Arkansas Civil War Chronicles
- 1862
January 2, 1862
General Albert Pike, having
returned to his headquarters in the Creek Nation, issued a proclamation
calling for the enlistment in Arkansas of two regiments of infantry and
two companies of artillery for service "in the Indian country and
elsewhere." (General Pike had established his headquarters at an
army camp in the Creek country which he called Fort McCulloch, situated
on Bluff river, a few miles east of old Fort Washita.
Confederate Money - One Dollar
January 6, 1862
At a city election in Little
Rock the following officers were elected: William E. Ashley, mayor;
Henry Griffiths, constable; A.J. Smith recorder; John C. Peay and George
W. Hardy, city justices of the peace; James A. Henry, S.H. Tucker,
George C. Watkins, C.P. Bertrand, William B. Wait, Louis George, John
Robins, and S.H. Hempstead, aldermen.
January 16, 1862
A list of the general
officers in the service of the Confederacy was made public, which showed
Arkansas as having four brigadier generals: Thomas C. Hindman, Patrick
R. Cleburne, Albert Pike and Thompson Flournoy. (Thompson B.
Flournoy of Desha county had represented his county in the House in the
General Assembly in 1848 and in 1850. In 1850 he was elected
speaker.)
January 20, 1862
The Confederate Circuit Court
for the Eastern District of Arkansas was convened with Judge Reno
presiding. The Grand Jury was composed of the following citizens:
Creed Taylor, foreman; Michael Bozeman, Daniel Morrison, W.H. Preston,
B.W.M. Warren, W.A. Sample, Israel M. Moore, John W. Adams, Michael
Beshoars, William Johnson, John W. Rison, Hilliard W. Hays, Granville
Whittington, John Bradshaw, William E. Ashley, and William V. Hutt.
Among the cases which were set for trial were those of certain persons
arrested in north Arkansas and charged with treason. They
were accused of being members of a "peace society." Fifteen of the
accused were held at the state penitentiary at Little Rock. Most
of the men under arrest were from Searcy county.
January 26, 1862
The Memphis and Little Rock
railroad was completed from DeValls Bluff, on White river, to Little
Rock. William E. Woodruff Sr., founder of the Arkansas Gazette,
was given the honor of driving the last spike, at the ceremonies which
were held at Little Rock to celebrate the completion of the road.
Trains were immediately put into operation between Little Rock and
DeVall's Bluff. At DeVall's Bluff, the trains were met by the
steamer Charm, which was operated on the White river by the Hanger,
Rapley, & Gaines Stage Line. (It appears that there was, in the
beginning, only one train a day in operation between Little Rock and
DeVall's Bluff. The terminus of the road at Little Rock was on the
north side of the river, opposite "the Little Rock," the rock from which
the city took its name. The first division of the road, the 39
miles between Hopefield and Madison, on St. Francis River, was promised
for completion at an early date.
January 27, 1862
The courthouse of Scott
county, located at Trouble Hill, was destroyed by fire. The
building was a new one and its destruction was considered to be a great
loss to the county, especially because all of the country records were
burned.
January 29, 1862
Major
General Earl Van Dorn of the Confederate Army spent the day in Little
Rock, en route to his headquarters at Pocahontas. While at Little Rock
he issued a proclamation regarding his plans, in which he said: “The
undersigned, by order of the President, assumes command of the
Trans-Mississippi District, which comprises the states of Missouri and
Arkansas, except that portion of them lying between the St. Francis and
the Mississippi rivers, as far north as Scott county, Missouri; the
state of Louisiana, as far south as Red river, and the Indian Territory,
west of Arkansas. Headquarters, until otherwise directed, at
Pocahontas, Arkansas. Commanders of troops, in the service of the
Confederate States within this district, will make a report of the
strength and condition of their commands at once, accompanied by
a written report in full of everything relating to the supplying of the
troops, their wants, theirs arms and equipments, their clothing,
ammunition, and in a word, of everything that might be considered useful
to be known at headquarters. All officers and men now on furlough are
ordered to return immediately to their regiments, the sick alone
excepted. The following officers are announced at staff officers at
headquarters: Major William L. Cabell, chief of quartermaster
department; Major A.M. Haskell, inspector general; Major R.W. Keyworth,
chief of subsistence; Captain N.R. Beall, assistant adjutant general;
J.G. Gaenslan, medical director; First Lieutenant Clement Sullivans,
aid-de-camp.”
( In co-operation with General Van
Dorn, Governor Rector issued a proclamation, as ex-officio president of
the Military Board of Arkansas, calling for 100 new companies of
infantry and four companies of artillery to be organized “with dispatch
from those persons in the state who by law are subject to military duty,
and by the 5th of March, next, report themselves for duty to
General Van Dorn at Pocahontas, except two regiments of the infantry
which will report to General Pike for service on the western frontier.”
The Texas regiment, commanded by
Colonel S.B. Maxey, which had crossed the Mississippi River on its way
to Kentucky, was ordered to return to Arkansas to report to General Van
Dorn at Pocahontas. A regiment raised by Colonel George W. Lemoyne in
Yell county was also ordered to report to General Van Dorn.)
February 4, 1862
It was reported by the Arkansas
Gazette and Democrat that General Pike, at his headquarters in the
Indian country, had completed his staff, and that it comprised the
following: Captain G.A. Schwarzman, adjutant general; Captain F. Huitt,
assistant adjutant general; Lieut W.L. Pike, aid-de-camp; Major William
Quesenbury, quartermaster; Major A. Lanigan, commissary; Dr. P.O.
Hooper, surgeon; Capt. T.G. Mackey, engineer. Colonel C.L. Dawson’s
regiment organized in the southwestern part of the state, had been
attached to Pike’s command.
February 5, 1862
A committee of the Little Rock City Council, of which
Mayor Ashley was chairman, reported that the trustees of St. Johns’
College had granted the use of the college building as a “general
hospital.”
The Arkansas Gazette and Democrat urged that the naval hospital at
Napoleon be placed in charge of the military authorities and provision
made for the care of sick soldiers at that point. It was also learned at
this time that military hospitals had been established at Pocahontas,
headquarters of General Van Dorn’s army, and at Fort Smith and Fort
Gibson; the latter, by order of General Albert Pike, in command of the
District of Indian Territory.
February 13, 1862
Arkansas Military Board, for the purpose of expediting
the raising of the troops called for by General Van Dorn, divided the
state into four military divisions by drawing imaginary lines “running
nearly north and south and east and west.” The northeastern district was
expected to raise 1,500 men, the northwestern, 3,500; the southwestern,
2,000; and the southeastern, 1,500. The authorities seemed to be in no
doubt about their ability to raise this new army without resorting to
compulsion, because as was said, half “of the able-bodied men of the
state had volunteered their services at the commencement of the
hostilities.”
Military camps were ordered established at the following points by
Governor Rector: Camden, Washington, Arkadelphia, Little Rock,
Dardanelle, Clarksville, Fayetteville, Carrollton, and Jacksonport.
February 20, 1862
Reports from Missouri indicated the General Sterling
Price’s army of Missourians was near the old battle ground of Oak Hill.
There was an army of Federals pressing him which was estimated at
37,000. Still another Federal army of 17,000 was near Sedalia, and yet
another of 13,000 was approaching from Lebanon. It was contemplated that
the Missouri army should presently fall back into Arkansas. Price’s
command was expected, in the emergency of the moment, to effect a
junction with McCulloch. The combined Southern armies would then contest
the Federal invasion step by step. The situation was so alarming that
the whole state was aroused; volunteering for military service was
greatly stimulated; the armies in process of organization for General
Pike’s command and that of General Van Dorn, were filling up rapidly.
February 20, 1862
The Little Rock papers began publication of the results
of the contest for the medal offered by William E. Ashley to the woman
who wove the most woolen jeans and linseys during the months of
September, October and November. The following women had competed in the
contest: Mrs. Catharine Yeager of Freeo; Miss Nancy R. Anderson,
Ouachita county; Mrs. Sally Bang, Sulphur Spring; Miss Arternece B.
Wardlan of Mt. Elba; Mrs. Mary A. Williams, Conway county; Mrs. Martha
J. Starks, Dallas county; Mrs. M., Union county; Mrs. Elizabeth Fuguay,
Sevier county; Misses Elizabeth H. and Thirza J. Meredith, Seminary;
Miss Elvira Johnson, Dardanelle; Miss Martha E. Smith, Clark county;
Mrs. Margaret Engles, Independence county; Miss Amanda Wilson, Pope
county; Mrs. Eliza Reeder, Hempstead county; Miss Elizabeth Skaggs and
her daughter, Mary Ann, Franklin county; Miss Nancy Norris, Caney; Mrs.
Margaret Ann Julian, Saline county; Miss Mary Jane Montgomery, Lawrence
county; Miss Laura E. Tucker, Bradley county, and Mrs. Sarah Hudson,
Conway county.
On July 17, the winner of the contest was declared to be Miss Elvira
Johnson of near Dardanelle, who had woven, during the months of
September, October and November, 1861, 87 yards of dimity, 81 yards of
jeans, 59 of linseys, 100 yards of plain goods, besides sewing for the
soldiers. On account of war conditions a gold medal could not be
obtained at the time.
February 21, 1862
Governor Rector issued a proclamation calling the
legislature into extraordinary session for March 5, next. Such action,
he said, he was impelled to take because of the peril of the threat of
invasion.
February 24, 1862
The following order was issued from the inspector
generals office at Richmond to Colonel James F. Fagan:
“Colonel James F. Fagan’s First Regiment of Arkansas Volunteers will
rendezvous at Memphis, Tennessee by the 25th of March. The colonel of
the regiment will report thence to General Albert Sidney Johnson,
commanding Department No. 2, by order of Secretary of War.
John Withers,
Assistant Adjutant General.”
In explanation of this order, General Fagan said to his men: “We will
not return now to our camp on the Potomac, but will march at once to the
soil of Tennessee to aid in expelling the invader from the land of
Jackson.
February 27, 1862
A casualty list from the battle of Fort Donelson in
Tennessee, as published in Arkansas, confirmed previous reports to the
effect that Colonel James M. Gee’s regiment, sometimes called the
Fifteenth Arkansas, had participated in the fighting. Several of the
Arkansans had been killed, and many more of them wounded.
March 1, 1862 - Arkansas Gazette
Memphis and Arkansas River
Confederate States Mail Line
Will be composed of the following new and elegant steamers this season
to wit:
Frederic Notrebe, - E.L. Haynes, Master,
Chester Ashley, - Reese Pritchard, Master
Little Rock - Jenks Brown, Master
The above mentioned boats will take their places on the first rise in
the Arkansas River, leaving Little Rock on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday
at 10 p.m.; leaving Memphis Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 5 p.m.;
and leave Napoleon for Little Rock on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday.
