The Battle of Elkhorn Tavern, Arkansas, March 7 - 8, 1862

That's why I was asking. Most historical movies and shows, with a few notable exceptions, were filmed in Southern California, which looks nothing like Virginia, Maryland, Massachusetts, or Georgia.

Most annoying to me in that respect were the episodes of the 1958 TV series The Gray Ghost about Mosby's Rangers I featured in last week's Throwback Thursday. There are plenty of chases on horseback across the same rolling, treeless terrain featured in The Lone Ranger, etc.
 
I've written about this before because it's one of my "pet peeves." The John Wayne version was filmed in COLORADO; the latest one was filmed in New Mexico and part of Texas - NONE of these look anything like that part of Oklahoma! Here's what that area actually looks like: http://civilwartalk.com/threads/le-...ne-of-the-real-true-grit.126784/#post-1379550

Expired Image Removed

51NR6Jsp1rL._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg



Papa used to say that the only friends we had down here right after the war were the Irish Democrats in New York. Thad Stevens and the Republican gang would have starved us all out if they could. —Charles Portis, True Grit

Show me history untouched by memories and you show me lies. Show me lies not based on memories and you show me the worst lies of all. —Carlos Eire, Waiting for Snow in Havana

 
Most annoying to me in that respect were the episodes of the 1958 TV series The Gray Ghost about Mosby's Rangers I featured in last week's Throwback Thursday. There are plenty of chases on horseback across the same rolling, treeless terrain featured in The Lone Ranger, etc.
Last of the Mohicans was supposed to be upstate NY but was filmed in NC. Still, stunning scenery, looked reasonably like the Adirondacks, and best of all, wasn't California!
 
JN_001%20%2812%29.jpg


Last of the Mohicans was supposed to be upstate NY but was filmed in NC. Still, stunning scenery, looked reasonably like the Adirondacks, and best of all, wasn't California!

The parts of the National Forest and Blue Ridge Parkway featured in LOTM had largely been spared the logging that destroyed the prehistoric Eastern forests of the northeaast; even Adirondack State Park in upstate New York no longer looks "right" because it too had been heavily logged out. The correct look is open forest with BIG TREES and little or no undergrowth because the forest canopy prevents the growth of most bushes and other smaller vegetation. I read somewhere that they went to Oregon to shoot at least one "pickup" scene after principal filming had ended.

JN_001%20%2815%29.jpg
 
Last edited:
Forest primeval,uncut from the dawn of time vs scrubby and spindly 2nd growth.
I understand that modern agriculture is so productive that crop yields have multiplied exponentially while less and less land is necessary. Vast tracts of former farmland are being reforested at a very fast rate and American forest acreage increases every year.
 
View attachment 350239

Yet another *BUMP* for the anniversary of the Battle of Pea Ridge/Elkhorn Tavern!

James,

I don't think most members on this message board are interested in the Trans-Mississippi American Civil War battles and events.

It seems if the thread isn't about Gettysburg and the Eastern American Civil War battles and events, most members don't participate. It is a shame.....

Just my observation,
Bill

@Patrick H
 
James,

I don't think most members on this message board are interested in the Trans-Mississippi American Civil War battles and events.

It seems if the thread isn't about Gettysburg and the Eastern American Civil War battles and events, most members don't participate. It is a shame.....

Just my observation,
Bill

@Patrick H

A frustrating observation I've made myself many times. As far as I'm concerned, the Trans-Mississippi is way more interesting than the Eastern Theater or even the Western one.
 
Every time I drive toward Bentonville, Arkansas (within a few miles of Elkhorn Tavern) I ponder the difficulty of getting armies to this location for a fight. The Ozark mountains to the north and the Boston mountains to the south are very formidable geographic obstacles--even today. Imagine dragging cannon and supply wagons over those ridges and through those deep hollows.
 
Every time I drive toward Bentonville, Arkansas (within a few miles of Elkhorn Tavern) I ponder the difficulty of getting armies to this location for a fight. The Ozark mountains to the north and the Boston mountains to the south are very formidable geographic obstacles--even today. Imagine dragging cannon and supply wagons over those ridges and through those deep hollows.

When I visit a battlefield, the Marine in me always pays close attention to the surrounding terrain. Some of the battlefields (including Pea Ridge National Military Park) makes me shake my head at the commanding decisions to fight in a particular venue.

Bill
 
THANK YOU!!

I was fortunate enough to go to Pea Ridge quite a few years ago. It is one of my favorite parks. It is well preserved and more untouched by commercialism than a lot of other parks. Plus, it really was an interesting battle, albeit a much lesser known and less studied battle. If you want to read the best account, it is Pea Ridge: Civil War Campaign in the West by Shea and Hess.
 
Last edited:
I visited a few years ago and this is an underused park. When I pulled in to the visitor center there was not a single car there not even the ranger's car. I thought the place was closed. I went to the door and it was unlock so I went in and wandered about the visitor center until the ranger heard me and came out of the back room. When I did the car tour I did not see any other cars and did not see anyone. Being the only one there made the whole thing a bit eerie.
 
Back
Top