April 12, 1864

Major General Frederick Steele withdrew from Prairie D’Ane (Nevada County) and began marching on Camden (Ouachita County). The Action at Moscow fought the next day signaled that Steele’s Union forces would not be allowed to occupy Camden without a fight. Although Confederate Washington (Hempstead County) would be spared from Union occupation, the Confederates were not content to merely defend this town—they went on the offensive. The Action at Moscow was overshadowed by the more momentous actions of Steele’s Camden Expedition, such as the battles of Poison Spring and Jenkins’ Ferry. Still, the action was an indication of what the Union troops could expect in the coming days: Major General Sterling Price’s Confederates would continue to contest the Union army’s presence.