After Confederate Brig. Gen. John S. Marmaduke's unsuccessful raid into southeast Missouri in April 1863, Federal Brig. Gen. William Vandever pursued the retreating Confederates toward northeast Arkansas. On May 1-2 at the town of Chalk Bluff, a strategic crossing of the St. Frances River, the Confederates constructed a crude floating bridge across the flooded river and entrenched on the commanding heights while a rear guard skirmished with the approaching Federals. Marmaduke's rearguard received heavy punishemnt, and most of his main force crossed the river and escaped. However, 250 Texas cavalrymen were trapped on the Missouri side when the bridge supports were cut. They swam with their horses across the river into Arkansas. Because Marmaduke's force suffered heavy casualties, he ended his raiding expedition.

The Battle of Chalk Bluff was tactital victory for the Confederates. However, the result of the battle forced Marmaduke to end his expedition, making this a strategic Union victory.

Several other skirmishes occured at Chalk Bluff during the Vicksburg Campaign as both sides attempted to use and control the river crossing. These skirmishes occurred on May 15, 1862, and March 9, 15, and April 1, 1863.

The town of Chalk Bluff no longer exists. Historic plaques in Chalk Bluff Park, 2 miles north of St. Francis, Arkansas, tell of the battle.

The Battle of Chalk Bluff, designated one of the Civil War's 384 principal battlefields by the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission in 1993, has regional/state significance, because it had an observable influence on the outcome of the Vicksburg campaign. The battle resulted in forcing Marmaduke to end his expedition in southeast Missouri and northeast Arkansas and thus reasserted Union control of that region.

The Natural Heritage Commission of Clay County presently preserves Chalk Bluff. At the park Marmaduke's raid is interpreted among other events. Additional interpretation and connecting the site to the Vicksburg Heritage Coalition is encouraged.