Arkansas Civil War

This is from the journal of James B. Lockney of Co "G" 28th Wisconsin Inf. on an expedition from Little Rock to Mount Elba in January 1865. The Journal can be found in its entirity at http://pws.cablespeed.com/~jshirey/CivilWar/
and the editor is Jim Shirley. He mentions the burial of one Union Soldier and the 12 Confederate soldiers from the battle of Mount Elba- March 30th 1864. Thought you might be interested.

On the March to Mt. Elba January 27th Friday 1865 A busy scene was presented about our Camp for an hour or two, all were so busy securing nails, logs &c. for fire & shingles & boards to make shelter & bunks. Our camp was at the house of an old settler, but the place was deserted & tenantless. Two or three out buildings were soon torn to pieces & divided among many hundred, each getting what he could. The family residence was occupied as officers’ quarters, & so was saved. All had plenty for fire all night, & much was yet left in the morning. Lewis & I slept warm & comfortable all night. He was waked once by the heat of our dry rail fire. We both have colds, & we cough some, & do not find this addition to our army troubles at all desirable. We had pine tops on the ground, & dry oak leaves over this for our bed. For supper & breakfast we boiled two pots of coffee & fried some pork each time. A clear stream of water was nearby & many such are crossed each day. Water is cold & frosty & the snow still lies scattered over the ground. Q.M. Sergt. Hawkes issued from 50 to 100 prs of boots & shoes to our regt. as several had great need of a new supply. Those were issued to him by Capt. Barnes Q.M. at Pine Bluff as an accommodation to our regt. because of past friendship. We started early & found the road much better than we expected for it was hard & firm where the mud was thick & deep last March & April when we were out. The pontoon train went ahead of all this morning except the Cav. that keep in the advance of all. Last night I finished reading the Psalms. I also washed my feet, which stand the march well. I have my portfolio with me & in it more than a quire of paper, Envelopes, Stamps, Gold Pen, Ink bottle &c. all of this makes me no more trouble & costs much less than Pipes & tobacco to others. On the way many hogs in lean order were butchered by the boys & loaded into the wagons. Co. B. has a dog called Calamity that catches the hogs & holds them.

Shooting is forbidden, but shots are sometimes heard along the way. The A.M. was cloudy, in the P.M. the clouds grew thin & scattered & some sunshine brightened the scene. Waste & desolation prevail all the way from Little Rock & many houses inhabited last spring are now tenantless. Some of those went toward Texas, while others went among the Yankees for security. Co. B. was unable to get any bread as the Capt. was in town carousing. He followed us out yesterday several hours late & was unable to walk. Too Bad! We reached Mt. Elba about 3 ½ or 4 P.M. & went into the camp. All well.

Waiting at Mt. Elba January 28th Saturday 1865 Yesterday we passed over the ground on which we met the rebel foe on the 30th of last March. Near the road is the grave of our comrade Thos. Greene. His last long resting place is under a white oak tree, but we did not see any mound nor anything else to mark the place. At a distance on low ground is a space covered with fence rails in a square & under those lie from 12 to 20 rebels who were killed in the fight. All this casts a sadness over the place which was diminished only by the lines of Cav. men that stood along the way as we marched past. Those said they had been in some two or three hours, & had time to have cooked something to eat & were to start across the river in an hour, or as soon as the pontoon bridge was laid. We saw a group of prisoners under guard & we soon heard the advance. Cav. had a little fight with some 50 to 75 rebels & captured 10, killed three & had one of our men killed, the rest of the party escaped. The bridge is made of frames that are made to form the framework of the boats with canvas covering thus forming a strong boat 16 to 20 feet long, 5 or 6 feet wide & 3 to 3½ feet deep. On those rest timbers which bear the floor or roadway. This makes a firm track & is the first of this kind of pontoon that I have seen. The usual activity prevailed in securing a supply of logs for fuel, as no rails were near us. We soon had log heaps to cook our food & to warm us. The evening was cloudy & threatened rain, I thought, & many thought yesterday that a change was taking place in the weather & we feared rain would follow the cold frosty spell of weather we lately had.