Until a rise in the river, the mails will be carried in stages from
Little Rock to Napoleon, according to the above schedule.
Jno. D. Adams, Proprietor
----------------------
Maj. W.L. Cabell, Gen. Van Dorn’s Chief Quartermaster is here, pushing
forward all armed men to Jacksonport.
----------------------
The Latest by Telegraph – Friday Noon, Columbus, Ky., and Pocahontas, in
this State, are both threatened. Attention is directed to Gen. Van
Dorn’s special order for all armed companies to proceed, forthwith to
Jacksonport. Let every man who can shoulder a gun, go at once, to
the call of his country.
----------------------
Death of Lt. Col. Jas. B. Johnson – The telegraph
announces the sad intelligence of the death of Lt. Col. Jas. B. Johnson,
on the 23d ult. The deceased was a native of this place, had
served in the State Legislature, and occupied a prominent position
before the public. Soon after the commencement of hostilities he
raised a company for the war, and was subsequently promoted, first to
the command of Major, and then to that of Lt. Colonel. His death
is deeply deplored, and will be mourned in the sad hearts of a wife, a
mother, a sister, brother, and numerous relatives and friends. The
following is from the True Democrat:
On Tuesday, the following dispatch was received by
the editor of this paper:
“Murfreesboro, Feb. 24, 1862.
To R.H. Johnson –
By rail road accident near this place yesterday,
your brother James was killed – Tom returning home with the remains
to-morrow.
H.C. Newton”
The whole soul of the deceased was in this war, and
it was his often expressed desire, that if death came to him in this
great struggle for independence, it might come when facing the fire and
leading the brave men, who lived him to battle. This has been
denied him, but he died in the service of his country, with shield and
buckler on. Ready at all times to make any sacrifices for the holy
cause; he organized a company, was elected a captain, and thus from the
ranks rose to the position he held at his death. He was a noble,
brave and enthusiastic man. His frankness and chivalry made him a
favorite with the army. May God soften this blow to his afflicted
family.
The writer has not the heart now to comment further
upon the sad news.
---------------------
Those who don’t want to go – By reference to Gen.
Van Dorn’s call for soldiers and his subsequently published explanation
of it, it will be seen that he desires only infantry and artillery –
having already more than a proportionate supply of mounted men.
While the masses are patriotic and ready and willing to respond to the
call of their country, there are certain leaders who don’t want to go,
and yet are anxious to keep up appearances, by making an apparent
patriotic effort, which, instead of aiding, actually throws obstacles in
the way of soldiers going to the armies of Gen. Van Dorn, Gen.
McCulloch, or Gen. Pike, when the country needs the services of every
man capable of carrying a gun.
When we see a man, then, laboring to raise a
Cavalry command, when no Cavalry are wanted and none will be received,
we are warranted in say that man don’t want to go!
When we see a man pretending to raise soldiers for
any other command than that of Gen Van Dorn (embracing also the commands
of Gens. McCullouch and Pike) who needs and is entitled to the services
of every soldier in his military department to repel threatened
invasion, we are warranted in say that man don’t want to go!
When we see a man pretending to raise soldiers, and
yet, by his acts, laboring to defeat an part of Gen. Van Dorn’s plans
for raising an army, by working in opposition to any of his orders, we
are warranted in say that man don’t want to go!!!!
---------------------
Little Rock, Ark. February 28, 1862
[Special Orders]
All armed companies that have been mustered into
service will repair at once to Jacksonport.
The enemy is now threatening Pocahontas – then
march without delay. Let each company take with them two wagons
and provisions sufficient to subsist them to Jacksonport.
By order of Gen. Van Dorn,
W.L.
Cabell, Chief Quartermaster
March 6, 1862
Colonel Albert Rust, in the army of Virginia, was
promoted to the rank of brigadier general; as was, also, Colonel Edward
W. Gantt, in the army of Tennessee.
March 7, 1862
The first battle of the Civil War on Arkansas soil
was fought near Elkhorn Tavern, on Pea Ridge, in Benton county, near the
point on the Arkansas-Missouri boundary, where the Telegraph road
crossed that line. The Confederates had in the vicinity the army under
Brigadier General Ben McCulloch and such forces as General Earl Van Dorn
had succeeded in organizing at his camp at Pocahontas. Besides these,
there was the army of Missourians, under the command of General Sterling
Price. The Confederates had a combined army of about 15,000. The
Federals, commanded by General Samuel R. Curtis, numbered about 20,000.
Not all of the troops on either side actually participated in the
battle, which was brought on by an attack upon the Federal position by
that part of the Confederate army commanded by General McCulloch. The
engagement last for seven hours, until it was halted by darkness.
During the night of the seventh, the Federals retired to a stronger
position. The next day, General Van Dorn, who by right of rank was
chief of the Confederate command, moved southward in the direction of
Fayetteville, and went into camp on the north side of the Boston
mountains, about 15 miles from the battlefield. The loss of the
Confederates was given as 185 killed, 525 wounded and 300 missing.
General Curtis reported 402 killed, 800 wounded and 300 captured.
General McCulloch, who, though commanding a division at the time, had
not yet been promoted to the rank of major general, was among the dead.
Colonel McIntosh, in command of a brigade, though not yet promoted to
the rank of brigadier general, was killed also.
March 8, 1862 - Arkansas Gazette
There are about eighty Texans at St. John’s College
hospital, part are of Col. Maxey’s bat., most are of Col. Locke’s
regiment. They are doing well. Dr. Kirkwood is in charge of
the hospital.
---------------------
Maj. W.S. Pemberton, of the Confederate Commissary
Department, arrived in this city, from Richmond, on Monday last.
---------------------
Capt. Thomas W. Newton, who came home in charge of
the body of Col. Jas. B. Johnson, will return to the army tomorrow.
Any letters given to him will be delivered to our soldiers serving in
his part of the army.
---------------------
For The War – Capt. Franklin’s Volunteer Artillery
Company, which was raised for twelve months service, has volunteered for
the war. When equipped it will be one of the finest companies in
the service.
---------------------
Hotels Well Defended – About 11 o’clock the other
night we stepped into the office of the Anthony House, and found five
gentlemen, the sum total of the sojourners present. On enquiry we
ascertained the fact that four of them are Colonels, and one a Captain
in the Missouri army. We took a good look at the Captain, for
Missouri officers of so low a grade are scarce hereabouts. Besides
these, we knew of two other Missouri Colonels in the house at the time.
As far as Missouri officers go, our hotels are well defended. Now
the Gen. Van Dorn is calling on our State authorities for troops, would
it not be a good idea to raise a regiment of Missouri Colonels for his
army? A few Arkansas Generals might be thrown in for good count
and a company of thirty days men might be raised from the furloughed
officers of our own army. This regiment is warranted not to get
hurt, for it will not march until after all battles are fought.
---------------------
Officers –
Maj. W.S. Pemberton has appointed Hon. H.L. Grinstead, of Camden; R.A.
Carrigain, Esq., of Washington; and G.H. Andrews, Esq. of Arkadelphia,
Commissary Agents to subsist Confederate recruits at their respective
places. They will subsist all recruits for the war, from one to a
full company or more. So soon as companies can be got ready they
will march with the utmost dispatch to Gen. Van Dorn’s army.
Officers will be sent to muster troops into service at all of the
recruiting depots.
March 17, 1862
The extraordinary session of the legislature, which had
failed to meet on March 5 for want of a quorum, was called to order.
(The session lasted only from Monday, March 17, until Saturday, March
22. During those six days the following bills were passed: To prevent
the distillation of grain into spirituous liquors; to prohibit the
further sale of the public lands until after the war, pledging said
lands for the redemption of the state’s war bonds and for the payment of
Treasury warrants; to provide for the relief of the families of
volunteers; to define and punish sedition. The last named act provided
that any person discouraging the enlistment of volunteers in the state
service, or in the service of the Confederate States, should be deemed
guilty of high misdemeanor and imprisoned for a term of not less than
three nor more than five years. An act supplementary to an act providing
for the payment of the war tax imposed by the Confederate Congress was
also passed.)
March 18, 1862
General Van Dorn, retreating southward after the battle
of Elk Horn Tavern, reported that the Confederate army under his command
was encamped a few miles from Van Buren, and that he would march, in a
few days, towards Pocahontas, where he intended to re-establish
headquarters and reorganize and reinforce his army with whatever
recruits should be assembled at that point.
March 20, 1862
John Selden Roane, former governor of Arkansas,
1849-1852, was appointed a brigadier-general and assigned to duty at
Little Rock. He was instructed by General Van Dorn to organize such
scattered forces as could be got together there into a brigade for the
defense of the state in that quarter.
March 21, 1862
Governor Rector signed an act for the curtailment of the
production of cotton in Arkansas. Section 1 of the act said, “That in or
during, the year 1862, it shall not be lawful for any person, or
persons, in this state, owning, claiming, leasing, or possessing any
cleared or tillable land, farm or plantation to plant or to cultivate
more than two acres of such farm, plantation, or land in cotton to the
hand, according to the number of hands that are, or may belong to, or be
engaged in the cultivation, or land; and any and every person or persons
offending against this act, he, she, or they shall be deemed guilty of a
misdemeanor and be liable to indictment therfor in the Circuit Court of
the county in which said farm, plantation or land may be situate; and if
found guilty on trial thereof, shall be fined in any sum not less than
$500, nor more than $5,000, at the discretion of the jury assessing the
fine in such case, and shall be imprisoned in the common jail of such
county until such fine and the cost of such prosecution be paid.”
In a preamble to this act, it was said that it was the opinion of the
General Assembly that “the vital interest in our country demands that
the cultivation of cotton be restricted; and in lieu of such
curtailment, the production of corn, wheat, and other grains be
increased.”
March 25, 1862
General Van Dorn, encamped near Van Buren, made ready to
continue his march in the direction of Pocahontas by placed General
Albert Pike, with the force that Pike had organized in the Indian
Territory in command at Van Buren. On that same day, Van Dorn notified
Major William L. Cabell, whom he had left in command of the camp at
Pocahontas, that he had decided to have supplies assembled at Des Arc,
and ordered Cabell to instruct General Albert Rust, who had been
transferred to Arkansas, to take command of the region of the lower
Arkansas and White rivers. These and other steps, were taken in
preparation for a transfer of the army under Van Dorn, if need be, to
the east side of the Mississippi river to reinforce the army of General
Albert Sidney Johnston.
April 3, 1862
The army of which General Van Dorn was in command was at
Jacksonport and Pocahontas.
