Note: this marker as seen on the previous page was located on the Old Military Highway but was  relocated here to the Reed's Bridge Battlefield Park.

Battle of Reed's Bridge
On August 27, 1863, the Federal Army was advancing along the Military Road toward Little Rock when its Cavalry Division of 6,000 men under Gen. John W. Davidson attempted a crossing here and was met by a Confederate force of 4,000 under Gen. John S. Marmaduke, After burning the bridge the Confederates defended the crossing under heavy fire throughout the day. Several attempts at crossing failed and the Federals withdrew at sunset and two days later crossed the Bayou five miles southward. Little Rock ultimately fell on September 10, 1863.

Memphis Military Road

Construction of this earliest road connecting Memphis with Little Rock began in 1826 under the supervision of Lt. Frederick L. Griffith, U.S. Army.  It was completed in 1828 under Lt. Charles Thomas.  Miles of swamps and numerous streams made the road hard to build and maintain.  The trip from Memphis to Little Rock sometimes required twenty days by wagon.

Shared Gray (1758 - 1836) & Jacob Gray (1762 - 1837)

Revolutionary War Soldiers and brothers, Shared fought for North Carolina and Jacob fought for both North and South Carolina.  In the winter of 1820 - 1821 they brought their families here from Williamson county, Tennessee and settled near this site.  Presented by the Jacob Gray Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.