Visited Lake Village Arkansas recently with the family. Stayed on Lake Chicot which is adjacent and on the west side of the Mississippi River. It is the largest oxbow lake in America formed hundreds of years ago by the Mississippi cutting a new channel and isolating this body of water. Good fishing lake and was able to let my little boy cast some at sunset one evening. We stayed in some cottages adjacent to an historical marker which designated the spot where the Battle of Ditch Bayou was fought in 1864. A few artillery pieces and 600 cavalrymen under Confederate Colonel Colton Greene wrought heavy casualties on the 3000 Union troops under Major General A.J. Smith. Using cover of trees and taking advantage of the muddy conditions slowing the Union troops advance, over the six hour battle, the Confederates lost just four men before conducting an orderly retreat to Lake Village while the Federals lost 132 killed and wounded. This was the last significant battle of the War in Arkansas.
While in Lake Village, we stopped by Rhoda's Famous Hot Tamales. Had to try a few of the famous hot tamales which were delicious. Ordered a couple pieces of fried chicken and it was cut to order and then deep fried delicious. Mrs. Rhoda greeted us as she sat in a chair in one corner of the small restaurant. Almost 90 years old and still working there with her daughter and even her husband who hand patted the burgers. She was wonderful to chat with and was inquisitive about our travels with the children and made us promise to visit again when we next came into the area. Rhoda was awarded the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame in 2017 by the Department of Arkansas Heritage for her little restaurant. She had her award plate hung along with other memorabilia on the wall behind her chair. Such a pleasure and a treasure for Lake Village Arkansas.
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