Battle of Prairie D’Ane set for March 1-2

PRESCOTT – A reenactment of the Battle of Prairie D’Ane will be held March 1-2 on the Prairie D’Ane battlefield.

Judy Duke, curator of the Nevada County Depot and Museum, said around 200 reenactors are expected to be participating in the mock battle from across Arkansas and the US. Plans are for there to be troops, wagons, artillery and cavalry all waging war for the public’s entertainment and enlightenment. The idea, she said, is to help raise the public’s awareness of the battlefield and its importance to history of Nevada County, Arkansas and of the Civil War.

Visitors will be asked to park at the old truck stop near the battlefield, which is roughly half-a-mile away. They’ll need to dress accordingly as the ground will be muddy because of the recent rains. Visitors will also need to bring lawn chairs and/or blankets for seating. However, bleachers will be set up for students during Friday’s enactment for the county’s schools.

Duke said more than 400 volunteer hours have been put in to clean up the battlefield just to get ready for this reenactment. Volunteers will be working the event Friday and Saturday as well. The Prescott Lions Club will have its food cart on hand, with two other vendors expected to be on hand selling Civil War memorabilia and items specific to the Civil War. There will also be 10 port-a-potties on hand for the comfort and needs of patrons. A limited supply of t-shirts will also be available. Sizes adult Small to XL will be $15 each while XXL shirts will be sold for $17.50.

“We want to develop the battlefields (Elkins and Prairie D’Ane) for heritage tourism,” Duke said. “Our long-range plans are to have parking, historic markers that tell the story of the battles, get and keep the battlefields in near pristine conditions and establish a tourist center to draw people to Prescott and Nevada County.” But, she added, these plans will take a while to develop and turn into a reality.

Students will pay $2 each for Friday’s event, while general admission tickets will be $5 each.

Friday’s schedule starts with a 6 a.m. wake up for the actors, with camps being set up throughout the day. Participants are asked to dress in period costume while setting up. The camps will be open to the public at 10 a.m., with demonstrations for students from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The highlight will be a skirmish at 1:30 p.m.

Reveille will be sounded at 6 a.m. Saturday, with officers call at 8 o’clock. Registration will be from 7-9 a.m., with all vehicles to be out of the camp by 8 a.m. The camps will be open to the public from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. A company and battalion drill will be held from 9:30-11 a.m., with a lady’s tea and social at 10 a.m.

Troops move to the front lines at 1 o’clock with the battle to begin at 2 p.m., ending at 3. The camps will close to the public at 5 p.m., unless escorted by a registered reenactor. A period dance, open to the public, will be held from 7-10 p.m. with a $5 admission for unregistered guests.

Sunday’s events won’t be open to the public.