Storms Ravage Through Stones River Battlefield
By admin | April 12, 2009
The following is an e-mail that we received following the deadly storm outbreak over the past few days. All Arkansas Civil War buffs should concern themselves with historical sites that involved the brave soldiers from Arkansas during the Civil War, including the great state of Tennessee:
Fellow CWRTs,
You have no doubt heard of the tornadoes that hit Middle Tennessee yesterday in the mid-afternoon. What we thought was a single twister turned out to be two of them, one going through the town and the other crossing I-24 right into the core of the Stones River National Battlefield.
I just got off the phone with Park Ranger Jim Lewis who is a good friend of mine and he told me that the twister hit Tour Stop Three, moved through the Round Forest and then hit Tour Stop One and the Hazen Monument and cemetery. He said the trees now look like they would have during the battle - thousands of them shattered and blown down. Other than massive tree damage, the Hazen Monument (the second oldest CW monument in the country, erected during the war, and the oldest still on its original site) and the cemetery stones came through just fine. No cannons of the park were damaged but a caisson was moved and needs to be replaced. Thankfully, none of the park staff was hurt.
Subdivisions around the park have been smashed quite badly. I am told that one tornado was an F2 and it grew to F3 by the time it hit the park itself. A number of reports and pictures came in on the news showing a very large funnel cloud.
Stones River Park will be closed for quite some time as the staff assesses the tree damage and what ones need clearing away. I will keep this list apprised as the Spring and Summer go onward as to the park’s condition. There will be a call for volunteers to help with cleanup at some point.
I think it would be terrific if each of the CWRTs that gets this email
would pass the hat at your next meeting to take up a donation for the park to help with its cleanup. The Clarksville CWRT certainly will be doing so. If you are interested in doing so please let me know and I will secure the address to send such donations for you.
Another Middle Tennessee Civil War area also affected by tornadoes was the Tullahoma Campaign. Twisters were reported between Wartrace and Bell Buckle as well as near Tullahoma itself along with near Estill Springs (formerly Allisonia where the railroad and road bridges crossed the Elk River at the time as they still do). I have not heard of damage down there as yet. I led a tour of that area just a couple weeks ago for the CWRT in Columbus, OH and it is one of the most beautiful parts of Tennessee.
A lot of people lost homes and businesses yesterday - and a few lost
their lives. Please keep them and their families in your prayers.Please also pass this around to all of your CWRT members so they know of the damage and recovery efforts.
Greg Biggs
Clarksville TN CWRT
Topics: In The News | No Comments »
Pine Bluff SCV Camp Hosts Historical Memorial Service
By admin | April 8, 2009
Pine Bluff was recently witness to a historical event. On Saturday, April 4, 2009, the Arkansas Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans held the only known Confederate memorial on the campus of a historically black university. The memorial service included libations to 4 Confederate markers and recognition of 37 unknown slaves’ markers. Of the nearly one hundred in attendance, not a one left without a better and more comprehensive understanding of the importance of Pine Bluff and the surrounding area during key battles and campaigns during the Civil War.
Noted local historian, Doyle Taylor, was the keynote speaker at the memorial service. Taylor noted that Pine Bluff, and specifically the area in which the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is currently situated, played an important role in the Vicksburg Campaign. Terry Winchel, Vicksburg National Park historian, along with the Director of Ft. Donelson National Park, the Director of Shiloh National Battlefield, the Director of Arkansas Post National Park, and the District Manager of National Parks in Denver, Colorado, surveyed several areas of interest that played an important role in the Vicksburg Campaign.
Among the various historical sites surveyed,Camp Wright, the area in which the stadium now sits, may have been home to as many as 2000-3000 Confederate soldiers in Walker’s Texas Division. General Walker’s Headquarters was located at the Bell Mansion, recently destroyed by fire. Camp Wright was located at the Wright Plantation, in which the current enclosed small cemetery located on the north edge of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s football stadium parking lot now sits. The small cemetery is all that remains of the Wright Plantation.
It was on this land that twenty-nine slaves lived and worked. These slaves were part of the 150 slaves from the Pine Bluff area that assisted in the construction of Ft. Pleasant, a heavily fortified wood and earthen fort situated on the south shore of the Arkansas River. One of the cannons garrisoned at Ft. Pleasant now rests on the front lawn of the Old State House in Little Rock.
In 2002, while preparing the ground for the construction of the football stadium, construction workers discovered that where the stadium and parking lot was to be erected was a cemetery. Thirty-seven unknown slaves were moved to the Jane Oliver Cemetery, located only a few hundred yards from the Wright Cemetery.
