Complex sentence: On July 7,1862, Confederate units and Cotton Plant locals skirmished with the 1st and 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Army of the Southwest for the Union, a last-ditch effort by the Confederates to stop Samuel Curtis' march to Helena.
Split into simpler sentences: On July 7,1862, Confederate units and Cotton Plant locals skirmished with the 1st and 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Army of the Southwest for the Union. A last-ditch effort by the Confederates to stop Samuel Curtis' march to Helena.