Near Garfield in Benton County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
Elkhorn Tavern Taken
March 7, 1862 - Early Afternoon
— Pea Ridge National Military Park —
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 21, 2023
1. Elkhorn Tavern Taken Marker
Confederate commander Earl Van Dorn had pushed his army relentlessly for a week to catch the Union army by surprise. Now, after hours of hard fighting up the Telegraph Road, here in sight of Elkhorn Tavern, Van Dorn gambled by committing all his reserves. As the Missouri State Guard regiments drove back the last Federal defenders, Elkhorn Tavern appeared to be a bold Confederate victory.
Like magic the word 'Charge!' ran along the line... a battery [of six Union cannon] opened upon us...tearing through our lines...[we] recoiled for an instant under the iron hail...when 'On to the battery!' was the cry, and with a yell..we closed upon the opposing ranks...the thunder of the artillery and the opening roll of the muskets...were deafening...the torrent of lead and iron poured through the surrounding smoke.
Ephraim Anderson, private, 2nd Missouri Regiment
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° 27.229′ N, 94° 0.91′ W. Marker is near Garfield, Arkansas, in Benton County. Marker can be reached from Military Park Road (County Road 65), on the left when traveling south. Located
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Butterfield Overland Mail Route (a few steps from this marker); Vulnerable in Victory (within shouting distance of this marker); Disastrous Retreat (within shouting distance of this marker); Lifeline for Two Armies (within shouting distance of this marker); Pea Ridge and the Trail of Tears (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Remembrance and Reunion (about 500 feet away); A Reunited Soldiery Monument (about 600 feet away); Pea Ridge Confederate Monument (about 600 feet 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 12, 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.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 30, 2010
2. Elkhorn Tavern Taken Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 30, 2010
3. Elkhorn Tavern Taken Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 30, 2010
4. Old Telegraph Road
A service road and foot trail follows the trace of the old road. Lytle's Missouri Brigade, including the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Missouri Regiments, attacked down the road toward Elkhorn Tavern in the afternoon fighting of March 7, 1862.
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 30, 2010
5. 3.80 inch James Rifle Type 1
This rifled bronze cannon, originally cast as a smoothbore but rifled at the start of the war, represents Jones's Battery (1st Iowa Independent Battery). The gunners defended Elkhorn Tavern, but were in a dangerously exposed position. Over twenty Confederate guns concentrated fire on the battery, blowing up two ammunition chests and causing a great many casualties.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 12, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,491 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on November 10, 2010, by Mark Wm Johnson of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on June 4, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 12, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
