St. Francis in Clay County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
Chalk Bluff in the Civil War
Raids of March-April 1863
Photographed by Craig Swain, March 14, 2009
1. Chalk Bluff in the Civil War Marker
This marker was recently remounted on a two post frame.
On March 10, 1863 Union cavalry captured the ferry after a three-hour fight. They burned buildings and stores of corn in Chalk Bluff and destroyed a large uncompleted ferry boat. Two weeks later on March 24 Union cavalry returned to Chalk Bluff and pursued retreating Confederates as far as Scatterville south of present day Piggott.
On April 20 Confederate cavalry surprised and routed a Union encampment across the river from Chalk Bluff.
Erected 1973 by Arkansas History Commission - Clay County Centennial Year.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is March 10, 1863.
Location. 36° 28.717′ N, 90° 9.809′ W. Marker is in St. Francis, Arkansas, in Clay County. It is on County Road 347. Located at the start of a walking trail in Chalk Bluff Battlefield Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Piggott AR 72454, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Arkansas’ Crowleys Ridge and in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain. 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 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Chalk Bluff (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Chalk Bluff in the Civil War (within shouting distance of this marker); Chalk Bluff Crossing and Town (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Chalk Bluff in the Civil War
this page online
Photographed by Craig Swain, circa 1998
2. Original Mounting
Photographed by Craig Swain, March 14, 2009
3. Chalk Bluff in the Civil War Marker on the Trail
Photographed by Craig Swain
4. Ferry Crossing Site
The town of Chalk Bluff is nothing more than a place name today, but during the 19th century it was an important local crossing point over the St. Francis River. The far side of the river here is Dunklin County, Missouri. Later in May 1863, Confederates were forced to cross the river by way of a rudimentary floating bridge.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 22, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,560 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 22, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on January 22, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on April 22, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on January 22, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