--------------------------------
The need for more hospitals at Little Rock where of those who were
wounded at the battle of Elk Horn Tavern were taken, was met by fitting
up “four or five of the largest and best buildings in the city for that
purpose.” While these buildings were being converted into hospitals,
there were so many of the wounded who had to be cared for that many of
them were compelled to lie on the floors, sometimes without the comforts
of a mattress. The emergency, however, was promptly met by the city and
its citizens. Beds and bedding and other necessities were soon supplied.
Many women, from the town and county, took turns at nursing. Farmers
brought in from the country an abundance of appetizing supplies, such as
chickens and fresh vegetables, for the sick and wounded in this first
such pressing emergency of the war in Arkansas.
April 6, 1862 - Arkansas Gazette
It has been suggested to us that the Ladies
throughout the State could render a great service to the cause in which
we are now engaged, by forwarding to this place for the use of the
Hospitals here established, such articles as may be of service to the
sick, for instance: Hospital shirts, drawers, towels, sheets, pillows,
pillow-cases, and any and all other things which might be useful, and
which with very little trouble could be made up in the shortest period
of time.
---------------------
Lieut. Sweeten of the 1st
Arks. Regiment, who came in by the cars on Wednesday evening, has our
thanks for a large package of papers, containing dates up to the evening
of the 31st ult.
Capt. Woodruff, of the Weaver Artillery, will
receive about twenty-five good men, to fill his company up to 150.
Young and able bodied men who desire to get into a good company,
couldn’t have a better opportunity. The Government will give all
recruits transportation from this city to the company’s camp, wherever
that may be.
---------------------
Accoutrements Wanted
Bids will be received by the undersigned, until the
15th day of April, 1862, for furnishing at the Little Rock
Arsenal, six thousand sets of Infantry accoutrements. Each set to
consist of one cartridge box and belt, one cap pouch, waist belt and
bayonet scabbard.
Bids for a less number than 500 sets will not be
received, and each bid must state the price per set.
Approved security will be required for the faithful performance of the
contract.
S.C. Faulkner
M.S.K. Ord. Comdg.
C.S.S. Arsenal
Little Rock, March 24, 1862
---------------------
Recruits Wanted for the War
Fifty Able Bodied Men are wanted to fill up the
ranks of a Heavy Artillery Company in charge of a battery of Rifled
Guns, at present, stationed at Madrid Bend, on the Mississippi River.
Uniforms, subsistence and transportation will be furnished to all
disposed to join. A bounty of FIFTY DOLLARS will be paid upon
their arrival at the above post.
Men of Arkansas, your country calls for your aid in
this her hour of need. Enlist at once, and assist in driving back
the invader from your soil. If you do not come forward at once,
your firesides will soon become desolated and your rich and happy
country a desert.
Apply to W.P. Parks
1st Lieut., Arkansas Battery
Little Rock, March 27, 1862
----------------
The battle of Shiloh, the first great battle
of the Civil War in the West, was fought near Pittsburg Landing, in
Tennessee, between the Union forces under General Grant and Buell and
the Confederates commanded by General Albert Sidney Johnston. General
Hardee’s corps, which included the regiments that he had taken out of
Arkansas, did much of the hard fighting of those two days. Hardee’s
corps was composed of three brigades. The first was commanded by
General Hindman and the second by General Patrick R. Cleburne; both of
whom were soon afterwards promoted for the gallantry and the merit of
their conduct. The losses sustains by several of the Arkansas
Regiments were so great that they had afterwards
to be reorganized and consolidated with another regiment in order to
fill the depleted ranks. It is estimated that the Confederates, of whom
there were about 40,000 engaged at Shiloh, had 3,500 men killed, with
more than 16,000 wounded. Approximately a fifth of these casualties
were Arkansans.
General Johnston, the commander-in-chief of the
Confederates, was killed and succeeded in the command of the army by
General G.T. Beauregard.
(One of those reports as “missing,” after the
battle of Shiloh, was Henry M. Stanley, private of the Dixie Greys, a
company from Arkansas county, in the Sixth Arkansas Regiment. Stanley,
then a lad of 20 years, of English birth, was none other than he, who,
years afterward, attained a world-wide celebrity by reason of his
explorations on the African continent, which, for his time, as
completely captivated the imagination of all mankind as did the dazzling
exploits of Charles A. Lindbergh of a later time. Young Stanley had
been in America only since 1859, living at New Orleans, where he landed
a friendless, penniless, English orphan, who, to escape cruelty, had run
away from the packet ship in which he crossed the ocean. Once a-shore,
he soon found, at New Orleans, in Henry M. Stanley, a commission
merchant, a benefactor, who, within a few months, legally adopted the
lad as a son, making him the heir not only of his estate, but of his own
name in full.
In the fall of 1860, the elder Stanley went to
Havana, Cuba, on business, and young Stanley accepted employment in the
store of a friend of his father’s at Cypress Bend on the Arkansas River,
near the Arkansas Post. He enlisted in the Dixie Greys, who after being
brought to Little Rock by river, were sworn by Adjutant General
Burgevine into the service of the Confederate States.
April 12, 1862 - Arkansas Gazette
We had the pleasure this week of meeting Lt. Jno.
G. Fletcher, of the Capital Guards. He was sent home on the
recruiting service, contrary to his wishes, and left immediately for his
command, on hearing of the commencement of active operations.
---------------------
From the best and most reliable information we
have, it is supposed the Federal forces occupy Pocahontas to the amount
of some five thousand.
---------------------
We are gratified to learn that the Hon. A.H.
Carrigan, of Hempstead county, who was a Lieut. In one of the companies
organized in that county, was elected Lieut. Colonel of the companies
organized in that county, was elected Lieut. Colonel of the
twelve-months Regiment lately organized on White River.
---------------------
The ladies have been earnest in their labors at
each and all of the hospitals in the city, and to their efforts may be
traces much of the good that is being done, and the sufferings which
they have alleviated has been immense. The reward of the blessed
shall certainly be their compensation.
---------------------
The only information we have relative to the late
battle of Shiloh, will be found under our telegraphic head. Enough
is known to leave no doubt that the Southern arms have again been
victorious. The battle was probably the hardest fought of the war,
and both armies have suffered severely. Anxious hearts are
awaiting in suspense the details, which shall tells us who among the
noble land has fallen – what lives have been offered up on the altar of
their suffering country.
---------------------
A report is in the city that a dispatch has been
received from Col. Fagan, stating that the loss of his regiment at the
late battle was 210 killed, wounded and missing. Lt. Col. Thompson
was mortally wounded, and the Major the regiment killed.
---------------------
The Capital Guards, one of the companies from this
place lost only one man – Mr. John Streak, killed.
April 24, 1862
With many of the wounded at the battle of Shiloh
arriving by stage, boat and train, “some six or eight other buildings in
the city” were hastily pressed into service and fitted up as temporary
hospitals for the accommodation of the sick and wounded. As a further
means of relieving the situation at Little Rock some of the wounded were
sent to Pine Bluff upon the invitation of that city. George Brodie, who
resided about eight miles southwest of the city, and others in town and
country opened their houses to the convalescents and the wounded who did
not need the regular attendance of a physician.
April 29, 1862
Having crossed the Mississippi river with the “Army of
the West,” General Van Dorn reported at Memphis that his army was
composed of the following units:
In Gen. Samuel Jones’ Division: First Brigade, Brig. Gen. A. Rust –
Eighteenth Arkansas, Col. D.W. Carroll; Twenty-second Arkansas, Col.
George King; Colonel Smead’s Arkansas Regiment; Bat. Jones’ Arkansas
Battalion; McCarver’s Arkansas Battalion, Second Brigade, Brig. Gen.
Dabney H. Maury – Twenty-first Arkansas, Col. D. McRae; Adams’ Arkansas
Battalion, and Garland’s and Moore’s Texas Cavalry. Third Brigade, Brig.
Gen. J.S. Roane – Third Arkansas Cavalry, dismounted, Col. Solon
Borland; Brooks’ Arkansas Battalion; Williamson’s Arkansas Battalion;
Arkansas Battery, Capt. J.J. Gaines, and Stone’s and Sims’ Texas
regiments.
In Gen. Sterling Price’s Division; First Brigade, Brig. Gen. Henry
Little - Sixteenth Arkansas, Colonel Hill, with several Missouri
regiments. Second Brigade, Col. Louis Hebert – Fourteenth Arkansas.
Colonel Mitchell; Seventeenth Arkansas. Col. Frank Rector, with the
Third Louisiana, and Greer’s and Whitefield’s Texans.
In Gen. J.P. McCown’s Division: First Brigade, Brig. Gen. J.L. Hogg –
McCray’s Arkansas Battalion, with Texas regiments. Second Brigade, Brig.
Gen. T.J. Churchill – First Arkansas Cavalry, dismounted. Col. R.W.
Harper; Second Arkansas Cavalry, dismounted, Col. Ben Embry; Fourth
Arkansas, Col. Evander McNair; Turnbull’s (formerly Terry’s) Battalion;
Provence’s Battery.
May 4, 1862
The Union army under General Curtis arrived at
Batesville, having marched there by a southeasterly course and in a
leisurely manner since the battle of Elk Horn Tavern. Curtis went into
camp at Batesville, and, with Van Dorn’s army out of Arkansas, he sent
out detachments of his army from time to time who “penetrated at will
into the region round about Batesville.” Arkansas Unionists, encouraged
by Curtis’ presence, formed a Union regiment at Batesville, a brigade in
the counties of Madison, Carroll and Newton. Elisha Baxter of Batesville
lent encouragement to the movement, and was offered the command of the
regiment of Unionists organized at Batesville. Isaac Murphy of Madison
county, the one member of the Secession Convention who voted to the last
against secession, joined Curtis, too, and went about encouraging the
mountaineers to join the Union army. Lafayette Gregg, a pioneer resident
of Washington county, a member of the state legislature of 1854-1855 and
prosecuting attorney of the Fourth Judicial Circuit from 1856 until
1861, took an active part in the loyalists movement.
May 5, 1862
Governor Rector issued a proclamation calling for more
volunteers, in which he let it be known that he, for his part, felt that
Arkansas had been used by the Confederacy only to be abused, almost, if
not quite, to the point of betrayal into the hands of the enemy. He
intimated plainly that it might be conceivably become expedient for
Arkansas, and that too, in very short order, to have recourse again to
its revolutionary right of secession.
May 8, 1862
A list of the sick and wounded at Little Rock in the
“the General Hospital,” as St. Johns’ College was designated, contained
the names of about 600 Confederate and six Union soldiers.
May 15, 1862
The Little Rock City Council appropriated $5,000 for the
purchase of a tract of woodland southeast of the city from William E.
Woodruff and Mrs. Mary Starbuck for a cemetery. This new cemetery, which
had to be acquired in order to make room for the burial of the many
soldiers dying almost daily in the emergency hospitals of Little Rock
and was christened Oakland, probably because the site which was chosen
for it was a natural forest, wooded principally with oaks.
