Dardenelle in Yell County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Action at Dardenelle

Photographed by Mark Hilton, April 4, 2021

1. Action at Dardenelle Marker

Inscription. Confederates under Col. Robert Brooks, who were testing Union positions strength along the Arkansas River, attacked Federal troops at Dardanelle on Jan. 14, 1865. Maj. J.D. Jenks' 276 Union soldiers fought Brooks' 1,500 soldiers for 4 hours before the Confederates withdrew. Sgt. William Ellis of the 3rd Wisconsin Cavalry, who was wounded 4 times in the fight, was awarded the Medal of Honor for valor. Dardanelle Rock, a major landmark on the river, is protected today as part of the state system of natural areas.

Erected 2010 by Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission, Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission. (Marker Number 4.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 14, 1865.

Location. 35° 14.249′ N, 93° 9.804′ W. Marker is in Dardenelle, Arkansas, in Yell County. It is on Dardenelle Dam Road 0.1 miles north of Ridge Road, on the left when traveling north. Located at the Dardenelle Rock Natural Area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dardanelle AR 72834, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Arkansas River Valley

and in the Ouachita Mountains.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Old Brearley Cemetery (approx. half a mile away); Council Oak

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(approx. half a mile away); Washburn Cemetery (approx. one mile away); Steamboats - Power on the River (approx. one mile away); Jefferson Davis Highway (approx. one mile away); Dardanelle Confederate Monument (approx. one mile away); Yell County First Court House (approx. one mile away); Yell County Council Oaks (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dardenelle.

Regarding Action at Dardenelle. First Sergeant Ellis remained at his post after receiving three wounds, and only retired, by his commanding officer's orders, after being wounded the fourth time.

Also see . . . Encyclopedia of Arkansas article on the Skirmish at Dardenelle. (Submitted on April 7, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Dardenelle Rock and marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, April 4, 2021

2. Dardenelle Rock and marker.

Action at Dardenelle Marker with view of the Arkansas River. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, April 4, 2021

3. Action at Dardenelle Marker with view of the Arkansas River.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 7, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,059 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 7, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.