Battle of Ditch Bayou, AR - June 6, 1864

After sending General Steele's Army skedadlin' back to Little Rock, the boys of the 8th MO got to work elsewhere in Arkansas. They traveled down to southeast Arkansas to harass watercraft coming to and fro on the Mighty Mississippi. Below is an account from Jim McGhee's Book, Campaigning With Marmaduke.

"From here (Jenkins Ferry) we drifted south until we went into camp on Old River Lake in Chicot County, and perhaps one mile south of where Ditch Bayou emptied into the lake. Here we remained fishing and fighting mosquitoes until the 6th of June. On the morning of that day the Federals ran up a marine fleet and twelve or fourteen transports loaded with soldiers and batteries. Very soon they commenced unloading them for the purpose of giving us battle.

Our fighting force did not exceed over two thousand men, while that of the enemy was at least three times that many. When the Federals commenced moving on us, we fell back across the bayou and destroyed the only bridge that was over it. Here we made our stand.

For several hours the fighting was fearful. The enemy would move on us column after column through the field, and when they would get near the bayou, firing opened on them from our lines, and such slaughter for the short length of time was ever witnessed. Very soon the enemy began throwing pontoons across the bayou above us for the purpose of making a flank movement and surrounding our forces. Then the retreat was ordered, and we fell back through Lake Village and across Bayou Mason where we called a halt."

McGhee has in his footnotes a few notes about this operation.

"During the operations in southeastern Arkansas, Colonel Colton Greene commanded Marmaduke's Brigade. Between May 23-June 2, 1864, Greene reported having attacked 21 boats of all descriptions on the Mississippi River, with the result that his forces had disabled 5 gun-boats, and badly damaged 5 transports, while also sinking 1 transport, burning 2 and capturing 2 others. Greene's activities seriously interfered with the navigation of the river which prompted the Federals to take action. {10,000 Federals on 26 transports were dispatched} to bring Greene to battle. After landing on June 6, 1864, the Federals expected to make quick work of Greene. In this they were sorely surprised, as Greene fought them to a standstill, aided by a torrential rain that fell during the battle and the advantage of terrain. The Federals suffered as many as 250 casualties before Greene yielded to vastly superior numbers and ordered a retreat. Greene reported loses of less than 40 out of the 600 cavalrymen he had available to contend with the Federal command."

Colton Greene was a very interesting character and went on to successfully re-build his substantial financial loses of the War, and became one of the leading citizens of Memphis. You can read a little about him at this link. General Basil Duke, brother-in-law of General John Hunt Morgan said, "I never knew a better man or a more thorough gentlemen."

And I think we'd all like to have similar things said of us.

New Site Banner

Well, since I first made the site, I didn't have revolvers, or a McClellan saddle, or anything of the sort to place in the banner. I had to use what I had on hand. Now that I have that stuff, I've been wanting to re-do the banner for sometime to reflect the changes.

From left to right, there is:

• Brigadier General John S. Marmaduke
• Major General Sterling "Old Pap" Price
• 1st Corporal Eli C. Lewis, Co. A (combined Co. A & B)
• 2nd Lieutenant Joseph G. Lewis, commanding Co. A (combined Co. A & B)
• Colonel William Jeffers, 8th Missouri Cavalry Regiment

As stated in several parts of the blog, Lt. Lewis is my 3rd Great Grandfather. And Cpl. Lewis is his youngest brother. And Col. Jeffers is related by marriage. In just the 8th MO Cav. Regt. alone, I have 26 total relatives (including Col. Jeffers by way of marriage). So maintaining the site is not just one of interest and preserving our National history, but one of honoring my ancestors as well.

I hope you like the new banner. Thanks go to my Sweetie Pie, my wife Bethany, for helping me get reacquainted with Photoshop so I could make it.


Here is the original pic. You may notice the Missouri Battle Flag and the Confederate Battle Flag. It is tough to see because the McClellan saddle is black (made in 1918 btw), but you will note a Remington New Army pistol, my holster with a my '51 Colt Sheriff in it, a rope used for the pickett line, my period double barrel 12 gauge shotgun. It is still a bit aways from live fire. Someday...

Above the shotgun you'll see my spurs, and then you'll see the borrowed bridle from my pal, Merle Collins, who has gotten me into the cavalry side of reenacting, and furnished much of what I needed to get started and continue to this day. And then there is gray wool blanket I use for the saddle blanket.


And here is the original banner so you can compare if you wish. I like the new one a lot. But the original was fine too!

Marmaduke's 2nd Raid Into Missouri-1863

Well, as of April 21st, 145 years ago General John S. Marmaduke started his 2nd raid into Southeast Missouri. His aim was to take steps to help loosen the grip of the Yankees Invaders out of the home state of the men under his charge. I'm sure the men were rip roarin' willing to get underway and to exert protection over their families in Cape Girardeau, Bollinger, Scott and New Madrid Counties. Taking over Southeast Missouri (if other forces could have been brought up to keep it that is!) was sure to come about!