May 20, 1862
A Confederate cavalry detachment, commanded by Capt.
E.W. Rogers, of Col. W.H. Parson’s Texas Cavalry, encountered a scouting
party of General Curtis’ Union army from Batesville at Searcy, White
county, and engaged it in battle. In his report of the fight at Searcy,
Rogers said: “With 100 of my men, I attacked the enemy, some 300 strong,
infantry and cavalry. I was aided in the attack by Captain Hicks and 50
men, making my force 150. The battle lasted about three-quarters of an
hour. The enemy’s loss is supposed to be 50 to 100. Our loss, Texas
troops, one killed, five missing, and two wounded; Arkansas troops, two
killed, and several missing; we had some 8 or 10 horses killed.”
May 22, 1862
Brig. Gen. John Selden Roane, whom General Van Dorn had
put into command at Little Rock before the latter crossed the
Mississippi with his army, placed Little Rock under martial law and
appointed Judge George C. Watkins provost marshal. This, and other
measures of safety, were deemed necessary because of the many threats of
surprise and invasion by the Union army of General Curtis, which had its
headquarters at Batesville. As a further measure of safety, Roane caused
more than 300,000 bales of cotton on the Arkansas river, “all packed and
ginned for the market,” to be burned. This, of course, was done to keep
the cotton from falling into the hands of the enemy, in the event that
Curtis should attempt to and succeed in marching to Little Rock and
opening the Arkansas river for navigation of Union gunboats from the
Mississippi river; which river, by this time, Union gunboats from
upstream were making desperate attempts to open to Union steamboats past
Memphis and on south. Within a week, after Roane issued the order to
burn all the cotton along the Arkansas river the work of destruction had
been carried out with such thoroughness that “there was not a single
bale on the river from Fort Smith to Napoleon.”
Meanwhile, Roane was doing all that was humanly possible to organize an
army at Little Rock.
May 26 1862
Maj. Gen. Thomas C. Hindman was assigned to duty “in
Arkansas and the Indian country,” by order of General Beauregard,
charged with their defense, “ and fully authorized and empowered to
organize” an army under the act of Congress entitled, an act further to
provide for the public defense.
(General Hindman acted promptly. On his way to Arkansas he obtained at
Memphis 35 Enfield rifles, 400 damaged shotguns and squirrel rifles,
with a few hundred rounds of shot and shell for artillery. He also
impressed for his own use some blankets, boots, shoes and other camp
equipment for his prospective army. From the banks of Memphis he
procured $1,000,000 in Confederate currency. At Helena, his home town,
he seized all the ammunition, shoes, blankets and medicines on sale; at
Napoleon, from the government hospital there, he appropriated all the
medicines that he could find. He appointed Dr. J.M. Keller medical
director and put him in charge of the medicines and surgical supplies
which had appropriated.
June 1, 1862
Gen. Samuel E. Curtis, commander of the Union army in
Arkansas, with headquarters at Batesville, took notice of the assignment
of General Hindman to the command of the Trans-Mississippi District in a
report to his superior, General Halleck. Said Curtis: “Great efforts are
making to collect an army at Little Rock, Galveston and Houston forces
are ordered up, and 10 Texas regiments have arrived with artillery.
Hindman was to start from Corinth on the 28th of May, and all the
Arkansas and Missouri troops were to come with him. If the Corinth Line
swarms this way, I must concentrate on this side of White river (north
side) and be reinforced immediately. The enemy is moving: we must be on
the alert. I have spread my force to hold my lines of communication
(with Missouri), which have been cut for 10 days.”
June 5, 1862
The gunboat Pontchartrain was at anchor in the Arkansas
river at Little Rock, where General Roane had ordered it for the defense
of the city. General Hindman, who had just arrived from Mississippi to
replace General Roane, had one of the 64-pound cannons which the
Pontchartrain carried at armament brought on shore and placed in
position for the defense of the city against the possible approach of
Union gunboats up the Arkansas.
(This gun was spiked and dismounted in September 1863, when Little Rock
fell into the hands of the Union army. In 1874, during the Brooks-Baxter
war, the Baxter forces found the old cannon lying half embedded in earth
near the foot of Byrd street. It was resurrected, christened “Lady
Baxter,” made ready for use, and placed in position in the rear of the
Metropolitan hotel (southwest corner of Main and Markham street), to
prevent the landing of boats coming up the river with men and supplies
for Brooks. The only time the gun was discharged during the Brooks –
Baxter episode, was on May 19, 1874, and then as a salute in honor of
the return of Governor Baxter to his office in the capitol. On January
1, 1876, it was again fired, and for the last time, in salute of the
opening of the centennial year of the signing of the Declaration of
Independence. Some years later, it was placed in the grounds of the Old
State Capitol, where it has since remained as a mute reminder of the
past.)
June 9, 1862
The Washington (Hempstead county) Exchange Company was
organized for the purpose of issuing “shinplasters,” or paper money of
small denomination. The directors were: E. Mirick, W.M. Andrews, John D.
Trimble, David Block, W.D. Green, A.B. Williams, B.F. Fall, H. Gordes,
W.H. Etter and M.V. Cheatham. H. Gordes was cashier. The exchange
operated on the following plan, according to a statement by the
officers: “A deposit, either of Arkansas War Bonds, or Treasury
Warrants, Confederate notes, or Louisiana bank notes is made by a person
in exchange for which we issue the notes (shinplasters) of the company.
This deposit is then held sacred for the redemption of the company’s
notes, and in order more fully to assure the public of the good faith of
the company, a bond has been given and filed in the clerk’s office,
which secures the deposits and as the sureties on this bond represent
property to the amount of at least $1,000,000, there can be no doubt of
the solvency of the company’s paper; and insasmuch as the notes are
issued only when deposits are made and never otherwise, it is clear that
they are as good as any money now in circulation.”
(This seems to have been the first appearance in Arkansas of
“shinplasters.” Many companies of the same sort sprang up in nearly
every town in the state before the end of the war.”
June 10, 1862
General Hindman, from his headquarters at Little Rock,
sent a report to General Beauregard at Corinth, Miss., which said:
“On June 5, I pushed my cavalry boldly against Curtis’ advance, which
outnumbered them as 8 to 1. I had previously endeavored to impress
Curtis with the belief that a large force came with me from Corinth, and
that heavy reinforcements had reached me from Texas. After a very feeble
resistance, the Federal cavalry fell back beyond the Bayou Des Arc. I
then ordered the Maurepas gunboat up White river to capture or destroy
the supplies collected at Grand Glaize and Jacksonport, and to alarm the
enemy by threatening his communications with Batesville. Captain Joseph
Fry of the gunboat Maurepas executed these orders with admirable
promptness and complete success. At the same time the enemy was attacked
in front. He retired in confusion to Little Red river, and thence
marched to Batesville. These operations gave me a good line of defense –
that of White river and its tributary, the Little Red. Skirmishing was
now almost continuous and our troops were uniformly successful. Major
Francis M. Chrisman, commanding an Arkansas squadron, was bold and
active. Captain Rutherford of Chrisman’s command, passed entirely around
the Federal army, crossing White river, destroying a supply train from
Missouri, and capturing a telegraph station a few miles north of
Batesville, with the telegraphic correspondence of Curtis and Halleck.”
June 12, 1862
Reports brought to Little Rock by refugees from that
part of Arkansas in possession of the Union army under General Curtis
indicated that the “invaders have nearly ruined the people in some
portions of the White river counties. Major Steele’s division seems to
have been less disposed to wanton robbery than the others. Other
divisions, or bodies of troops, have take the last ounce of meat and the
last measure of grain or corn from the families in that portion of the
country through which they have been marched. There are in Arkansas
about 12,000 Federals scattered over a large extent of country. The
largest body, say 5,000 or 6,000, were at and in the vicinity of
Batesville, according to last reports. A great many arrests have been
made; some of those arrested were discharged, Among others, Judge U.M.
Rose and W.A. Bevans, who were in Little Rock a few weeks ago, attempted
to return home and were seized by these gentry.”
June 17, 1862
St. Charles, on the White River, was attacked and
destroyed by a fleet of Union gunboats, brought up from the Mississippi
river, which, by this time, was in the undisputed Union control from
Vicksburg to St. Louis. Captain Joseph Fry, in command of the
Confederate gunboat Maurepas, was at St. Charles, and did what damage he
could do o the fleet of the enemy. His own gunboat, which was useless
against the ironclad vessels of the enemy, was suck across the channel
of White river, together with steamboats, in a futile attempt to
obstruct the channel. Two rifled 32-pounders and four field pieces were
put in battery on the bluff. These were manned by the 79 men of Fry’s
crew; 35 other men, armed as sharpshooters, were posted below the bluff.
The Union gunboats, the St. Louis, the Mound City, the Lexington and the
Conestoga, began the attack at 9 o’clock in the morning. After an
engagement of nearly three hours duration, the Mound City was blown up
by a shot from the Confederate batteries. The rest of the boats then
retired out of range. Union infantry was then landed and carried the
position of the Confederates. The Confederate loss was reported as six
killed, one wounded and eight missing; that of the Union forces as “more
than 200.” Almost all of those on board the Mound City, about 180,
perished when that vessel blew up. Captain Fry, in command of the
Confederate defense, was severely wounded and captured.
(It was this Captain Joseph Fry of the Maurepas, who, in 1873, was
executed by Spaniards at Santiago, Cuba, as the leader of the famous
Virginia expedition for the relief of the Cubans.)
June 18, 1862
The Rt. Rev. Andrew Byrne, bishop of the Catholic
Diocese of Arkansas, died at Helena.
June 25, 1862
Samuel H. Hempstead, who had resided at Little Rock
since 1836, where he engaged in the practice of law, died at home.
June 28, 1862 - Arkansas Gazette
The federals have evacuated
Indian Bat, St. Charles, and the whole of the lower White River, and
gone in the direction of Memphis. Gen. Curtis has, as we understand,
left Batesville, crossed Black, on the other side of White River, and
is, we think, working his way towards Cache bridge, with the view of
getting on Crowley’s ridge, and reaching the Mississippi.
---------------------
Death of S.H. Hempstead – On
Wednesday evening, the 25th inst., Gen. S.H. Hempstead died
at his residence in this city. He has been a citizen of Arkansas since
1836, has occupied a prominent position as a lawyer, and enjoyed a high
character for professional probity. He leaves a large family and many
friends to mourn his loss.
---------------------
Gen. Sterling Price – The
friends of this distinguished General always give out what he is going
to do. They now say that he has gone to Richmond to demand a transfer
to this side of the river, that he may be put in command of the
Trans-Mississippi Department, and that, if the President fail to comply
with his demands, he will tender his resignation. This report is made
plausible by the fact, announced in the Mobile papers, that the General
exhibited himself in that city a few days since, then on his way to
Richmond as we suppose.
