THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN OF 1862: THROUGH ARKANSAS EYES Nancy and I have traveled all over the area north of Leesburg, VA trying to take pictures of the fords utilized during the Civil War for army crossings. Cheek’s Ford, also called Chick’s Ford, was where Walker’s Division crossed the Potomac River on September 7, 1862. I had traveled to this area, …
THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN OF 1862: THROUGH ARKANSAS EYES We proceeded to the Potomac and, once we reached the bank, I could see the actual ford was off to our right. A small creek about 2 feet wide was between us and the ford. The ground was a soggy and we had to jump the creek, which got Nancy’s shoes muddy. …
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 …
THROUGH ARKANSAS EYES Why does one get an obsession? Is it a nudge in the right direction to enlist us in our rightful part of the divine scheme of things? I think it has been in my life. I watched the Ken Burns documentary on The Civil War in 1992 and of all the battles discussed the Battle of Antietam …
The Bloody Lane On September 12-14, 1997, the 135th Antietam reenactment was held at the Artz Farm about 8 miles north of the actual battlefield and just about 1 mile south of Interstate 70. Battle reenactments can’t be held on National Military Parks because it is considered Hallowed Ground. However, the actual reenactment battle site was huge. At the time …