Before we lay down the sky cleared off & stars were bright & there was quite a severe frost. Today is bright & breezy. The Cav. crossed last evening & came to a camp held by a small party, all of whom escaped but the officer in command. Foraging parties were sent out early with one wagon for each Regt.,That from our Regt, went out 5 or 6 miles across the river. They got hogs, poultry, &c. finding a great plenty of bacon, sweet potatoes, &c. The impression now is that we will not cross the river or go farther, but are very apt to return to Pine Bluff very soon. Lewis & I slept together & were warm & comfortable all night. Night before last I sold one of the four loaves of bread that I got at Pine Bluff to Alonzo Monroe, as he could not get any. I thought I could better do with three loaves than he could with none. The officers have tents along, so have the battery boys. Many have sore eyes from the smoke & exposure.

Waiting at Mt. Elba January 29th Sunday 1865 In the army a person is liable to many vexations, for one can scarcely be entirely alone, for many relations exist by means of which ill-temper & unreasonableness are often shown & with many fault finding in regard to the share done by others & boasting of what themselves do is common. I think I have always done a full share of some kind of work in every mess of which I was ever a member & yet few are the instances in which someone did not complain. Day before yesterday evening I was so disgusted by what some in our mess said that I hastily declared I would give ½ all I was or would be worth to a substitute rather than be subjected to the abuse of others in the army. Yesterday we chopped old dead trees that stand in the fields after the Southern way of clearing land & we carried pieces from 6 to 10 feet long & as heavy as from 4 to 6 of us could bear a distance of 20 to 30 rods. Today was pleasanter so we did not require so much wood to burn, & we had some fence rails drawn to us in one of the baggage wagons. Since we left Little Rock several of our Co. have had attacks of sickness. Gelzer, Layhee, Chas. Findley, & Cameron have had chills, but they manage to keep along & do some duty. Yesterday C. Findley went on picket, but feeling sick last night he came in & I was sent out in his place.

The night was the pleasantest & calmest since we started. I was out as vidette from 1 ½ to 2 ½ this A.M. & from 6 ½ to 7 ½. I had several hours sleep, but was waked sometimes to cough & raise phlegm & saliva. My cold is broken but is yet disagreeable & troublesome. wish I had some liquoria root or extract as I think it would help me. While I write 4 ½ P.M. the Cav. are crossing to this side on the pontoon bridge. We may start back tomorrow. All wish we would do so for rations were wasted & stolen at first & now are quite scarce. The excitement in camp today was hunting for wild rose briar roots & making tobacco pipes of all sizes & shapes from them. Some prize those highly, & tell their intention to take or send the pipes home &c.

I rejoice that no such trash troubles me. The day was clear & bright. Last evening I exchanged three hard tack for about ½ loaf of soft bread. Tack gets to be scarce, meat is plenty, fresh and salt. Our Co. is better supplied than any other in the Regt. I think this because of the bread we got at Pine Bluff. Coffee, sugar, &c. are scarce. I read to 17 Chap in Proverbs. I was on post at sunrise & we were relieved early. How I long for the Happy Days of Bliss to come when I will not be a soldier.

On the march back January 30th Monday 1865 Last night we sat about our warm bright fire having arranged our blankets & beds of fire weeds dry & dry long grass so as to secure a warm sound sleep. Capt. told me that our Regt’l. Adj.-now A.A.A.

Gen. A.S. Kendrick said to him & others of our officers that Gen. Dana had a force of 40 to 50,000 with which he started from Gains Landing on the West side of the Miss. River making his way as fast as possible to Shreveport, La. This was say-so among officers, & it seems our feint coming here was only to divide the forces of the enemy. I very much doubt the advance of any such force as that stated, & in fact no army at all may be moving in that direction. We slept warm & soundly & were early on the alert & ready to march at daylight. Lieut. Gilbert rode in the ambulance & I think will ride all the way back. Capt. is on picket in advance, so orderly leads the Co.

