On April 18, 1864, a Union forage train of 200 wagons escorted by 1170 men was attacked and captured at Poison Springs by Confederate troops commanded by Generals John S. Marmaduke and Samuel B. Maxey. The wagons were loaded with corn for the Union army of General Frederick Steele encamped at Camden. The loss of these supplies helped hasten Steele's retreat to his base in Little Rock. Union losses at Poison Springs were 301 men killed, wounded, and missing, while Confederate casualties totaled 114 men.