These two cemeteries remained inconspicuous, largely, until Edgar Colvin, member of the local Sons of Confederate Veterans, began restoring and preserving them. Colvin, through his preservation efforts, marked the area that the thirty-seven slaves were reinterred in the Jane Oliver Cemetery and four Confederate markers in the Wright Cemetery.
Of the four Confederate markers dedicated, one was for a soldier in Patrick R. Cleburne’s 15th Arkansas Company B, also known as The Jefferson Guard. Another marker represents a soldier in the 18th Arkansas Infantry, another marker was for a soldier in Walker’s Texas Division, while the 4th marker dedicated represented the unknown soldiers who are currently interred in unknown graves throughout the vicinity, possibly numbering into the hundreds.
Local Son of Confederate Veterans Ron Kelley noted, “We come in Peace. We are far from a racist group, as our job is to restore and preserve our history. Today we not only pay tribute to fallen Confederate soldiers but also to the slaves that called the Wright Plantation home. Today is a very important day in our history as both Confederates and slaves alike are recognized. We come in peace.”
Topics: In The News, Jefferson Guard, Living Histories, Memorial Services, News | No Comments »
Special Edition: 2009 Division Reunion
By admin | April 3, 2009
Welcome to a special edition of The Arkansas Toothpick- The Hub of the Civil War in Arkansas. Saturday, April 4, 2009 will see a very historic event. The first Confederate memorial service of its scope and intensity on the grounds of a historically black campus is slated for 2pm at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
The service will be located at the Wright Cemetery situated in the northeast section of the UAPB football stadium parking lot. With the permission of the Chancellor is this service possible. Dr. Davis was awarded an Arkansas Division of the Sons of Confederate award in 2008 for his cooperation in the restoration and preservation of both the Jane Oliver Cemetery and the Wright Cemetery.
What makes this event so historical? The site of the memorial service is not only on the grounds of a historically black university state campus, but nearly 150 years ago, the immediate vicinity saw the use of 27 slaves on the Wright Plantation. It was on this same ground that Confederate troops were quartered: Camp Wright. Recent research has uncovered its significance in the Vicksburg Campaign, along with several other sites in and around Pine Bluff. Of these other sites that prove significant to the Vicksburg Campaign is Fort Pleasant, located only a couple miles from Saturday’s memorial service.
Among the speakers at the April 4th ceremony is a preservationist and member of the Patrick R. Cleburne SCV Camp. Edgar Colvin was responsible for the ordering of the markers, engraving, and maintenance of The Wright Cemetery and will give a talk on the various tasks in restoring and preserving the site. Local historian Doyle Taylor will be speaking on the historical significance of the vicinity, and descendants from two of the soldiers will be on hand for the one-of-a-kind memorial service.
In 1998, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff built a new stadium and thus relocated 37 unknown graves. In addition to remembering “The 37″, a special memorial service will be held for 3 Confederate soldiers and one marker commemorating the unknown dead from Walker’s Texas Division in the vicinity. Libations will be performed by the 1st Arkansas Infantry Co. D Living Historians, a military honor that has passed down from the old Roman Army traditions. Libations will be performed at each stone being dedicated.
Any ladies planning to attend this event are encouraged to participate in era-dress, as roses will be laid on each of the stones. The stones will be draped in a traditional Confederate Battle Flag, two of which will be presented by the Arkansas Division Commander of the Sons of Confederate Veterans to descendants of soldiers being honored. This is a rare opportunity that descendants are present during memorial services.
By special request, following the memorial service, a convoy of interested history buffs will travel from the Wright Cemetery to about 5 minutes east to one of the oldest standing structures in Arkansas: St. Mary’s Catholic Church situated on Plum Bayou. This church was erected in the 1830’s and boasts of an original bell struck in France. The cemetery located to the rear of the church serves as a final resting place to several of Arkansas’ first settlers and military heroes such as Francis Vaugine, one of only a handful of Revolutionary War soldiers buried in Arkansas.
Become a part of history and be at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s stadium parking lot by 1:45pm on April 4, 2009. From Little Rock, take Hwy 65 South when entering Pine Bluff. Turn left on University Ave. The stadium will be very hard to miss a few miles down. Anyone interested in joining the Sons of Confederate Veterans may also attend the catfish/chicken dinner at the 2009 Arkansas Division SCV Reunion at the White Hall Methodist Church at 6pm. Banquet tickets are only $10.