I heard the total no. of prisoners taken is about 50 while we lost but one man killed. The roads are in fair order but not so good as on our way out. As we passed on the way we saw many buildings burning. Those had been fired by some of the soldiers that were ahead of ours. When we reached camp we heard a report was made to Act. Brig. Gen. Mackey that the buildings were fired by our Regt. This was evidently a mistake. There was a two story frame building about four miles from Mt. Elba of which the first floor was used for a church, & the upper was used by the Free Masons. When we passed no smoke or fire was seen, but we heard this & the frame school house were both burned. All right-minded men will regret the destruction of buildings used for religious or school purposes, for this is directly contrary to our ruling professions. A member of Co. F told us that much of the land between Pine Bluff & Mt. Elba was yet government land. He said the soil would yield good crops if well cultivated, though we think it poor. McKee & Draper are to join the Co. on 8th inst. March 30th, Wednesday, 1864.

Last night I lay with Henry Smart. Cav. brought in 21 Prisoners. This morning I & others with Lt. Tichenor were going on Picket at 7 1/2 delayed till 8 Pickets were driven in by Rebs. We had a fight with 1500 or 2000 from 8 1/2 to 10 1/2 or 11. Cav followed them toward Monticello. We lost 3 killed.

March 30th Wednesday, 1864 Day of Battle, at Mount Elba, Bradley Co, Arkansas Last night I slept with Smart. I waked twice in the night by the cold as we had no wool blankets over us each time. I warmed at a good fire & laid down again. I & Lewis had a long & pleasant talk together about various matters, but chiefly of domestic life & social relative and our won chances, hopes, preferences, & fancies of the partners of our peace & happiness & days of the raptures of bliss yet to be. He told me many of his experiences & of the trickery & treachery & petty jealousies of some of his former associates, who are now members of our Co. but not present & belonging in New Berlin. Also of some of his acquaintance with young women , all of which I believe was true & honorable on his part. His manner is very retired, still & unpretending.

He told me of his disadvantages for study as he had to work at his home with his step father Monroe, as if he were in a strange place, doing chores late in the night & early mornings till after school time. He attended school one winter in Minnesota about the year ’57 where he learned more than in many winters at home. He went to Minn. in 1855 and got 1/4 section. He is older than I & so fortunate as to have the promise of the heart & hand of a Waukesha Co. school mistress in Brookfield. She is a talented & gifted singer & worker, brave, & gay lady. This I say from what I heard & saw of her. I wish I was so favored, so blessed with a cheering prospect in promise, but I can trust to Him who rules the future. The night was clear & starry calm, but a little chill. Lafford cooked some beef & a chicken making soup which we had for breakfast. Lt. Tichenor ate breakfast with our mess. I & Lewis, Moore, McKown, Reamer, & Sergt Foster with Tichenor was detailed on picket. We fell in at 7 1/2 AM but were detained till 8 O’clock by some misunderstanding or mistake. Before the 1/2 hour passed firing was heard along the picket line. Soon this became so rapid that orders were given for all the infantry to fall in line of battle to meet the enemy if he advanced. The force present was all Inf. so about 225 or 250 of 18 Ill. & as many of 28 Wis. V. Inf. total 450 or 500. Soon the firing ceased & the train was moved nearer the river on low ground. Blankets were piled in heaps, as in fight they would be cumbersome. The Lt. Col. of 18 Ill. commanded & Capt. Smith Co I. 28[th Wis.] was second in commanded & acted as cool & collected as on Dress Parade. Soon Co’s G. H. & I on the left of Co. 28 were ordered to go to the extreme left of the position to prevent a surprise to the left flank which would cause the loss of our pontoon bridge & expose our whole force. We went on the double quick & were soon again in line. 15 from the left of G. were ordered forward 20 or 30 rods as skirmishers under command of Sergt. McKee. 13 privates (of which I was one) & corps. Church & Snyder went forward, most of us in the woods along the river but 5 or 6 on the right were in a field among a few old peach trees.

