Civil-War Reconstruction in Izard County - Introduction

During an interview for Ken Burns' 1994  documentary series, Baseball, Former New York Governor, Mario Cuomo,  in relation to integration of black ball-players into the Major Leagues, asked,  "Why? Why did it take all those years? Why should it have been such a big event? Why weren't we capable of better? How could you possibly say that they were less than we were? Didn't we put that behind us in the Civil-War? Why wasn't the question settled?"

Branch Rickey Signs Jackie Robinson 

The fact is, no...we didn't put that all behind us in the Civil-War. While the official end to the "War Between the States" came upon the heels of General Robert E. Lee's surrender to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox, not a whole lot was settled at all because of that action. Yes. Emancipation had freed the slaves. Yes. The Confederate army and government were defeated. But no...there was nothing magical that took place upon the south's surrender that changed attitudes. In many ways, the "cessation" of hostilities was only the beginning of hard-fought change.  The American South was decimated. Devastated. Without form. Void. The south was a gaping hole in America created by the power vacuum caused by Confederate defeat.

Today, one often hears talk of revolution. In many ways, our nation is as divided politically much as it was leading up to the secession of the southern states. We have seen the rise of the militia movement and more recently, the Occupy movement...both which yearn for revolution, both espousing the use of violence to overthrow what is viewed for different reasons by each group as a corrupt, evil, and ineffective government. In light of this, one question begs to be asked:  If the government of The United States of America were somehow brought crashing down in this era, what would happen then? One only needs to study the decade immediately following the close of the Civil-War in 1865 to know what would then happen. It was not pretty! And it must be kept in mind, there was a central government in place after the close of that war.

  In last Summer's series, "The Civil War in Izard County", we learned about the extreme difficulties that arose for the people of Izard County during the four-year conflict. Families were split apart – some Union loyalists resorting to moving away from the county to escape the severe harassment by those who were once neighbors…some even by their own family members. We also learned about the violence that occurred in Izard County when bushwhackers and jayhawkers terrorized the people living here. We learned about the Mill Creek Peace Organization Society, a group of citizens who were against secession and resisted joining the confederacy. 

1876 Political Poster

In this Summer's series, we'll learn that…like in the rest of the nation…very little was won during the conflict other than the emancipation of the slaves. We'll learn that the same differences among Izard County's citizens existed after the war as was there before the war. Much of what we will learn will be about the nation as a whole, and about the events that occurred in the south during the years after the war. Very little is written about Izard County from that tumultuous time in our nation's history so it is imperative that we view what is recorded in context with what was happening elsewhere in the re-uniting United States of America!

For this reason, we will be including links to videos and other media where those readers who wish to understand this important period in our history can learn if he or she chooses to do so.

The Civil-War was not only about slavery as many believe. It was about States' rights. In fact, emancipation was not even a priority in the war until  it became useful to the Union for recruitment and support from a war-weary constituency. Most people today, however, understand that as a nation that claims to be free, emancipation was essential for America. And though the liberation of a people in chains was one of the only good things the war accomplished, freedom for that people was in many ways short-lived. Some say the war never really ended. As Mario Cuomo's questions above about race integration of Major League Baseball illustrate, African-Americans , though appearing to be citizens of this nation, were not really free at all once the aftermath of the war played-out suggesting that little was won at all by the Union upon the surrender of the Confederacy.

 

Next week, we will begin our discussion of Izard County during Reconstruction by sharing some stories of Izard County Confederate veterans returning home after being separated from their CSA units. Between then and now, readers are encouraged to visit the following links – two are outstanding lectures from Yale University professor, Dr. David Blight (two lectures in a series we will revisit as the Summer Series continues) and the other, a PBS documentary about the period of Reconstruction:

Wartime Reconstruction:  Imagining the Aftermath and a Second American Republic (Professor David Blight)

A History of Izard County: Civil-War (Follow-Up)

When dealing with Izard County's Civil-War history in the book, A History of Izard County, one message resounds: People from bygone eras were captives of the customs of their environment and period in which they lived. The author's admonition is clear: People from bygone eras should be forgiven for evils done out of the pervading ignorance of their time. Perhaps this is so. Those evils done, however, should not be forgotten. History, however damning it may be to a people, is still vital in teaching lessons that ultimately lead to progress.

