The Brooks-Baxter War of April and May 1874 was an armed conflict following the gubernatorial race between Joseph Brooks and Elisha Baxter. Settlement of the election dispute in favor of Elisha Baxter ultimately ended Reconstruction and the reign of Republicans in the state of Arkansas. This collection contains telegrams sent during the Brooks-Baxter War to and from Elisha Baxter supporters.
The Brooks-Baxter War telegrams finding aid is available in the finding aids section of this site.
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1874 May 12: Major General R.C. Newton, Little Rock, to Colonel Thomas C. Flournoy, Pine Bluff
Western Union telegram sent from Major General R.C. Newton and W.N. Portis, Little Rock, to Colonel T.C. Flournoy, Pine Bluff on May 12, 1874 during the Brooks-Baxter War in Arkansas. Newton reports some minor skirmishing near the state house and that Brooks supporters are removing records from the State House in preparation for abandoning it.
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1874 May 13: Brigadier General H. King White, Little Rock, to Colonel T.C. Flournoy, Pine Bluff
Western Union telegram sent from Brigadier General H. King White, Little Rock to Colonel T.C. Flournoy, Pine Bluff on May 13, 1874 during the Brooks-Baxter War in Arkansas. White informs Flournoy of the defection of several Brooks officers.
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1874 May 13: Brigadier General H. King White, Little Rock, to Colonel T.C. Flournoy, Pine Bluff
Western Union telegram sent from Brigadier General H. King White, Little Rock to Colonel T.C. Flournoy, Pine Bluff on May 13, 1874 during the Brooks-Baxter War in Arkansas. General White discusses the skirmishing of the 12th and the new artillery. He also describes an influx of reinforcements for Baxter and the way that Brooks is moving records out of the State House.
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1874 May 13: Brigadier General H. King White, Little Rock, to Colonel T.C. Flournoy, Pine Bluff
Western Union telegram sent from Brigadier General H. King White, Little Rock to Colonel T.C. Flournoy, Pine Bluff on May 13, 1874 during the Brooks-Baxter War in Arkansas. White informs Flournoy of a brief skirmish and that the legislature plans to demand that President Grant help them gain possession State House.
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1874 May 13: D.W. Carroll, Little Rock, to Colonel T.C. Flournoy, Pine Bluff
Western Union telegram sent from D.W. Carroll, Little Rock to Colonel T.C. Flournoy, Pine Bluff on May 13, 1874 during the Brooks-Baxter War in Arkansas. Carroll informs Flournoy that the legislature was in session and that more artillery had arrived from Texas.
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1874 May 13: Ed Bocage, Little Rock, to Judge Bocage, Pine Bluff
Western Union telegram sent from Ed Bocage, Little Rock to Colonel Judge Bocage, Pine Bluff on May 13, 1874 during the Brooks-Baxter War in Arkansas. Ed Bocage notes that the legislature was in session and there was a minor fight in the street in which several were wounded.
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1874 May 13: Major General R.C. Newton, Little Rock, to Colonel Thomas C. Flournoy, Pine Bluff
Western Union telegram and press release sent from Major General R.C. Newton, Little Rock, to Colonel T.C. Flournoy, Pine Bluff on May 13, 1874 during the Brooks-Baxter War in Arkansas. Newton informs Flournoy of the skirmish on the 12th and the arrival of the new artillery. He also notes that the legislature will soon pass resolutions asking President Grant for possession of the State House.
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1874 May 13: Tillar, Little Rock, to Colonel C.H. Carlton, Pine Bluff
Western Union telegram sent from Tillar, Little Rock to Colonel C.H. Carlton, Pine Bluff on May 13, 1874 during the Brooks-Baxter War in Arkansas. Tillar informs Carlton that it looks like the conflict is over with the peaceful meeting of the legislature.
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1874 May 14: A.J. Wheat, Little Rock, to Colonels Flournoy or Harris, Pine Bluff
Western Union telegram sent from A.J. Wheat, Little Rock to Colonels Flournoy or Harris, Pine Bluff on May 14, 1874 during the Brooks-Baxter War in Arkansas. Wheat described the actions of the legislature and added the fact that they had ordered five thousand copies of Baxter’s speech made.
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1874 May 14: Brigadier General H. King White, Little Rock, to Colonel T.C. Flournoy, Pine Bluff
Western Union telegram sent from Brigadier General H. King White, Little Rock to Colonel T.C. Flournoy, Pine Bluff on May 14, 1874 during the Brooks-Baxter War in Arkansas. White describes the legislative session and tells Flournoy to expect good news soon regarding the end of the conflict.
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1874 May 14: D.W. Carroll, Little Rock, to Colonel T.C. Flournoy, Pine Bluff
Western Union telegram sent from D.W. Carroll, Little Rock to Colonel T.C. Flournoy, Pine Bluff on May 14, 1874 during the Brooks-Baxter War in Arkansas. Carroll relays that the legislature has officially recognized Baxter as governor and passed a petition for federal assistance to keep the peace.
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1874 May 14: J.C. Cross, Little Rock, to Colonel T.C. Flournoy, Pine Bluff
Western Union telegram sent from J.C. Cross, Little Rock to Colonel T.C. Flournoy, Pine Bluff on May 14, 1874. Cross described the legislature’s petition to President Grant and Governor Baxter’s call for a constitutional convention.
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1874 May 15: James M. Holcomb, Little Rock, to Colonel T.C. Flournoy, Pine Bluff
Western Union telegram sent from James M. Holcomb, Little Rock to Colonel T.C. Flournoy, Pine Bluff on May 15, 1874 during the Brooks-Baxter War in Arkansas. Holcomb reported the introduction of a bill for a constitutional convention in the legislature and reported that Little Rock was quiet.
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1874 May 15: James M. Holcomb, Little Rock, to Major H. Carlton, Pine Bluff
Western Union telegram sent from James M. Holcomb, Little Rock to Major H. Carlton, Pine Bluff on May 15, 1874 during the Brooks-Baxter War in Arkansas. Holcomb described the way that the legislature prevented the sale of delinquent lands.
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1874 May 16: Ratcliffe, Little Rock, to John H. Talbott or Carlton, Pine Bluff
Western Union telegram sent from Ratcliffe, Little Rock to John H. Talbot or Carlton, Pine Bluff on May 16, 1874 during the Brooks-Baxter War in Arkansas. Ratcliffe expresses joy over the legislature’s actions.
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1874 May 19: J.C. Cross, Little Rock, to Colonel T.C. Flournoy, Pine Bluff
Western Union telegram sent from J.C. Cross, Little Rock to Colonel T.C. Flournoy, Pine Bluff on May 19, 1874. Cross reports that he took charge of the State House at noon.
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1874 May 1: Major General R.C. Newton, Little Rock, to Brigadier General H. King White [General W.L. Barton], Pine Bluff
Western Union telegram sent from Major General R.C. Newton, Little Rock, to Brigadier General H. King White, Pine Bluff on May 1, 1874 during the Brooks-Baxter War in Arkansas. Newton congratulates General White on his success in Pine Bluff and hopes he keeps up the good work.
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1874 May 1: Major General R.C. Newton, Little Rock, to Brigadier General H. King White, Pine Bluff
Western Union telegram sent from Major General R.C. Newton, Little Rock, to Brigadier General H. King White, Pine Bluff on May 1, 1874 during the Brooks-Baxter War in Arkansas. Newton orders White to finish up in Pine Bluff and bring him more troops as quickly as possible.
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1874 May 2: Major General R.C. Newton, Little Rock, to Brigadier General H. King White, Pine Bluff
Western Union telegram sent from Major General R.C. Newton, Little Rock, to Brigadier General H. King White, Pine Bluff on May 2, 1874 during the Brooks-Baxter War in Arkansas. Newton requests one hundred cavalry from White immediately, while warning White that pro- Brooks commander Robert Catterson is trying to make a move toward Pine Bluff.
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1874 May 4: Major General R.C. Newton, Little Rock, to Brigadier General H. King White, Pine Bluff
Western Union telegram sent from Major General R.C. Newton, Little Rock, to Brigadier General H. King White, Pine Bluff on May 4, 1874 during the Brooks-Baxter War in Arkansas. Newton asks for clarification about White’s actions in arresting Judge Read Fletcher.
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1874 May 4: Major General R.C. Newton, Little Rock, to Brigadier General H. King White, Pine Bluff
Western Union telegram sent from Major General R.C. Newton, Little Rock, to Brigadier General H. King White, Pine Bluff on May 4, 1874 during the Brooks-Baxter War in Arkansas. Newton updates White on the situation in Little Rock and notes the kidnapping of Judges Searle and Bennett on a train from Memphis.
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1874 May 4: Major General R.C. Newton, Little Rock, to Brigadier General H. King White, Pine Bluff
Western Union telegram sent from Major General R.C. Newton, Little Rock, to Brigadier General H. King White, Pine Bluff on May 4, 1874 during the Brooks-Baxter War in Arkansas. Newton reports on the situation in Little Rock, requests more infantry, and says that he will notify White when and if Robert Catterson is able to move against him.
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1874 May 5: John Woodburn, Memphis, Tennessee, to Brigadier General H. King White, Pine Bluff
Western Union telegram sent from John Woodburn, Memphis, to Brigadier General H. King White, sent on May 5, 1874 during the Brooks-Baxter War in Arkansas. Woodburn requests that White keep the river clear for him on Wednesday night.
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1874 May 5: Lullman & Vienna, Memphis, Tennessee, to Brigadier General H. King White, Pine Bluff
Western Union telegram sent from Lullman and Vienna, Memphis, to Brigadier General H. King White, Pine Bluff, sent on May 5, 1874 during the Brooks-Baxter War in Arkansas. Lullman and Vienna inform White that they have no muskets for sale.
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1874 May 5: Major General R.C. Newton, Little Rock, to Brigadier General H. King White, Pine Bluff
Western Union telegram sent from Major General R.C. Newton, Little Rock, to Brigadier General H. King White, Pine Bluff on May 5, 1874 during the Brooks-Baxter War in Arkansas. Newton updates White on the departure of the steamship John Howard.