Battle of Elkin's Ferry

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Battle of Elkin's Ferry
Part of the American Civil War
Date April 3-April 4, 1864 Location Clark County and Nevada County, Arkansas Result Union victory
Combatants
United States of America (U.S. Army)	Confederate States of America (Confederate States Army)
Commanders
Frederick Steele	John S. Marmaduke
Strength
3rd Division, VII Corps 2 cavalry brigades 8,500 men	3 cavalry brigades 7,500 men
Casualties
38 men	54 men

Camden Expedition
Elkin's Ferry – Prairie D'Ane – Poison Spring – Marks' Mills – Jenkins' Ferry

The Battle of Elkin's Ferry was fought April 3–4, 1864, in Clark and Nevada counties in Arkansas as part of the Camden Expedition of the American Civil War.

Union Major General Fred Steele had the 3rd Division of the VII Corps and two cavalry brigades (about 8,500 men) under his command. Confederate Brigadier General John S. Marmaduke had three cavalry brigades (about 7,500 men) under his command.

During the Camden expedition, the Union forces had to ford the Little Missouri River because all of the bridges were impassable. The Union forces reached Elkin's Ferry before the Confederates, but on April 3 were attacked by Brigadier General Joseph O. "Jo" Shelby's cavalry.

On April 4, 1864, Marmaduke's cavalry attacked the Union forces as they were trying to cross the river. The Union forces were able to fend off both of these attacks and then cross the river.

Losses on both sides in the Battle of Elkins' Ferry were light, with 30 Union soldiers slightly wounded, 50 Confederates wounded, and 18 Southerners killed. On the evening of the 4th, Shelby's brigade joined Marmaduke, and together they withdrew 16 miles south to Prairie D'Ane the following morning.