The raid started off pretty darn good. Marmaduke came up out of Arkansas and approached the Union garrison at Bloomfield, MO. They took the site seemingly without much of a fuss, as Union General McNeil retreated back to the much stronger fort at Cape Girardeau. I think at this point, the Yanks still weren't sure what Marmaduke's intentions of his 2nd Raid into his homeland were.

On Sunday, April 26th, the battle began. Prior to the fight on Saturday night, Gen. Marmaduke under a flag of truce, asked Gen. McNeil to surrender. Marmaduke had a signed paper from Gen. Price stating he had 60,000 men in the area. McNeil said, "We are not doing that kind of business now." (quite a deep and witty response...). So the fight was seemingly on. At 3 am Marmaduke asked him to surrender again, but Gen. McNeil said, "That he had no time to swap jack-knives, or exchange tin plates; that he was in for a fight."

So at 10:30 am, the battle began. Marmaduke sent his first wave right down the middle (I think I would have preferred to flank, especially if I had the numbers on my side, but hey, he was the general, not me!). After 3 hours or so of fighting, Marmaduke pulled his force out and headed south. Apparently, the Yanks thought he might make another go of it, but it was not the case...he was headed back to Arkansas.

From the lopsided Union victory, I'm not sure what Gen. Marmaduke was thinking. It seems he had the numbers...the account said he 2,000 men engaged to McNeil's 300 engaged. But Marmaduke's command took a fair amount of casualties and seemingly Gen. McNeil's command took almost none. To be fair to Marmaduke, Cape Girardeau was well defended with 4 separate batteries. And McNeil was well prepared. But it almost seems that Marmaduke didn't plan the attack as well as he could have. Hard to say I guess. If I recall from other stories, (as well as the New York Times article) it appears that from the garrison at Pilot Knob there was a sizeable force under General Vandever on its way that forced Marmaduke from his original plan. It was a gallant plan...it just seemed to lack sufficient resources to make the plan stick. After all, it was a raid! Ah, the common story line of the War for the Confederacy and boys from Missouri!

Here are a few links for you.

Lt. Colonel Baumer of the 1st Nebraska Infantry's report of the battle
Battle of Cape Girardeau - April 26 - A thumbnail sketch of the attack
Battle of Chalk Bluff - May 1-2
Actual New York Times article a few days after the battle

Technically the raid ended with a win, but the win was getting back across the St. Francis river to keep from being wiped out by Yankees, so I don't figure any of the men of the Marmaduke's Brigade figured this engagement a win. So Marmaduke's 2nd Raid of Missouri started with much promise, but ended with the harsh reality of entrenched Federal opposition in Missouri. During the rest of 1863 and much of 1864 would find the armies in the Western Theater trying to keep from getting completely squeezed out of existence in Arkansas. It is amazing they held on as long as they did against long odds of every kind.

PS...that McNeil brute seems to be a pretty shady character. If there is any doubt to his character, he was with that idiot 'so called' General Nathaniel Lyons during the Camp Jackson Massacre. Also he was the man who carried out the order of executing 10 Confederate soldiers, known as the Palmyra Massacre. For his deeds there, McNeil has the nickname of the Butcher of Palmyra. He also was seemingly good friends with Lyons, and was handpicked by the former to take over his command. That should tell you all you need to know about this McNeil scoundrel!

Standing Against Steele's Advance-Spring 1864

Well, starting March 23, 1864, General Frederick Steele's 'Frontier Division', begrudgingly started south to assist Gen. Banks for work against Shreveport. It took an order from the newly appointed Lt. General U.S. Grant who said, "Move your force in full cooperation with General N.P. Bank's attack on Shreveport. A mere demonstration will not be sufficient." Steele preferred inaction from his Little Rock HQ, but south he marched all the same.

General Frederick Steele

So 'Old Pap' was ordered by Gen. Kirby Smith of the Trans-Mississippi Department to stop Steele's advance - if he could do so without much loss. "Do not risk a general action unless with advantage to yourself. You fall back toward reinforcement."

General E. Kirby Smith

So Pap sent in parts of General Marmaduke's Brigade who was to harass Steele. They got right to work. To make a long story short, although the tallies below look like the 8th MO Cavalry was on the losing side of the battle, the fact is, Steele's so-called Camden Expedition didn't go at all liked planned nor hoped by anyone...except those on the Confederate side. In fact, Steele's Frontier Division just barely made it back to Little Rock before General Kirby Smith and gang could destroy them in detail. So after a little over a month, Gen. Steele was right back where he stated, and much worse for wear. In fact, this is considered hands down the worse Union loss in all the engagements of Arkansas during the War.

