Jacksonville in Pulaski County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
A Gallant Charge
The First Iowa Cavalry Charges Burning Reed's Bridge
Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 9, 2018
1. A Gallant Charge Marker
As Gen. John Davidson saw flames erupting from the only bridge across Bayou Meto, he ordered Lt. Col. Daniel Anderson to take his First Iowa Cavalry Regiment and save the bridge, if possible. Anderson and his men thundered down the Memphis to Little Rock Road, but were met with a savage fire of artillery and musketry, blunting their assault and causing the bulk of the day's casualties for the Union. The First Iowa Cavalry lost one man killed and thirty-six wounded in the doomed charge on Reed's Bridge.
"The enemy charged down the road in splendid style, as if to save the bridge, but it were better had many of them never been born. The dense cloud of smoke from the crackling, burning bridge, like sorrow's veil, hung between them and Bledsoe's battery, and when the head of their long lines had nearly reached the bridge, these noble old guns sent shell and shot, winged with fury, screaming and hissing up their lines, scattering the mangled fragments of men and horses like chaff before the wind."
Major John Newman Edwards, C.S.A.
"In making the charge, the regiment was exposed to a terrible fire from the enemy's artillery and sharpshooters. We reached the bridge, but not in time to save it; it was already engulfed in flames. ...I then dismounted the command and went forward on foot."
Lt.
this page online
"Went after them again, fighting in good earnest. 1st Batalion got in a very hot place."
Diary of M.S. Andrews, First Iowa Cavalry
Erected by the Arkansas Humanities Council and the Department of Arkansas Heritage, the Arkansas Historic Preservation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • War, US Civil.
Location. 34° 50.804′ N, 92° 7.186′ W. Marker is in Jacksonville, Arkansas, in Pulaski County. Marker is on South First Street (Arkansas Route 161) 0.3 miles south of Carver Lane, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: South First Street, Jacksonville AR 72076, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Brother Against Brother (here, next to this marker); Our Batteries Opened a Tremendous Fire (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Defense of the Ford (approx. ¼ mile away); Like Sorrow's Veil... (approx. ¼ mile away); The Little Rock Campaign (approx. ¼ mile away); The Little Rock Campaign (approx. ¼ mile away); Marmaduke-Walker Duel (approx. 0.4 miles away); Thunder on Bayou Meto (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jacksonville.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 9, 2018
2. A Gallant Charge Marker looking south towards the Reed's Bridge Battlefield.
Also see . . . The Battle of Bayou Meto (August 27, 1863), also known as the Battle of Reed's Bridge. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on April 25, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Additional keywords. A Gallant Charge
Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 318 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 18, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
