Maj. Gen. Thomas C. Hindman and Col. William Parsons, CSA

Union forces were about two brigades; Confederate strength is unclear.

US losses were around 60, Confederate about 250.

Curtis was moving to Helena, Arkansas, seeking supplies to replace those that had been promised but never delivered by the Navy. Hindman's Confederates wanted to prevent this change of supply base by continually skirmishing with the Union troops; if they brought Curtis to a halt in the bare northwestern corner of Arkansas he might have to surrender his small army.

The Confederates made a stand at the Cache River on July 7. As Union Col. C.L. Harris moved forward with elements of the 11th Wisconsin, 33rd Illinois, and the 1st Indiana Cavalry, he blundered into an ambush. The fighting spread, and a Confederate frontal attack forced the Yankees back about a quarter of a mile. But that was as far as it went: the next Confederate charge was stopped cold. Reinforcements came up and the tables were turned. The Federals pursued the retreating Confederates and by keeping up the pressure turned the retreat into a rout.

Curtis was able change his supply base, but Hindman, despite his defeat at Hill's Plantation, kept his army between Curtis and his objective, Little Rock.

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Selected sources:
American Battlefield Protection Program, Heritage Preservation Services, National Park Service.