Civil War reenactors gather at Headquarters House Museum grounds for the 2022 Battle of Fayetteville commemorative observances. (Provided/Washington County Historical Society)FAYETTEVILLE — The Battle of Fayetteville observance returns Saturday, April 20 to observe the 161st anniversary of the Civil War battle. The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the grounds of the Headquarters House Museum at 118 E. Dickson St.
The Washington County Historical Society sponsors the annual event.
The battle, which took place April 18, 1863 in downtown Fayetteville, was one of the last major engagements of the Civil War in Northwest Arkansas.
Mayor Lioneld Jordan will open the day’s events at 11 a.m. by firing a shot from a cannon and reading a proclamation. A synopsis of the battle will follow at noon, and a short program on Lt. Joseph Smith Robb Jr. of the First Arkansas Union Cavalry is set for 1 p.m.
Another cannon firing is scheduled at 2:30 p.m. during a presentation of Civil War artillery that was present at the battle.
Other programs throughout the day include demonstrations of women’s fashion of the 1850s and 1860s, displays of toys and games of the 19th century, examples of Civil War medicine practices and infantry and musket demonstrations.
The events will conclude at 3:30 p.m. with a reading of the names of those lost in the battle, followed by the playing of “Taps.”
