Battle of Chalk Bluff

Other Names: None

Location: Near Chalk Bluff, northwest of St. Francis (present-day Clay County, Arkansas)

Campaign: Marmaduke's Second Expedition into Missouri (1863)

Date: May 1-2, 1863

Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. William Vandever [US]; Brig. Gen. John S. Marmaduke [CS]

Forces Engaged: 2nd Division, Army of the Frontier (2,000) [US]; Marmaduke's Cavalry Division (10,000) [CS]

Casualties and losses: 90 [US]; 77 [CS]

Result(s): Confederate tactical victory

Brief Description:

Union Brig. Gen. William Vandever pursued Brig. Gen. John S. Marmaduke to Chalk Bluff, where the Confederates hoped to cross the St. Francis River. To ford the river, Marmaduke established a rearguard that received heavy punishment on May 1-2. Although most of Marmaduke's raiders crossed the St. Francis River, they suffered heavy casualties and therefore ended the expedition. Gen. Thompson moved the artillery across the river by raft the first night,so while trying to take the ridges the union forces were suffering cannon fire coming over their right shoulder and continuing down the long line of their formation. While, in some respects, Marmaduke tactically won the Battle of Chalk Bluff, the Union forces claimed a strategic victory since he had abandoned his spring offensive.