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Arkansas Battlefield Update

Winter 2005 - Volume 13 Number 4

Published quarterly by the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program
An agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage

Winter, 2005 Volume 13, Number 4

Published quarterly by the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program

An agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage

SEACWHT planning markers, meetings encompassing region

By Mark Kalkbrenner

SEACWHT Chair

The Southeast Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail held a meeting on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2005, at the Pine Bluff / Jefferson County Museum in conjunction with the annual Southern Heritage Christmas Potluck. A number of projects were discussed.

Work is beginning at Stuttgart in Arkansas County on marking the site of Camp Mitchell near the present-day hospital. More to come on this as plans develop. In Drew County, a marker for the action at Rough and Ready outside of Monticello is in the research and planning phases. Bradley County is discussing putting some type of marker on the Saline River near a crossing that saw some action during the War Between the States. Cleveland County is the scene of continuing work at Marks’ Mills and future planning at Mt. Elba. And in Jefferson County, work continues at White Sulphur Springs. These are not the only sites in the region, but it is a start after the region has seen some inactivity in many areas during the past couple of years.

We plan to hold several meetings around the region in the very near future. There will be a meeting at Arkansas Post State Park near Gillette on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 2 p.m. A delegation from the December meeting will be meeting with a group from Warren in Bradley County at the end of January as soon as a time can be confirmed. On Saturday, March 18, the SEACWHT will meet at 2 p.m. at the Delta Cultural Center in Helena following the Cleburne Memorial Service.

NWACWHT continues work on wayside exhibits at Head's Crossing site

By Troy Banzhaf

NWACWHT Chair

The NWACWHT chapter is currently finalizing the text and design of the Head’s Crossing and White River waysides. At this time it looks as though the waysides will be ready sometime in April.

We are currently working with the Lowell museum to obtain funding for a wayside at Camp Mudtown. A grant needs to be prepared for this purchase and possibly for more markers throughout the area. If anyone has suggestions for areas in need of historical waysides, or old markers that are in need of replacing, please let us know.

The date and location of the next meeting of the NWACWHT will be announced. The Northwest Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail serves Benton, Carroll, Boone, Marion, Washington, Madison, Newton, Searcy and Van Buren counties.

SWACWHT brainstorms 2006 activities

By Tom Beam

SWACWHT Chair

The Southwest Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail held a meeting on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2005, at 7 p.m. at the historic Railroad Depot in Arkadelphia for the purpose of electing officers. Tom Beam of Hot Springs was elected the new chairman. The former chairman, Jim Hale, has done an outstanding job. His future efforts will focus solely on research and identification of as-yet unidentified Civil War sites throughout the Southwest region.

Jim Hale of Royal and Robert Dodson of Camden have successfully placed large bronze tablets at five Confederate fort locations in the Southwest area (See related article, page 1). Bob Dodson has raised the funding, and he and Hale have worked together to research and write the narratives for these markers. Their hard work and efforts are appreciated by this group. The goal is to continue to increase membership and raise necessary funding to make persons aware of other Civil War battlesites in the region.

Our first group meeting for 2006 was held on Jan. 8 at 3 p.m. at the Methodist Church at Old Washington State Park. A good group of members attended, and there was a healthy interchange of ideas concerning 2006 goals. The chairman has asked that members contribute an annual membership fee of $12 per household to help raise funds, as we will be seeking grants, donations and gifts from federal, state and local entities, and monies will be needed to pursue our projects. Checks may be made payable to SWACWHT and mailed to P.O. Box 1861, Hot Springs, AR 71902-1861. New members who have joined this group in the past thirty days and have been generous with their donations. Our next meeting will be held at White Oak Lake State Park on Sunday, March 26, at 3 p.m. Everyone interested in preserving the region’s historic Civil War resources is welcome.

The SWACWHT serves Polk, Montgomery, Garland, Howard, Pike, Clark, Hot Spring, Grand, Dallas, Sevier, Little River, Hempstead, Nevada, Ouachita, Calhoun, Miller, Lafayette, Columbia and Union Counties. We would like to have each county represented at this upcoming meeting.

