THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN OF 1862: THROUGH ARKANSAS EYES The two brigades of Walker’s Division were Ransom’s Brigade made up of the 24th, 25th, 35th and 49th North Carolina under Brigadier General Robert Ransom, Jr. The brigade also was assigned French’s Battery commanded by Captain Thomas B. French. Walker’s old Brigade was commanded by Col. Vannoy Hartrog Manning from Hamburg, AR, …
THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN OF 1862: THROUGH ARKANSAS EYES I don’t know if you have ever been in the two top northern Virginia Counties, but it is quite a revelation. Nancy and I were traveling south out of Maryland to Leesburg, VA. I took a wrong turn and instead of going southeast I went southwest. I had a detailed map of …
THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN OF 1862: THROUGH ARKANSAS EYES In early June of 1862 the 3rd Arkansas spent its time digging earthworks for gun emplacements, troop trenches and revetments. This necessary work brought Lee the moniker of “Spades Lee”. However, later in the war these trenches would be welcome shelter for the Army of Northern Virginia. On June 12th company F …
THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN OF 1862: THROUGH ARKANSAS EYES I have marched 7 miles in one day and skirmished during the march. I was dead tired when we finally bedded down for the night. I considered myself in pretty good shape, but until you’ve tried marching as they did, it really doesn’t hit you how tough these men were. The other …
THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN OF 1862: THROUGH ARKANSAS EYES Marching in full Civil War regalia during the summer is very tedious work. If you are portraying Confederates and your uniform is made of Jean material, which is a weave of wool and cotton, you are lucky. It isn’t quite as burdensome as pure wool. If you are portraying the Union forces, …
THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN OF 1862: THROUGH ARKANSAS EYES After the debacle of Jackson’s winter campaign, the 3rd was sent to Fredericksburg, VA and assigned to T. H. Holmes Division. The First Arkansas, which had enlisted for a 12 month tour of duty, were ready to be mustered out and the 3rd Arkansas took their place in February of 1862. In …
THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN OF 1862: THROUGH ARKANSAS EYES During one of our Civil War Excursions back east we journeyed to Richmond, VA. Neither I nor Nancy had been to that part of Virginia before and we were looked forward to the excursion. We stayed in Linden Row, which was a series of brownstone townhouses that had been connected to form …
THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN OF 1862: THROUGH ARKANSAS EYES The Arkansas Boys were drilled morning, noon and night at their camp and finally sent north to join the army. They arrived in Monterey, VA, in time to hear of the Beauregard’s victory at Manassas. They were assigned to General William Wing Loring’s command. Brigaded with the 1st and 12th Georgia, the …
THROUGH ARKANSAS EYES You haven’t really lived until you have spent a night in 39 degree temperatures and only two gum blankets, a wool blanket and your frock coat for warmth on the cold ground. I have spent a few nights in these kinds of conditions, but not a full campaign of freezing night temperatures with not enough cover to …
THROUGH ARKANSAS EYES Ever been to South Arkansas? We refer to it as LA. Not the one out in California but Lower Arkansas. It consist of Delta from the Mississippi River in the east for about 50 miles to the west where it becomes forested and small rolling hills all the way to the western border with Texas and Oklahoma. …