Little Rock in Pulaski County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

The Little Rock Campaign

Union Forces Enter Little Rock

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 5, 2022

1. The Little Rock Campaign Marker

Inscription. Brigadier General John Davidson's troops captured Little Rock on the evening of September 10, 1863 as Major General Frederick Steele's column approached across the river. You are standing where Union forces under Major General Steele crossed the Arkansas River on a pontoon bridge at 7:00 a.m. the next day. When they arrived in Little Rock, they marched to the Old State House and raised the flag of the United States.

“It was almost dark when we arrived opposite the city. The firing on the opposite shore had ceased, and there was a rumor that we were fully victorious. Still we kept marching on. The burning locomotives stood on the track a little to our left; and someone kept their bells ringing as we passed. Then, as the outlines of the city across the river became dimly discernible through the gloom, a horseman dashed past us shouting that Little Rock was ours and Davidson held possession. Loud rose the cheers, and that hour of our arrival opposite Little Rock, with its accompaniment of burning boats and locomotives, bells ringing, bands playing, and regiments cheering as we marched along, was one of the most stirring and poetic of our military life.” — Private A.F. Sperry, 33rd Iowa Infantry, U.S.A.

[Captions]
• (Top left) Major General Frederick Steele, U.S.A. (1819-1868) Commander

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of Union forces
• (Center) 3rd Minnesota Regiment entering Little Rock by Stanley M. Arthurs Courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society

[Remainder of marker unreadable]

Erected by American Battlefield Protection Program • National Park Service • Department of the Interior • Arkansas Historic Preservation Program.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is September 10, 1863.

Location. 34° 44.965′ N, 92° 16.121′ W. Marker is in Little Rock, Arkansas, in Pulaski County. Marker is on Arkansas River Trail. Marker is by the Lord Featherwick sculpture in Julius Breckling Riverfront Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Arkansas River Trail, Little Rock AR 72201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Casimir Pulaski (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Little Rock Campaign - Riverfront Park (about 500 feet away); River Traffic (about 500 feet away); Settlements (about 500 feet away); The Point of Rocks (about 500 feet away); Arkansas in the Civil War (about 500 feet away); It is River City (about 600 feet away); Smaller Rock, Big Bridge (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Little Rock.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 5, 2022

2. The Little Rock Campaign Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 103 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 26, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

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