NEACWHT moving forward with plan to remember Civil War in Pocahontas

By Danny Honnoll

NEACWHT Chair

The Northeast Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trails Committee met at the Jonesboro Public Library in November. We had 17 in attendance.

The speaker at our November meeting was Michayla Matthiessen of Jonesboro. The subject of her program was “The Hyatt Letters: One Confederate Soldier in the Civil War.” These letters are a highlight to the new Civil War exhibition at the Arkansas State University Museum and includes copies of 70 letters written just prior to and during the war. Benjamin F. J. Hyatt of Monticello wrote most of the letters. The first letters were written in 1860 while he was a student at the University of Mississippi in Oxford. Benjamin Hyatt enlisted in the 3rd Regiment of Arkansas Infantry (Volunteers) and was assigned to Company C. This regiment spent the entire war east of the Mississippi River attached to Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. Hyatt’s last letter was dated July 30, 1863, just two months before he died from wounds received at Chickamauga. Other letters were written by Benjamin’s brother Elijah, who died from wounds received at Antietam/Sharpsburg, and by family friends from the 1st and 3rd Arkansas Regiments.

The Pocahontas project is moving forward. We have applied for a grant from the Arkansas Humanities Council and have asked to be considered for a $1,500 minigrant earmarked for the Pocahontas sesquicentennial celebration. Pocahontas is the next location that our group has slated to place a historical marker. Derek Clements has met with Pocahontas Mayor Gary Crocker and has a location picked out for the long overdue marker. If you all remember the 7th Arkansas Infantry reenactors raised $1,300 for this project and we have been waiting on the Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trails Foundation to get its 501c3 before asking for donations to finish off this project. We are presently working on paperwork for a matching grant to get enough to place this marker. The marker will be installed before a September 2006 dedication. Jim Kincade and Derek Clements are working with us on this project, which will include a large scale reenactment, so keep an eye on this newsletter for more details on the reenactment based on the “War Between the States” at Pocahontas.

We have not heard any more from the gentleman from England about supporting the Pocahontas project so our group will press on in the effort to raise funds for this project.

Ed Dudley reported his sub-committee has been working on the Northeast Arkansas Southern Heritage Park in Jonesboro. The group is selling t-shirts and other items to help with the cost of this project. The Sons of Confederate Veterans—Col. Robert G. Shaver Camp held an auction at their Christmas party and raised about $350 toward this project. The flag poles have been donated by the Passmore family, the Stevens/Dollans families, the Dudley/Taylor families, and the Jones/Honnoll families. Each of the flagpoles will honor the ancestors of these families. Military markers are in storage to be placed at the site with the names of a few of the men that fought and died from northeast Arkansas. Anyone wanting to donate to this project can mail a donation to: M. Ray Jones, III; 1306 Oakdale St.; Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401.

Jimmy Steven, Terry Bandy, Danny Honnoll, Bobbie Barnett and Dale Barnett gave a Civil War presentation for the Harrisburg School on November 2. Over 100 students learned about soldier duties, cooking, flags, and local military histories. Bobbie gave the students gingerbread cookies and Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trails pamphlets were handed out to the students. Sgt. Terry ate his share of the cookies!

Mark your calendar for our annual trip to Chalk Bluff. This event is growing every year. This reenactment/living history gets better and larger every year! The dates for this years event is May 6 and 7, 2006. Judge Gary Howell and Capt. Delbert Hughes are working on this project for us. More information will follow.

Concerning Chalk Bluff, it is my sad duty to report that on Thursday, October 13, six intruders hit Chalk Bluff with high-tech metal detectors, earphones, shovels, etc. They were discovered by accident by a local Clay County resident who was taking a colleague to the park. We are not sure how long the battlesite robbers had been there, possibly at least an hour. Law enforcement officers found small, medium and large cannon balls and bullets of all sizes when they arrested these intruders. They tried to pass themselves off as novices saying they had only been there about twenty minutes; however, by all appearances they were professionals.

