August 19, 2012

Frederick Steele, who rose to the rank of Union major general during the Civil War, saw much of his considerable military service in Arkansas. He led Union troops that captured Arkansas Post (Arkansas County), Fort Smith (Sebastian County), and Little Rock (Pulaski County), all in 1863. He is perhaps best known for his leadership in the failed 1864 Red River Campaign in southern Arkansas and northern Louisiana. Steele remained in the military after the war, dying in 1868.