Near Garfield in Benton County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
That Beautiful Charge
March 8, 1862 - Mid-Morning
— Pea Ridge National Military Park —
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 30, 2010
1. That Beautiful Charge Marker
That beautiful charge I shall never forget; with banners streaming, with drums beating, and our long line of blue coats advancing upon the double quick, with their deadly bayonets gleaming in the sunlight, and every man and officer yelling at the top of his lungs.
Eugene B. Payne, captain, 37th Illinois Infantry Regiment
When the bugles sounded the charge at 10:00 a.m., standing here were 10,000 Union men - an entire army visible from one place. During the Civil War such a sight was so rare that its terrifying grandeur seared itself into the memory of every man present.
The Union battle line stretched about a mile across the field before you.
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° 26.84′ N, 94° 1.536′ W. Marker is near Garfield, Arkansas, in Benton County. Marker is on Military Park Road (County Road 65), on the right when traveling south. Located at stop ten, the Federal Line, 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
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Pea Ridge National Military Park. National Park Service entry (Submitted on September 13, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. The Battle of Pea Ridge. American Battlefield Trust website entry (Submitted on September 13, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 21, 2023
2. That Beautiful Charge Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 30, 2010
3. Markers at Tour Stop Ten
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 30, 2010
4. Advance of the Federal Left
Looking from the middle of Cox's Field toward the tour road, with the visitor center visible in the distant center. The gun carriages here represent several Federal batteries deployed in the morning to bombard the Confederate position. Osterhaus' Division wheeled from the south (right) into the middle of this field, extending the Federal line almost to the Ford Road to the north.
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 30, 2010
5. Federals Attack Across Cox's Field
Looking north from Cox's Field toward Elkhorn Mountain. The East Overlook is in the center of view, on the mountain. Following the two hour artillery bombardment, the entire Federal army surged forward across the fields, on a front about a mile wide. The Confederates, positioned in the tree line on the opposite side of the field, were driven back toward Elkhorn Tavern.
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 1,001 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 13, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on June 4, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 13, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
