Battles of Martin Creek & Morgan's Mill
Near this place, on February 8, 1864, Union and Confederate forces
engaged in a 12 mile running battle that ranged from the old
Morgan's Mill on Spring River up and across Martin's Creek along the
old Indian trail that ran from Memphis to Springfield. The Federals,
consisting of the 11th Missouri Cavalry; 4th Arkansas Mounted
Infantry, and 1st Nebraska Cavalry under the command of Col. Robert
R. Livingston, crossed the Spring River and engaged the Confederate
forces Freeman's Regiment, Missouri Cavalry under the command of
Col. Thomas R. Freeman. The junior officers in charge of the
engagement were Capt. M.H. Wolfe of Fristoe's Regiment, Missouri
Cavalry, Capt. Joseph B. Love and Capt. Mau V. Shaver's cavalry
regiments under Col. Freeman's Command who led most of the charges
against Colonel John W. Stephens of the 11th Missouri Cavalry, 1st
Nebraska Cavalry under the command of Captain T.J. Majors as well as
eight men from the 4th Arkansas Mounted Infantry.
Confederate forces out numbered the Federals and gained the
advantage on the Baker Farm and ran the Federal Forces back where
Hardy is today. This was a clear Confederate victory. Casualties:
U.S. 6 killed, 8 wounded, and C.S. 22 killed with several wounded.
W. Danny Honnoll, President and M. Ray Jones, III Trustee
North East Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trails Committee & Sharp
County Historical Society Project.
Photographs by W. Danny Honnoll
