The Battle of Pea Ridge (March 7 – 8, 1862), also known as the Battle of Elkhorn Tavern, is a major battle of the American Civil War fought near Leetown, northeast of Fayetteville, Arkansas

Federal forces, led by Brig. Gen. Samuel R. Curtis, move  south from central Missouri, driving Confederate forces into northwestern Arkansas.

Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn launches a Confederate counter-offensive, hoping to recapture northern Arkansas and Missouri.

Curtis holds off the Confederate attack on the first day and drives Van Dorn's force off the battlefield on the second.

This American Civil War battle is one of the few in which a Confederate army outnumbers its opponent.

By defeating the Confederates, the Union forces essentially establish Federal control of most of Missouri and northern Arkansas.

They have more battles to fight in southern Arkansas.