fbpx
Close

Uh oh...

It appears that you're using a severely outdated version of Safari on Windows. Many features won't work correctly, and functionality can't be guaranteed. Please try viewing this website in Edge, Mozilla, Chrome, or another modern browser. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused!

Read More about this safari issue.
Close
South Helena-West Helena
Get directions
South Travel 0

The Battle of Helena Comes Alive

L

fort curtis header cannons

Last year marked the 150th year of the Battle of Helena. I’m embarrassed to say until my recent trip to Helena (courtesy of Helena Advertising and Promotions Commission), I wasn’t aware of this battle. Really, during my school girl years, I was always more concerned with diagramming sentences than history, and this particular battle slipped through the cracks of my Arkansas education.

The Battle of Helena was a pivotal turning point. This bloody battle marked the Confederates’ last major offensive in Arkansas and last attempt to control the Mississippi River. Perhaps understandably the Battle of Helena was completely overshadowed by Gettysburg, which occurred the same day.

Freedom Park

Freedom Park was the first location in Arkansas designated by the National Park Service as a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site. This scenic park is dedicated to the African American experience during the war with five major interpretive exhibits including illustrated panels, life-sized statues, and structures representing a plantation house and refugee dwelling.

FREEDOM PARK

Directly across from Freedom Park, Estevan Hall served as a hospital during the war. This property, built in the 1820’s by Fleetwood Hanks, was owned and occupied by Hanks’ descendants for 170 years. The raised base and sweeping veranda are more in the style of Louisiana antebellum homes than typical Arkansas architecture. Estevan Hall is currently undergoing renovations and will be open to the public in late fall 2014 as the Helena Visitor Center with a focus on Civil War history.

Estevan Hall, Helena, Ar

Fort Curtis

Soon after the Union soldiers marched into Helena, Fort Curtis was strategically stationed so that cannons would reach most any direction. The earthen fort, named for the Union General in command, was reinforced with Batteries A, B, C, and D positioned on the outskirts of town. The new Fort Curtis is a replica of the original.

From inside this earthen fort, experience the unique construction firsthand. Interpretive panels provide information on the use of contraband (runaway slaves) for construction. Impressive 24-pounder guns are on display.

INSIDE FORT CURTIS

Battery C

Strategically placed along the steep tip of Crowley’s Ridge, Battery C, also known as Graveyard Hill, was perfectly positioned to defend from Confederate land attacks as well as control the Mississippi River. In stark contrast to the lives lost atop this ridge, Battery C offers a truly breathtaking and peaceful view of the town and Mississippi River.

The view from Battery C

From high atop Battery C, this hallowed land was preserved and protected by a tangled growth of kudzu. Wire structures now mark the original earthen battery.

Battery C

Development of additional sites is on-going at the pace of approximately one per year as funds allow. Currently under development is a site entitled “Marching into Helena”. This site will consist of life-sized paintings (turned into panels) depicting the Union army marching into Helena followed by escaped slaves seeking freedom. This exhibit will be the first visitors will see after crossing the bridge from Memphis. State flags will fly representing each regiment of soldiers who fought in Helena during the Civil War.

Helena is a must see for history buffs. My quick glimpse of Civil War sites does not do justice to the incredible history lesson that is Helena. Helena maintains over fifty historical interpretive panels throughout the city. Visit Civil War Helena for a more comprehensive look, or better yet, drive on over.

On great fields something stays. Forms change and pass; bodies disappear; but spirits linger to consecrate ground for the vision-place of souls… ― Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain

Meet the
author.

Learn more about .

A little about .

Talya Tate Boerner is the author of two award-winning books—The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee and Gene, Everywhere. A fourth-generation farm girl and native of Mississippi County, Talya lives in Fayetteville where she is self-proclaimed nature lover and book hoarder. Talya blogs at Grace Grits and Gardening and writes a quarterly column for Arkansas Farm Bureau’s Front Porch Magazine called Delta Child. When she isn’t writing, she can be found playing in her garden.

Read more stories by Talya Tate Boerner

 

Visit Talya Tate Boerner’s Website

Like this story? Read more from Talya Tate Boerner

2
2
1
1
7
7

Join the Conversation

Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

 

Submit a photo

We select one featured photo per week, but we show many more in our gallery. Be sure to fill out all the fields in order to have yours selected.

  • Accepted file types: jpg, png, Max. file size: 5 MB.

Regions Topics
Social

What are you looking for?

Explore Arkansas

Central Arkansas

Little Rock, Conway, Searcy, Benton, Heber Springs

Northwest Arkansas

Fayetteville, Bentonville, Springdale, Fort Smith

South Arkansas

Hot Springs, Pine Bluff, Texarkana, Arkadelphia

Explore by Topic