Defending Fort Smith

Fort Smith was fired on only once during the Civil War. On July 31, 1864, Confederates launched a diversionary attack from across the Poteau River in hopes of capturing the city of Fort Smith by drawing Union troops away from other city locations they planned to attack. Using one small cannon and a few Creek and Cherokee sharpshooters, the Confederates succeeded in drawing a response, but Union troops answered with overwhelming firepower. The Confederates failed to take the city, but the attack drove thousands of refugees, shattered families, and runaway slaves into the already overcrowded fort, taxing the Union's ability to feed and house soldiers and civilians.

Fort Smith, Arkansas · United States