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 —
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 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.)
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 1,271 times since then and 20 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.