Battle of Pine Bluff

Battle of Pine Bluff Action at Pine Bluff
Part of the American Civil War
Date October 25, 1863 Location Pine Bluff, Arkansas 34°13′46.4″N 92°00′12.4″W / 34.229556°N 92.003444°W / 34.229556; -92.003444 Result Union victory
Belligerents
United States	Confederate States
Commanders and leaders
Col. Powell Clayton	Brig. Gen. J. S. Marmaduke
Units involved
Post of Pine Bluff	Marmaduke's Division
Strength
550 cavalry and militia, 300 freedmen, 9 guns	2,000 cavalry, 12 guns
Casualties and losses
16 dead and 40 wounded or missing	41 dead, wounded or missing
Pine Bluff Location within the state of Arkansas Show map of Arkansas Pine Bluff Location within the state of Arkansas Show map of the US

The Battle of Pine Bluff, also known as the Action at Pine Bluff, was a battle of the American Civil War. The battle was fought on October 25, 1863, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, near the county courthouse, where the United States garrison under the command of Colonel Powell Clayton successfully defended the town against attacks led by Confederate Brigadier-General J. S. Marmaduke. The Union victory ensured the safety of the post until the end of the war.

After the capture of Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S. forces occupied several towns along the Arkansas River. Confederate Brig. Gen. Marmaduke decided to test their strength at Pine Bluff, Arkansas. On October 25, 1863, he attacked the Post of Pine Bluff, a U.S. cavalry brigade commanded by Col. Powell Clayton.

At 8:00 a.m., Gen. Marmaduke's 2,000 cavalry approached the town from three sides. The 550 Federal cavalrymen and Missouri militia, supported by 300 freedmen, barricaded the courthouse square with cotton-bales and positioned the cannon to command the adjacent streets. Marmaduke's Division made several attacks upon the square, then attempted to set the county courthouse on fire. They were unsuccessful and withdrew to Princeton, Arkansas.