Near Garfield in Benton County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
That Beautiful Charge
March 8, 1862 - Mid-Morning
— Pea Ridge National Military Park —
That beautiful charge I shall never forget; with banners streaming, with drums beating, and our long line of blue coats advancing upon the double quick, with their deadly bayonets gleaming in the sunlight, and every man and officer yelling at the top of his lungs.
Eugene B. Payne, captain, 37th Illinois Infantry Regiment
When the bugles sounded the charge at 10:00 a.m., standing here were 10,000 Union men - an entire army visible from one place. During the Civil War such a sight was so rare that its terrifying grandeur seared itself into the memory of every man present.
The Union battle line stretched about a mile across the field before you.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. 36° 26.84′ N, 94° 1.536′ W. Marker is near Garfield, Arkansas, in Benton County. Marker is on Military Park Road (County Road 65), on the right when traveling south. Located at stop ten, the Federal Line, 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 . "Dat De Shpot, Sergent!" (here, next to this marker); A Perfect Storm of Shot and Shell (approx. ¼ mile away); Confederate Sunset (approx. ¼ mile away); They Passed This Way (approx. 0.4 miles away); It was the Grandest Thing I Ever Saw... (approx. half a mile away); Night Moves (approx. half a mile away); Slaughter in the Rocks (approx. half a mile away); Fiery Finale on Ruddick's Field (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Garfield.
Also see . . .
1. Pea Ridge National Military Park. National Park Service entry (Submitted on September 13, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. The Battle of Pea Ridge. American Battlefield Trust website entry (Submitted on September 13, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,002 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 13, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on June 4, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 13, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.