Those few last got some few shots at the foe while the rest of us advanced & retreated many times but failed to see one during the fight. About 9 O’clock or soon after the fight again raged & heavy volleys of musketry were returned from for the scattering fire of the Rebs. Shot was fired from a steel piece & shells from one or two 12 lb brass howitzers. Again there was a lull[??] of a few minutes duration, when the Rebs again advanced yelling as rebels only know how to yell when round after round of shot & shell together with repeated volleys of musketry was hurled against them for a welcome from the Goddess of Liberty. At the time we noticed, & rejoiced they had no artillery. This gave us a strong hope of victory whatever might be their numbers. About 10 1/2 or 11 AM they gave up the fight & beat a hasty retreat toward Monticello being the same way they had come. As soon as the fight began, one or more messengers were sent across the river to Clayton, distant to some 8 or 10 miles. Before the end of the fight, the cavalry began to arrive & cross the bridge leaving their horses on the other side in the woods. As soon as Lt. Col. Jenkins came he assumed command & soon came Col. Clayton & the pursuit of the enemy began. We heard heavy volleys of the Cavalry carbines & some shell was fired. Soon began the flood of captured prisoners to pour across the bridge & continued till 283 had crossed with about 200 horses & mules. Those were taken after crossing their pontoon bridge near Monticello on their way to Camden. About 50 wagons were destroyed by Lt. Greathouse of 1st Ind. & 1st Lt. Young of 5th Kansas. The enemy mistook them for some of their own men that had our uniform. Our loss was three men killed & not one wounded. Thomas Greene of our Co. G was mortally wounded & died about 2 PM & was buried there on the battle ground. O’Brien of Co I was driver in the battery & was killed. Also one of 5 Kansas. The enemy lost 20 to 30 killed & 50 to 75 wounded. The wounded Rebels said their attacking force amounted to 1500 or 2000 men. Day was sunny & pleasant.

This article can be downloaded from the January, 2008 edition of the newsletter located at the top of the page…great Civil War articles written by Civil War buffs in Arkansas.

Numbers 3. Report of Colonel John F. Ritter, First Missouri Cavalry, commanding Second Brigade.

HDQRS. 2nd Brigadier, CAV., DIV., SEVENTH ARMY CORPS,
Little Rock, Ark., October 13, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to report that, pursuant to Special Orders, Numbers 8, dated headquarters Cavalry Division, Seventh Army Corps, Little Rock, Ark., October 3, 1864, and letter from district headquarters of the same date, I proceeded to Pine Bluff with available portion of this brigade (777 aggregate), arriving there on the 6th instant. Received a re-enforcement of 250 men at Pine Bluff and marched on the 7th in the direction of Monticello, with orders to ascertain the where abouts, strength, &c., of the enemy. Encamped within fifteen miles of Monticello that night, my patrols going within eight or nine miles of the town without encountering anything. My scouts brought me information that the enemy had positively evacuated Monticello, and that two brigades of cavalry had left that vicinity a few days before and marched to Mount Elba. Marched to Mount Elba on the 8th instant and found a picket of about fifty men there, which was quickly driven across the Saline River. This is the only force of the enemy seen on the whole march. The inhabitants of the country reported that the enemy had all withdrawn to Camden, some said, for the want of subsistence. I found it very difficult to forage my animals, and from information I received, it would have been almost impossible to do so in the vicinity of Monticello. The reported strength of the enemy is from 14,000 to 15,000, about 3,000 of this force being cavalry. Returned to Pine Bluff on the 9th and there received orders to proceed to Little Rock. Arrived at Little Rock on the 11th instant. Total distance marched, about 200 miles. A good supply of forage on the north side of the Arkansas, about midway between Little Rock and Pine Bluff, in some cases a good distance from the river, but it could be easily obtained before the rainy season sets in. Also, it was reported to me that 900 bushels could be obtained at Doctor Watkins’, on the south side (middle road), about sixteen miles from Little Rock. The following is the list of casualties, viz: Missing and supposed to have deserted-James McNamara, Third U. S. Cavalry; James Maxwell, Third U. S. Cavalry; John Cosbell, John F. Crosby, First Cavalry Missouri Volunteers. Number of horses abandoned 7; number of horses taken up, 3.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN F. RITTER,

Colonel First Missouri Cavalry, Commanding Brigade.

