Pea Ridge

Pea Ridge

Noel Laflin

3-7-20

The battle of Pea Ridge in northern Arkansas was fought on this day in 1862.

I bring this up as it’s the only Civil War battlefield that I have ever visited, and even then, it was not on our road trip agenda thirty years ago.

But there were the signs along the highway telling us of the famous roadside attraction as we departed our log cabin motel in Hot Springs early one June morning. So we stopped in for a look round.

We had the grounds practically to ourselves that beautiful summer morning. I even have a photo, somewhere lying about, of handsome young Jeremy petting the head of a handsome young fawn that emerged from the woods in order to check us out. We quickly departed, however, when the youngster’s daddy showed up. He was a magnificent looking creature.

We viewed ancient cannons still in place, read of rebel and Yankee engagements, learned how five Indian nations assisted the Confederacy throughout the battle, some even taking a few Union scalps. But it was all for naught as Mr. Lincoln’s Army eventually won the day.

And although I hope to see Gettysburg or Antietam Creek some day, I know I’ll never have the opportunity of photographing a beautiful young man stroking the head of a beautiful young fawn, without another soul in sight for miles about. Well, with the exception of the magnificent buck looking on, who disapproved, of course.