July 4, 1863

Confederate General Theophilus Holmes wanted to regain control of Helena, an island of Union control in Confederate Arkansas. His attack failed. Miscommunication, lack of information, and the determined resistance of the Union troops, who vowed not to be beaten on Independence Day, resulted in a decisive Union victory.

The Battle Begins

The roar of the signal gun at Fort Curtis woke Helena well
before dawn—the Confederates were advancing. They
faced formidable defenses. Fort Curtis's powerful guns
protected the city. Four earthworks—Batteries A, B, C
and D—crowned Crowley's Ridge. The gunboat U.S.S.
Tyler patrolled the Mississippi River.

The Confederate Plan Unravels

Confederate General Holmes ordered his commanders to
attack at daylight. General James F. Fagan and General
John S. Marmaduke swung into action at first light
Fagan's Arkansas Brigade scrambled up the ridge to
Battery D. Felled trees, heat, and fierce Union resistance
stalled their attack by midmorning. Marmaduke's artillery
hit the Federal line while his men attacked Battery A, but
the terrain and a dogged Union defense also halted his
assault.

Union Victory
The sun was up and the assaults on Batteries A and
D had
failed before General Sterling Price attacked Battery C. The
gunboat Tyler and Fort Curtis drove Price's Confederates
back twice, but after three costly assaults they took Battery
C. As Battery B and the U.S.S. Tyler poured shot and shell
on Battery C, Confederate infantry rushed down the slope
and attacked Fort Curtis. The attack was a disaster. By noon,
the battle was over and the defeated Confederates were
retreating.

[Photo captions]
Bottom left: The Confederate attack was hampered by rugged terrain, felled trees and heat. By noon they had gathered their wounded and were retreating back to the Alan Polk plantation.
Top right inset: The Commanders - General Benjamin Prentiss, U.S.A. - General Theophilus Holmes, C.S.A.

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Show me all markers in:  Helena-West Helena, AR  |  Phillips County  |  72342  |  Arkansas  |  United States of America

The Confederates Take Battery C
A Terrific Fire From Graveyard Hill
"We are well fortified"
A Short Lived Confederate Victory
Battery C Revealed
A Cemetery Becomes a Battleground
The 33rd Missouri Spikes the Guns
The Avenging Fire of the Gunboat
Coming to the Aid of Fort Curtis
Their Guns Pounded Graveyard Hill

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