---------------------
For our own part, and in
behalf of all who desire that order and discipline in our army which is
necessary to protect the lives and property of our citizens and the army
itself from destruction, we protest, most solemnly, against Gen. Price
being transferred to this department. His want of qualification as a
disciplinarian and his lawless cortege of loose unorganized stragglers
would make him a scourge to our people.
If it be the policy of the
Government to send another General West, the people have a right to
demand that he be soldier enough to discipline, as well as to lead the
army under his command to battle.
While we think, under Gen.
Beauregard, and restrained by the iron discipline of Gen. Bragg, that
Gen. Price can be made very serviceable to our needs, we honestly
entertain, and freely express the opinion, that nothing except Federal
invasion or subjugation, could be more calamitous to our people than
sending Gen. P. to command our army among them. Therefore we hope, if
he put himself before the cause, ask that the government swerve from its
policy to serve his interest or convenience, and demand a transfer to
this side of the Mississippi as the condition of his remaining in the
army, that the President may accept his resignation at once.
June 30, 1862
General Hindman, in command of the
Trans-Mississippi Military District, gave orders through his chief of
staff, Colonel Robert C. Newton, placing the entire district under
martial law. Colonel B.F. Danley was made marshal general with
headquarters at Little Rock; Major R.W. Richardson, provost marshal of
District No. 1, consisting of Louisiana and north to Red River, with
headquarters at Monroe, La; James T. Elliott, provost marshal of
District No. 2, consisting of all that part of Arkansas south of the
Arkansas river and north of Red River, with headquarters at Arkadelphia;
Decius McCreery, provost marshal of District No. 3, all that part of
Arkansas between the Arkansas and the White Rivers, headquarters at
Springfield (Conway county); John J. Horner, provost marshal of District
No. 4, all that part of Arkansas between the White and Mississippi
rivers, headquarters at Madison (St. Francis County.)
July 7, 1862
The Confederates, who, after the loss of St.
Charles, had prepared to hold the line of White river at Des Arc, were
defeated there and forced to retire westward to a new line of defense.
General Curtis, accompanied by the main body of his army, had marched
down the valley of White river from Batesville. Meanwhile, the Union
gunboats, after passing St. Charles, had continued up White river from
the South. To prevent the union of those two forces, General Hindman
had ordered such Confederate forces as he could muster to concentrate on
Des Arc, and in that vicinity. General Albert Rust, who had been
returned to Arkansas as General Hindman’s principal aid, was in command
of the Confederates, “Not able to prevent the junction of Curtis and
Fitch [Colonel G.N. Fitch, commander of the fleet of Union gunboats],”
said Hindman, “I now withdrew my infantry from White river, and took up
a new line of defense, that of Bayou Meto, 12 miles from Little Rock, by
which the enemy’s difficulties of supplying himself would be increased,
and his employment of gunboats against me rendered impossible, should he
move against me there.” General Curtis made no attempt, for the present
to cross White river in force, but contented himself with the occupation
of Helena and the control of all that part of the state north and east
of White river.
(During the rest of the summer and fall of 1862,
there were frequent skirmishes in eastern Arkansas between detachments,
mostly of cavalry, from the two armies. The most important of these
were: Aberdeen, July 9; Batesville, July 14; Jonesboro, August 13; La
Grange, October 11; Helena, October 12; Marianna, November 7.)
July 14, 1862
Fayetteville was occupied by Union cavalry without
resistance. Many of the citizens were arrested, some of whom were
paroled, while others were taken to Missouri and held as prisoners of
war at Springfield. Fayetteville was put under martial law and held as
a Union army post, in command of Colonel M. La Rue Harrison, colonel of
the First Arkansas Union Regiment of cavalry.
(A few weeks after the occupation of Fayetteville,
northwest Arkansas was occupied by a large Union army from Kansas and
Iowa, which was commanded by General James G. Blunt and General Frances
J. Herron.)
July 19, 1862 - Arkansas Gazette
What Will Be Done With The
Prisoners?
On the supposition that the
defeat of Gen. McClellan and the capture of an immense number of Federal
prisoners is a fact not to be controverted, there has been some
speculation as to the disposition to be made of the prisoners on and
after all of ours have been exchanged for and released. Some suggest
that, to save the response of feeding and the trouble of guarding them,
they be put upon their parole, bound not to bear arms until exchanged,
and sent home. Me think that our authorities ought to require the
release of our citizens, not belonging to the army, who have been
captured and imprisoned, by the Lincoln government, for being friendly
and true to the South. Another gentleman suggests that all of the
officers, and the best of the soldiers, be held as hostages and never
released until the Yankees return all of the negroes they have stolen
from our people. This last is a capital suggestion.
July 21, 1862
General Hindman reprimanded General Albert Rust, in
command of the Indian Territory for his failure to keep the enemy out of
northwest Arkansas. Pike, who had had troubles of his own with his
Indian troops, was offended by Hindman’s criticisms and sent Hindman his
resignation from the army.
June 30, 1862
The Trans-Mississippi District of which General
Hindman had been in command, was changed into “the Trans-Mississippi
Department,” with Major General Theophilus H. Holmes as
commander-in-chief. Under the new arrangement, Hindman was continued
for a time as second in command of the department. Besides General
Hindman, whom General Holmes, as chief of the department, kept in
Arkansas, Major General Richard Taylor, of Louisiana, was assigned to
the Trans-Mississippi Department, for the command of the District for
the command of the District for Louisiana; Major General Sterling Price
of Missouri, was transferred to the department for the command of the
District of Missouri.
August 2, 1862 - Arkansas Gazette
Meeting of the Ladies’
Soldiers’ Aid Association – There will be a meeting of the Ladies’
Soldiers Aid Association, at the Hall of James Confectionery, on Monday
morning next at nine o’clock.
Confederate Money - Fifty Cents
August 12, 1862
General Holmes arrived at Little Rock, established
headquarters there and took over the command of the Trans-Mississippi
Department. To assist him in the organization of an army for the
defense of his new department, the following Arkansas officers were
relieved from duty in the army east of the Mississippi (now commanded by
General Braxton Bragg) and ordered to report to Little Rock; Thomas J.
Churchhill, James C. Tappan, Dandridge McRae, Thomas P. Dockery and
Charles W. Adams, each of whom had been promoted to the rank of
brigadier general.
(Other Arkansas officers with Bragg’s army were
later transferred from time to time.)
August 13, 1862
Mrs. Robert W. Johnson, wife of one of the Arkansas
senators in the Confederate Congress, died at Little Rock.
August 20, 1862 - Arkansas Gazette
General Albert Pike arrived
at this place the latter part of last week.
---------------------
Servant Wanted
Major John Henry Brown, Chief
of Gen. McCulloch’s staff, is desirous of hiring a good servant to go
with him in the Army. Address him at Austin, or enquire at this office.
---------------------
Fine Residence for Sale for
Confederate Money
THE FINE HOUSE, on the corner
Southwest of Gen. Pike’s, formerly owned by Peter Hanger, Esq., and now
the residence of Mrs. Wright is offered for sale for Confederate Money.
The grounds belonging to this
place, and to be sold with it, consist of six lots – the East half of
the block upon which the main house is built – and three lots across the
street, on the adjoining block eastward, on which are Stables, &c.
This is among the largest,
best improved and finished, finest, and most desirable residence in the
State.
For particulars apply to
Peter Hanger, at Little Rock, or at Hot Springs, to the undersigned.
Wm. H. Gaines
September 27, 1862
---------------------
Fine Residence for Sale for
Confederate Money – A rare chance is offered to any person having a
surplus of Confederate money, and desirous of purchasing one of the
finest residences in Little Rock or the State. See advertisement of
Maj. Wm. H. Gaines of Hot Springs.
---------------------
[No. 21]
Headquarters Trans – Miss
District
Little Rock, July 7, 1862
The following information is
published for the use of the Army of the Trans-Mississippi District:
1st. All persons
who voluntarily entered the army of the Confederate States, for three
years or during the war, whether 18 or over 35 years of age, will be
held to their contract, for that length of time, unless they are
discharged under some special order to be given hereafter.
2d. All enlisted men who
volunteers for less than three years or the war, that were in the Army
of the Confederate States on the 16th day of April 1862,
over 18, and under 35 years of age, are held in the service under the
provisions of the conscript law, for three years or during the war, and
will be held until otherwise directed by the Secretary of War.
By command of Major Gen.
Hindman
R.C. Newton, Colonel and
Chief of Staff
---------------------
General Orders No. 20
Headquarters
Trans-Mississippi Dist.
Little Rock, Ark. July 7,
1862
-
The organization of
Partisan Rangers in this District, under any authority whatever, is
prohibited; and those now organized are hereby declared to be
Mounted Infantry, and subject to be dismounted whenever it is deemed
expedient. This order does not relate to “Independent Companies,”
formed under General Orders No. 17.
-
-
Persons heretofore
authorized to raise Battalions and Regiments in the State of
Missouri, must complete the organization of the same and report
within thirty (30) days from this day, or their authority will be
considered as annulled.
By command of Maj. Gen.
Hindman.
R.C.
Newton, Colonel and Chief of Staff
August 24, 1862
General Albert Pike reported to General Holmes at Little Rock, left the
army, and was succeeded in the command of northwest Arkansas and the
Indian country by General Hindman. Hindman established his headquarters
in Fort Smith, and began the organization of an army to drive the Union
army out of Fayetteville and northwest Arkansas.
(General Holmes had managed to make peace between Pike and Hindman and
their differences were permanently set at rest. General Pike returned to
the practice of law, and was appointed some months later, an associate
justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court.
September 15, 1862
Salt! Salt! Salt!
I wish to hire by the year 15 or 20 good hands to
work at my Salt Works in Sevier county, in this state for which I will
pay a good price. I also wish to purchase 3 or 4 good hands , for which
I will pay the cash.
R.H. Kinsworthy
Nashville, Ark.
October 1, 1862
Wanted
Jeans,
Linseys, White Domestics, Cottons, Yarn Socks
For
clothing for the soldiers. I will pay liberal prices for the above
named articles, in any quantities, delivered at Washington.
Geo. Taylor
Capt. &
A.Q.M.C.S.A.
October 4, 1862
Col. Wm. C. Mitchell – We had the pleasure on
Thursday last, of meeting Col. Wm. C. Mitchell of Carroll county, who
was captured by the Federals at Elk Horn, taken to Sandasky Island, and
has been liberated under the recent arrangement, for the exchange of
prisoners. Col M. was very sick during the greater part of the time of
his imprisonment, but we are happy to see that although not entirely
well, he has partially recovered, and we hope a few weeks with his
family and friends at home, may restore him to perfect health.