2009 SCV Reunion Schedule for April 4
9am-noon- Business Meeting at 300 Church Street (White Hall Methodist Church). From Super 8 Motel at Exit 34, there will be signs directing attendees to the Reunion location.
noon- Lunch at Larry’s Pizza (located at Hwy 270 and Jefferson Parkway)
2pm- Reunion memorial service at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Following the memorial service, a convoy will go out to St. Mary’s Catholic Church
6pm- Banquet- Awards, catfish/Chicken Dinner, auction of Civil War items
Topics: Memorial Services, News, Preservations | No Comments »
Arkansas Toothpick- April 2009 Edition
By admin | March 27, 2009
Greetings from The Arkansas Toothpick. This edition is going out a bit early for those planning to attend events coming up within the next few weeks. As always, there is much going on in the Arkansas Civil War community- the coming month is surely no exception, as April is usually the busiest month of the year in the preservation and general historical community.
The last event in March will be a Park Cleanup Day held at the Camp White Sulphur Springs Confederate Cemetery just outside Pine Bluff on Sulphur Springs Rd. If planning to attend this event, please bring rakes and gloves. Cleanup will begin at 8:00 a.m. and T-Shirts will be provided courtesy of The History Channel. Be sure to wear comfortable clothes. If you need a map to get to Camp White Sulphur Springs Confederate Cemetery, go to http://arkansastoothpick.com/mapquest.jpg.
The following weekend will be witness to history in the making. The Patrick R. Cleburne Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans will host the annual Arkansas Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans Reunion in White Hall, AR on April 4th at the White Hall Methodist Church. Business meeting will begin at 9am. After the business meeting, there will be a memorial service at 2pm.
At 2:00pm on April 4, 2009, the Arkansas Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans will host a memorial service as part of the annual Reunion. The service will be held on the campus of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. In 1998, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff built a new stadium and thus relocated 37 unknown graves. In addition to remembering “The 37″, a special memorial service will be held for 3 Confederate soldiers and one marker commemorating the unknown dead from Walker’s Texas Division in the vicinity. Libations will be performed by the 1st Arkansas Infantry Co. D Living Historians.
Preservationist and member of the Patrick R. Cleburne SCV Camp Edgar Colvin was responsible for the ordering of the markers, engraving, and maintenance of The Wright Cemetery, the location of the memorial service. This will be the first memorial service of its kind on a historically black university. Become a part of history and be at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s stadium parking lot by 1:45pm on April 4, 2009. From Little Rock, take Hwy 65 South when entering Pine Bluff. Turn left on University Ave. The stadium will be very hard to miss a few miles down. Anyone interested in joining the Sons of Confederate Veterans may also attend the catfish/chicken dinner at the 2009 Arkansas Division SCV Reunion at the White Hall Methodist Church at 6pm. Banquet tickets are only $10. Go to http://arkansasscv.com/events/ for more info on the 2009 Reunion. If planning to attend, please get your registration in soon.
April 11, 2009 will be Confederate Flag Day. This event will be held at the Arkansas State Capitol in Little Rock, AR. This will be a day to gather on the lawn of the Capitol and enjoy the fellowship of Southern Heritage. Bring a Confederate Flag and wave it during the ceremonies! Ceremonies include reenactors firing vollies, the reading of Arkansas Confederate soldiers’ names, and speeches on Southern Heritage and the Confederate Flag. Fellowship will continue afterwards at Vino’s Pizza on 9th and Chester Streets in downtown Little Rock. More information will be posted onto www.arkansastoothpick and www.arkansasscv.com soon.
The 25th of April will mark the date of the 145th Anniversary of the Battle of Marks’ Mills, located near New Edinburg, Ar. This will be the premiere Living History/Battle in South Arkansas this year. A Special edition of The Toothpick will be issued closer to the date. Mark your calendars for this event!
Don’t forget to subscribe to The Arkansas Toothpick! By subscribing, Arkansas Civil War buffs will be kept current on goings on in the Civil War community throughtout the state!
Topics: Living Histories, Memorial Services, News | No Comments »
Cleburne Memorial Saturday March 14, 2009
By admin | March 11, 2009
The next event for Arkansas Civil War History Buffs will take place this weekend at the Confederate Cemetery in Helena, Arkansas at the annual Patrick R. Cleburne Memorial Service. This year’s service will be unlike any other in previous years: this year’s service will include a Masonic tribute to the General. This year’s speaker will be Robert Hutcheson.
