Near Garfield in Benton County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
The Enemy Is Behind Us!
March 7, 1862 - Mid-Morning
— Pea Ridge National Military Park —
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 30, 2010
1. The Enemy Is Behind Us! Marker
The small writing to the lower right indicates this exhibit provided in part through a generous donation from Wal-Mart Stores and Sam's Clubs.
It was still below freezing at 10:30 a.m. March 7, 1862, when an alarmed messenger thundered into Union headquarters. The news he carried was startling: Confederates were moving down the Telegraph Road a mile north of Elkhorn Tavern. All of General Curtis's careful troop positioning for a battle at Little Sugar Creek - to the south - was now useless.
As gunfire from the far side of Elkhorn Mountain and the fields north of Leetown grew louder, Curtis had to move his remaining troops to prepare for the Confederate attack. Blue-coated regiments reversed direction and rushed past their vulnerable supply wagons to confront the enemy.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is March 7, 1862.
Location. 36° 26.463′ N, 94° 1.92′ W. Marker is near Garfield, Arkansas, in Benton County. Marker is on Military Park Road (County Road 65), on the right when traveling west. Located at stop two, Curtis's Headquarters, on the driving tour of Pea Ridge National Military Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Garfield AR 72732, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. City of Soldiers (a few steps from this marker); Getting Ready To Fight
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Pea Ridge National Military Park. National Park Service website entry (Submitted on September 8, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Pea Ridge (Elkhorn Tavern). American Battlefield Trust website entry (Submitted on May 8, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 21, 2023
2. The Enemy Is Behind Us! Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 30, 2010
3. The Enemy Is Behind Us! Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 30, 2010
4. Cox's Field and Elkhorn Mountain
Looking from the park visitor center to the north at Elkhorn Mountain (sometimes called Big Mountain). This 1600 foot elevation shielded the flanking movement conducted by the Confederates on the night of March 6-7, 1862. Much of the later stages of the fighting on March 7 and on March 8 occurred in the open field between the mountain and the visitor center.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,306 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 8, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on June 4, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3, 4. submitted on September 8, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
