Battle of Pine Bluff
Part of the American Civil War
Date October 25, 1863 (160 years ago) (1863-10-25) Location Jefferson County, Arkansas 34°13′47″N 92°00′12″W / 34.22972°N 92.00333°W / 34.22972; -92.00333 Result Union victory
Belligerents
United States (Union)	Confederate States
Commanders and leaders
Powell Clayton	John S. Marmaduke
Units involved
Post of Pine Bluff	Marmaduke's Division
Strength
550 cavalry and militia, 300 freedmen, 9 guns	2,000 cavalry, 12 guns
Casualties and losses
16 dead and 40 wounded or missing	41 dead, wounded or missing
Pine Bluff Location within Arkansas

The Battle of Pine Bluff, also known as the Action at Pine Bluff, was an engagement fought on October 25, 1863 in Jefferson County, Arkansas during the American Civil War. The Post of Pine Bluff, a United States garrison commanded by Colonel Powell Clayton, successfully defended the town against attacks led by Confederate Brigadier-General John S. Marmaduke's cavalry division. Much of the fighting took place near Jefferson Courthouse, which the Confederates tried unsuccessfully to set ablaze. The Union victory ensured Pine Bluff was occupied by U.S. forces until the end of the war.^[1]

Background

After the capture of Little Rock on September 10, 1863, Union forces occupied several towns along the Arkansas. Confederate Brigadier-General John S. Marmaduke, commanding a cavalry division, decided to test their strength at Pine Bluff. On Sunday, October 25th, Marmaduke attacked the Post of Pine Bluff, a U.S. garrison commanded by Colonel Powell Clayton of the 5th Kansas Cavalry.^[1]

Battle

At 8 a.m., Marmaduke's 2,000 Confederate cavalry approached Pine Bluff from three sides. The 550 Federal cavalrymen and Missouri militia, supported by 300 freedmen, barricaded the courthouse square with cotton-bales and positioned the cannon to command the adjacent streets. Marmaduke's Division made several attacks upon the square, then attempted to set the county courthouse on fire. They were unsuccessful and withdrew to Princeton, Arkansas.^[1][2]