arkansas during the Civil War.
  • The number of Confederate prisoners taken at Battle of Arkansas Post exceeded the entire number captured in all of the other engagements in Arkansas during the Civil War.
  • Confederate casualties at the Battle of Arkansas Post equaled nearly one-fourth of the total Rebel armed forces stationed in Arkansas.

Principal Confederate Commander

  • Brigadier General Thomas J. Churchill.

Principal Union Commanders

  • Major General John A McClernand
  • Flag Officer David D. Porter

Union Forces Engaged

  • Army of the Mississippi (13th and 15th Corps)
  • 9 U.S naval ships

Confederate Forces Engaged

  • 1st, 2nd, and 3rd brigades of Fort Hindman garrison

Number of Union Soldiers Engaged

  • Roughly 33,000

Number of Confederate Soldiers Engaged

  • Roughly 5,500.

Union Casualties

  • 1,061 (134 killed, 898 wounded and 29 captured/missing).

Confederate Casualties

  • 5,500 (709 killed and wounded, and 4,791 captured).
  • The number of Confederate prisoners taken at Battle of Arkansas Post exceeded the entire number captured in all of the other engagements in Arkansas during the Civil War.
  • Confederate casualties equaled nearly one-fourth of the total Rebel armed forces stationed in Arkansas.

Result

  • Union victory.

Outcome

The Battle of Arkansas Post contributed little, if anything, toward the success of the Vicksburg Campaign, but it did eliminate a minor impediment to Union shipping on the Mississippi River.