On March 10, 1863, Union cavalry captured the ferry at Chalk Bluff after a three-hour fight. They burned buildings and stores of corn in Chalk Bluff and destroyed a large uncompleted ferry boat. Two weeks later, on March 24, Union cavalry returned to Chalk Bluff and pursued retreating Confederates as far as Scatterville south of present day Piggott. On April 20, Confederate cavalry surprised and routed a Union encampment across the river from Chalk Bluff.
