Okolona is in Clark County. The town was the site of influential
battles such as the Battle of Elkin’s Ferry during the Civil War. Part of the
Red River Campaign, the Camden Expedition tracks Union movements during a
failed Federal military campaign in March 1864.
Union General Frederick Steele marched his men from Little
Rock intent on connecting with another Federal army in Shreveport, LA, then
conquering the cotton-rich Red River Valley of Texas. In Arkadelphia, Steele
was joined by a second Union force out of Fort Smith, then marched south. They skirmished
with Rebels at Okolona before crossing the Little Missouri River at Elkin’s Ferry.
After several days of skirmishing at Prairie D’ Ane (now
Prescott), Steele’s famished troops broke off their advance and occupied
Camden. Soon after Confederate troops ambushed a foraging party at Poison
Spring. And another at Marks’ Mills. Steele became unable to supply his army
and decided to fall back to Little Rock. After a battle at Jenkins’ Ferry (the
last battle of the campaign) his troops made it back to their home base.