Last week, I suggested that Mr. Shannon's lack of detailed coverage of the evil and hardships of the Civil War in Izard County was likely due to the sensitivities among Izard County residents in the time of his writing. Though over 80 years since the war had ended, there were still deep scars left among the citizens and even among families. Because he knew his audience would be people with connections to Izard County and its families, Karr likely smoothed over the rough edges. In many cases...the very rough edges. It's very likely also that Shannon knew the history was available and being preserved and would be available for future historians to share with the Izard County public once the deep grudges and resentments had faded.

Despite writing an unusually lengthy post on Karr Shannon's take on the Civil War in Izard County last week, there are some things that were left unsaid. While pondering Karr's writing and giving thought to the post, there were a couple of important items I had in mind to share but failed to include in the article. A friend e-mailed to remind me of those items and included some information from his own outstanding research that I will share below.

Roger Harvell, like Karr Shannon himself, was raised in Lunenburg and continues working on his long career in journalism as an editorial cartoonist. Roger is also an relentless student of his own family history as well as Izard County's Civil-War history...especially that of the Skirmish at Lunenburg in January of 1864. In the first e-mail he sent me on the subject of last weeks post, Roger reminded me of the  items I had failed to include:

 "Note Karr referred to the "northern soldier" killed at Lunenburg. The northern soldier was from Van Buren County, Arkansas.

"The story of the Sipe brothers killed in November and December of 1864 was not mentioned. These boys were members of Company D of the 4th Arkansas Mounted Infantry (Company A of the 4th attacked Lunenburg.) The eldest son, Marcus Philo, was killed 18 Nov 1864, his brothers William Sidney and Jacob Pickney were killed on the 18th of December."

The "Northern" soldier was not a "yankee" at all. He was a born and bred Arkansas boy!

The Sipes brothers didn't die in battle, either. They were brutally murdered because of their service with the Union. William and Jacob Sipe were awoken at night and slain in their home in Lafferty...likely by people who knew their family well.

Roger explains the Sipe Brothers' connection with the Union Army in a further e-mail that includes the wonderful research on many of the men who participated in the Skirmish at Lunenburg:

"Denny, while on the subject of the action at Lunenburg on 20 Jan 1864 let me tell you what I have learned of the participants.
Company F, Freeman's Regiment, commanded by Captain Christopher Columbus Cook.
Anderson, James R., PVT: born circa 1847, James' mother-in-law was Susan Fulbright Dobbs, daughter of my uncle Theodore Fulbright's great-grandfather.".

"Arnold, William J., PVT: born circa 1834, son of Elisha & Mary Kirwin Arnold.  Married Rebecca Landers, sister of Elijah Gilliam Landers who married William A Hinkle's sister, Martha.Arnold,

 "William O., PVT: born circa 1847, married Charity Gray granddaughter of my 2nd great-grandparents John Thomas Gray and and Elizabeth Chism.

"Beaver, Jesse R., PVT: born 24 May 1820, Harold Blevins' 2nd great-grandfather.  Lived on Weakley Creek in Giles County, TN, with my Harvells before moving to Izard County. 

"Bishop, Asa, PVT: born circa 1836, brother of John and Zachariah below. 

"Bishop, John H., PVT: born circa 1834, brother of Asa and Zachariah. 

"Bishop, Zachariah T., PVT: born circa 1844, Zachariah's invalid pension application contained a"n affidivit from grandfather Walker.  Zachariah's daughter married John Henry Harvell.  This John Henry was the son of great-grandfather Harvell's brother George and his wife Mary Jane Reeves. 

"Byler, John A., PVT: born 26 Feb 1828, my 2nd great-granduncle, brother of Joseph Love Byler. 

"Byler, Joseph L., PVT: born 1 Oct 1834, my 2nd great-grandfather. 

"Cook, Christopher C., CPT: the town of Cooks Station, Missouri, was named for him.  

"Cook, J.L., 1LT: John Lafayette Cook, the captain's younger brother. 

"Cornelius, George W., PVT: born circa 1841, Buried in Lunenburg Cemetery.  George married Rebecca Landers.  He was present at the duel between Confederate Generals Marmaduke and Walker.  The last recorded duel in Arkansas (Walker was killed.) 

"Cypert, Thomas P., PVT: born 1 Mar 1820.  This is our late English teacher, Mrs Vera Cypert Jacobs' grandfather. 

"Hinkle, Ballis D., 1SGT:  I believe this should read Baltis Hinkle.  Unsure of the relationship to William A. Hinkle. 

"Hinkle, William A., PVT: We cannot find William listed on Freeman's rosters.  The only roster I have found was from Price's army which was after William's death at Lunenburg. 