---------------------
Gov. Rector’s Organ – The paper in the interest
of Gov. Rector at this place, gives information to the enemy, by
publishing the number of Confederate troops on the Prairie; and we are
informed that the Ouachita Herald (which seems to be published for
private circulation) condemns Gen. Hindman for burning cotton to prevent
it falling into the hands of the enemy.
The people of Arkansas can judge, from such demonstrations, of the men,
who, in the name of patriotism call on them to vote for Gov. Rector.
Gov. Rector attempts to excuse himself for calling out the Militia, by
saying that he could not control the seasons nor prevented soldiers from
dying. Nobody said he could. Yet that does not excuse him for calling
farmers from their work at the season of preparing for crops, when every
day was worth a week and killing men by exposing them to the severe
weather, when no good did or could come of it to the army or the
country. The only advantage to any one was to Gen. Holt and certain of
the Governor’s kin and friends, who, by the process, were billeted upon
the State at high salaries for doing nothing. If by a wicked miracle,
the Governor should be re-elected, he has got his friend, Gen .Holt
released from conscription, and the people, may look out for more
militia musters, about next corn-planting time.
---------------------
Bread for the Army – We have seen the Army
Bakery here in operation and the bread is of superior quality. It was
established, and has been carried on, under the direction of Dr. Taylor,
who has voluntarily given his attention to this matter, besides
attending to his duties in the army so effectually as the preparation of
good bread for the soldiers; for the greatest amount of disease among
them is produced by eating bread which is not well prepared and cooked
In connection with the subject of bread for the army, we would suggest
that the health of the soldiers might be greatly preserved, and the
lives of many of them saved, by the preparation of portable bake ovens
(portable like forges) for the army. Besides preserving the health of
the army, there would a saving to the government of a quarter of a pound
of flour a day for every soldier.
---------------------
To Carpenters
Office Chief Commissary
Trans – Mississippi Dept.
Little Rock, September 27, 1862
Sealed Proposals will be received at this office, until Monday, the 6th
day of October A.D. 1862, for making TWO THOUSAND BOXES for packing Hard
Bread.
The Boxes are to be two feet long, 1 foot 6 inches wide and 1 foot 5 ½
inches deep, in the clear, and to be made of similar to a specimen which
may be seen at the office of the Post Commissary.
I will furnish lumber and part of the nails for which the contractor
will pay cost prices.
The boxes must be delivered at the rate of 5 per cent per day, of the
contract, and bills will be received for five hundred boxes.
Bond with approved security will be required.
John C. Palmer, Maj. And Chief Commissary
October 4, 1862
October 6, 1862
Arkansas held its first state election under the
constitution of 1861. For governor, Harris Flanagin received 18, 189
votes; Governor Henry M. Rector, 3,419; John S.H. Rainey, 708. The
Fourteenth General Assembly, the members of which were elected on that
day, was composted entirely of Southern supporters. All partisan
differences were forgotten. No votes were given in the “official
returns” from the counties of Crittenden, Greene, Monroe and
Mississippi, where the country was in the hands of General Curtis’ army
of invasion.
October 11, 1862 - Arkansas Gazette
Gen. Nelson’s Funeral – Gen. Nelson, of Texas, who
died with his command across the river was buried in this city, on
Thursday last, with Military honors. He was a thorough soldier and a
good man.
---------------------
Clothing the Soldiers – As far as we have been
able to learn, the call of Gen. Holmes on the people for clothing,
blankets, and other things necessary to the comfort of the army, has
been and is being well and promptly responded to by all – especially the
women of the country.
---------------------
Published orders have been issued from Richmond
prohibiting the substitution of boys under eighteen years of age, for
Conscripts. This is as it should be. If we are to have a long war the
boys are the hope and the dependence of the country, and the best care
should be take of them until they develop and grow into hardy manhood.
We understand that President Davis said the sending of our boys to the
army, was like sending seed corn to mill.
October 18, 1862 - Arkansas Gazette
Our Prospects – Not withstanding our results at
Corinth, our prospects are bright and brightening. There is a great rush
for our army in Kentucky. Col. Buford, once an officer of the old army
has raised a brigade. It is estimated that Kentucky will add a hundred
thousand men to our army. The estimate of fifteen thousand is thought to
be far below the mark. Southern men are still rallying in Missouri, and
the army will be greatly strengthened by that State. The influence of
Hon. T.A.R. Nelson will bring ten thousand men to our army in East
Tennessee. We say to our people – work and be of good cheer.
---------------------
Capt. Wm. E. Woodruff, jr., of the Weaver
Artillery, of this city, has been appointed, by the Secretary of War, to
be Major of Artillery, to date from the 17th April 1862, with orders to
report to Gen. A. Pike, as Chief of Artillery.
---------------------
Brigadier Generals – The President has appointed the Brigadier Generals
Jas. F. Fagan of Arkansas; Col. F.A. Shouple of Florida and Maj. Wm.
Steele, now of a Texas regiment but late of the old army. All of these
appointments are doubtless good. We have been urging the appointment of
Col. Fagan for a long time, on account of his fitness for the place, as
well as his early, continued, and devoted service in the country. Gens.
Shoule and Steele are both graduates of West Point and both stand high
in their profession. They will probably all be assigned duty on this
side of the Mississippi.
---------------------
Col. Scurry, of Texas, has been appointed a
Brigadier General, and those who know him, say that his is a good
appointment.
---------------------
Died – May 1, 1862, at Camp Douglas, Chicago, Ill., George W. Elliott of
Camden, Ark. He entered the Confederate service on the 24th of July
1861; received his appointment of Orderly Sergeant of his Company and
fearlessly performed every duty of his office. He was loved and
respected by all who knew him; kind in disposition and generous to
heart. His clear ringing voice is hushed in silence and his manly form
sleeps in death. The reveille may bust, but it disturbs not his slumber
– no sound will awake him again. Brave, noble boy! Long will your spirit
cling fondly around our hearts, and remind us of happy days gone by. He
sleeps in an honored grave far away from his home and friends. He has
proven himself a soldier, and died for his country. A rich legacy to his
bereaved family and a monument to his memory.
October 25, 1862 - Arkansas Gazette
Casualties at Corinth – Up to this
time we have heard but little of the casualties at Corinth. Capt. W.N.
Parish (escaped since) and Lieut. Walker of this place, are both
reported as wounded and prisoners. Capts. Flether and McNally, of Pine
Bluff, are wounded. Lt. Col. Fletcher, of this county, is seriously
wounded, Col. Henry Johnson and Major Jones, of Hempstead county were
killed – both gallant soldiers and good men. Colonel Jno. N. Daly, of
Camden, is reported as mortally wounded. He is one of the first and best
men in the State. Our attention has been called to the fact that we
mentioned col. Matheny as commanding a regiment, when Col. Cravens name
should have appeared. Our list of Colonels in Gen. Cabell’s brigade was
furnished by a gentleman who belonged to it. We take the opportunity of
making the correction.
---------------------
Counterfeiting – A regular business in the
North. – Not many days since we saw a New York Herald, in which
counterfeit Confederate notes were advertised for sale. Now we have
before to us a St. Louis Democrat containing a similar advertisement.
This bespeaks a deplorably disgraceful condition of public morals at the
North, where so many seem to rejoice in making themselves publicly known
as criminals. To protect our brave people, prompt and stringent measures
should be adopted for the punishment of all persons dealing in
counterfeit money – not exempting the prisoners of the enemy.
---------------------
Office Chief Commissary
Trans – Miss. Department
Little Rock, October 20, 1862
It has been found that the price put upon the articles of Salt, by the
tariff of the 1st inst., is insufficient to remunerate the persons
engaged in its manufacture, and that the expenses incident thereto will
be largely increased during the rainy season: The Major General
Commanding has thought proper to raise the price to TWO DOLLARS AND
FIFTY CENTS, per bushel. Any violations of this order will be strictly
visited.
By command of Maj. Gen. Holmes
John C. Palmer, Maj and Chief Commissary.
October 25, 1862
---------------------
Wanted at the Hospital
6 GOOD MILCH COWS, for which a liberal price will be paid.
C.M. Taylor, Post Surgeon
Little Rock, October 18, 1862
October 26, 1862
General Hindman, with headquarters at Fort Smith,
moved in the direction of Fayetteville with an army of about 20,000
men. These men, many of them raw recruits, he had trained the best he
could on Mazzard prairie, near Fort Smith; and with them, he now
proposed to drive the Union army out of northwest Arkansas.
November 1, 1862 - Arkansas Gazette
Office Chief Commissary
Trans-Mississippi Department
Little Rock, October 4, 1862
All officers of the Commissary Department are required to forward their
Monthly and Quarterly returns direct to Richmond.
They are also required to forward to this office, Monthly Abstracts of
Receipts and Issues, certified by their commanding officer.
In making purchases, bounded officers of this Department will give
duplicate certificates, form No. 19, Subsistence Regulations. All
others, purchasing subsistence for troops, are required to give
accounts, in duplicate, with the certificate of a commissioned officer,
that the articles of subsistence were applied to the use of the soldiers
of the C.S. Army, and no one else, in quantities not exceeding the
authorized daily allowance – that no rations were issued to those troops
for that particular time, and that that account has not been paid.
All accounts must also, be approved by the immediate commanding
officers.
All molasses barrels will be taken care of and returned to the depot
from which they were received. Issuing commissaries will take receipts
for them at three dollars each, to be paid for if not returned.
By command of Maj. Gen’l. Holmes
John C. Palrmer, Maj and Chief Commissary.
October 11, 1862
---------------------
Office Chief Commissary
Trans-Mississippi Department
Little Rock, October 4, 1862
Salt will hereafter be sold to citizens, from the government works, in
charge of Maj. C.P. King, C.S. at the price of two dollars and fifty
cents per bushel, of 50 lbs. Persons paying for the same in subsistence
stores will have the preference.
The following tariff of prices is adopted for the government of officers
and agents for this department and will govern in the sale of Salt, for
subsistence:
Corn, per bushel, $1.00
Corn Meal, per bushel, $1.25
Pork, per lb, net $10
Bacon, per lb .25
Wheat per bushel, $1.50
Rye, per bushel, $1.25
Flour, per lb $8
Lard, per lb .25
Dried Peaches, bushel $2.00
Dried Apples $1.50
Sweet Potatoes $1.00
Peas $1.50
Persons desiring to exchange any of the above articles for salt, can
deliver the same at Little Rock or Arkadelphia, and obtain certificates
which will entitle them to salt.
