E-mail: gsm10@pgtc.com

Topic: The Battle of Pea Ridge

Time: 1-2 class periods

Ark. Hist. Framework: 1.1.10, 2.1.12, 3.1.12, 5.1.15

Objective: The students will learn some specifics about the battle of Pea Ridge during the Civil War in Arkansas.

Set: Ask the students if any of them had any distant relatives to fight in the Arkansas battles of the Civil War. Explain to students that one of the largest battles of the war was fought here in the northwest corner of Arkansas.

Materials: Arkansas history textbook, Arkansas map, Battlefield map of Pea Ridge, Lesson review quiz

Key Terms: Union troops, Confederate troops, artillery, battle tactics, casualties

Key Facts: * The Battle of Pea Ridge began on March 7, 1862.
*The confederate troops had about 15,000 men. * The union troops had about 10,500 men.
* The confederate troops were led by General Earl Van Dorn.
* The union troops were led by General Samuel R. Curtis.
* American Indians fought for the confederate troops against the union in this battle.
* The union troops, though outnumbered, had superior artillery to fight with in the battle.
* The battle lasted for 2 days (March 7-8).
* The confederate troops lost nearly 2,000 men in the battle.
* The union troops lost close to 1,500 men in the battle.
* The union troops forced the confederates to retreat on the 2nd day of fighting and won the battle.
* The battle at Pea Ridge was the largest Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River.
* The victory at Pea Ridge gave the Union control of Missouri and led to victory in Arkansas.

Activities: Students will review information about the battle from the textbook. They will look at drawings and maps of the battlefield area. Key terms and facts will be defined and discussed. The students will take a field trip to visit the Battlefield at Pea Ridge, Arkansas and listen to an historical account of the event.

Closure: Discuss the importance of this Civil War battle in Arkansas. Review some of the key facts about the battle and discuss the outcome of the battle for both the Union and the Confederate armies.

Assessment: 1. Students will write a 3 point paragraph on the Battle of Pea Ridge between the Union and the Confederate troops.

2. Students will take a review quiz over key facts about the battle.

Resources: 1. An Arkansas History for Young People (textbook) pp. 151-154

2. The Civil War Battlefield Guide: pp. 20-25 Frances Kennedy

3. Battle of Pea Ridge March 7-8 : pp. 1-21 Claire Moody