"Landers, Elijah G., PVT: born 7 May 1846, married Martha Hinkle, William's half-sister.  One of Elijah Gilliam Lander's granddaughters married the late congressman Wilbur D. Mills.  Our Jean Blair Blankenship, wife of Newt, is a great-granddaughter. 

"Lawrence, William, 1SGT: born circa 1821.  William was the great-grandfather of the late Malcolm Lawrence. 

"Love, Joseph B., LtCOL: Captain Cook's boss, commander of Company F. 

"Marchant, W.B., PVT: born circa 1830, Nora Marchant Miller's great-grandfather, 4th great-grandfather of my brother Wayne's kids.  2nd great-grandfather of former senator Paul Gray Miller. 

"Richardson, Simeon, PVT: born 3 Jun 1835, my great-granduncle, the husband of Sarah Serina Harvell. 

"Smith, Solomon R., PVT: born 13 Aug 1834, my granduncle, married grandfather Walker's sister, Jane.  Lost a leg at the Little Blue River. Grandfather said he was standing next to him. Mountain Howitzers with the 11th Kansas did the deed. Rutch was captured there on 21 Oct 1864. 

"Walker, Christopher G., PVT: born 14 Nov 1846, grandfather Christopher Greenleaf Titsworth Walker. 

"Walker, Hartwell B., PVT: born 5 Jan 1825, grandfather Walker's cousin. 

"Walker, John A., PVT: born circa 1837, granduncle. 

"Walker, Robert F., PVT: born circa 1832, granduncle captured in Mound City, Kansas, 24 Oct 1864 while on Price's Raid. 

"Walker, William M., PVT: born circa 1832, granduncle.

Macy Williams Brother of Asa

"As you know, Company A of the 4th Arkansas Mounted Infantry under Captain Taylor A. Baxter attacked the Confederates at Lunenburg. Asa Anderson Williams, the Union soldier killed was from Van Buren County, Arkansas.  

"I haven't looked closely at other members of Company F, but Company D of the 4th has some very interesting connections to the community. The commander of Company D was Moses Ford.  Moses Ford's brother was Lt.COL Barney Ford of Freeman's Regiment!!  Moses Ford's grandson married Julia Ann Harvell, my great-grandfather James Henry Clay Harvell's niece. Most of the men of Company D were from the Lafferty community. 

"Sergeant Henry A. Miller of Company D married Susan Sipe.  They were the grandparents of Nora Miller who married Jeff Copeland and Irene who married Leslie Harvell.  In other words, he was Donnie and Paul Gulley's 3rd great-grandfather. 

"Marcus Philo Sipe, also a sergeant in Company D was Henry Miller's brother-in-law.  He was killed on 18 Nov 1864. 

"John T. Bramblett who's daughter married Doplh Moser.  John was the maternal grandfather of Velma, Bud, and Zelma Brooks. 

"Henry C. Clark a brother of Lonnie Clark's maternal grandfather, Silas M. Clark.  Lonnie was a Free Will Baptist preacher who used to preach at the old Bethel Church near Lunenburg. 

"David H. Grimes was Frank Grimes' grandfather.  Great-grandfather of Emmett, Richard and Nana Mae Grimes.  Nana Mae married 2nd to our cousin Ira Harvell. 

"Elisha Bell Johnson, Connie Johnson and Vohn Weaver's great-grandfather.  Elisha's brother John L. and William D. were also in Company D. 

"Burrel A. Moser and John "Professor Jake" Moser, sons of Barnett Moser were in Company D.  Burrel was married to Catherine Celia Sipe, a sister to Henry Miller's wife and the Sipe brothers. 

"John Painter, the family for whom Painter's Bluff is named.  John's sister was married to Jeremiah Clark.  They were Lonnie Clark's grandparents. 

"The other sipe brothers were William Sidney, Jacob Pinkney, Franklin and Rufus.  William Sidney and Jacob Pinkney were killed on 18 Dec 1864 a month to the day that their brother Marcus was killed. 

"Many of the members of the 4th Arkansas Mounted Infantry were former Confederates.  
From the roster of the 27th Arkansas Infantry (CSA)... 

"SIPE, M P Sergeant—Enlisted in Independence county, Arkansas, July 22, 1862; age 29; absent sick in hospital at Monroe, Louisiana, since August 1, 1863.  

"SIPE, RUFUS M (Rufus Monroe Sipe) Private—Enlisted in Independence county, Arkansas, August 11, 1862; age 25; deserted, September 10, 1863.  

