Arkansas Civil War

Jenkins Ferry Battlefield in Grant County is getting a lot of attention on the cusp of the 150th anniversary of the April 29-30, 1864 conflict. Drawing upon a swelling of community support in Sheridan and surrounding communities, the Friends of Jenkins’ Ferry Battlefield has made tremendous progress over the first year of their existence.

Since last January, the FOJFB has drawn in over 200 members and boasts of a multitude of business support in and around Sheridan. The group has written by-laws, has been incorporated in the state of Arkansas, and will have a 501-3-c non profit status before the next Battlefield Update.

The Friends of Jenkins’ Ferry Battlefield exist, “to protect, preserve and promote the historical significance of the Jenkins’ Ferry Battlefield through funding and development of educational programs and community outreach efforts, including: tours, re-enactments, research, publications, lectures, workshops and preservation of battlefield property.”

The Grant County Museum will sponsor a living history on April 28, 2012 from 9am-2pm with activities centering around the Battle of Jenkins Ferry. For more information on Jenkins Ferry Battlefield and how to become involved, visit www.jenkinsferry.com.

The Board of the Friends of Jenkins Ferry Battlefield met Saturday at the Grant County Museum. The group boasts of a growing membership of several hundred friends and an active group of dedicated businesses helping the FOJFB achieve its mission in preserving the history of the battle site. The group approved its by-laws and the Board of Directors are: Richard Jenkins, Ron Kelley, Brenda Stuckey, Whitney Beaumont, Joe Walker, Ken Bolden, and D.J. Wallace.

in picture: Richard Jenkins, Chair of the Friends of Jenkins Ferry Battlefield, holds the group’s official Articles of Incorporation. For more information on events and news from the FOJF, go to their new website www.jenkinsferry.com.

The following primary source shows that contrary to popular belief, the 2nd Colored Kansas did not deserve all the glory for something they never did: overtake Confederate artillery during the Battle of Jenkins Ferry. The following cannot be fund in the Official Records- I can only imagine why! This gives a new perspective to the Civil War in Arkansas:

[LITTLE ROCK] NATIONAL DEMOCRAT, May 21, 1864, p. 3, c. 1
We publish the following letter from the Unconditional Union, with a correction added by permission.
Little Rock, Ark., May 11, 1864.

Editor of Unconditional Union:

I observe a slight error in your account of the battle of Jenkins’ Ferry, on the 30th of April, 1864, given in your paper of the 10th inst., which justice to my officers and men demands that I should correct. The paragraph to which I allude is as follows:
“The negroes particularly, deserve great credit for their gallantry. They repulsed charge after charge from the enemy and no sooner was a command received than obeyed. They charged a battery and captured three pieces of artillery and two battle flags, which inspired them with confidence, and urged them on to the bloody contest, pouring death and destruction before them.”
Now the facts are these: On the right of our line of battle, which rested on the road from Princeton to the Ferry, my regiment was the first that engaged that enemy, and after a severe contest of an hour, was relieved by the 9th Wisconsin and the 9th Wisconsin was subsequently relieved by the 2d Kansas, (colored) infantry. The action had lasted some two hours before the 2d Kansas came up. After the 2d Kansas had been engaged about half an hour, Gen. Rice ordered me to relieve them and charge the batter; (which had taken position in the road about one hundred paces in front of our extreme right;) but afterward so modified his order as to have the charge made jointly by the 29th Iowa and 2d Kansas. I ordered my command to advance with a shout, which was promptly done, until we arrived at the line of the 2d Kansas, when the two regiments were blended into one, my own, being the largest, extending beyond the 2d Kansas on either flank. companies “A” and “D,” and part of “I” of my right wing, (“F” having been previously posted across the Bayou to our right,) extending across the road, immediately in front of the guns, with their left resting on the right of the 2d Kansas. In this order the two commands moved gallantly forward, and captured the battery; (two guns instead of three,) and eight prisoners, including one Lieutenant, but no battle flags. The prisoners were taken to the rear and across the river in charge of four of my men. There were two or three miniature flags taken from the guns by my men, one of which that I examined, was about five by nine inches, with blue field and three bars, and bearing the inscription, “God and our native land.” My command advanced beyond the guns about sixty or seventy paces, and held the ground while the 2d Kansas, whose ammunition was exhausted, withdrew and aided a detail of my men in taking the guns to the rear. I then fell back slowly to our regular line of battle, and was again relieved by the 9th Wisconsin, Col. Salomon, who had held himself in readiness to support us.
In making this statement, I have not desire to detract in the slightest degree from the 2d Kansas, nor to claim any undue credit for my own regiment. My sole object is to do exact and equal justice to all, and hence I cannot silently permit my command to be totally excluded from an act of gallantry in which it suffered so severely, having lost some of my best men, and had two officers wounded: Capt. Mitchell severely, and Lieutenant Johnson slightly. It affords me the greatest pleasure to say that the 2d Kansas, under its gallant leader, fought bravely, and although my men were first at the battery and actually took the prisoners, we cheerfully concede to it an equal share of the glory of the charge. All the regiments engaged fought with a heroism unsurpassed in civilized warfare. It is also worthy of note that the 50th Indiana infantry, and named in your account, was in the thickest of the fight.