By order of Maj. Gen’l Holmes
John C. Palmer, Maj and Chief Commissary
October 11, 1862
November 3, 1862
The General Assembly met in regular session and
organized by electing the following officers: Thomas Fletcher, of
Arkansas county, president of the Senate; John D. Kimbell, secretary;
S.H. Bayliss, assistant secretary; J.W. Woodward, enrolling secretary;
Nathaniel Carson, sergeant at arms. In the House, John Harrell of
Crawford county, was elected speaker; A.M. Woodruff, clerk; A.F.
Woodward, assistant clerk; E.B. Blanks, enrolling clerk; Master
McConnell, page; E.P. Hatton, doorkeeper.
As soon as an organization was effected, Governor
Rector was received and delivered his farewell message. Because Colonel
Harris Flanagin, the governor-elect, was still with his regiment in the
army of General Braxton Bragg, “somewhere east of the Mississippi,”
Thomas Fletcher, as president of the Senate, became acting governor.
November 8, 1862 - Arkansas Gazette
During the past year, we have had all sorts of
rumors as to the advance of the Federals into Arkansas. From the best
information we can gather, we learn that the Federals in the Northwest
are about 18,000 strong and that their advance is probably within a few
miles of Fayetteville. They are divided into four groups, all of which
are in an area 20 miles, their principal camp, being at Walnut Springs,
we believe in Benton county.
It is stated also, that a few Regiments of Federals are encamped at
Pittman’s Ferry on our north-east border, and that a detachment have
been down as far as Pocahontas, arresting citizens, and in some cases
destroying property.
Our dispatches from the Northern part of the Country state that England
and France have determined to recognize the Southern Confederacy, if
their joint offers of mediation are not accepted.
--------------
The two houses of the legislature met in joint
session to elect a successor to Robert W. Johnson, in the Senate of the
Confederate Congress. Johnson, a candidate to succeed himself, was
opposed by Augustus H. Garland, who was a member of the House in the
Confederate Congress. Eleven ballots were taken without an election,
neither receiving a majority because there were some scattering votes.
The twelfth ballot was not taken until Monday, November 10, when Johnson
was elected, receiving 46 votes to 42 for Garland.
November 15, 1862
Colonel Harris Flanagin, governor-elect, arrived at
Little Rock, and was inaugurated governor of the state.
November 22, 1862 - Arkansas Gazette
Gen. Villepigue, died of
Pneumonia, at Port Hudson, on the 8th inst.
The store-room of the Beebe house, now occupied by the families of Gen.
Hindman and Major Palmer, took fire, probably owing to the carelessness
of the servants, on Friday night last, the 14th inst. The room was
destroyed, but the exertions of the citizens and firemen saved a
considerable quantity of Bacon, Flour, Coffee, and other articles
therein deposited.
---------------------
Camp Rodgers, Miss. November 7th,
1862.
I hereby detail Captain W.S. Haven and Sergeant Stuckey, to go to the
State of Arkansas to procure winter clothing and such other articles of
bedding as can be had, having lost nearly all of our bedding and
clothing on the retreat from Corinth – we are left nearly destitute of
comfortable clothing for the winter. I hope our friends at home will
send us articles as they can conveniently spare. Clothing from Hempstead
county can be deposited at Washington for transportation. From Hot
Spring at Rockport. From Perry and Pulaski at the store of Jacob
Hawkins, in Little Rock by the 30th November.
James H. Fletcher, Lt. Col.
Comd’g 20th Ark. Reg’t. of Infantry, Holly Springs.
---------------------
Wood! Wood!
I wish to purchase 100 cords of Wood, for which the highest market price
will be paid. Apply at the Theatre building on Main Street
Chas. N. Roberts, Capt. and Post Commissary
---------------------
Hay! Hay!
I wish to purchase 100 tons of hay, for which the highest market price
will be paid. Apply at the old Theatre building on Main Street.
Chas N. Roberts, Capt. and Post Commissary
November 15, 1862
True Democrat copy.
November 26, 1862
Colonel Sanford C. Faulkner, keeper of military
stores at the Arsenal, in Little Rock, issued an appeal “to the ladies
throughout the state,” in which he urged them to collect and send to him
“all of their woolen scraps and pieces of cloth to make cartridges for
cannon. This is a necessity. Let our patriotic women everywhere
respond. Every piece of woolen cloth, if not larger than the hand, will
aid. Nothing but woolen goods will do.”
November 29, 1862 - Arkansas Gazette
Wood Choppers Wanted!
I wish to employ from one to five or six active hands to chop fire wood,
for the next two or three months, in the immediate neighborhood of this
city.
I also warn all persons against trespassing upon the woodland where the
above named hands are to be employed; and to prevent innocent mistakes,
I inform all concerned that the tract of land in question is the east
half of the south-east quarter of section twelve (12), township one (1)
north, range twelve (12).
Solon Borland
Little Rock, November 29, 1862
---------------------
Wood for the Poor! Wood for the Poor!!
The undersigned wishes to buy from one to two hundred cords of wood for
the poor, to be delivered, during the winter, as he may direct. Any one
having wood to sell, would do good by supplying a part of this contract.
Persons destitute of wood and unable to pay for it, must make
application for relief, so that their wants may be supplied as far as
possible.
Thos. R. Welch
December 1, 1862
The Fourteenth General Assembly completed its regular
session, and adjourned sine die, after a session of 29 days. Among the
bills passed were the following: An act for the relief of families of
soldiers; for the suspension of state taxes until the close of the war;
to prevent aid and comfort from being given the enemy, making the
joining of a secret society to aid the enemy a felony; to change the law
of dower so as to give the widow a child’s part of the estate; to extend
the acts to prohibit the planting of cotton or the distilling of grain;
to require the state treasurer to issue warrants of the denominations of
25 and 50 cents.
December 6, 1862 - Arkansas Gazette
Early in the week, a
statement went the rounds that General Hill’s Division of Lee’s Army,
had cut off the wagon train of Hooker, of the Federal Army, capturing
about a million dollars worth of property. Whether true or not, we
cannot say, as papers received have no confirmation of it.
---------------------
The dispatches, which we
publish to-day from the Appeal of the 25th, contain the
latest information which we have from the armies beyond the Mississippi.
---------------------
The True Democrat of
Wednesday stated that the Federal army 20,000 to 40,000 strong, was
advancing on Fort Smith. We have heard rumors of a skirmish at or near
Cane Hill, in Washington county, on Friday last, but have seen nor heard
of any confirmation of them.
---------------------
Two gentlemen down from Van
Buren county, on Thursday stated that about 1500 Federals came to
Yellville last week, and burned that place. Captain Shaw, Provost
Marshal of Searcy county, made a reconnaissance with his company, and
discovering 2002 men belonging to the part, charged upon them, killing
and wounding seventy-five. Capt. Shaw was severely wounded in the
encounter.
---------------------
Notice
All persons belonging to
Company H., 18th Regiment Arkansas Volunteers, that are
absent, on parole or otherwise, are hereby notified to report themselves
without delay to their company, at Port Hudson, la., or they will be
treated as deserters.
William N. Parish, Capt.
Co. H., 18th Reg’t. Ark. Vols.
December 6, 1862
------------------
Claiborne F. Jackson, governor
of Missouri, a refugee from his own state, whence he had been forced to
flee because of his efforts to bring Missouri into the Confederacy, died
near Little Rock.
December 7, 1862
The Confederate army under General Hindman, met at
Prairie Grove, 10 miles south of Fayetteville, the Union army of
Generals Herron and Blunt. Hindman’s army consisted of two corps, as
follows:
First Corps
Maj. Gen. T.C. Hindman, commanding.
First Division, Brigadier General John S. Roane;
First Brigade, Brigadier General Douglas H. Cooper – Cherokees,
Choctaws, and Chickasaws, under Colonels Stand Watie, D.N. McIntosh,
Chilly McIntosh; other Indian commands; Texas cavalry under De Morse,
Lane and Randolph; Howell’s Texas battery. Second brigade (dismounted
cavalry) under Bass, Stevens, Guess and Alexander; Etter’s Arkansas
battery.
Second Division, Brigadier General Francis A. Shoup;
First Brigade, Brigadier General James F. Fagan – Colonel A.T.
Hawthorne’s Arkansas regiment; Twenty-second Arkansas Colonel J.P. King;
Twenty-ninth Arkansas, Colonel J.C. Pleasants; Thirty-fourth Arkansas,
Colonel W.H. Brooks; Captain W.D. Blocher’s Arkansas battery. Second
Brigade, Colonel Dandridge McRae – Twenty-eight Arkansas, Colonel D.
McRae; Twenty-sixth Arkansas, Colonel A.S. Morgan; Thirtieth Arkansas,
Colonel A.J. McNeill; Thirty-second Arkansas, Colonel C.H. Matlock;
West’s and Woodruff’s Arkansas batteries. Unattached, Cheek’s battalion
sharpshooters; Venable’s Arkansas cavalry.
Third Division, Brigadier General M.M. Parsons:
First Brigade, Colonel Alex A. Steen (killed at Prairie Grove) –
Missouri regiments of Colonels Caldwell, Hunter, White and Steen;
Tilden’s Missouri battery. Second Brigade, Colonel R.G. Shaver –
Colonel C.W. Adams’ Arkansas regiment; Twenty-seventh Arkansas, Colonel
James R. Shaler; Thirty-third Arkansas, Colonel H.L. Grinstead;
Thirty-eighth Arkansas, Colonel R.G. Shaver; Roberts’ Missouri batter.
Unattached, Roberts’ Missouri Cavalry.
Fourth Division, Brigadier General John S.
Marmaduke; First Brigade, Arkansas cavalry of Colonel C.A. Carroll
(succeeded by Colonel J.C. Monroe); Monroe’s cavalry; Shoup’s Arkansas
battery. Second Brigade, Colonel Joseph O. Shelby – Missouri cavalry of
Colonels Coffee, Jeans and Shelby; Bledsoe’s Missouri battery.
Second Corps
First Division, Brigadier General Henry E.
McCulloch; First Brigade, Colonel Overton Young – Texas regiments of
Colonels Roberts, Clark, Spaight and Randal; Gould’s Texas battalion.
Third Brigade, Colonel George Flournoy, Allen, Waterhouse and Fitshugh’
Daniel’s Texas battery.
Second Division, Brigadier General T.J. Churchill;
First Brigade, Colonel R.K. Garland – Texas regiments of Colonels
Garland, Wilkes, and Gillespie; Denson’s Louisiana Cavalry; Hart’s
Arkansas battery, Second Brigade, Colonel James Deshler – Texas
regiments of Colonels Mills, Sweet and Darnell; Haldeman’s Texas
battery. Third Brigade, Colonel J.W. Dunnington – Nineteenth Arkansas,
Colonel C.L. Dawson; Twenty-fourth Arkansas, Colonel E.E. Portlock;
Crawford’s Arkansas battalion; Nutt’s Louisiana cavalry and Marine
battery. Fourth Brigade, Brigadier General J.M. Hawes – Texas regiments
of Colonels W.H. Parsons, Burford and Carter; Chrisman’s Arkansas
battalion. Fifth Brigade, Colonel M.J. White – Missouri cavalry of
Colonels Colton, Greene and J.O. Burbridge.