Of particular note though, on March 14, the day before Grant's telegraph came to him, General Steele did oversee by military force, the vote of the "reconverted 'loyal' ten percent of the state's voters" that would allow Arkansas to be represented in the Federal Congress. This was a recent development of President Lincoln to restore the Union called the Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction in December of 1863. Of course, much of the other 90% of the voters were out fighting with General Price throughout the state, but hey, wishful thinking is always a good thing, right?! This was a worthy accomplishment by Gen. Steele to cut him some slack.

So, it would have been good if Steele would have just 'stayed home' like he wanted to, because even though he was numerically superior, he was not able to overcome the superior fightin' man in the ranks of the Confederate force that awaited him under Pap Price!

Operations Against Steele’s Expedition from Little Rock to Camden, Arkansas Mar. 23 – May 3, 1864

Elkins’ Ferry (Okolona) Apr. 3-4 - Loss
Prairie D'Ane (Gum Grove, Moscow) Apr. 9-13 - Loss
Camden Apr. 15
Poison Spring Apr. 18 - WIN

Marks' Mill Apr. 25 - WIN
Princeton Apr. 28
Jenkins’ Ferry Apr. 30 - Loss

NOTES - Much of the quotes of the post came from Shelby Foote's, The Civil War - A Narrative, Vol. VII

Colonel Jeffers Memorial

I've been aiming to put a new post on for some time, but was searching for something appropriate. So I turned to Jim McGhee's book, Campaigning With Marmaduke, for inspiration. And lo and behold, something jumped right out at me!

On February 15, 1903 William Lafayette Jeffers passed away in Corpus Christie, Texas. He went there to try and recover from poor health. His remains are interred in Jackson, Missouri, which was his home just prior to the Civil War.

So just a few days ago, this was the 105th year of this date.

So in remembrance to this gallant Missourian, here are a few words from Jim's book from the words of a Jenkins of the Eighth MO.

"I am certain that there are few who knew Colonel Jeffers intimately but admired him. Ask one of his regiment and I doubt not but nine of ten would speak of him in the highest praise, both as a man and as a soldier. He was a disciplinarian, but mild and just. He was a great admirer of a true soldier, but had no use for the fraud, or one who shirked his duty. He sympathized with his men on long and tedious marches, and always took 'pot luck' with them. The ground was his bed, and his McClelland saddle his pillow. This was one reasons his soldiers loved him. His regiment was never known to desert him under the most trying of circumstances, and it went through a good many experiences when it took all of a fellow's pride to keep him from showing the enemy the bottom of his feet."

"The writer was acquainted with Colonel Jeffers before the war, and always admired him; and it was my pleasant duty to nominate him for captain of the company he organized at Jackson in '61. He being a veteran of the Mexican War and having seen service gave him a high standing with his men from the very first, and we confidently expected him to lead us on to victory or death, for none of us expected anything less, as we felt that each of us was a match for at least 4 Yankees. We drilled with great enthusiasm, but I shall never forget a remark he made to us one evening as we rested a few minutes. "Boys, this is nice, but when we get to stopping bullets it won't be so pleasant," and I remember yet the little cold chill that ran down my back. I felt it on many occasion afterwards."

(The company organized at the Cape Girardeau County courthouse in Jackson on March 7, 1861 was known as the 'Swamp Rangers'. It eventually became Company A, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Division, Missouri State Guard.)

"Captain Jeffers disbanded his company at New Madrid in the winter of '61-62 (December 27, 1861)" Most of the men remained in the area until the 8th MO Cavalry Regiment was mustered into service at Pocahontas, AR on December 12, 1862. "...and the old company lost its idol, for Captain Jeffers was elected colonel. While we rejoiced to see him promoted, yet we were loath to part with him as our captain. From this time on it was forward, retreat, scout, poor beef, parched meal coffee, with perhaps only a frying pan with which to cook bread and meat and then make meal coffee in. But with hearts of flint, with the black plume ever in front of us, no man talked or thought of showing the white flag. Jeffers never forgot his old company, but would often come to see how we were getting on, when we would sing:

"You may talk about your Annie-
but give me some honey,
Some biscuits so nicely buttered o'er,
Some hot smoking java-it makes my mouth lava,
I wish I had some in me now, don't you?

Come, come, come rain, come
Float to the top of my boots.
Come rain and thankee,
And drive back the Yankee,
Until our ranks are filled up with recruits."

"Yes, he was ever our true friend, and we marched and fought and went hungry - but always in front waved the black plume." "It was never 'Go on,' but 'Come on, boys.' Few men ever left a more devoted regiment of men to mourn his loss."

"He sleeps his last sleep,
He has fought his last battle.
No sound can awake him
to glory again."

The Empty Chair - Band of Brothers

Please excuse, if you will, the World War II video on this site. But the sentiment is quite appropriate. Here is a video that my brother, Nathaniel, just recently composed. I thought it appropriate for Veterans Day, which wasn't too many weeks ago. I also thought of both my grandfathers who fought in the European Theater. Both saw extensive action and 'lived' to tell the tale. As my mother's mom, Maxine Elizabeth Frix Buckley used to say, something to this effect, 'my Robert died in the War. He came home, but he was a different person, never quite the same.'