"Both Marcus Philo and Rufus Monroe joined Company D of Elisha Baxter's 4th Arkansas Mounted Infantry (Union) on January 1, 1864. is somewhat ironic that Rufus Sipe has a CSA headstone at his grave in Texas that reads Company B of the 27th Arkansas." 

One cannot read Roger's excellent research and not come away with the strong impression that the evils of war affected not just a few...but was pervasive among most if not all of Izard County's families.

Jackie Blue/Moser Cabin

Roger's initial e-mail to me on the subject also reminded me of another incident which occurred during the conflict within a mile of the Sipe brothers' home. At that time, a family of Mosers lived in what we know now as the Jackie Blue Cabin which still stands today along East Lafferty Creek. One morning, the woman of the home heard shots fired in the field where her husband was working and soon a pair of bushwhackers came to the home and demanded to be shown where the family's valuables were hidden. When the Moser woman would not tell them, one of the assailants took her 18-month old baby to the rooftop of the house and dangled the terrified child above the smoking chimney while his companion stayed with the mother. The two demanded she reveal the hiding place of the family's precious items or they would drop the child into the fire below. It so angered the mother that she grabbed a nearby ax and began attacking the brigand who had stayed below with her. This so surprised the pair that they fled the scene leaving child and mother unharmed. The father, it is told, was killed in the field where he was working.

The Civil-War was a brutal affair in many places. And despite Karr Shannon's assurances, history testifies that the brutality was common in Izard County even between folk who had been peaceful neighbors before the Confederacy declared its independence from the Union.

A question arises from many of the dates of the worst brutality against Union Sympathizers in the year 1864. The evil acts and harassment towards those who had rejected the confederacy seems to have escalated during that year. Perhaps it was because the rebels had realized they were defeated and took out their frustrations on the most vulnerable enemy they could find. Or...very likely as well...many Izard County confederates held deep resentment after the Skirmish at Lunenburg left one of their young men from a prominent family, William A. Hinkle dead at only 19-years old. Perhaps in some way that incident inspired neighbors to either run their Union enemies next door from the county or to kill them at work or in sleep.

Special thanks to Roger Harvell for allowing me to include his own hard work in a post on this blog. We in Izard County are lucky to have him as a fellow citizen...one who understands the importance of the lessons of history!

New Photos and Video: Lunenburg Skirmish Re-Enactment

Lunenburg Camp Video Below!










Note - See Tony and Roberta McGuffey's photos here!

Video: Skirmish at Lunenburg

New Photos Below!















All Photos by Cecily Elrod


Civil-War Camp Video Coming Soon! More Photos to Come!

Ready to Rumble?

Civil-War Re-Enactment Today at Lunenburg!

UPDATE! New Photos from Day 1 added below!

UPDATE 2 ! Video Added!

If you're looking for something to do today or tomorrow, you need look no further! Join us at Lunenburg today and tomorrow for the first-ever Civil-War re-enactment in the county. The event will commemorate the January 1864 Skirmish at Lunenburg when T.A. Baxter led a Union patrol through Izard County and encountered a large group of Confederates under the command of Colonel Freeman of Freeman's Regiment. The running battle took place along Rocky Bayou and Cooper Valley.

Several re-enactment units from Arkansas and Missouri have set-up camp at the Old Lunenburg Schoolhouse and will be performing the re-enactments at 2PM on Saturday and 1PM on Sunday!

The event is free to the public so grab your friends and family and come out to witness this unique event that we hope becomes a tradition for Izard County!

Following are photos from the camp as the groups began arriving and setting up along with more photos from Saturday's performance.

The Jacobs Family Farmstead

Video Below!

Mathias Jacobs, listed in North Carolina as a trader during the 1850 census, arrived with his family in Izard County sometime within the following decade. The family built at least one log home, and very probably another nearby which at some point was converted into a barn. The original cabin was added onto later with a two-room framed structure and still survives today, though in a sad state of repair.

The barn, which appears to be a square-log home to which a later log-structure was added in order to use the building for livestock, has been hidden under tin sheets for many years. Recently, the tin was removed so that the building can be removed to another location in the county and reconstructed as a get-a-way home.

