Arkansas Post National Memorial in Arkansas County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

On they come like an irresistible thunder bolt

William Heartsill, sergeant, 2nd Texas Cavalry

— Arkansas Post National Memorial —

<i>On they come like an irresistible thunder bolt </i> Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 26, 2017

1. On they come like an irresistible thunder bolt Marker

Inscription. The Confederate scouts were alarmed. Looking down river to your right, one exclaimed, "One could hardly see anything in the background but smokestacks."

Union soldiers disembarked from their transports. All night, knee deep in mud, they advanced as bursting shells lit the way. They headed for the Confederate line, located in front of you near the road that today leads to the picnic area. "Like a serpent decoying its prey, the Federal troops lay coiled around us."

Union gunboats destroyed the fort. Federal troops faced a barrage of bullets. As they prepared for a massive charge, the Confederate troops surrendered.

The loss of Fort Hindman made the flow of supplies easier for the Union, and more difficult for the Confederates. 5,000 soldiers were taken prisoner. The Union troops moved on to attack Vicksburg with their confidence restored from the victory here at Arkansas Post.

The earth was literally blue from one end of their line to the other.
Louis Caraway, sergeant, 24th Texas Cavalry

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels.

Location.

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34° 1.195′ N, 91° 20.68′ W. Marker is in Arkansas Post National Memorial, Arkansas, in Arkansas County. Marker can be reached from Old Post Road, half a mile south of State Route 169. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1741 Old Post Road, Gillett AR 72055, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Where is Fort Hindman? (a few steps from this marker); Our ironclads and gunboats knocked the fort to pieces (within shouting distance of this marker); The Post of Arkansas (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Colbert Raid (approx. 0.2 miles away); Edge of Empires (approx. 0.2 miles away); The European Settlement (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Arkansas Posts (approx. 0.2 miles away); 38,000 Reasons to Fight (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arkansas Post National Memorial.

Also see . . . National Park Service website on the Battle of Arkansas Post. (pdf). (Submitted on September 19, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Additional keywords. On they come like an irresistible thunder bolt

<i>On they come like an irresistible thunder bolt </i> Marker on left. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 26, 2017

2. On they come like an irresistible thunder bolt Marker on left.

Arkansas Post National Memorial entrance sign, about 1000 feet north of marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 26, 2017

3. Arkansas Post National Memorial entrance sign, about 1000 feet north of marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 19, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 307 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 19, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.