The sheriff arrested them and confiscated their equipment. They had Kansas and Missouri license plates and some were from Paragould. They also had a minor with them. They bonded out on Thursday. We want visitors at our parks and sites, but these are the type that we need to keep away from our sites. Others with Civil War battle sites need to be on the lookout for these and others that want to steal our heritage. This makes our job more difficult in that when we identify a site it opens up the fact that unethical individuals will misuse the locations.

We are still gathering facts and planning for the Woodruff County marker, “Battle of Fitzhugh Woods.” We do not have a date set yet for the dedication for this marker as of yet. The Lunday brothers along with Mark Christ are working on this project. We will keep you posted.

The next meeting of the NEACWHT will be on May 6 at 10:30 a.m. at the Chalk Bluff Civil War Battlefield Park.

Confederate Soldiers' Home noteworthy among Central Arkansas Civil War sites

By Mike Loum

CACWHT Chair

One of the many jewels in Central Arkansas is the Confederate Soldiers Home, located on the campus of the Arkansas School for the Blind in Little Rock. Although barely visible (it is tucked away in the northwest corner of the school grounds), a visit to the building should be at the top of all Civil War lovers’ lists of places to visit when in the Little Rock/Central Arkansas area.

The following article came from a newspaper. There is no date.

About three years ago, in the early summer of 1889, Col. R. A. Thomas Steale and Maj. John D. Adams had a consultation suggesting the idea of raising a fund for the maintenance of indigent ex-Confederate soldiers. They subsequently consulted with others, prominent among was Col. John G. Fletcher, when it was decided to call a citizens meeting in Little Rock to that end. The daily papers used their influence in advertising the matter, and a citizens’ meeting was held in the State House on July 4, 1889.

It was decided to organize county ex-Confederate encampments throughout the state. This led to the formation of several county camps, most prominent among which was E-1 Murray Camp of Jefferson County.

The Ex-Confederate Association of Arkansas was organized shortly after. The association then purchased the Patton homestead on the Sweet Home Pike, one and a half miles southeast of the city limits, consisting of fifty-six acres, paying therefore $3,500, the property today being valued of $6,000. Since that time fifteen indigent ex-Confederates have been maintained there, and over $7,500 expended under the direction or the association.

In 1890 a joint committee from the Ex-Confederate Association and the Ed-Murray Camp, of Jefferson, petitioned the Arkansas Legislature for an appropriation for a Confederate Home, and $10,000 per annum for two years was appropriated by the last Legislature. Up to the present time, however, not one cent has been contributed by the State for its maintenance, every dollar having been raised by voluntary contributions. Under the act making this appropriation the Governor, Auditor, Attorney-General, and the Judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit were made ex-officio members of the Board of Directors. Steps were then taken to build a Confederate Home on the site of the old one.

The Confederate Home remained at this location until 1953.

On February 26, 1953, an emergency was declared, in that, the Confeder-ate Home had deteriorated to such that a fire hazard existed and the safety of persons living therein was endangered.

Temporary housing facilities were provided for the residents in the hospital area of Camp Robinson. The residents and household facilities were moved to that location and the Confederate Home at Sweet Home was abandoned. The building and facilities were dismantled and disposed of under the direction of the Resources and Development Commission.

Construction on the new Confederate Home building was begun on April 8, 1954, and was completed in February 1955. The residents and household facilities were moved from the temporary quarters at Camp Robinson into the new Confederate Home building in February, 1955.

The following information about the new Confederate Home on the land of the Arkansas School for the Blind came from the Audit Report Arkansas Confederate Home June 30, 1955.

