War Begins

War Begins Wayside

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Quick Facts

Location:

Parade Ground

Amenities

2 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Wheelchair Accessible

At the beginning of the Civil War, U.S. troops, later called Union troops, were stationed at Fort Smith. But following the Confederate victory at Fort Sumter in South Carolina, the U.S. War Department ordered all southern forts abandoned in April of 1861.

Arkansas militia troops gained control of Fort Smith only an hour after U.S. troops left, a transition which happened without conflict.

Confederate forces remained at Fort Smith for just over two years. After Union victories at Gettysburg and Vicksburg in July of 1863, followed by a Confederate defeat at Honey Springs to the west, Union troops regained control of Fort Smith in September, again without conflict.