The Confederates Attack Fort Curtis

Fort Curtis stood on a low ridge above Helena in the shadow of Crowley's Ridge, mounting seven heavy guns as the Union army's last line of defense. On the morning of July 4, 1863, fog covered the ridge and kept the fort's gunners from seeing their targets. When the fog lifted, they tried to stop the hard-charging Confederates at Battery C, but failed, and the Confederates captured the battery. General Frederick Salomon then ordered Lt. Col. Thomas Pace's 1st Indiana Cavalry and the Dubuque Battery to Fort Curtis, where infantry summoned from the levee and fleeing soldiers from Battery C joined them. As Confederates gathered for the attack, Sergeant Henry S. Carroll recalled that they seemed to think they had gained the day, but were badly mistaken. Charging down the hill toward the town, the Confederates met destructive fire of grape and canister as well as volleys of musketry. Their officers urged them forward, but the attack failed as they fell back fighting, overwhelmed by the guns of Fort Curtis and Union counterattacks; many were killed or wounded, and hundreds more surrendered.

Helena-West Helena, Arkansas · United States