The Confederate Home will be located on the site of the old one and will be a two-story brick building of the colonial style of architecture, with stone trimmings and slate roof covering an area of 60’x115' feet, and will present a very attractive appearance. It will face east, and have two long two-story galleries running the entire length of the building. The building will contain sixteen double sleeping rooms, with an associated dormitory accommodating eight persons, or forty persons in all. The dining-room will be 20’x40' and on the first floor, with a chapel and amusement hall of the same size will occupy a space on the second floor. The building will be suitably equipped with an office, library, Superintendent’s quarters, kitchen, pantries, closets, etc.

Indeed it will be an ornament to the site it is to occupy and a credit to the State and its projectors.

A recent addition to the Arkansas Manuscript Collections of the Arkansas History Commission and State Archives is material from the Willson-Harkey Family. The collected works cover the years 1886-1979 and include documents, photographs, publications and other items relating to the life, family, and career of Mrs. Mary Leah (Mrs. O. Harkey 1889-1979), who was the last superintendent of the Arkansas Confederate Home in Little Rock.

The CACWHT meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month, jointly with the Civil War Roundtable of Little Rock at the John G. Fletcher Library at “H” and Buchanan streets in Little Rock.

WCACWHT enjoyed 2005 with projects at Dripping Springs, Drennen-Scott Home

By Tom Wing

WCACWHT Chair

The West Central Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail had a productive year in 2005. The chapter made contacts with landowners at the Dripping Springs skirmish site in Crawford County.

The site is included in the Prairie Grove campaign and involved elements of the 2nd Kansas Cavalry. Confederate pickets were driven to Van Buren. Federal troops occupied the city for a few days, captured and burned supplies and steamboats, and participated in an artillery duel with Confederate forces on the Fort Smith side of the river. The Dripping Springs site was identified by local historian Steve Cox and has been verified by the AHPP staff. National Register status and or Arkansas Historic Register status are both possible.

The Drennen-Scott Home in Van Buren will become an interpretive training center for the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. Among the items in the collection that date to the early 1800s are daguerreotypes of Captain James Stuart of the 1st Cherokee Mounted Rifles.

“A Rough Introduction to this Sunny Land”: The Civil War Diary of Private Henry Strong, Company K, 12th Kansas Infantry” is being printed by the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies of the Central Arkansas Library System. The book will contribute much to the body of knowledge of the Federal occupation of western Arkansas.

2006 promises to be an exciting year in the west; come join us. The next WCACWHT meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m. Jan. 29 at the Drennen-Scott Home in Van Buren. Call 479-788-7805 for details and directions.

New plaques mark forts at Camden

By Robert E. Dodson

During the Civil War, because of Camden's strategic lcoation in south Arkansas, the Confederate army under General Sterling Price decided to locate nine fortifications to protect the land and population from invasion by the Union Army. Therefore, nine forts (earthworks) were built by the Confederate Army under the direction of Colonel Nathaniel Hawthorn.

The names and locations of the forts were as follows:

Fort Lookout, corner of Rogers and Monroe streets

Ft. Pickett, corner of Greenwood and Maul Road

Ft. Simmons, corner of Banner and Cleveland Avenue

Ft. Southerland, California Avenue (near USA Drug)

Ft. Diamond, Bradley Ferry Road and Progress Street.

Four other fortifications were made in confines of Camden but the earthworks and their existence have vanished with the passing of time.

Construction of these earthworks wstarted in 1863 and completed in 1864 by both Union and Confederate armies.

With the help of Civil War maps and articles about the fortification in early newspaper accounts, the locations of five of the forts were found by interested citizens of Camden in recent times.

In the summer of 2005, I went before the Advertising and Promotion Commission in Camden and asked them for funds to place five 24”x 24” aluminum plaques at a cost of $5,000. This amount was approved. I contacted the vendor, the Southwell Co. of San Antonio, Texas, and within six weeks the plaques were delivered. The City of Camden graciously placed the five plaques at their prospective locations in a matter of a few hours. This life-time dream of marking these fortifications was at last a reality.

I would like to thank the following people who helped me with the writing of the text printed cn the Civil War plaques and with their installation. They are Jim Hale from Royal, Arkansas, who was raised by Ralph and Patsy Hale who we all remember for their work with their log cabins; Mayor Chris Claybaker, Sam Steelman and city employee Larry Stacy for the help in erecting the plaques and a special thanks to the A and P Commission for making this project possible.