Also, in honor of Robert E. Lee's 201st birthday yesterday, January 19th and Thomas J. 'Stonewall' Jackson's 184th birthday tomorrow, January 21st - I thought this video to be appropriate as well.

Surely, they both felt this way often during the War Between the States, and General Lee must have often missed one of his most prolific generals. I believe our Heavenly Father took General Jackson home when he did in May 1863, or the Confederacy would have surely won! And although I love the men of the Confederacy and their patriotism that they supported by often paying the ultimate price - their lives - we surely became the Greatest Nation on the Earth because we became a Nation after the Civil War.

At any rate, nice job on the video, Fan!

Artwork of the 8th Missori Cavalry

This is a piece of art that I did for my Dad for Christmas. It depicts our direct ancestors, from left to right, Captain Jacob Cossairt, Co. I, 8th Missouri State Militia Cavalry Regiment, US and of course, 2nd Lieutenant Joseph G. Lewis, 8th Missouri Cavalry Regiment, Cos B & A, CSA.


You'll note the Missouri Battle Flag, or Price's Flag, above Joseph. Not sure exactly what flag he went under, but he was a part of Price's Raid in late 1864. At any rate, it is known as the Missouri Battle Flag. So it works. Maybe, Mr. Jim McGhee, you can comment further on this...

2nd Lt. Joseph G. Lewis, Cos. B & A

In this picture, you can see the grain of the myrtlewood under neath. The piece is a mixed media, done with India Ink and acrylic paints. It is kinda in between a sketch and a painting. I can do these fairly quick (it took about 8 hours to do). A full painting or drawing takes a long time. I get bored with that. Most folks get the gist from a simpler piece anyhow. So the extra effort is wasted in my opinion.

Captain Jacob Cossairt, Co. I, 8th Missouri State Militia Cavalry Regiment, US

December/January Battles

Well, there wasn't a whole bunch of fighting that occurred in these months, but there was some interesting action. Marmaduke's First Raid began by starting from Pocahantas, Arkansas, (which is in Northeast Arkansas) on New Year's Eve, 1862. He drove Northwest of that position to just east of Springfield to a town called Hartville, Missouri. His forces took a garrison there on the 9th of January, and then looked for more. Brigadier General Merrill, US, came out to put a stop on the action. Although his Yanks were pushed back to Marshfield, they dug in and inflicted a great deal of casualties (329 Confederate dead to 79 Union dead). But in the end, after over 4 hours of fighting, the Yanks under Merrill chose to retreat from the field, thereby handing General Marmaduke the victory. But, fearing to be cut off in enemy lines, he retreated back into Arkansas. Not a whole lot was accomplished by this action, really. It was designed to take the heat off the other Confederate forces in Arkansas, but it didn't affect this much at all.

Just a few days before this raid, the 8th Missouri was formed on Christmas Day, 1862 near Van Buren, Missouri in South-Central Missouri in the beautiful Ozarks. I bet it was a crisp, early winter day that 25th of December, but it surely was a bleak time for the good citizens of Missouri. They didn't even get a chance to enjoy Christmas with family that year! I'm sure the boys brought their own gear, horse and of course clothing. Families and sweethearts were left behind to defend them from the depredations of an invading host.

This Christmas 2007 will mark the 145th Anniversary of the formation of the 8th Missouri Cavalry Regiment. Of course, it is my aim to keep their memory bright and valor honored for many years to come. As long as the United States of America is still a Nation, it is critical that we remember how that came to be. Before the Civil War, we were not really united. After the deaths of 620,000 of America's best, and loss of billions in infrastructure and the ruination of countless families - we became a Nation. At the close of the 19th century, we were well on our way to becoming the greatest Nation that God ever established upon the face of the earth!

It appears that Marmaduke was rip roarin', ready to go to put the newly formed force in action, so as to atone for the loss at Elkhorn Tavern in March earlier that year. I bet they were hoping for a battle or two that would come out something like Oak Hills. I'm sure all the boys of the 8th MO were eager to defeat and expel them blue bellies from Missouri! But it never quite worked out like they all hoped for in the 8th, but they sure did all they could to bring it to pass.

Within almost 3 years time, the 8th MO Cavalry Regiment would do its final action to free Missouri from Union control. Price's Raid into Missouri would be completely done by 2nd of December 1864, with the last large engagement ending in defeat at Mine Creek, MO.

Remembering My Calvary Ancestors

It has been a dream of mine for a while to get to do cavalry reenactments in honor of my great-Grandpa, Lt. Joseph G. Lewis. CSA And of course, you can't forget my great-Grandpa, Cpt. Jacob Cossairt US. Nor all my ancestors in the just the 8th MO Cavalry alone, including Joseph's little brother Cpl Eli Lewis.

So here are a few pics of me finally in the cavalry and having a great time!

Good 'Ol Missouran!

You may have heard the old-time song, Good 'Ol Rebel. Well, I found a few of lyrics a bit distasteful, so I made up my own version of the song! It is, of course, heavily slanted with a Southeast Missouri flavor. I hope you like it...

Good Ol’ Missouran

Words Adapted by Brent Harty – Sept. 2007

Oh, I’m a good ol’ Missouran
And that’s just what I am
And to them meddlin’ Yankees
I wish they’d turn and scram
I’m glad I fought against ‘em
I only wish we’d won
I ain’t asked them no pardon
For anything I’ve done

I rode with Colonel Jeffers
And his band of Southern horse
There never were no Yankees
Who could beat us force to force
No, they never did defeat us
But we never could evade
Their dirty foreign politics
Or cowardly blockade

Well we met their lines at Oak Hills
And we broke ‘em plumb in two
And we showed them bully Yankees
Just what we aimed to do
And all across Missouri
We followed “Old Pap’s” flag
We drove them Bluecoats ragged
But I ain’t here to brag

Well we hadn’t any powder
And we hadn’t any shot
We hadn’t any money
To buy up what we ain’t got
So we rode on worn-out horses
And we ate on plain cornmeal
And we licked ‘em where we caught ‘em
With Southern guts and zeal

Well there ain’t as many left of us
That rode out from the start
And then there are the weary
Weakened body, sad of heart
We fought a fight to tell about
And I am here to say
I’ll climb my horse and run ya out
If you’re figuring here to stay!

Repeat 1^st Verse

October Battles of the 8th MO Cavalry

Well, there were a lot of battles that the 8th Missouri Cavalry was engaged in. Most were during Price's Raid of 1864. Well, here are the battles...

Pine Bluff, AR- October 25,1863 - Loss This was a very interesting battle where hemp bales were used for protection by the Yankees in the town square. This would be a neat one to see re-enacted!

Price's Raid - Fall of 1864
Leasburg, MO Oct. 1 - This was the first engagement past Pilot Knob defeat.
Union, MO Oct. 1
Washington, MO Oct. 2
Miller’s Station, MO Oct. 3
Hermann, MO Oct. 4
Boonville, MO Oct. 10
Glasgow, MO Oct. 15 - WIN
Lexington, MO Oct. 19 - WIN
Little Blue, MO (Westport) Oct. 21 - WIN
Independence, MO Oct. 22 - WIN
Big Blue, MO (Byram’s Ford) Oct. 23 - Loss
Mine Creek, KS Oct. 25 - Loss

These two last defeats spelled the end of Price's Army and their efforts to free Missouri. I surely appreciate the efforts of the 8th MO Cavalry to protect their families and their beliefs of self-government in true Jeffersonian style.

I also appreciate those who fought for the Union, as the same can be said of their efforts. Well, except that little bit of local vs. federal government. I don't agree with that, but all that is neither here nor there!

September Battles of the 8th MO CAV

September was an active month for the 8th Missouri Cavalry. Unfortunately, it was not a winning month for the 8th usually (well, I guess this depends on your perspective as if it was good or bad that the 8th lost those battles!)

At any rate, follow the links to the following battles fought in September.

Bayou Forche (Little Rock) - September 10, 1863

Pilot Knob (Ft. Davidson) - September 27, 1864


Of course, Pilot Knob is the well known battle. Technically, it was a Confederate win, but the cost to secure the retreat was so high, it must be termed a loss. I am also pretty sure that Colonel William Jeffers of the 8th MO Cavalry was captured here at Pilot Knob as well.

Happy Birthday, Joseph Guild!

August 10th was Lt. Joseph Guild Lewis's 171st birthday (if he were still alive!!). Four years ago, we had our 4th child, a son, and when it looked like his birthday was going to fall on the same day, we decided to name him after my 3rd great grandpap...none other than Joseph Guild Lewis!

So today, on August 12th, we celebrated Joseph Guild Harty's 4th birthday. We have told him for some time where he got his name. And he is learning some things about Grandpap. At our last reenactment event, he came off the sidelines of the battle, and said to my wife, "I'd rather die than talk to a Yankee!"

While we thought it was very humorous, and pleased that he is taking pride in honoring the Confederate side, we were of course a bit perplexed as to where he got such an idea. We figured it was just the little boy in him, but we also realized that we need to do a bit better in delivering Grandpap's Promise to Little Joe.

So Grandpap, in honor of your birthday, I promise to continue to explain to your grandsons the lessons that you learned about the War Between the States. How happy I am to know that such great Americans, on both sides, went forth to preserve the freedom and liberty of this country! I promise to make sure that my sons understand that neither side was completely right or wrong, but that both fought valiantly to make America what it is today.

