When the Missouri Division pulls out of Northwest Arkansas to reinforce Grant's efforts against Vicksburg, Hindman sees an opportunity forming for his army to get back to Missouri. With only Blunt left in the region to defend the border, Hindman draws up a plan to bag the Kansas Division and use Fayetteville as a springboard to march back into Missouri. Despite the setback at the Battle of Cane Hill, Hindman leads his men north to rid Arkansas of Yankees. However, when he nears Blunt, who is held up at Cane Hill, Hindman gets worrying news; Herron is rushing back to support their embattled allies. Refusing to let the Federals link up, Hindman cleverly interjects his men between them at Prairie Grove to attack Herron's advancing columns. Here, atop this wooded grove, Hindman hopes to smash Herron's Missourians before they have a chance to link up with Blunt's Kansans.