Historic Lonoke cannon being restored, will return to home at county courthouse

By Emmett Powers

For at least a century, a 3-inch, Model 1861 Ordnance Rifle, No. 705, has been an area landmark on the Lonoke County Courthouse grounds. With weather wear evident, and missing parts, the No. 1 carriage on which it sat has obviously had some effort at conservation, though when is not clear. A square oak beam had replaced the tapered trail, with its lunette assembly replaced upside down. The wheels appeared to be original in form, though there is some evidence that the felloes had been replaced at one time; the axle was original to the carriage though the axle box was completely rotten. Some hardware was of contemporary manufacture. The vent had been welded shut. Yet, in spite of its deterioration and not so careful attempts at conservation, the 1864 field piece still exhibited an eye catching profile. Visitors could often be seen looking over the important historical artifact.

The gun carried with it many stories by locals about when it arrived, where it had been along the way, and what role it has played in the social life of the people of Lonoke County. One written source said that the “cannon” was brought to the courthouse through the efforts of John Hallum, a soldier in the Civil War and a one time lawyer in Lonoke. The same source suggested that the cannon might have been used in the Brooks-Baxter War. An article in the Lonoke Democrat on August 31, 1911, reported that the gun which had been “here” since a few years back was expected to remain permanently in Lonoke. At least one prank involved the “cannon” being filled with shotgun shell powder by some youth several decades ago and then fired, not realizing the consequent damage would be broken windows. Photos exist of at least one couple who had a wedding picture made in front of the rifle and then returned for their 50-year wedding anniversary to do a retake. Myths do exist that make the field piece the center of interest for some fascinating stories.

The 816-pound rifle was built sometime in early 1864 in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, by Pheonixville Iron Company. The Lonoke piece is one of about 1,400 that were produced from the late 1850s to the early 1870s. The rifle was capable of firing a projectile 1835 yards at a five degrees elevation, using one pound of powder. It was inspected by Josiah Horace Vincent Field. The gun usually fired both Hotchkiss and Shenckel rounds of about ten pounds. This piece was considered a rifle because of its employment of lands or “rifles” to fire with precision with greater endurance in the field.

In early 2005, the Lonoke Historical Society decided that their “cannon” needed to be preserved for future generations. During a Sunday afternoon meeting, they heard a history of the piece from a historian, opened the floor to anyone who had additional information, and heard from County Judge Troutman about what role the county would play in its restoration. Judge Troutman’s leadership in the restoration process has been exceptional.

As a result of the research about the rifle, the historical society, the county judge and others began an effort to restore the Lonoke landmark as close to original as possible. After a number of interviews, quotes. and references, Tom Bailey of Historical Ordnance Works of Woodstock, Georgia, was hired to do the restoration work. Bailey is well known in the field and had done work for the U. S. Army as well as the National Park Service. A guarantee of accuracy in the restoration from an experienced conservator was essential to the choice.

The carriage will be constructed of solid white oak and treated with a wood preservative prior to receiving a primer coat and two finish coats of oil-based machinery enamel in its original army drab olive color. Metal components will be cleaned and primed with a rust inhibitive primer and then top coated with two coats of industrial gloss black enamel. The original irons will be thoroughly cleaned and treated with a corrosion reforming solution before receiving their own coats of paint. The wheels will be constructed from white ash using the existing irons. The restored field piece will also be accompanied with an implement package, including sponge bucket, prolonge, worm, rammers, handspikes and stenciled canvas sponge covers. All work will meet or exceed specifications in the 1861 U. S. Ordnance Manual.

The barrel will be restored locally, with various methods employed to restore and preserve the rifled cast-iron tube. A maintenance plan is being developed to extend the life of this restoration. The work is expected to take about six months to complete the rifle.