I am very resp’t'y, your ob’t, serv’t,
Thomas H. Benton, Jr.
Col. 29th Iowa Inft.

Civil War reenacting is gaining both popularity and momentum in Arkansas. Due to the 150th anniversary of the Civil War observance, reenactments and living histories are on the increase in Arkansas. If reenacting sounds like something you may want to try, there will be a recruiting day in Sheridan, Arkansas on April 30, 2011 at the Grant County Museum.

On April 30th, reenactors from around the state will set up a living history, sponsored by the Friends of Jenkin’s Ferry Battlefield, to show spectators what it was like living 150 years ago. Cannons and muskets will be fired, troops will perform military maneuvers, and reenactors will speak with specatators and answer any questions the public may have about how to become a living historian in Arkansas.

Because of the numerous Civil War events slated throughout the state over the next few years, a growing need for more reenactors has become ever-more obvious. With family-oriented groups available for the public to join, the hobby of reenacting proves to be the perfect family event.

Regardless of where you may live, there is a reenacting group near you that portrays both the Union as well as the Confederate sides of the conflict. With rising gas prices, this is the perfect hobby for those families taking in consideration of the every popular “Stay-cation”.

The only prerequsite for becoming a Civil War reenactor is a love of history. This hobby does not allow hate groups of any kind whatever and will not tolerate any activities that are not becoming of an event catering to a family atmosphere. Whole familes are invited to become a part of the reenacting community as well as individuals.

“You simply cannot fully attain what it was that our ancestors went through one hundred and fifty years ago until you have literally walked a mile in their shoes.” Notes Ron Kelley, Seargent of the reenacting group of the White Hall/Pine Bluff-based 2nd Arkansas Infantry.

The April 30th Event in Sheridan, Arkansas will begin at 10 a.m. at the Grant County Museum. Other activities will include a lecture on how to trace your Civil War ancestor, Civil War flag demonstrations, and a memorial service commemorating the officers that were killed at the Battle of Jenkin’s Ferry. The event will be held on the same day the actual battle occurred in 1864.

For more information, contact Ron Kelley at 870-592-0079 or email: info@arkansastoothpick.com.



Be sure to check out our new online bookstore hosting a variety of books that specialize on the Civil War in Arkansas!

Outstanding! That is the only way to describe our Jenkins’ Ferry Park Day 2011!

You are all to be congratulated for the fine job that was done – you have brought honor both to our Civil War ancestors and to the “Friends of Jenkins’ Ferry” Group. For those not able to attend, this was not just a short time of raking a few leaves and fellowshipping. Not at all! This was six hours of some of the hardest work that has happened in the park in years. Tons (those who raked through all of them would agree I’m sure) of leaves were raked, limbs trimmed and dead limbs removed, the area was mowed and an army of leaf blowers were heard echoing through the river bottom. Not to mention the clouds of smoke covering the bottom!

I am told we had 32 in attendance who spent the better part of six hours working hard with only a brief break for hot dogs & sodas & chips (Richard Jenkins was our master chef with the hot dogs!)

Also, the Arkansas State Parks Superintendent, Richard Boyes, attended the event along with two park rangers. They pitched in and helped with the cleanup for several hours. Also, Mr. Boyes tells me that the State Parks has authorized a number of improvements at the park – including a new larger sign, new picnic tables and other improvements coming soon. I honestly believe it is through the efforts of our “Friends of Jenkins’ Ferry” group that the state parks has shown an interest in partnering with us. I spent a good amount of time with the State Parks people showing them the battlefield and discussing how our two organizations can work in tandem toward preserving and advertising the battlefield. Mr. Boyes was very receptive to this idea.

We also had several attend who have expressed to join our Friends group – that is outstanding! More on that later.

I am attaching several photographs from the event.

Again, THANK YOU all for your hard work and dedication to preserving such an important piece of Arkansas History.

Joe Walker



Be sure to check out our new online bookstore hosting a variety of books that specialize on the Civil War in Arkansas!