Near Garfield in Benton County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Confederate Sunset

Pea Ridge National Military Park

— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —

Confederate Sunset Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 21, 2023

1. Confederate Sunset Marker

Inscription.
As the sun set on the first day of battle, about 3,000 rebels from Missouri made their final charge here. Crossing Ben Ruddick's stubbled cornfield, they ran straight toward the muzzles of Federal cannon set wheel hub to wheel hub against a line of trees. After hours of fighting withdrawals, this last Union line held firm. Rebuffed Confederates ebbed back to Elkhorn Tavern. In the dusk, men of both armies feared they were standing on the brink of collapse.

...it was almost dark and we got so near the [Federal] battery that the fire from the guns would pass in jetting streams, through our lines.
Asa Payne, private, 3rd Missouri Regiment

Outnumbered, hard-pressed Union cannoneers and infantrymen regrouped and reloaded here at the edge of Ruddick's field.

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. 36° 26.961′ N, 94° 1.318′ W. Marker is near Garfield, Arkansas, in Benton County. Marker is on Military Park Road (County Road 65), on the left when traveling south. Located at stop nine on the driving tour of Pea Ridge National Military Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Garfield AR 72732, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least

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8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Perfect Storm of Shot and Shell (a few steps from this marker); "Dat De Shpot, Sergent!" (approx. ¼ mile away); That Beautiful Charge (approx. ¼ mile away); Night Moves (approx. 0.3 miles away); Fiery Finale on Ruddick's Field (approx. 0.3 miles away); It was the Grandest Thing I Ever Saw... (approx. 0.3 miles away); Slaughter in the Rocks (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hard Fighting Near Leetown (approx. 0.3 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 13, 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 Craig Swain, August 30, 2010

2. Confederate Sunset Marker

Photographed By Craig Swain, August 30, 2010

3. Confederate Sunset Marker

Confederates Reach Ruddick's Field image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, August 30, 2010

4. Confederates Reach Ruddick's Field

Driving the Federals from Elkhorn Tavern, General Sterling Price's Missouri Division reached the edge of Ruddick's Field somewhat disorganized in the afternoon of March 7, 1862. Most of Price's artillery was still north of the Tavern. Unable to bring the force to bear, Price's attacks stalled near the end of the day.

Federal Defense image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, August 30, 2010

5. Federal Defense

Empty artillery carriages represent the thirteen guns massed at the southwest edge of Ruddick's Field. Federals from General Eugene Carr's Division rallied here and halted the Confederate advance. A Federal counterattack made as the sun receded gained the north side of the field but fell back.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,270 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 4, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 13, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.