Battle of Helena

Other Names: None

Location: Phillips County, Arkansas

Campaign: Grant's Operations against Vicksburg (1863)

Date: July 4, 1863

Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. Benjamin Prentiss [US]; Lt. Gen. Theophilus H. Holmes [CS]

Forces Engaged: District of Eastern Arkansas [US]; District of Arkansas [CS]

Casualties and losses: 1,842 total (US 206; CS 1,636)

Result(s): Union victory

Brief Description:

Lt. Gen. Theophilus Holmes's troops attacked Helena in an attempt to relieve pressure on Vicksburg. Although the Rebels had more troops and did initially capture some of the fortifications, the Union forces repelled them. Thus, Helena continued as an important Union enclave in the Trans-Mississippi theater and served as a base for the expedition that captured Little Rock. Almost all of the Confederate losses were from the brigades of Fagan, Parsons, and McRae, who took 32 percent of their attacking forces as casualties. Most of the Confederates withdrew from the area the next morning, falling back to Jacksonport, although Walker's men remained behind to harass any Union troops that sallied forth from the city.