Welcome to the Leetown Battlefield, a site steeped in the intense history of the American Civil War. Nestled in the northwest corner of Arkansas, this battlefield was the stage for one of the war’s most pivotal engagements, the Battle of Pea Ridge, also known as the Battle of Elkhorn Tavern. Established in the 1840s by John W. Lee, a farmer from Kentucky, Leetown was a small settlement comprised of modest frame and log houses. On March 7-8, 1862, this quiet hamlet became a focal point in the struggle for control over Missouri, a strategic goal for both Union and Confederate forces.
The Union forces, under the command of Brigadier General Samuel R. Curtis, engaged the Confederate troops led by Major General Earl Van Dorn. The battle was a turning point, as Curtis’s forces successfully repelled the Confederate advance, securing Missouri for the Union. This victory was crucial in maintaining Union control over the border states and bolstering morale in the Western Theater.
The battlefield at Leetown was marked by fierce combat, and many of the homes and farms in the area were repurposed as makeshift hospitals to care for the wounded. The aftermath of the battle left the town in devastation, with the fields littered with the remnants of war.
In the years following the Civil War, Leetown struggled to recover. Many families moved to nearby communities, like Pea Ridge, to rebuild their lives. The construction of the Saint Louis & San Francisco Railroad in the 1880s drew remaining residents towards new opportunities in the growing town of Rogers, Arkansas, leaving Leetown a memory in the annals of history.
Visiting the Leetown Battlefield today offers a poignant reminder of the past, with its serene landscapes silently echoing the sounds of history. The site is part of the Pea Ridge National Military Park, where visitors can explore the terrain that once bore witness to this significant chapter of American history.
