Civil War Sites Advisory Commission

Battle Summaries

National Park Service

Devil's Backbone

CWSAC Reference #: AR009

Other Names: Backbone Mountain

Preservation Priority: II.3 (Class C)

Location: Sebastian County

Campaign: Operations to Control Indian Territory (1863)

Date(s): September 1, 1863

Principal Commanders: Col. William F. Cloud [US]; Brig. Gen. W. L. Cabell [CS]

Forces Engaged: 2nd Kansas Cavalry, 6th Missouri Cavalry, and two sections of Rabb's 2nd Indiana Battery [US]; Cabell's Brigade [CS]

Estimated Casualties: 81 total (US 16; CS 65)

Description: Union Maj. Gen. James G. Blunt ordered Col. William Cloud to continue in pursuit of the Confederate forces that had withdrawn from Fort Smith and were chased to Old Jenny Lind. The Rebels turned on Cloud and skirmished with him at the base of Devil's Backbone. Cabell's forces ambushed approaching Union troops and momentarily halted their advance. Regrouping, the Union forces, with the help of artillery, advanced again and forced the Confederates to retire in disorder to Waldron.

Result(s): Union victory

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Original Source: http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/battles/ar009.htm

Last Updated: 2/26/1996


(Source: Civil War Sites Advisory Commission Report: Battle Summaries, published by the National Park Service.)


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