General Herron took position near Prairie Grove
church, 10 miles southwest of Fayetteville, where he was attacked by
General Hindman. General James F. Fagan’s brigade repelled several
charges by the Union forces, who attempted to turn the Confederate right
wing. The battle began a little before noon and was fought furiously
until about an hour before sunset, when Herron was reinforced by Blunt,
which brought the Federal strength up to 16,000 men. Charles W. Walker,
describing the battle, wrote: “During the night of the 7th,
both armies were retreating. The Federals began moving their trains to
Fayetteville early in the night. The Confederates began their retreat
about midnight. The victory of the Confederates, though complete was
fruitless, barren of any good results to the South.” General Hindman
said in his report: “Our loss in killed was 164, wounded 817, missing
336; Federal loss, 400 dead on the field, 1,500 wounded, number of
prisoners in our hands 275, including 9 officers.” The Confederates
also captured 500 stand of small arms, 23 wagons laden with supplies and
five flags. Hindman explained his retreat by saying that his “supply of
ammunition was reduced far below what would be necessary for another
day’s fighting and because my battery animals were literally dying of
starvation.
December 10, 1862
War News
Every body look at this and take notice, that I
will be in the different Townships of Hempstead county, on the following
days for the purpose of collecting the State, County and Military taxes
for the year 1861 and for the State and County taxes for the year 1862.
Also to assess all property liable to taxation for the year 1863, viz:
At Fulton, Bois d’Arc township, on Wednesday and
Thursday, the 7th and 8th of January 1863.
At Spring Hill, Spring Hill township on Friday and
Saturday, the 9th and 10th.
At the old Trammell Place, Carcuse township, on
Monday and Tuesday, the 12th and 13th.
At Moscow, Missouri township, on Thursday and
Friday, the 15th and 16th.
At Cottingham’s, Red Land township, on Monday and
Tuesday, the 19th and
At Nashville, Mine Creek township, on Thursday,
Friday and Saturday, the 22d, 23d and 24th.
At Columbia, Saline township, on Thursday, Friday,
and Saturday, the 29th, 30th, and 31st.
At which times and places all taxpayers are
urgently requested to come forward and pay their taxes. I cannot favor
any. And persons not wishing their property sold must come forward and
pay.
Thoms H.
Simms
Assessor
and Collector
December
10, 1862
December 13, 1862 - Arkansas Gazette
There is a rumor in town to the effect that Price
has captured and cut off some 8,000 or 10,000 of the Federal army near
Abbeville, Miss.
---------------------
A gentleman, who has lately been at Helena, informs us that there are
now at that point about 5000 Federals, all of whom are tired of the war,
and would be highly pleased to go home.
---------------------
The Vicksburg Whig of the 3d states that Grant’s Federal cavalry had
come down within three miles of Grenada, and had torn up the railroad,
destroying communication between that place and Vicksburg, but had
retired, and that the road was again in complete repair.
---------------------
The troops from Helena, some ten or twelve thousand strong, under Gen.
Hovey, which some two weeks ago made a raid into Mississippi by Friar’s
Point, have again returned to Helena.
---------------------
The Salt-works in the vicinity of Vermillion Bay, La., have been
abandoned.
---------------------
The U.S.
Government Military Tent Manufactory in Cincinnati, turned out in the
five days ending the 22d November, ult., an aggregate of 1,062 bell
tents, 684 wall tents and flies, 350 common tents, and 61 hospital
tents.
---------------------
Major John Pope is to succeed Gen. Curtis in the command of the
Department of the West headquarters at St. Louis.
---------------------
An effort is now being made in this city, by the charitable ladies, to
procure a sufficient sum by subscription, to furnish the poor with salt.
---------------------
Conscript Exemption Blanks
The undersigned, having been furnished with the necessary FORMS and
INSTRUCTIONS is now prepared to furnish all persons of the following
named trades and business, with PRINTED BLANKS, of the required oath,
to-wit: Physicians, Tanners, Blacksmiths, Wagon-Makers, Millers, and
their Overseers, Shoemakers, Millwrights, Stockraisers, &c. &c.
Upon the reception of ($5) five dollars in Confederate, or any good
State money, with a statement of the business or profession of the
person to apply the necessary blank form and instructions will be
forwarded.
Address,
W. Woolford (Box 129)
Little Rock, Ark.
Will also furnish persons in Texas and Louisiana on proper application
and statement of the business engaged in.
N.B. – This law does not apply to persons who were enlisted prior to the
11th October, 1862. Office, for the present, in True Democrat buildings.
Little Rock, December 11, 1862
---------------------
“Notice to Conscripts.”
The undersigned, Enrolling Officer for the county of Pulaski, hereby
notifies all white male residents of said county, between the ages of 18
and 40, not already in the military service of the Confederate States to
rendezvous, for enrollment, at the City of Little Rock in said County,
on the 27th day of December, A.D. 1862, on or before which day, every
such person, claiming to be exempt from conscription, under the act of
Congress in that behalf, must prepare and file with me, his affidavit
claiming and showing such exemption.
Under the instruction of the War Department, all the laws and
regulations applicable to deserters, and to be applied to such
conscripts as fail to repair to the place of rendezvous for enrollment,
or who shall desert after enrollment.
R.A. Watkins, Jr. Capt.
and Enrolling Officer for Pulaski co., Ark.
Little Rock, December 13, 1862
All male white persons, residents of the county of Pulaski, Arkansas,
between the ages of 18 and 40, claiming certificates of disability from
military service, under the Conscription Act, are hereby notified, to
appear at my office, in the city of Little Rock, Arkansas, on or before
the 27th day of December 1862, for examination.
Wm. M. Lawrence, Surgeon
P.A. U.S. and Medical Examiner
December 20, 1862 - Arkansas Gazette
We last week published the official dispatch of
Major General Hindman, in relation to the battle near Cane Hill, in
Washington county. Since that time, we have received more particular
accounts showing that the battle resulted in a victory to Southern arms
which will exert a great influence in many respects.
Gen. Hindman, although among the very first who took up arms in defense
of the South, and a participator in many engagements with the enemy,
never before had the supreme command of an army in a general battle, and
the success which has attended him in this one, where he commanded an
army made up almost entirely of raw volunteer soldiers and conscripts,
will exert a great influence in imparting to his men that confidence so
necessary to a General who hopes and expects to render good service to
his country, and at the same time it will give the enemy a proper
estimate of what they may be led to expect from the battalions of the
South, when they are maneuvered by the skill and urged on by the
inflexible will of one who can never know aught of defeat or disaster.
---------------------
Office Chief Artillery, 2d Division
H.Q. Camp on Lewis Creek, Dec. 9, 1862
The following report exhibits a correct list of the killed, wounded, and
missing of the Artillery, belonging to this command (in the battle at
Prairie Grove, Sunday December 7, 1862,) viz:
Capt. West’s Battery – Killed – 1st Serg’t John B. Whitsitt, Corporal
H.T. Boatright; private Peter Gallagher
Wounded – Privates Thomas J. Lane, left arm off; R.J. Irvin, slightly in
face; Charles Clifton, slightly in leg and head.
Missing – Private Albert Brooke
Capt. Blockner’s Battery – Killed Privates J. Leach and Coun.
Wounded – Corporal A. Choate, arm off; privates, H.J. Cox, right arm
off; M.D. Dunoway, left hip; L.Heilborn, left foot; James Keel, in
chest; Tyre, left hand off; Musician, Saul Catterina, wound not known;
Private, Martin, by fall of a horse; Alex McCormas, left arm off; S.E.
Clary, left arm; Harday Tucker, in the breast.
Missing – Corporal Ogden Bryant; Privates, Patrick Cairn, David
Cheatham, Peter Kirkpatrick, James Gibbons, Larry Gallagher, Patrick
Grady; Hogan, E. W. Johnson, Sanders, Daniel Wilson.
Capt. Marshall’s Battery – None killed, wounded, or missing.
W.E. Woodruff, jr. Major
and Chief of Artillery, 2d Division
In a note accompanying the Report, Maj. Woodruff says that the official
Report of the losses in General Shoup’s Division was 721 killed,
wounded, and missing; Fagan’s brigade suffered most. The killed on field
only 81, about 400 wounded, remainder missing. Dr. Keller told him that
the Hospital subjects numbered about 250 of the wounded – residue being
slightly injured. In McRae’s brigade the killed numbered only about 26.
Col. Pleasants had one of his legs broken – was doing well. Col. Polk,
of Hawthorn’s regiment was mortally wounded and since dead. Col. Young,
of Jackson county, was killed.
Three of Capt. Blocker’s guns were temporarily captured by the enemy,
but were soon recaptured by a most gallant charge of Hawthorne’s
regiment, who, at the same time, took a stand of colors. We learn, from
another source, that in this charge, no less than 157 of the enemy were
left dead on the field.
---------------------
Obituary – James N. Lewis was killed at the battle of Richmond, Ky,
August 30th, 1862 in the twenty-first year of his age. He volunteered in
Capt. M.G. Galloway’s company in May 1861. He fought through the battles
of Oak Hill and Elk Horn. In the former he received a severe wound, but
as soon as he recovered he rejoined the army again. After the battle of
Elk Horn, he was removed east of the Mississippi River and then to Ky.
---------------------
Headquarters Trans-Mississippi Department
Office Com’dt Conscripts
Little Rock, Arks., December 18, 1862
General Order No. 1
All County Enrolling Officers in the District of Arkansas, will be
governed solely by the Act of Congress of the Confederate States,
approved 11th October 1862, in exempting overseers from military
service.
Said act of Congress provided for the exemption of one person as agent,
owner, or overseer, on each plantation of twenty negroes, on which there
is not white male adult not liable to military service: And furthermore
for additional police for every twenty negroes on two or more
plantations, within five miles of each other, and each having less than
twenty negroes, on which there is no white male adult liable to military
duty, one person, being the oldest of the owners or overseers on such
plantations.
By command of Maj. Gen. Holmes:
B.F. Danley, Col.
And Com’dt of Conscripts, District of Arkansas
December 19, 1862
True Democrat copy twice.
December 27, 1862 - Arkansas Gazette
Died – On the 12th of last month, at Tunnell Hill,
Ga., William H. Faulkner, of Little Rock, Arkansas, and late member of
Co. A, 6th Arkansas Regiment.
His comrades in arms deplore the loss of a brave soldier, a warm hearted
friend and an accomplished gentleman. His bereaved family have their
sincerest sympathy in this calamitous visitation. [ Shelbyville.