In his editorial in the latest Joshes & Chubs, Hutcheson notes “It is the custom of Masons, that at the death of a Master Mason, and if it was his wish, that the deceased be buried with what is referred to as “Full Masonic Honors”. However, because of a fire in the past that destroyed a lot of the records from the Arkansas Grand Lodge, I can find nothing to indicate that Brother Cleburne ever received such honors. I am almost sure he did, but there is nothing to prove it, and, as it is not fitting or allowed to perform these honors on a brother, once they have been deposited in the ground, we will be conducting a graveside Masonic Memorial to Brother Cleburne. Again, this will not be what a lot of people refer to as a “Masonic Funeral”, but will instead simply be a memorial to him and to his service.”
The service begins at noon on March 14th, 2009. For those who wish to carpool and convoy to Helena, meet at the Jefferson County Court House in Pine Bluff at 8am.
2009 SCV Reunion Medal
Topics: Living Histories, Memorial Services | No Comments »
Camden Daffodil Fest- Information for the Jefferson Guard Cadet Corps
By admin | March 5, 2009
Jefferson Guard Event
Daffodil Festival,Camden, AR
Saturday, March 7, 2009
This event is a very popular and highly-attended family-oriented living history. Members of the 1st Arkansas Infantry and Artillary will host a military camp for visitors to take part in the festivities including the firing of cannons, muskets, and much more. The Civil War Living History will take place on the bluff overooking the Ouachita River on the East end of Washington Street in downtown Camden.
Cadets in the Jefferson Guard will be able to man cannons, speak with visitors throughout the day, and other activities.
Cadets that plan on attending must ask parents/guardians about getting transportation. Those cadets that plan on riding with another parent/guardian are urged to help with gas money for those that are driving. Camden is about an hour and a half south of Pine Bluff on Highway 79.
Logistics: Those planning to attend this event must have rides chosen prior to the event due to our increase in numbers. This is to unsure a smooth experience for everyone. We will meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Church across the street from the high school. From there we will travel to McDonald’s for a quick breakfast and from there we will convoy to Camden.
This event in which we will be a part of is a massive family-oriented carnival-type atmosphere where the entire downtown section on Camden is blocked off. Parents wishing to attend will be pleased to know that there will be things to do all day long.
We will arrive in Camden and begin artillery instruction at 10:00 am, after which the Cadets will maintain an artillery section until 4pm. Cadets may leave with their parent/guardian/ride at any time prior to the conclusion of the event. Those who stay for the duration should be back in Pine Bluff by 6pm.
Any Cadet attending this event will be awarded 5 hours of Community Service. This will be a great time to practice our new Signal Corps and put into place our new command structure.
Topics: Jefferson Guard, Living Histories | No Comments »
Join The Reed’s Bridge Battle Field Preservation Society, Inc
By admin | March 4, 2009
Ladies and Gents,
The Reed’s Bridge Battle Field Preservation Society, Inc., is currently holding a membership drive for 2009. For $25 dollars you will recieve a years membership in the organization. We also have a Life Time Membership for $300 dollars. It can be paid in four quarterly payments of $75 dollars each or a check for the full amount.
Make your checks payable to: Reed’s Bridge Battle Field Preservation Society, Inc.
Mail your check and information to:
Reed’s Bridge Battle Field Preservation Society, Inc.
100 Veterans Circle
Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076
Ensure you enclose your FULL NAME, HOME ADDRESS, E-MAIL ADDRESS and PHONE NUMBER(S) and the reason for this payment.
You will recieve a membership card and should your get the Life Life Time Membership, you will recieve recieve discounts to upcoming events. Your membership dues will be utilized towards the purchases of needed building supplies for the Homestead Area, as well as the purchase of two replica cannons to be displayed on the battle field.
If anyone knows of organizations that would like to donate towards strictly towards our Homestead Area or cannon purchase, please ask them, then refer them to the above address. We currently have $2,000 that the Jacksonville VFW donated by asking.
Thank you for your help and should you not want to become a member, any donations would be deeply appreciated.
Thank you for your help, because ‘I’ appreciate it!
Sincerely,
Steve Shore
Topics: News, Preservations | No Comments »
Reed’s Bridge Cleanup Day Slated For March 21
By admin | March 3, 2009
In the last article, we noted that the Reed’s Bridge Battlefield cleanup day was slated for March 14. It has come to our attention at the Toothpick that the cleanup day will be held the following weekend, March 21. Cleanup starts at 930 am and will last until 3pm.
If you plan to attend this great project in progress, be sure to bring work gloves and a rake and 5 wire clothes hangars for the split-rail fence phase of the workday.
