Reed's Bridge Battlefield

Reed's Bridge Battlefield is the 412-acre site of a Civil War clash between Union and Confederate forces near the present site of Jacksonville, Arkansas. The battle took place on August 27, 1863, between Union troops and Confederate cavalry under the command of brigadier general John Sappington Marmaduke and brigadier general Lucius M. Walker. The Confederate cavalry was under orders to slow the Union advance, but Marmaduke later accused Walker of cowardice during the battle.

The bridge was destroyed by retreating Confederate troops. Union forces eventually captured the capitol at Little Rock on September 10.

Walker later dueled with Marmaduke to preserve his honor, and was killed.

The battlefield is currently being restored by the Reed's Bridge Battlefield Preservation Society. The organization has approximately thirty members. The group has already constructed a period two-story pole barn on the site where Reed's Bridge crosses Arkansas Highway 161. A stone house is currently being renovated to house a visitor's center. The group controls about one hundred acres of the battlefield.

References

• Evin Demirel, "Battle's Site Links History, Present," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, December 6, 2009.
• Rick Kron, "Reed's Bridge Seen as Major Draw," Arkansas Leader, January 19, 2005.