Brig. Gen. John S. Marmaduke, CSA

The Union had a cavalry division engaged against local Confederates.

The Union lost 72; Confederate losses are unknown.

On September 10, 1863, Maj. Gen. Fred Steele, commanding the Army of Arkansas, sent Brig. Gen. John W. Davidson's cavalry division across the Arkansas River. Davidson's men would not only advance on Little Rock, they would outflank the Confederate main body north of the river. Steele kept his infantry north of the river to pin down the Confederates there.

In his thrust toward Little Rock, Davidson ran into Confederate troops at Bayou Fourche, only five miles outside town. Aided by Union artillery fire from the north side of the river, Davidson launched a strong frontal assault and quickly ejected the Rebels from their position, sending them fleeing back to Little Rock. The Union cavalry followed, entering Little Rock that evening.

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eHistory Staff

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