Although research into Mathias Jacobs, so far, has resulted in little more than the information already shared above, an interesting item was found about his son, William P. Jacobs in connection to the post-Civil War Reconstruction period and the Brooks-Baxter War. William P. Jacobs served as County Registrar during the period of reconstruction. His name appears as a signatory to a report to the State of Arkansas listing names of all persons who voted illegally during the highly contested and controversial 1872 elections. Bitter rivalries existed during this time, chiefly because all ex-Confederate soldiers had been dis-enfranchised and were unable to vote. In fact, the election results contained so many irregularities in Arkansas that the electoral college in Washington rejected Arkansas' election results. The Gubernatorial contest in Arkansas was also very controversial as the "Carpetbagger" candidate, Joseph Brooks claimed to have won the election against his "scalawag" opponent, Elisha Baxter. The subsequent struggle for power resulted in several months of violence during the Brooks-Baxter War.

Izard County was not spared violence during this period as is evidenced by the following passage from the reflections of Owen "Happy" Kendrick about his father, William Thomas Kendrick contained in Sue Chrisco and Betty McCollum's Down Memory Lane Volume 3:

"My father related to me many incidents of those troublesome times during the days right after the Civil-War. I recall him telling me that most all of the Confederate soldiers were disenfranchised as citizens when they returned home. He said that he carried his regalia of the Ku Klux Klan with him at all times hidden under his saddle and would obligate a candidate for initiation at any place he met up with such candidate. This organization was for the purpose of saving the Southern States from the "Carpetbagger Governors" that the United States Government had appointed to govern the southern people.

My father was disenfranchised by the appointed Carpetbagger Governor of Arkansas. These governors were called Carpetbagger Governors by the southern people because they proved to be dishonest Northern Republicans and appointed Negroes to rule over the White people. At any rate, my Father's citizenship was taken away from him. He was not allowed to vote, hold any kind of office, serve on any juries, or take part in any political meetings. And most of the Confederate soldiers were placed under this rule when they returned home.

I remember him telling me about attending an election at old Lunenburg in Izard County at one time. He said that there were several other Ex-Confederate Veterans there and none of them were allowed to vote on account of their disenfranchisement. So he said that he and another one of his Ex-Confederate friends named John Hare went to a blacksmith shop where they secured themselves with a wagon wheel spoke apiece, went back to the polling place, whaled the judges good, broke up the election, destroyed the records, and went home. They were arrested for this offense but were never fined."

Note - William Kendrick's friend, John Hare, who is buried at Old Philadelphia is mentioned as a witness to two related murders from the period. Story developing...




The log-construction of this barn was unknown to us before the tin was removed a few weeks ago. Having recognized the need some time ago to get images of the old home but never having followed up, the occasion of the barn's dismantling prompted us to action! The Jacobs Place is an absolute hidden jewel and we are so proud to have been able to at least get photos and video before it is gone for good!

Just goes to show...you never know what you'll find while out Exploring Izard County!

Video - Calico Cave: Expedition 2

Video Below!

On Saturday, June 19th, Jim and I returned to the shelter-cave at Calico Rock along with Freda Phillips of Exploring Stone County and several other friends and guests to further investigate the site. After spending an hour or more examining the walls and digging a couple of test-holes to see if any artifacts might be found, we discussed the possible uses of this unique cave throughout history.

It's clear that there are a number of features in this cave that have been added in an attempt to hide its existence including the massive retaining wall built directly in front of its entrance and a vent-hole hidden at the surface by a large hollow Oak tree stump.

Although noone in living memory seems to know the origins of the human construction within the cave, there are several local legends. One of those is the use by some of the term "slave-cave" to describe the site. Another is one that suggests the "rock house" was used as a speak-easy during prohibition. Others include the site's use as an ice-house, a hiding place for runaway slaves, or its use as a place to conceal weapons, ammo, and supplies during the civil-war

As we discussed the possibilities, we formed a hypothesis as to the caves early use by settlers of the area as well as it's possible utilization later.

Watch the video to see what angle we will be working as we do research into the history of this very interesting site then join our conversation over at the EIC Journal to add your own thoughts.

We welcome your participation!

New Historical Marker at Lunenburg!

This is the new Historical Marker recently placed in front of the Lunenburg Community Center commemorating the January 1864 skirmish that took place along Rocky Bayou.

Click Image to Enlarge.

Video: Calico Rockin' !

The following video is a compilation of clips gathered over the past several weeks as the EIC Crew visited the Calico Rock area. Included are clips from Peppersauce Ghost Town, The Natural Bridge near Dolph, the Indian Cave in Calico Rock, and Hobo's Den.

