But this would be a brief morale booster for Steele and his forces.  They would move southeast toward Camden, incurring a slaughter from Price at Poison Springs and then, finding no supplies in Camden, retreat north to Little Rock.  This was a part of the doomed Red River Campaign in which Steele was to march from Little Rock to Shreveport and, meeting General Nathaniel Banks’ northern unit there, combine destroy the Confederate forces controlling that region.  

You’d never know from visiting Prairie D’Ane during the 42nd Annual Southwest Regional Rendezvous what a price about 150-200 killed or injured paid in those spring days almost 162 years ago.  But the history of this clearing amid oak and pines has helped attract dozens of 19th century historical reenactors to set up tents here and sell their wares, which consist of copper and tin pots and kettles, ceramic cups, rustic clothes, home décor and much more.  

There’s not a credit card machine or a cell phone to be glimpsed, though a tractor hauling a trailer of haystacks suitable for sitting will shuttle you from your car to the area of settlement. Other than that all you see on your visit is period correct.  The dresses and bonnets. The cotton shirts in earth tones.  The hats not meant for showing off but for sun protection on this clear, 85-degree day.

In speaking with several of the inhabitants, I learned this year’s Rendezvous has had its weather ups and downs but that the vendors were kept busy.  A week ago, a windy storm came through that brought with it sheets of rain and then a plunge to two nights of freezing temperatures and four days of high winds.  But this Saturday the tents stood tall and the people I spoke to were friendly on this last day of the weeklong event.

A pictorial follows: