Title

Harris Flanagin, "Army of the West," to Duncan Flanagin

Creator

Files

Date Original

1862 June 02

Description

In his letter, Flanagin provides details of the army's march from Arkansas to Mississippi. He goes on to ensure his son that his health is fine, and advises his son to keep up with his studies and stay physically active.

Biographical/Historical Note

Harris Flanagin was born in Roadstown, New Jersey, on November 3, 1817. After attaining his law degree in Illinois, he moved to Greenville, Clark County, Arkansas, and began practicing law. He served as deputy sheriff of Clark County in 1841, and was elected state representative the following year. He was again elected to public office in 1848, serving in the state senate for two years. In 1851, Flanagin married Martha E. Nash of Washington, Arkansas. They had three children: Duncan, Nash, and Laura. Following Arkansas's secession from the Union in 1861, Flanagin served as representative from Clark County to the Constitutional Convention in Little Rock. Flanagin fought in the Second Arkansas Mounted Rifles during the Civil War. In camp near Knoxville, Tennessee, the news of Flanagin's nomination did not reach him until after the election. By the time he was able to arrange for a leave of absence, a telegram arrived announcing that he had been elected governor. Therefore in 1862, Flanagin left active duty to take office. His administration dealt primarily with war-related measures, maintaining order, and continuing government while enduring an invasion. The capitol at Little Rock fell to Union troops on September 10, 1863, at which time Flanagin moved the state government to Washington, Arkansas. At the end of the war, he received a presidential pardon, but remained disfranchised until 1873. In 1874, Flanagin became a member of the Constitutional Convention and was selected to be chairman of the Judicial Committee. While in Little Rock working to form the new constitution, he fell ill, returned to Arkadelphia, and died October 23, 1874.

Transcription

[Page 1] Army of the west
June 2nd 1862.
Master Division Flanagin.
Dear Son.
On Apl 16th we left Duvalls
Bluff on White River on the Steamboat
Republic and went down White River
and up the Missisipi [sic] to Memphis and
got to Memphis on the 18th.
We camped at Memphis
and stayed there until the 23rd. and then
started to Corinth in Tishomingo county
in Missisipi [sic]. We camped on the
East side and on the 3rd of May we went
to Corinth expecting a battle and then
went back.
On the 5th of May we moved to a
Camp 3 miles southEast [sic] of Corinth.
We moved forward several times
expecting an engagment but have had
none. We have now fallen back near
to Ballardville in Itawamba county in
the state of Missisipi [sic]
you can tell where we are by looking [Page 2] on the large map of the united states.
My health is tolerably good.
I am in hopes that you and nash
will attend to your lessons and learn
all your law so that you [ ] of high
standing.
I wish also that you would take
a good deal of exercise so that you
may strong and be healthy.
Pay attention to one thing at a
time. When you study think of your
lesson and nothing Else. When you
play enjoy yourself as much as you
can your father
H Flanagin.

Physical Description

Document, 5.8" x 7.8"

Subjects

Civil War; Arkansas; Confederate States of America

Contributor

Flanagin, Harris, 1817-1874

Language

English

Identifier

MS.000061

Collection

Flanagin papers, MS.000061

Publisher

Arkansas State Archives

Contributing Entity

Arkansas State Archives

Recommended Citation

Harris Flanagin, "Army of the West," to Duncan Flanagin, Flanagin papers, Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Rights

Use and reproduction of images held by the Arkansas State Archives without prior written permission is prohibited. For information on reproducing images held by the Arkansas State Archives, please call 501-682-6900 or email at state.archives@arkansas.gov.

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