Richland Valley Preservation

Battle of Richland Valley, Searcy County, During the War Between The States (By J. C. WASSON.)

The federal report of Col. Phelps, under the date of May 10, 1864, states that the fighting between some of the federal soldiers under Lieut. Garner and the Rebel forces was fought near the mouth of Richland Creek on May 3, 1864. He further states the water was high at this time, and his army was camped on the north bank of Buffalo River.
I have often heard this battle referred to in the papers as the "Lost Battle of the Civil War," and understand the reason--no one could locate this battle unless they had something more definite than the above report to go by. To get the record straight, follow me and I will try to reconstruct this battle in detail, just as it happened, as related to me by old residents of this section who were eye witnesses to the fighting.

According to my information, the battle occurred May 3, 1863 [sic]. The location of the battle was on the J. C. Wasson place in Richland Valley, Searcy County, four miles south of Buffalo River. The federal forces, under Lieut. Garner, were in camp at this place. The Rebel forces under Col. Jackman, were stationed at Saint Joe, 11 miles away. Before an engagement could take place, it was necessary that both armies should be on the same side of the river. Sometimes strategy is the decisive factor in a battle. Jackman, realizing this, marched his army down the river below Saint Joe to Grinder's Ferry and crossed over the river to the south side, and then headed westward towards Richland. His way was blocked by Point Peter mountain. No road, and the timber so thick you couldn't fire a bullet through it without hitting a tree.
The soldiers chopped out a road that wound around the north end of the mountain, coming down off the mountain at the Treadwell place. The two-wheel cart, with the cannon mounted on it, and the muzzle dragging the ground, marked out the new road, which for years was known as the Old Military Road.
After the Rebels formed their battle line, they were within one-quarter of a mile of the federal camps. They sprung the surprise attack by striking the federals from the rear, sending a volley of bursting shells into the enemy's camp. The federals were confused by the sudden attack, which seemed to take the fight out of them. They were defeated, losing five killed; had 30 teams and 30 wagons captured. The defeated army hastily retreated up the valley, with the Rebels in hot pursuit.
There were three skirmishes between the first battle and the foot of the mountain where the road leads up the Boston mountain. These fights, or skirmishes, were referred to by the old steelers as "a running fight, the Rebels attacking when they could overtake the fleeing army.
The first skirmish took place three-quarters of a mile south of the first battle. Two soldiers were killed. The second fight occurred near the mouth of Dry Creek, with three killed. Mrs. M. A. Cash said that during this fight she and the children stood in the fireplace of their home to keep the bullets from hitting them. The third, and last, skirmish occurred on the Jack Cole place with two killed. It was only two miles further to the foot of the mountain where my father lived. He said what was left of the federal forces passed there in a wild stampede--many throwing away their guns, some abandoning their horses--and following along behind them was a lone Rebel horseman, firing of his gun occasionally, and yelling like an Indian. Evidently, they thought the whole Rebel force was still after them.