EIC was asked to visit the Indian Cave and investigate the structures built within it then to offer our thoughts on their origins and intended use. Besides the EIC Crew, The Snyders and McGuffeys were also present when we visited the site. We've published a post at The EIC Journal page and will be discussing our thoughts about what we found over there. We also invite our readers to view the video, read the article at The EIC Journal, look at the photos posted over there, and offer their own thoughts. Perhaps there is someone out there who knows how this unique site was utilized in the past.

Enjoy!

Civil-War Re-Enactment Near Melbourne (Pioneer Day)

The Seventh Arkansas Volunteer Infantry will bring to life the Battle of Lunenburg on Saturday, May 1st at 3:00 p.m. The public is invited to the recreation of the battle in the same farm field south of Melbourne where the 1864 battle was fought. Led by their color guards, Confederate and Union re-enactors in authentic uniforms will take up positions as five full size cannons take the field. A second re-enactment is planned for Sunday, May 2nd at 2:00 p.m.

The Izard County Historical and Genealogical Society and the Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Historical Marker Program are placing a plaque commemorating the battle on the grounds of the Lunenburg Community Center. This plaque will be unveiled on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. after the re-enactment. The text of the plaque reads:

“On January 20, 1864, a detail of 44 men of the Fourth Arkansas Mounted Infantry Volunteers (U.S.) under Capt. T. A. Baxter, the brother of a future Arkansas governor, attacked Col. T. R. Freeman’s Confederates, driving them from their camp at Lunenburg. Four Confederates were seriously wounded and two were captured, along with horses and equipment. The Fourth Arkansas lost one man killed in the skirmish. The combat at Lunenburg illustrates the war’s true nature: Most of the men in both forces were residents of Izard County.”

The Izard County Historical and Genealogical Society is raising $1,000 in matching funds for the plaque. Contributions can be sent to ICHGS, PO Box 306, Pineville, AR 72566. To watch the battle of Lunenburg, take Highway 9 southwest from Melbourne, turn left on Country Road 3, drive back three and a half miles to the Community Center. For more information, contact Historical Society President Roger Harvell at 870-368-3618 or mailto:rogerh48@earthlink.net

Original Lafferty Settlement

On Saturday, the 13th, the EIC Crew joined Freda Cruse, Mary Miller, Mary Wilson, Art Wilson, and Sam Younger on a tour of the White River Bottom near St. James in Stone County. This area was home to John and Sarah Lindsey Lafferty who were among the first white settlers to put down roots in the White River Valley. It was along this bottom land the family's log home stood when in 1811, John witnessed the ground erupt during the great earthquake of that time...one of very few recorded eyewitness accounts from the region. We believe we located the site of the cabin they built in 1810 on top of a knoll extending out into the bottom. The location would have afforded the Lafferty's visual command of the river-bottom for miles with the added benefit of being across the river from Penter's Bluff which offered views up and down the river even farther. With its spectacular views and rich river-bottom soil, it's easy to understand why John Lafferty decided to grow roots in this place. The site of the 1811 eruption, a sinkhole only recently filled in by mistake, is within sight of the knoll where we believe the home was located.

John Lafferty was only able to enjoy building his western dream for a few years, however. In late 1814, he was wounded at the Battle of New Orleans and died a few months later after returning home. History tells of his burial somewhere near his cabin. Unfortunately, the cemetery that likely bore his body in death was bull-dozed a few years ago...the stones carried off for use in some construction project.

This area of the river was later home to Cherokee and Shawnee after the western bank of the river was ceded to the Cherokee Nation in 1817. Its name during this time was "The Buck Horn". We visited the site of an Indian Burial Ground during our adventure from which artifacts were collected early in the 20th century by the University of Arkansas. Included in the collection was the skeleton of an individual who was buried in a seated position facing east. Also buried in this Native-american burial ground is Methotaske, Tecumseh's mother.

A number of civil war battles/skirmishes were also fought along this stretch of the White River and areas nearby, including the "Battle of Buck Horn" where several men from the Union and Confederacy were killed and wounded. This engagement was between General J.O. Shelby's confederate guerrilla forces and a Union Company under the command of Captain Bill Williams that had been terrorizing the area for some time. Some of the structures that stood during the battle still stand today. In fact, a lengthy stacked rock wall along the base of the ridge running parallel to the river-bottom was constructed primarily to defend against Union troops out of Batesville. Area landowners lent and leased their slaves in the effort and the whole community participated in the project.



Video Below!

Photos by Freda Cruse Phillips