Helena in Phillips County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Their Guns Pounded Graveyard Hill

Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 26, 2017

1. Their Guns Pounded Graveyard Hill Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

You are facing Battery B, the only battery on Crowley's Ridge the Confederates did not attack during the Battle of Helena. The men at Battery B, which was about three-quarters of a mile north of here, watched events unfold at Battery C and then opened fire.

Battery B Turns its Guns on Battery C
The felled trees in front of Battery B prevented the Confederates from moving their artillery close enough to be effective. Not needing to defend themselves, the gunners at Battery B fired on the Confederates attacking Battery A. When the assault on Battery A failed, the gunners turned their cannon on the Confederates trying to take Battery C.

Captain Alexander J. Campbell at Battery B watched the Confederates arrive in front of Battery C. As the gray-clad soldiers advanced in column and swung into line of battle, he ordered his artillery to open fire.

The 28th Wisconsin Could only Watch
Edward S. Remington, 28th Wisconsin, watched with dismay from Battery B as the Confederates took Battery C. "Oh, what terrible feelings came over us as they slowly

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made their way up that hill...On, on they went, yelling like demons, up to the breastworks."

The artillery at Battery B continued to pound the Confederates on Graveyard Hill. Battery C was out of rifle range and the infantrymen seethed in frustration. Some fired their weapons against orders, trying to engage the enemy. The Wisconsin soldiers could only watch as the Confederates raised their flag on Battery C.

[Inset quote]
On, on they went, yelling like demons, up to the breastworks."
Edward S. Remington, 28th Wisconsin

[Photo caption] Private Hans Jensen, 28th Wisconsin

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. 34° 31.579′ N, 90° 35.801′ W. Marker is in Helena, Arkansas, in Phillips County. Marker can be reached from Yorkshire Drive, 0.1 miles east of Audubon Drive when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1100 Yorkshire Drive, Helena AR 72342, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Coming to the Aid of Fort Curtis (here, next to this marker); The Avenging Fire of the Gunboat (a few steps from this marker); A Cemetery Becomes a Battleground (within shouting distance of this marker); The 33rd Missouri Spikes the Guns

Their Guns Pounded Graveyard Hill Marker on far left. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 26, 2017

2. Their Guns Pounded Graveyard Hill Marker on far left.

(within shouting distance of this marker); Battery C Revealed (within shouting distance of this marker); A Short Lived Confederate Victory (within shouting distance of this marker); "We are well fortified" (within shouting distance of this marker); The Confederates Take Battery C (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Helena.

Also see . . . Wikipedia article on the Civil War batteries of Helena, Arkansas. (Submitted on September 4, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Battle map of the Battle of Helena. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton

3. Battle map of the Battle of Helena.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 4, 2017. It was originally submitted on September 4, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 177 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 4, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.