Near Garfield in Benton County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
Save the Cannon!
March 7, 1862 - Mid-Morning
— Pea Ridge National Military Park —
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 30, 2010
1. Save the Cannon! Marker
Like maddened hornets, Confederate infantrymen boiled out of Morgan's Woods, crossed Leetown Road, and swarmed toward the six Federal cannon that had unlimbered in this corner of Oberson's cornfield. Captain William Black stood in front of the cannon and fired his Colt repeating rifle to single-handedly delay the fierce assault until he fell wounded. Black bought the artillerymen time to save four of the six guns from being captured.
(Caption Under Black's Portrait):
William Black was 19 years old when he fought here with the 37th Illinois Infantry Regiment. Years later he received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his valor at Pea Ridge, one of four men so honored. Black survived the war and practiced law in Chicago.
I saw two rebel officers rush toward Captain Black with drawn swords and demand his surrender... he struck the nearest with his sword...and leaping over his prostrate form with the agility of a tiger, he struck the other full in the face with his already empty revolver, and he fell like a stone.
Samuel McKay, private, 37th Illinois Infantry Regiment
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.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A Crisis in Command (a few steps from this marker); Stand to Your Posts! (within shouting distance of this marker); A Fierce Tangle in Morgan's Woods (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Village Full of Wounded Men (approx. ¼ mile away); Leetown (approx. 0.3 miles away); Two Armies Collide (approx. 0.6 miles away); Getting Ready To Fight (approx. 1.1 miles away); City of Soldiers (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Garfield.
Also see . . .
1. Pea Ridge National Military Park. National Park Service website entry (Submitted on September 10, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Pea Ridge (Elkhorn Tavern). American Battlefield Trust website entry (Submitted on May 8, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 21, 2023
2. Save the Cannon! Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 30, 2010
3. Save the Cannon! Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 30, 2010
4. Cannon Facing Morgan's Wood
The cannon represent those stationed here during the battle, Battery A, 2nd Illinois Artillery.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 10, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,240 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 10, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on June 4, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3, 4. submitted on September 10, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
