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Chalk Bluff Civil War Battlefield Site
Chalk Bluff was a strategic crossing into Missouri used by both
sides during the Civil War. Brigadier General John S. Marmaduke's
Second Expedition into Missouri
May 1 and 2, 1863
In Memory of
Norman E. Muse
Dedicated caretaker of Chalk Bluff Historical Park and Lifetime
Supporter of Resource Conservation, His Community, and His Family.
14 Years of Service to the Park 1982 - 1996
Erected by the:
Clay County Judge - Gary Howell
NRCS District Conservationist - Randy Lemmons
NRCS RC & D Coordinator - Burr Swann
Clay Conservation District Board:
Charles H. Smart
Louis Ahrent
Richard Simmons
Truman Moore Jr.
Mike Morgan
Chalk Bluff in the Civil War
Skirmish of May 15, 1862
Chalk Bluff occupied a strategic position during the Civil War. Its
cliffs commanded a vital river crossing on the only major road from
Missouri into the Crowley's Ridge country. Provisions were collected
here and shipped downstream to Confederate forces.
At daybreak on May 15, 1862, Union troops seized the ferry, crossed
the river under fire, captured the town and drove the Confederates
into the woods.
Chalk Bluff Crossing and Town
Since Crowley's Ridge provided the only natural route for
north-south travel across the lowlands of northeastern Arkansas, an
Indian trail and later a military road crossed the river here. About
1840, Abraham Seitz established a ferry which was later operated by
Timothy Dalton. The town which grew up near the crossing faded away
after 1882 when the railroad bridged the river downstream at the new
town of St. Francis.
Chalk Bluff in the Civil War
Raids of March - April 1863
On March 10, 1863 Union cavalry captured the ferry after a
three-hour fight. They burned buildings and stores of corn in Chalk
Bluff and destroyed a large uncompleted ferry boat. Two weeks later
on March 24, Union cavalry returned to Chalk Bluff and pursued
retreating Confederates as far as Scatterville south of present day
Piggott.
On April 20, Confederate cavalry surprised and routed a Union
encampment across the river from Chalk Bluff.
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