Battle Of Helena  "Graveyard Hill"  July 4, 1863
 
The Confederates had planned that the July 4, 1863, attack on Helena, Ark., would consist of a simultaneous movement from four directions on the Mississippi River town that was garrisoned by 4,129 Union soldiers. Because of the misunderstood orders and mismanagement, the southernmost members of the 7,646-man Rebel force advanced alone at dawn and met stiff resistance from the Northern troops, who were concentrated in front of them atop Hindman Hill. Aided by cannon fire from the U.S. gunboat Tyler, the Yankees were able to prevent the attackers from capturing their hilltop fortress.

The two brigades commanded by Gen. Sterling Price that made up the principle Rebel force began their attack on Graveyard Hill at the center of the Union line around 8:00am. By then the covering morning fog was dissipating and the Southerners were subjected to a crossfire from nearby Union batteries. They took heavy losses in their three successive charges up the steep and barren hill, their third charge was successful in forcing the Northerners from the top of the hill. As the Yankees departed, they took the friction primers for the cannon so the Confederates could not fire the captured guns.

Once atop Graveyard Hill, the Rebel offensive quickly fell into confusion. The Union batteries on hills on each side of the Confederates fired into their midst, and the Tyler added broadside after broadside from its eight-inch guns. Commanding Gen. Theophilus Holmes rode to the top of the hill, but because he issued vague and contradictory orders, he only added to the confusion.

The other two Rebel columns failed to mount their attacks, allowing Union commander Gen. Benjamin M. Prentiss to send reinforcements back up the hill. By 10:30am Holmes had realized the battle was lost and ordered a withdrawal. The Confederate losses at Helena were 173 killed, 687 wounded, and 776 missing. The Union losses were only 57 killed, 146 wounded, and 36 missing. Prentiss has presented a masterly defense, but much of the credit for his victory belonged to the Tyler.

Fascinating Fact:  One Rebel soldier said: "Since that day at Helena, I tell the boys I would rather buck against a hoodoo than try to down Old Glory on the 4th of July."


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