Rear Guard Action at Moscow

After four days of skirmishing on Prairie D'Ane northeast of Moscow, Union troops of John Thayer's Frontier Division guarded the rear of Frederick Steele's army as it advanced toward Camden in search of supplies. On April 13, 1864, Confederate troops struck the Federal lines on the edge of the prairie, and for four hours the two forces fought. The Confederates withdrew and were pursued for four miles, but Thayer's men, finding themselves isolated, made a night march through swamp to rejoin Steele's command. Union losses were seven killed and 21 wounded, while Confederate casualties were not reported. A Union soldier recalled that the Rebels drove in the pickets, entered camp before their approach was known, and that the men remained in line until dark under heavy artillery fire. Samuel Bell Maxey commanded the Confederate attack on the Union rear guard near the village of Moscow.

Arkansas · United States