Confederates Take Marion - August 10, 1861

The 2nd Illinois fell back from Mt. Zion Church to Marion on August 9th. On the 10th, they were pursued by the Confederate column they had met the previous day. Colonel Larson had his Illinois regiment deploy at the east edge of Marion, overlooking the Marion Bridge over Laurel Creek. The Confederates arrived and deployed in East Marion, on the west side of the bridge.

The Confederates opened up with a battery of artillery, as their infantry awaited the order to attack. The 2nd Illinois was eventually forced to take cover during the shelling.

When the order to advance was given, the 1st Arkansas Infantry advanced to and across the Marion Bridge. Larson's men were still coming up from cover and were armed with poor quality Belgian muskets, so they were not able to effectively contest the bridge crossing. Another Confederate regiment began providing supporting fire from the east bank of Laurel Creek and then started to ford to join the attack.

Despite their poor quality armament, the 2nd Illinois was in an elevated position and inflicted more casualties on the attacking enemy than they were receiving in return once the 1st Arkansas was within range.

Between the rifle fire from the approaching infantry and shelling from the battery on the opposite side of the creek, Colonel Larson called a retreat and withdrew his regiment west to Roussler's Ford, leaving Marion (a minor objective of the campaign) in possession of the Confederates.