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Jenkins Ferry State Park
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State Park Overview
In the spring of 1864, three Civil War battles took place in south central Arkansas that were part of the Union Armys "Red River Campaign." Arkansass three state historic parks that commemorate these battles--Poison Spring, Marks Mills and Jenkins Ferry--are part of the Red River Campaign National Historic Landmark.

Here at Jenkins Ferry on April 29 and 30, Union troops fought off an attack by the Confederates and using an inflatable pontoon bridge crossed the flooded Saline River and retreated to Little Rock.

The land where this Civil War battle took place was settled by Thomas Jenkins, who started the ferry in 1815. It was run by his sons, William and John DeKalb, until the Civil War circa 1861.

On April 26, 1864, the day after the battle at Marks Mills and under the cover of darkness, General Frederick Steele, his men and what equipment they had left, crossed the Ouachita River at Camden on a pontoon bridge. Steele had gone to great lengths to convince Confederate scouts his troops spent the night inside the safety of the town. It was mid-morning before the Rebels realize they had been tricked.

The Confederates only hope of catching the fast-fleeing Federal troops was at the rain-swollen Saline River at Jenkins Ferry, some 50 miles north. A torrential rain pounded Steeles troops on April 29. As wagons, horses and mules bogged down in the quagmire, Steele and his men reluctantly made camp at Jenkins Ferry. Steele spent the night plotting ways to hold off advancing enemy troops while crossing the river at the same time. The first Rebels arriving at Jenkins Ferry on April 30 found themselves facing the full force of Steeles army. Steeles men were backed up to the Saline River, but entrenched and protected from flanked attacks by an overflowing creek and a flooded swamp.

The Battle of Jenkins Ferry, the third leg of the Red River Campaign, began after the first light of the foggy day. Despite their disadvantaged position, the Confederates launched one unorganized attack after another. Rebel commanders knew that letting up the pressure would allow Steeles army to cross the Saline and escape.By the end of the bloody day, the South had lost nearly 1,000 soldiers and the North nearly 700. But Steeles army managed to cross the river and continue retreating to Little Rock.



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| Dispatches | Resources | Saver | E-ews | Home | E-Mail back next Prattsville JENKINS FERRY STATE PARK 1200 Catherine Park Road., Hot Springs -R 71913, (501) 844-4176 From The Civil War Trust

Rivers & Trails program brings National Park Service expertise to locally-led conservation
only from the watersheds of 4 tributaries. Jenkins Ferry State Park is located on the river. This

MN001) G/L 584 Grand Gulf Military Park (MS) Grand Gulf (MS004) G/M --- Jenkins Ferry State Park (AR) Jenkins Ferry (AR016) G/L 40 Killdeer Mountain State Historic Park (ND) Killdeer Mountain
...tle of Jenkins Ferry -rkansas site photos
Markers These four markers are courtesy of Al Wessel Jenkins Ferry State Park The Saline River Bottoms Red River Campaign Battle of Jenkins Ferry
...irectory of online businesses and services in Grant County -rkansas, including links to the arts -utomotive
South Arkansas A brief description of Jenkins Ferry State Park, which was the site of a

s fun and educational but it doesnt cost a cent! Participating Sites ARKANSAS Jenkins Ferry State Park, Hot Springs, 501-844-4205 Camp White Sulfur Springs Confederate Cemetery, Pine Bluff, 870

privacy policy . terms & conditions Jenkins Ferry Jenkins Ferry State Park The Jenkins Ferry battlefield is administered by
from Camden to Jenkins Ferry State Park, follow Highway 79 to

offensive in Arkansas was a failure. Estimated Casualties 700 US, 1,000 CS Jenkins Ferry State Park, four miles north of Leola, includes forty acres of the historic battlefield. Site Map I

Jenkins Ferry State Park