Plans also include an indoor exhibit at the Lonoke County Courthouse where implements and information about the piece will be placed. Though there does not seem to be any evidence that the gun was used in Brownsville during the Civil War, the exhibit will allow space for telling the story of Brownsville during the conflict.

Research continues to determine the provenance of the weapon, though few records seem to exist, except for clues from the piece itself. Studies are also underway to determine how to exhibit the rifle securely upon its return.

CWPT schedules Park Day 2006

On Saturday, April 1, 2006, history buffs and preservationists of all ages will join forces to clean and restore Civil War-related battlefields, cemeteries and shrines. In exchange for their hard work, volunteers will receive t-shirts and have an opportunity to hear local historians describe the significance of the site.

Arkansas sites scheduled to take part in the Civil War Preservation Trust’s Park Day 2006 include Reed's Bridge Battlefield at Jacksonville in Pulaski County, Marks’ Mills Battlefield State Park in Cleveland County and Camp Nelson Confederate Cemetery at Cabot in Lonoke County.

Last year, Raymond Battlefield, Mississippi was the most active battle site on Park Day. Among the items removed from the site was a refrigerator, a washing machine, mattresses and lots and lots of trash.

You can see the current list of participating sites at http://www.civilwar.org/parkday/parkday2006_sites.php.

Mark your calendar!

Northeast Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail meeting

10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 6, Chalk Bluff Battlefield Park

Central Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail meeting

7 p.m., fourth Tuesday of each month,

John Gould Fletcher Branch Library, Little Rock

Southeast Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail meeting

2 p.m. Saturday, March 18, Delta Cultural Center, Helena

Southwest Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail meeting

3 p.m. Saturday, March 26, White Oak Lake State Park

West Central Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail meeting

2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29, Drennen-Scott Home, Van Buren

Northwest Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail meeting

To be announced

For More Information:

General Information
Mark Christ (501) 324-9880
mark@arkansasheritage.org

The Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail is a network of regional private, nonprofit, volunteer organizations seeking to identify, protect, interpret and promote Arkansas properties related to the state’s Civil War experience. General guidance for the groups is provided by the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage.

Northwest Arkansas CWHT
Alan Thompson
(479) 846-2990
alan.thompson@arkansas.gov

The Northwest Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail serves Benton, Carroll, Boone, Marion, Washington, Madison, Newton, Searcy and Van Buren counties.

West Central Arkansas CWHT
Kim Myers (479) 996-6357
wcacwht@yahoo.com

Larry Puckett (479) 459-1412
larrypuckett@email.com

The West Central Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail serves Crawford, Sebastian, Franklin, Johnson, Logan, Yell, Pope and Scott counties.

Southwest Arkansas CWHT
Tom Beam
tombeam@hotsprings.net

Peggy Lloyd (870) 983-2633
peggy.lloyd@arkansas.gov

The Southwest Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail serves Polk, Montgomery, Garland, Howard, Pike, Clark, Hot Spring, Grant, Dallas, Sevier, Little River, Hempstead, Nevada, Ouachita, Calhoun, Miller, Lafayette, Columbia and Union counties.

Southeast Arkansas CWHT
Mark Kalkbrenner
(870) 247-2394
captk1ark@hotmail.com

The Southeast Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail serves Jefferson, Arkansas, Phillips, Grant, Cleveland, Lincoln, Desha, Bradley, Drew, Ashley and Chicot counties.

Central Arkansas CWHT
Rick Meadows (501) 843-9090
rmeadows@aaamissouri.com

The Central Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail serves Conway, Perry, Saline, Faulkner, Pulaski, White and Lonoke counties.

Northeast Arkansas CWHT
Danny Honnoll (870) 935-9830
danny@honnoll.com

The Northeast Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail serves Baxter, Fulton, Izard, Stone, Cleburne, Independence, Sharp, Randolph, Clay, Lawrence, Greene, Jackson, Craighead, Poinsett, Mississippi, Woodruff, Cross, Crittenden, Prairie, Monroe, Lee and St. Francis counties.