Lieutenant W. A. MARTIN,

Actg. Asst. Adjt. General, Cav. Division, Seventh Army Corps.

ADDENDA.

Itinerary of the Second Brigade, Cavalry Division, Seventh Army Corps, Colonel John F. Ritter, First Missouri Cavalry, commanding.*

During the month of October this brigade has been constantly engaged in scouting, escort, picket, and outpost duty.

October 4.- The available portion of the brigade (about 800 men) was ordered upon an important reconnaissance, under command of Colonel J. F. Ritter. Marching via Pine Bluff, Ark., the command was augmented to about 1,000 men by forces from that place, and proceeded to the vicinity of Monticello, whence, learning that place had abandoned that place, it proceeded to Mount Elba, on the Saline River, the limit of the reconnaissance, where a large force of the enemy had crossed over, going south, two days before. The command returned by the way of Pine Bluff to Little Rock, where it arrived on October 11, having traveled about 200 miles. No casualties resulting from engagements with the enemy occurred during the expedition.

October 19.- Major General G. S. Avery, Third Missouri Cavalry, in charge of about 360 men from this brigade and about 100 men from the Fourth Brigade, Cavalry Division, made a reconnaissance to Princeton, Ark.

On the return, and when within twenty miles of Little Rock, the command was attacked by 500 of the enemy in ambush. After a sharp engagement the enemy were routed, leaving 27 dead on the field and carrying off a number wounded. Our casualties were as follows: Second Brigade, – killed, 1 wounded mortally, and 9 slightly and severely, including 1 commissioned officer; Fourth Brigade, 1 killed, 1 wounded.

The scout returned on the fifth day.

October 26.- Captain Tilford, Third U. S. Cavalry, with about 375 men of this brigade, was ordered on a scout; traveled about sixty miles and returned on the second day. During the month this brigade has furnished a number of escorts for trains and military telegraph, and numerous details for special service, &c.

Page 854-855 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. Chapter LIII.

Page 297-298 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. Chapter XLVI.

HDQRS. DETACHMENT SEVENTH ARMY CORPS,
Little Rock, Ark., April 26, 1864.

Brigadier General C. C. ANDREWS,

Commanding Detch. Second Div., Seventh Army Corps:

I have the honor to transmit herewith Special Orders, Numbers 23, from these headquarters, assigning you to the command of a detachment of the Second Division, Seventh Army Corps. This detachment is charged with the duty of escorting a train of supplies to General Steele, commanding department, at Camden. The following troops, being the major part of the force, marched from here to-day to Pine Bluff: The Sixty-second Illinois and Twelfth Michigan Infantry, aggregating about 1,300 men; the Fifth and Eleventh Ohio Batteries, each with six pieces and about 300 men, and a detachment of cavalry, numbering some 250 men.

In addition, the Third Minnesota Infantry and detachment of Third Division, 600 strong, has been ordered to report to you. So without any additional force from Pine Bluff you will have at your disposal 1,900 infantry, two batteries, and the number of cavalry named above. Arrangements are in progress to add to your command 300 infantry and 200 cavalry from the force at Pine Bluff, giving you and aggregate of upward of 3,000 men, well proportioned from the different arms of the service.

You will proceed to Pine Bluff by steamer, taking with you the Third Minnesota Infantry. Colonel Clayton, commanding at that point, while have instructions to give you all the men he can, and these will probably at least equal the number above mentioned. Please say to Colonel Clayton that it is my wish that he should accompany your command and give you the benefit of his valuable services; but I will not send order for him to do so, leaving it entirely to his judgement whether he can be of more service with you or in command of his post.

