The Battle of Jenkins' Ferry

One of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War occurred in Grant County - The Battle of Jenkins' Ferry.  The battle occurred April 29, 30 in 1865.  The Union Army was led by Major General Frederick Steele.  The Confederates were led by General E. Kirby Smith.  General Steele and 5,000 Bluecoats were attempting to get back to Little Rock and had retreated from Camden after being mauled at Marks' Mill and Poison Spring.  On the afternoon of April 29, the Union Forces reached Jenkins' Ferry on the Saline River.  The location is about 15 miles from the present-day location of the Grant County Museum.  The Saline River runs from near Hot Springs through several counties including Grant, before it reaches the Ouachita River in south Arkansas.