Category Archives: Arkansas

June 19, 1862: Explosion on the gunboat Mound City

Posted on June 19, 2012 by Allen Gathman

Gunboat Lexington is on the right. I didn’t find a picture of the Mound City, but The Late Great Unpleasantness has one. A dispatch published in the New York Times, along with a news item, tell the story of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Gunboats | 2 Comments

March 8, 1862: Battle of Pea Ridge

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Allen Gathman

Samuel R. Curtis Gen. Curtis and Gen.Franz Sigel had chased confederate troops under Sterling Price out of Missouri into northwest Arkansas, and were determined to pursue them and neutralize them as a fighting force. They moved into Arkansas, where Price … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Benjamin McCulloch, Earl Van Dorn, Franz Sigel, Missouri, Samuel R. Curtis | Leave a comment

December 26, 1861: Halleck reports on Pope and Price in Missouri

Posted on December 26, 2011 by Allen Gathman

Halleck General Halleck, in command of the Western theater, reported to McClellan about the recent victory of Union troops in Missouri, and the current state of affairs. As he points out, the people in the interior of Missouri were largely … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Henry Halleck, John Pope, Missouri, Sterling Price | Leave a comment

December 11, 1861: Rumors of a new Confederate commander in Missouri

Posted on December 11, 2011 by Allen Gathman

“Harry” Heth Col. Harry Heth was a favorite of Jefferson Davis’, and when McCulloch and Price had trouble getting along in the Western theater, it was suggested that Heth could be promoted over them to provide some oversight. As the … Continue reading →

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November 30, 1861: States can secede; counties can’t.

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Allen Gathman

Slave population as percent of total, Arkansas, 1860 census The principle of secessionism had to be kept firmly in check in the South, where some areas had strong Union sympathies. West Virginia had already seceded from Virginia to form a … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Secession, Spies | 2 Comments

November 29, 1861: Unionist spies in Arkansas

Posted on November 29, 2011 by Allen Gathman

From the Little Rock Daily State Journal: Interrogating a Union prisoner Twenty-seven prisoners, members of a secret Lincoln organization, from Van Buren county, were brought to this city yesterday and lodged in jail for safe keeping, until tried by the … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Spies | 1 Comment

September 19, 1861: Camden Knights ready to fight the Hessians

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Allen Gathman

The Arkansas True Democrat reports (in an article reproduced from the Memphis Appeal) that the Camden Knights have reported for duty. Their armaments include “Arkansas Toothpicks” — long knives (or short swords). And they are prepared to fight the “Hessians” … Continue reading →

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July 17, 1861: Confederacy isn’t having any black troops

Posted on July 17, 2011 by Allen Gathman

L. P. Walker On July 17, 1861, an Arkansas planter wrote to the Confederate Secretary of War to offer to raise a regiment of black troops — anticipating General Cleburne’s famous proposal by almost three years. The Confederacy said thanks, … Continue reading →

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June 29, 1861: Missouri has been crushed

Posted on June 29, 2011 by Allen Gathman

Confederate General Ben McCulloch was very pessimistic about the state of affairs in Missouri. Federal troop strength was growing, and the secessionist governor on the run. Much like his counterpart on the other side, he needed troops and arms. From … Continue reading →

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June 26, 1861: Plans to invade Missouri or Kansas

Posted on June 26, 2011 by Allen Gathman

Benjamin McCulloch The Confederacy encouraged McCulloch to act in Missouri, if necessary via Kansas. With fugitive governor Jackson fleeing toward the southwest corner of Missouri, support from Arkansas was becoming a more urgent necessity if there was to be any … Continue reading →

Posted in American Indians, Arkansas, Benjamin McCulloch, Kansas, Missouri | Leave a comment