Fayetteville commemorates 161st anniversary of Civil War battle

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — It’s been 161 years since a Civil War battle took place in Northwest Arkansas.

The Washington County Historical Society held a commemoration on Saturday for the anniversary of the Battle of Fayetteville, which took place on April 18, 1863.

Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan kicked off the celebration by firing the first shot of the day from a cannon and reading a proclamation.

“We want to keep teaching this history because seriously we don’t want it to repeat itself,” Jim Washington County Historical Society President Jim Spillars said.

Throughout the day, educational lessons were given including one about Lieutenant Joseph Smith Robb Jr. of the first Arkansas Union Cavalry and what artillery was present during battle.

The event concluded with reading the names of the soldiers who died and a playing of ‘Taps’.

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