Regimental Horse Supply

Here is a list of the Regimental Horse Supply in 1863 (courtesy of James McGhee's book Campaigning With Marmaduke). It is interesting, for as Mr. McGhee said,

"Such information, while not definitive, clearly reveals the serious problems connected with maintaining and effective cavalry unit when the rigors of campaigning, and every day usage, deprived troops of usual mounts....Additionally, when horses were unavailable, the soldier was normally required to find a replacement himself or risk be transferred to the infantry, a fate worse than death to many, with the results and desertion rates soared....when the dearth of horses caused many to be transferred to Col. Robert E. Lawhter's Temepory Discmounted Cavalay Regiment. While some few of the troopers located a mount and returned to the regiment, most did not."

Jan. 1863 Regimental totals: 465
May. 1863 Regimental totals: 465
Jul 1863 Regimental totals: 304
Sep 1863. Regimental totals: 326

Below are pictures of my sons Tom and Jacob with this beautiful Percheron/quarterhorse mix named Chappy. He was a great horse. Also, here are his owners Mr and Mrs Brown from Northern Illinois. They are in their fancy dress garb for a marriage vows renewal ceremony at the last re-enactment we attended.

Battle of Prairie Grove-December 1862

Well, while it does not appear as though the 8th MO Cavalry Regiment was involved in this engagement, their general for much of the War, John S. Marmaduke sure was. The push was designed to regain some lost ground after Elkhorn Tavern. The 8th must have been in transit (as at this point, they were recently organized from the Missouri State Guard), but if they weren't with Marmaduke yet, they were soon to be in the area.

In either case, these are interesting battle stories that fill the gap after the Elkhorn Tavern repulse and the battles around Little Rock, and eventually, the Battle of Helena. General Marmaduke was sent by General Thomas C. Hindman to harrass the Yanks under General James Blunt. But Blunt heard of the movement, and went out to meet Marmaduke under his own terms. The Battle of Cane Hill occurred, followed a few days later by the Battle of Prairie Grove.

General Thomas C. Hindman

But long story short (as with much of the War) the Confederate forces just didn't have enough reserve men to bring up, ammunition or other supplies to hold and pursue the fruits of the first day of fighting. And so the Trans-Mississippi Army was pushed further in Arkansas, and of course, Missouri was further from being 'secure' in the Confederacy.

The Borden House at the Battle of Prairie Grove
Where Union Forces were Repelled

Enjoy the history of the battles of Cane Hill and Prairie Grove!

Helena, Arkansas - July 4th, 1863

I thought it would be helpful to make an entry near the historical date of a battle so as to better remember the sacrifices of the 8th Missouri Cavalry. So in commemoration, in just a few days, on July 4th, 144 years ago, the 8th Missouri and other Confederate forces under supervision of General Holmes and General Price, suffered at great and crippling defeat in Helena, Arkansas.



For a pretty good narrative of the battle, check out this link: Just make sure you scroll down the page a bit for the account of the battle.

One of the neat quotes in this story demonstrates the sentiments of a Confederate officer that was badly wounded that day.

Years later, a Confederate officer who had lost both hands on Graveyard Hill to a shell from the Tyler wrote, "Since that day at Helena I tell the boys I would rather buck against a voodoo than to try to down Old Glory on the Fourth of July... Yes, the union is good enough for me on the Fourth of July and every other day in the year, and I don't regret the price I paid for finding out!"

Strong words from that veteran. Surely it is a lesson we all can learn, but hopefully keep all our body parts intact in the process!

Here are some quotes of some Union soldiers who surveyed the damage later that day.

A Wisconsin soldier who visited the area around Graveyard Hill shortly after the battle wrote, "The battlefield is no pleasant place to visit, covered with men wounded in all ways-some with brains exposed, others shot through the body with grape shot, or a larger ball still sufficient to nearly cut the body in twain. But if there is anything that calls on the sympathy of a man it is to look upon a wounded man, with deathlike and pale face, groaning and wreathing with the greatest possible pain." Another Wisconsin soldier wrote to his father, "[J]ust to see the rebels lying in piles where they charged up the hill. it was awful. I never want to spend another such a Fourth of July."

In Memory of the 8th MO Cavalry Revolvers

Here I am with my recently purchased (used at a very nice good price!) Colt 1851 Navy Sheriff revolver. I like this pistol a lot. It may have been in the hands of the 8th Missouri. It is hard to say, as many soldiers brought their own pistol from home, if they were to have any firearm at all.

If not, it is likely that the standard Navy revolver (slightly longer and heavier than the "Sheriff" model pictured) was even the 1861 Navy. Both are .36 caliber. I haven't fired the weapon yet, but look forward to doing so soon. I must saying the holding this Colt, I find it very pleasant and seemingly a joy to use. I like my Enfield rifle too, but the pistol just seems more natural to me. Maybe it is that cavalry blood from my ancestors flowing in my veins!

