The weekend of 17 June 2022, The town of Smithville, The Lawrence County Arkansas Historical Society, The Sharp County Historical Society, and Jackson Farms plan to host 160th Civil War Anniversary Event highlighting the Smithville Skirmish that occurred 17 June 1862 on the James McKinney Farm 4 miles west and north of Smithville where 3 companies of the 5th Illinois Cavalry (D. F. L) engaged Captain Wiley C Jones Company (Company E 4th Missouri Cavalry 7th Division Missouri State Guard, on the last day of Service in the Missouri State Guard. Two Illinois Cavalry troopers were killed.

Plans include A reenactment with mock up of the McKinney Farm, where Captain Jones and his Company had taken shelter from a thunderstorm. A living History Encampment, Historical Programs, educational programs, and a Tactical are planned. The Committee is looking for interested Civil War and period civilian reenactors, Cavalry, Artillery, Infantry and Medical are currently slated to participate in the encampment and Tactical, the reenactment was a Cavalry action. It is possible that USCT reenactors may participate as well.
The 5th Illinois Cavalry, and units from Arkansas, Missouri and other Illinois units are currently slated to reenact the skirmish. Vendors and Sutlers have been invited, and slated to participate. Dr. Blake Perkins Chair of Williams' Baptist University History Chair and noted Lawrence County Historian and Dr. Jerry Gibbens, also noted Lawrence County Historian will be keynote speakers, as well as the Historical Society Presidents, will be presenting. Dr. Gibbens will be the Master of Ceremony for the event.
The 5th Illinois plan to reenact their occupying the Smithville area with reenacting of the residents gathering and the school house emptying out to watch the 5th passing through. they also plan to host mounted patrols. We have also heard there may some "no good, Missouri Border Trash" floating around bothering the citizens, and possibly some Lawrence County Home Guard in the area looking for the trouble makers. So the impact of the war will return to Smithville.