You will please see personally to the prompt loading of the supply train, and if you can possibly augment your transportation at Pine Bluff you will spare no efforts to take every pound of subsistence possible to the front.

By General Steele’s orders each regiment of infantry is to have two wagons, each battery one, and as cavalry has been added to the command a proportionate ratio of transportation should be furnished for it. In addition, four wagons are furnished for hospital and medical stores, and there is also an ambulance train. Bear in mind that the troops are in no case to have more transportation than has been stipulated by the commanding general. You will move from Pine Bluff with three days’ rations carried by the men, and after that you are to draw from the train for subsistence. There is also a quantity of ammunition going forward; the careful management of this should command your attention. Please consult Colonel Calayton about the readiest method of improvising a bridge at the Saline. I judge that he is well informed on the subject by a dispatch received from him to-day.

I feel that it is scarcely necessary to reaming you to avail yourself of every opportunity to subsist upon and draw forage from the country through which you travel, nor from personal conversation with yourself I am convinced that I cannot now any

more strongly impress upon you the necessity that those supplies must be got to, or at least toward, General Steele at all hazards. Please communicate your progress at Pine Bluff by telegraph, and subsequently by such opportunities as may present themselves.

Wishing you every success, and knowing that whatever betides you and your command will acquit themselves with honor, I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. R. WEST,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF ARKANSAS, &C., Little Rock, Ark., April 28, 1864.

GENERAL: I have the honor to inclose herewith copies* of telegrams from Colonel Powell Clayton, commanding at Pine Bluff, relative to the loss of a train and escort en route from Camden to Pine Bluff for supplies.

In addition to the information contained therein, I am informed by Captain Dunham, aide-de-camp, who left Camden on the 24th instant with dispatches from General Steele to General Banks, that a large forage train, sent out by General Steele from Camden on the 18th instant, was captured by Marmaduke’s forces, along with most of the escort, supposed to have consisted of about 800 infantry and cavalry and 2 pieces of artillery. This, if true, and there can be but little doubt of it, leaves General Steele in a very critical situation with reference to supplies. From the best information we can get here, has only enough subsistence to last him to the 1st day of May.

A train of 120 wagons left Pine Bluff for Camden to-day, loaded with scant five day’s rations for his command, and comprises all the land transportation in the department, and to make it up every horse and mule to be found was pressed into the service by General Steele’s orders.

General West, in command of the troops in the absence of General Steele, is of the opinion that our forces will be compelled to fall back for want of supplies, but is doing everything in his power to forward them, and has sent as escort to the train from Pine Bluff all the troops that can be spared from the line of the Arkansas, about 3,000 men, mixed infantry and cavalry, and two batteries of artillery, the whole commanded by General Andrews. Permit me tore new the request made by telegram of this date, to have mules and wagons sent to this department immediately; also to ask for General Steele, in his absence, that at least 3,000 cavalry, or the same number of cavalry horses, be sent as soon as possible.

I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. D. GREEN,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

Major General W. T. SHERMAN,

Commanding, &c., Nashville, Tenn.,

Page 666 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. Chapter XLVI

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF ARKANSAS, Little Rock, May 4, 1864.

GENERAL: I sent you dispatches from Camden on the 18th ultimo, given an account of the operations of my command up to that date. Some of my dispatches of subsequent date did not get through. I shall send Colonel Manter, chief of my staff, as bearer of dispatches. He is well acquainted with everything relating to this department, and will be able to give any information on the subject which may be required; and any suggestions, aside from written instructions, which it may be thought advisable to send me, would be faithfully delivered to me.

Very respectfully, general, your obedient servant,
F. STEELE,

Major-General.

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

Chief of Staff.

Page 667 Chapter XLVI. THE CAMDEN EXPEDITION