The Battle of Helena, the other battle on July 4, 1863

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Brev. Brig. Gen'l
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Lieutenant General Theophilus Homes believed that if he could capture Helena Arkansas that he would sever Grant's supply lines to Vicksburg, Vicksburg would be relieved, the tables turn on Grant, and possibly even Grant's army destroyed. The capture of Helena would be an illustrious day for the Confedercy and turn Homes into a hero. The only thing that stood in General Homes' 7,645 man army was Major General Benjamin Prentiss smaller army of only 4,129 men. The battle did not go well for the Confederates, they failed to take Helena and suffered 1,614 casualties to 239 Union casualties. Lieutenant General Homes's shot at glory was dashed.

Even though General Homes had almost twice as many soldiers, did Homes have a real chance of capturing Helena? Was General Robert E. Lee correct in believing Homes to not being a great general? Holmes was promoted to Lieutenant General so Jefferson Davis must have had fah in him.
 
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Lieutenant General Theophilus Homes believed that if he could capture Helena Arkansas that he would sever Grant's supply lines to Vicksburg, Vicksburg would be relieved, the tables turn on Grant, and possibly even Grant's army destroyed. The capture of Helena would be an illustrious day for the Confedercy and turn Homes into a hero. The only thing that stood in General Homes' 7,645 man army was Major General Benjamin Prentiss smaller army of only 4,129 men. The battle did not go well for the Confederates, they failed to take Helena and suffered 1,614 casualties to 239 Union casualties. Lieutenant General Homes's shot at glory was dashed.

Even though General Homes had almost twice as many soldiers, did Homes have a real chance of capturing Helena? Was General Robert E. Lee correct in believing Homes to not being a great general? Holmes was promoted to Lieutenant General so Jefferson Davis must have had fah in him.
Holmes was promoted and sent across the Mississippi because Davis received complaints about the department commander, Thomas C. Hindman. Holmes was not too excited and basically told Davis that he was not qualified.

Holmes's own words; “[that command of such a large department was;] entirely too comprehensive for my capacity [...] [Davis should send] someone more able[...] whatever is effected here must be done by a stern and firm will that can make itself respected and feared. Such a one am I not nor can I make myself.”

I think Lee's assessment of Holmes is accurate, he was not an able field commander and I think that is backed pretty well by his service record in both the East and West.

In regard to his chances of capturing Helena I think the deciding factor was Union support from the gunboat on the river along with well built defenses. The large caliber of naval artillery combined with field artillery in well placed breastworks made this one of those "foregone conclusion battles".

Currently working on a YouTube series focusing on the Trans-Mississippi, will give you a shout if ever get to Helena.
 
Apparently Holmes did have connections with Davis. Despite his advanced age and certain physical limitations, Davis promoted him in October 1862 to the rank of Lieutenant-General and command of the Trans-Mississippi Department. However, in March, 1863, after receiving numerous complaints Davis replaced him with Kirby Smith as commander of the Trans-Mississippi Department. Kirby Smith subsequently gave Holmes free reign to strike at Federal targets west of the Mississippi.

Holmes was slow in planning and implementing his attack on Helena – a significant supply and colored recruiting center for the Union Army. This town was garrisoned by a small Federal force under Prentiss.

The planned assault by Holmes, with his small Army, began on June 22, and culminated in the engagement on July 4. Prentiss had ample time to strongly fortify the town's defenses and place barricades to block any attackers.

Despite having larger numbers, Holmes could not get his artillery into position for the assault, because of the constructed barricades.

It is arguable, though, whether the Confederate attack would have fared much better, given the strength of the prepared defensive positions, even with artillery support.

Holmes resigned his position a few months later. He ended up commanding a Reserve Force in North Carolina, seeing very little further action.
 
However, it should not be overlooked that the discrepancy in force was not as large as needed to be for an attacking force.

And the naval gunfire support is not considered in the statistical force differential.

And Holmes had no business being a field commander.

Holmes was clearly unfit for frontline command of any sizable body of troops during the Civil War.

His connections with Davis enabled him to be appointed to command positions in the Trans-Mississippi area.
 
On the anniversary, here are excerpts from General Benjamin Prentiss's speech to the garrison of Helena on July 8, 1863:

"Victory crowned our National banner on the nations birth day. The annals of the nation will record the Battle of Helena as one of the most noble and successful efforts in maintaining its integrity . . . Vicksburg and Port Hudson is ours and the River is once more cleared of Rebels from its origin to its mouth. Bully for that. Bully for us. Bully for the western army and bully for our side. We have whipped the Devils and can do it again."

Kansan George Flanders wrote: "Three times three rousing cheers were given for Maj. Gen. U.S. Grant the Hero of the War. The cannon in Fort Curtis commenced when the cheering stopped then Battery's A.B.C. & D. and the gunboats, and we had a pretty noisy time of it."
 
Lieutenant General Theophilus Homes believed that if he could capture Helena Arkansas that he would sever Grant's supply lines to Vicksburg, Vicksburg would be relieved, the tables turn on Grant, and possibly even Grant's army destroyed. The capture of Helena would be an illustrious day for the Confedercy and turn Homes into a hero. The only thing that stood in General Homes' 7,645 man army was Major General Benjamin Prentiss smaller army of only 4,129 men. The battle did not go well for the Confederates, they failed to take Helena and suffered 1,614 casualties to 239 Union casualties. Lieutenant General Homes's shot at glory was dashed.

Even though General Homes had almost twice as many soldiers, did Homes have a real chance of capturing Helena? Was General Robert E. Lee correct in believing Homes to not being a great general? Holmes was promoted to Lieutenant General so Jefferson Davis must have had fah in him.
Granny Holmes. Every time a battle was imminent he got sick.
 
Holmes wasn't much of a strategist. I think he himself said that he'd rather work on logistics and paperwork than serve out in the field. Also, iirc Davis gave Holmes the Lt. Gen. promotion to try to convince him to go out west. On the subject of the battle itself, it just seems like the usual infantry-assaulting-entrenched-position-unsupported with the Union gunboats supporting.
-Stryker
 
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