Army of the Southwest (USA) Facts

December 25, 1861–December 13, 1862

Key facts about the Union Army of the Southwest.

Portrait of Samuel R. Curtis

Samuel R. Curtis commanded the Army of the Frontier from December 25, 1861 – August 29, 1862 [Wikimedia Commons]

Also Known As

  • Army of Southwest Missouri

Formation Date

  • December 25, 1861

Dissolution Date

  • December 13, 1862

Commanders

Notable Engagements

Significance:

  • Samuel R. Curtis commanded the Army of the Frontier from December 25, 1861–August 29, 1862
  • Frederick Steele commanded the Army of the Frontier from August 29, 1862–October 7, 1862
  • Eugene A. Carr commanded the Army of the Frontier from October 7, 1862–November 12, 1862
  • Willis A. Gorman commanded the Army of the Frontier from November 12, 1862–December 13, 1862
  • The Army of the Southwest operated as the primary force in the Military District of Southwest Missouri in 1862.
  • The Army of the Southwest never numbered more than 11,000 soldiers.
  • The soldiers of the Army of the Southwest were drawn mainly from Missouri. About one-half were German immigrants from St. Louis and eastern Missouri.
  • Major General Henry W. Halleck and Brigadier General Samuel R. Curtis organized the Army of the Southwest along ethnic lines.
  • The Army of the Southwest’s two most notable battles were Pea Ridge (March 7-8, 1862) and Cotton Plant (July 7, 1862).
  • On July 12, 1862, the Army of the Southwest occupied the Mississippi River port city of Helena, Arkansas.
  • By November 1862, the Army of the Southwest was a small disorganized force that existed as an army in name only.
  • On December 13, 1862, the Army of the Southwest merged with troops from the District of Eastern Arkansas, ending the existence of the Army of the Southwest.

Citation Information

The following information is provided for citations.

  • Article Title Army of the Southwest (USA) Facts
  • Date December 25, 1861–December 13, 1862
  • Author
  • Keywords army of the southwest
  • Website Name American History Central
  • Access Date December 11, 2023
  • Publisher R.Squared Communications, LLC
  • Original Published Date
  • Date of Last Update April 2, 2021

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