Topics: News, Preservations | No Comments »
Arkansas Toothpick March 2009
By admin | March 1, 2009
Greetings from the desk of the Arkansas Toothpick, the online Civil War Hub of South Arkansas. As editor, I do my best to keep everyone informed on the latest goings-on in the Civil War community in Arkansas. This month’s edition of the Toothpick primer includes a few family-oriented events as well as recent news from South Arkansas Civil War buffs.
The Arkansas Toothpick has been nominated for the Arkansas Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans’ David O. Dodd Award, which is given to the Camp with the best-kept paper or electronic newsletter in the Arkansas Division. The Arkansas Toothpick was awarded this honor at the 2008 Division Reunion in Little Rock, Arkansas.
The site has a new tool installed to immediately notify each subscriber of new posts onto the Arkansas Toothpick website. To take advantage of this new tool, simply enter your e-mail address into the field located in the box following each newly-posted article. This subscription is free of charge and is meant to notify interested Arkansas Civil War buffs on news and events.
The first event of the month is the annual Camden Daffodil Festival, slated for March 6th-7th (Friday and Saturday). This event is a very popular and highly-attended family-oriented living history. Members of the 1st Arkansas Infantry and Artillary will host a military camp for visitors to take part in the festivities including the firing of cannons, muskets, and much more. The Civil War Living History will take place on the bluff overooking Ouachita River on the East end of Washington Street in downtown Camden. For more info on this event, contact Bill Farmer at william.w.farmer@usps.gov.
The next event will take place the following weekend at the Confederate Cemetery in Helena, Arkansas at the annual Patrick R. Cleburne Memorial Service. This year’s service will be unlike any other in previous years: this year’s service will include a Masonic tribute to the General. This year’s speaker will be Robert Hutcheson. In his editorial in the latest Joshes & Chubs, Hutcheson notes “It is the custom of Masons, that at the death of a Master Mason, and if it was his wish, that the deceased be buried with what is referred to as “Full Masonic Honors”. However, because of a fire in the past that destroyed a lot of the records from the Arkansas Grand Lodge, I can find nothing to indicate that Brother Cleburne ever received such honors. I am almost sure he did, but there is nothing to prove it, and, as it is not fitting or allowed to perform these honors on a brother, once they have been deposited in the ground, we will be conducting a graveside Masonic Memorial to Brother Cleburne. Again, this will not be what a lot of people refer to as a “Masonic Funeral”, but will instead simply be a memorial to him and to his service.” The service begins at noon on March 14th, 2009. For those who wish to carpool and convoy to Helena, meet at the Jefferson County Court House in Pine Bluff at 8am.
For those not planning to attend the Cleburne Service, there is also a cleanup day at Reed’s Bridge Battlefield in Jacksonville, Ar. on the 14th of March. Cleanup starts at 930 am and will last until 3pm.
As noted in a previous edition, we are running a special subscription for the Civil War News for ONLY $20 for a years’ subscription. There have been several that have taken advantage of this offer thus far. For those of you who have ordered, your money and subscription information is being sent out this week. Proceeds go to The Jefferson Guard Historical Preservation Cadet Corps in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. The Jefferson Guard consists of high school students dedicated in preserving Arkansas hisory through various preservation projects, including the Reed’s Bridge project, living history, cemetery restoration, and lots more. If you are interested in subscribing to The Civil War News, send $20 to: Ron Kelley, 1200 Tanglewood, White Hall, AR 71602.
For those interested in attending the Arkansas Division of teh Sons of Confederate Veterans 2009 Reunion, it will be held in White Hall, Arkansas on April 3-4, 2009 at the White Hall Methodist Church located at 300 Church Drive. Registration is $35 per person, Guest Banquet tickets are $10, an extra medal is $15 (this year’s medal features the likeness of Patrick Cleburne), and ancestor memorials are $10. An official notice will be posted at www.arkansasscv.com this week.
Be sure to subscribe to the Arkansas Toothpick at www.arkansastoothpick.com to keep current on Civil War goings-on in Arkansas!
Topics: Living Histories, Memorial Services, News | No Comments »
Subscribe to the Arkansas Toothpick
By admin | February 23, 2009
Something new for 2009. You can subscribe to the site and have any items posted on ArkansasToothpick.com send directly to your email inbox.
On the Contact Us page of the website, you will see a section that says “Enter your email address to subscribe to the Arkansas Toothpick” with a button below it that says “Subscribe”. Simply enter your email address, and you will see a box pop up with a code to verify you want to subscribe. Enter the code, then check your email box for the confirmation email. Once you confirm your email, you are all set, and will get updates anytime the website is updated.
You can also subscribe via this post below:
Topics: News, Uncategorized | No Comments »
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