The 

Battle of Van Buren was fought at Van Buren, Arkansas, on December 28, 1862, during
the American Civil War. After winning the Battle of Prairie Grove on
December 7, Union brigadier generals James G. Blunt (pictured) and Francis J.
Herron prepared for a raid against the Confederate positions at Van Buren and Fort Smith. The
Union troops struck an outlying Confederate cavalry unit north of Van Buren the morning of
December 28. The Confederate cavalry fled to Van Buren, which was then overrun by Union
troops. The Union pursued and captured three steamboats, Confederate troops, and many
supplies; two more steamboats and more supplies were destroyed by the Confederates. An
artillery duel occurred at Van Buren and there was minor skirmishing further downriver after
nightfall. After the battle, Confederate major general Thomas C. Hindman withdrew his men
to Little Rock and the Union force returned from the raid. The battles of Prairie Grove and Van
Buren broke Confederate strength in the region. The Battle of Van Buren was fought at Van
Buren, Arkansas, on December 28, 1862, during the American Civil War. After winning
the Battle of Prairie Grove on December 7, Union brigadier generals James G.
Blunt (pictured) and Francis J. Herron prepared for a raid against the Confederate positions at
Van Buren and Fort Smith. The Union troops struck an outlying Confederate cavalry unit north
of Van Buren the morning of December 28. The Confederate cavalry fled to Van Buren, which
was then overrun by Union troops. The Union pursued and captured three steamboats,
Confederate troops, and many supplies; two more steamboats and more supplies were
destroyed by the Confederates. An artillery duel occurred at Van Buren and there was minor
skirmishing further downriver after nightfall. After the battle, Confederate major
general Thomas C. Hindman withdrew his men to Little Rock and the Union force returned
from the raid. The battles of Prairie Grove and Van Buren broke Confederate strength in the
region. The Battle of Van Buren was fought at Van Buren, Arkansas, on December 28, 1862,
during the American Civil War. After winning the Battle of Prairie Grove on
December 7, Union brigadier generals James G. Blunt (pictured) and Francis J.
Herron prepared for a raid against the Confederate positions at Van Buren and Fort Smith. The
Union troops struck an outlying Confederate cavalry unit north of Van Buren the morning of
December 28. The Confederate cavalry fled to Van Buren, which was then overrun by Union
troops. The Union pursued and captured three steamboats, Confederate troops, and many
supplies; two more steamboats and more supplies were destroyed by the Confederates. An
artillery duel occurred at Van Buren and there was minor skirmishing further downriver after
nightfall. After the battle, Confederate major general Thomas C. Hindman withdrew his men
to Little Rock and the Union force returned from the raid. The battles of Prairie Grove and Van
Buren broke Confederate strength in the region.