Memoirs of a Private in the 8th

Here is a great memoir furnished by Jim McGhee (thanks much!) that shows a little glimpse into the life of those who laid their lives on the line in defense of their country from the 8th Missouri Cavalry Regiment. I'm surely glad that Private Autrey survived the ordeal of surviving near death due to sickness. It was great that their were kind folks nearby. This story must have likely occurred in early November 1864. At any rate, here is his memoir...

Memoir of Private Richard Jacob Autrey, Co. K,

8^th Missouri Cavalry Regiment, C.S.A.

My greatest suffering during the war was Price’s raid from Arkansas up thru Missouri and back thru eastern Kansas down thru the Indian Nation into Texas. I was taken sick in the mountains between Little Rock, Ark. and Dardenell on the Arkansas River and was reported dead by one of my comrades by the name of Galafa Horrell of my regiment who found me on the side of the road as he was passing after he had got able to travel as he had been left behind sick also. He went and got me some water and then left me and went on until he came to a house and got the lady who lived there and a Negro man and the three came back and got me, put me on my mule, one walking on each side of the mule; and the lady led the mule until we got to her house, when they began to doctor me. Her husband, who was a doctor in the Confederate Army at the time, took care of me. I stayed at her house until I was able to ride and she was afraid the Mountain Boomers would find out I was there and come and kill me and burn her house. She told me she was afraid I would never reach the Army – that if I fell into their hands they would certainly killed me, but I escaped meeting any of them and overtook the Army at Dardenell where they were waiting to cross the Arkansas River. When the Army moved they put me in one of the Headquarters wagons and hauled me over the mountains, which were so rough that they had to take the wagons down by hand in some places. Our doctor dosed me with calomel and I was salivating so bad that I was unable to eat, if there had been anything to eat, which was not the case most of the time. These are a few of the trials I had during the days I was trying to win our lost cause and feel I am fortunate to be here today and able to meet the few remaining comrades that have been spared to meet together this day.

Records of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Missouri State Archives, Jefferson City, Missouri.

Dardanelle is just south of Russelville, AR Northwest of Little Rock along Interstate 40. They left him for dead...just amazing that he survived. Can you imagine the rigors of laying on the side of the road with little to no aid during early November?!

On a lighter note, It reminds me a bit of the Monty Python skit from The Holy Grail where the old man says, "I'm not dead yet." I guess his buddy just figured he was close enough. Thankfully he didn't club him on the head like in the movie!

Setting History Straight on a Stellar Cavalry Officer

This a great article found by my brother Nathaniel on Nathan Bedford Forrest and how his name is regularly marred. It is isn't right, and I find it my duty to set history straight. Besides, this is a site about Confederate Cavalry, right?! So enjoy!

History Tells Real Story of Forrest

By MICHEAL KELLEY

Recently with the situation and discussions at MTSU (Middle Tennessee State University) about the demands of an "insulted" student to change the name of the Forrest ROTC building several Letters to the Editor and op-eds in the DNJ have discussed Forrest in terms of the folk legend that has come to be accepted as history. Even people writing in support of Forrest have made the same fundamental errors.

What is presented as "history" is instead what is necessary for scholars to be published. Just as it is easy to be published praising Lincoln and virtually impossible to be published criticizing Lincoln it has come to pass that getting published repeating old lies about Forrest is a lot easier than publishing the truth.

In 1871 at the height of Radical Reconstruction William Tecumseh Sherman chaired a Radical Republican Congressional investigation into the KKK and its activities. Among the former Confederate officers investigated and interviewed was N.B. Forrest since his name was used in forming and recruiting the original Klan.

Sherman was never a friend or ally of Forrest, referring to him as "That Devil Forrest," and was noted to have stated before the investigation convened that, "We are here to investigate Forrest, charge Forrest, try Forrest, convict Forrest and hang Forrest."

The congressional committee completed its investigation — which included revisiting the alleged "Ft. Pillow Massacre" — and concluded that while Forrest's name had been used in forming the Klan that it was likely done without his permission and that his only activities related to the Klan were his persistent and public efforts to compel it to disband. They concluded he was not the founder or first leader of the KKK.

The congressional investigation also found that there was no evidence of a "massacre" at Ft. Pillow (see http://37thtexas.org/html/grandfab.html) with "isolated incidents along the riverbank" which Forrest stopped as soon as he arrived on-scene. The Federal Official Records document that a Union lieutenant, not Forrest's men, set fire to Union barracks with wounded Union soldiers inside. Forrest transferred the 14 most severely wounded United States Colored Troops to the U.S. Steamer Silver Cloud — hardly the act of someone having committed a "massacre."

While Forrest was a slave dealer prior to the war he was known for humane policies. When the war started he then owned 45 black men and had to consider their fates.

