Gum Springs in White County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Action at Des Arc Bayou

Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 9, 2018

1. Action at Des Arc Bayou Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

On July 8, 1864, a column of 221 men of the 10th Illinois Cavalry headed for Searcy to confront Gen. J.O. Shelbys Confederates, who were operating in the area. They set up camp at Des Arc Bayou on July 13. At 4:30 a.m. July 14, around 500 men under Confederate Col. B. Frank Gordon attacked the sleeping Federals from three sides. As chaos reigned in the Union camp, only a handful of Union troops managed to mount their horses and flee — 131 were killed, wounded, or captured. Shelby proclaimed the 10th "whipped, routed and scattered."

Erected 2012 by Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission, White County Historical Society, White County Civil War Round Table, Lisa M. Wray in honor of Bige E. Wray and in memory of S. Emory Sweet, Pvt., Co. C, 9th Tn. Inf., Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council. (Marker Number 32.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 8, 1864.

Location.

Action at Des Arc Bayou Marker at the Gum Springs Volunteer Fire Station. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 9, 2018

2. Action at Des Arc Bayou Marker at the Gum Springs Volunteer Fire Station.

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35° 12.196′ N, 91° 46.674′ W. Marker is in Gum Springs, Arkansas, in White County. Marker is at the intersection of Arkansas Route 267 and Ki Ke Acres Road, on the right when traveling south on State Route 267. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2320 AR-267, Searcy AR 72143, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Arkansas National Guard (approx. 2.6 miles away); A Walk Through History (approx. 3.8 miles away); White County Court House (approx. 3.9 miles away); White County Confederate Monument (approx. 4 miles away); In Loving Memory of those from White County (approx. 4 miles away); White County Courthouse (approx. 4 miles away); White County Vietnam Memorial (approx. 4 miles away); Brig. Gen. Dandridge McRae (approx. 4.3 miles away).

Action at Des Arc Bayou Marker near flag pole. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 9, 2018

3. Action at Des Arc Bayou Marker near flag pole.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 15, 2018. It was originally submitted on April 14, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 341 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 14, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.