The Arkansas State Archives preserves a vast collection of research materials pertaining to the Civil War in Arkansas. These materials include official military records, pension applications, personal and official correspondence, photographs, artifacts, battle maps, and more. The selection below is only a small portion of our holdings on the Civil War.
-
Voucher, acting assistant surgeon G.E. Bumford to acting surgeon W.A. Cantrell
Voucher from acting assistant surgeon G.E. Bumford of the 21st Regiment, Arkansas Militia to Acting Surgeon W.A. Cantrell with a return of medicines and stores.
-
Voucher, First Division, Arkansas Volunteers
Voucher for a horse purchased from John Wright and turned over to Captain William E. Woodruff, Pulaski Artillery.
-
Voucher, Quartermaster J.M. Simms to J.T. Craig
Voucher from J.M. Simms, Quartermaster of the 3rd Regiment of Arkansas Volunteers to J.T. Craig approving the payment of bacon for the troops at Camp Walker.
-
W.A. Ferring, Oakland, to Elliot H. Fletcher, Bowling Green, Kentucky
Ferring reports that the Union Army is within ten miles of where he is stationed and within one mile of the Confederate picket line. They anticipate an attack and are ready for a fight. Due to the impeding threat and high tension in the camp, many false alarms have gone off.
-
William F. Rector, Columbus, Kentucky, to "Dear Pa"
In his letter to his father, William F. Rector describes how Jeff Thompson burned the Yankees' steamships as they came down the river and took blankets and clothing from the ships. He hopes to see battle soon but complains of bad winter weather. Colonel Gantt has been sleeping in a house as the men prepare winter quarters.
-
William H. Foster, Montgomery County, Arkansas, to Governor Henry M. Rector
In his letter, Foster writes that there are many people of Montgomery, Pope, and Polk counties were heavily in favor of the Union, and named a number of them. These men would not fight for the Confederacy unless conscripted and made up a sham company to fool Confederate recruiters into thinking they had already enlisted.
-
William H. Halliburton appointment
This is the official appointment of William H. Halliburton as the chief tax collector for Arkansas by Confederate President Jefferson Davis and authorized to collect a war tax. Confederate president, Jefferson Davis, affixed his name to the document, as well as Confederate Secretary of State, Robert Hunter.
-
William H. Woodruff, Benton, Scott County, Missouri, to "My Dear Mother"
In his letter, Woodruff describes the march from Fort Pillow to Benton, Missouri, the ongoing argument between Generals Leonidas Polk and Gideon Pillow, and false alarms about the enemy's whereabouts. Woodruff also complains of the lack of support for the Confederacy in Scott County, Missouri, where he is currently camped.
-
Lawrence County officer election results
An election had been held on November 24, 1860 to determine the officers of the Lawrence County Regiment Arkansas Militia. John Miller Jr. was elected as the captain with other officers at lower ranks. Colonel Commandant Robert Shaver certified the election with his signature.