"Forty-five of Forrest's own slaves, indeed served through the war with him as teamsters. 'I said to forty-five colored fellows on my plantation...' Forrest told a Congressional committee after the war, 'that I was going into the army; and that if they would go with me, if we got whipped they would be free anyhow, and that if we succeeded and slavery was perpetuated, if they would act faithfully with me to the end of the war, I would set them free. Eighteen months before the war closed I was satisfied that we were going to be defeated, and I gave those forty-five men, or forty-four of them, their free papers, for fear I might get killed.'" — "'First With the Most' Forrest" by Robert Selph Henry, Indianapolis, Ind.: Bobbs-Merrill, 1944, page 14.

How did these men serve in Forrest's comand? The most reliable military resource concerning the Civil War documents their real roles.

"The forces attacking my camp were the First Regiment Texas Rangers [8th Texas Cavalry, Terry's Texas Rangers, ed.], Colonel Wharton, and a battalion of the First Georgia Rangers, Colonel Morrison, and a large number of citizens of Rutherford County, many of whom had recently taken the oath of allegiance to the United States Government. There were also quite a number of negroes attached to the Texas and Georgia troops, who were armed and equipped, and took part in the several engagements with my forces during the day." — Federal Official Records, Series I, Vol XVI Part I, pg. 805, Lt. Col. Parkhurst's Report (Ninth Michigan Infantry) on Col. Forrest's attack at Murfreesboro, Tenn, July 13, 1862.

On July 4, 1875, Forrest gave the following speech when he was invited to speak by the Jubilee of Pole Bearers, a political and social organization in the post-war era comprised of black Southerners:

Memphis Daily Avalanche, July 6, 1875, 1.

"July 4, 1875 - Memphis, Tennessee -

Miss Lou Lewis was introduced to General Forrest then presented him with a bouquet of flowers and said: 'Mr. Forrest — allow me to present you this bouquet as a token of reconciliation, an offering of peace and good will.'

Gen. Forrest received the flowers with a bow, and replied:

'Miss Lewis, ladies and gentlemen — I accept these flowers as a token of reconciliation between the white and colored races of the South. I accept them more particularly, since they come from a colored lady, for if there is any one on God's great earth who loves the ladies, it is myself.

'This is a proud day for me. Having occupied the position I have for thirteen years, and being misunderstood by the colored race, I take this occasion to say that I am your friend. I am here as the representative of the Southern people — one that has been more maligned than any other.

'I assure you that every man who was in the Confederate army is your friend. We were born on the same soil, breathe the same air, live in the same land, and why should we not be brothers and sisters.

'When the war broke out I believed it to be my duty to fight for my country, and I did so. I came here with the jeers and sneers of a few white people, who did not think it right. I think it is right, and will do all I can to bring about harmony, peace and unity. I want to elevate every man, and to see you take your places in your shops, stores and offices.

'I don't propose to say anything about politics, but I want you to do as I do — go to the polls and select the best men to vote for. I feel that you are free men, I am a free man, and we can do as we please. I came here as a friend and whenever I can serve any of you I will do so.

'We have one Union, one flag, one country; therefore, let us stand together. Although we differ in color, we should not differ in sentiment.

'Many things have been said in regard to myself, and many reports circulated, which may perhaps be believed by some of you, but there are many around me who can contradict them. I have been many times in the heat of battle — oftener, perhaps, than any within the sound of my voice. Men have come to me to ask for quarter, both black and white, and I have shielded them.

'Do your duty as citizens, and if any are oppressed, I will be your friend. I thank you for the flowers, and assure you that I am with you in heart and hand.'"

It is clear when one considers the factual records of the period without three or four layers of academic interpretation that much of what is considered "accepted fact" about Forrest is instead "accepted fallacy."

If we are to consider Forrest and the merits of his name let us consider him as a man and as a soldier but let us consider him based on the facts rather than hysteria and folk legend.

Michael Kelley, of Pascagoula, Miss., is a member of the 37th Texas Cavalry Confederate re-enactment group. More information can be found about it at 37thtexas.org.

Flag Day...wave 'em proudly!

We need to wave the flags of our heritage proudly...even if you aren't a Civil War Reenactor! I also, of course, fly our 'Star Spangled Banner', our glorious and beautiful Stars and Stripes, on a daily basis. A lesson learned clearly from the Civil War was that men on both sides of the conflict were patriots...not fighting some attacking foe from foreign soil, but indeed repelling or supressing (whatever the perspective may have been!) other similar men - Americans - who were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice regarding their beliefs of government. Here is a great quote that sums up the idea nicely from General John Gordon, CSA.


"...It will be a glorious day for our country when all the children within its borders shall learn that the four years of fratricidal war between the North and the South was waged by neither with criminal or unworthy intent, but by both to protect what they conceived to be threatened rights and imperiled liberty:

That the issues which divided the sections were born when the Republic was born, and were forever buried in a ocean of fraternal blood."

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