Battle of Brownsville, Arkansas

Battle of Brownsville
Part of the American Civil War
Date August 25, 1863 Location Lonoke County, Arkansas 34°48′55″N 91°52′46″W / 34.81528°N 91.87944°W / 34.81528; -91.87944 Result Union victory
Belligerents
United States (Union)	Confederate States
Commanders and leaders
Washington Geiger	John Marmaduke
Strength
c.5,200	c.1,300

The Battle of Brownsville was fought on August 25, 1863, near what is now Lonoke, Arkansas, between Union forces led by Colonel Washington Geiger and Confederate troops under Brigadier General John S. Marmaduke. Union forces commanded by Major General Frederick Steele were advancing from Helena, Arkansas, towards Little Rock, the state capital of Arkansas. Confederate Major General Sterling Price ordered cavalry led by Marmaduke and Brigadier General Lucius M. Walker to Brownsville in response to the Union advance.

Marmaduke's men defended a forward position, while Walker's remained to the rear in some woods; the plan was for Marmaduke to draw Union troops into an ambush. However, Walker did not come to Marmaduke's aid when a Union brigade commanded by Geiger advanced. Geiger's men drove the outnumbered Confederates from their first position. Reforming, Marmaduke attempted to form another line further to the west, but retreated again after delaying the Union advance. Union troops pursued until nightfall. The campaign against Little Rock continued, and the city was taken on September 10.