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.
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Letter, James T. Elliot to Governor Henry M. Rector
Letter from James S. Rainey, James T. Elliott, and G.H. Gordan in Camden to Gov. Henry Rector in regards to confiscated goods by the Vigilante Committee. This Committee believes that any goods from supporters of the North should be taken. They ask what should be done with said goods.
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Letter, J.D. McGee to David C. Williams
Letter from J.D. McGee to David Williams discussing the Crittenden Compromise as well as President Lincoln's policies in relation to abolitionists.
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Letter, Jesse Turner to David C. Williams
Letter from Jesse Turner to David Williams about the 69 to 1 secessionist vote in favor of leaving the Union.
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Letter, John A. Powell to Governor Henry M. Rector
Letter from John A. Powell to Governor Henry M. Rector requesting to leave Tennessee to get a position in Arkansas after secession and to warn Rector of assassination attempts.
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Letter, John Buchanan to David C. Williams
Letter from John Buchanan to David C. Williams discussing copper prices, monument fundraising, and secession politics involving two men traveling around the state speaking for secession.
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Letter, John J. Walker to W.W. Mansfield
Letter from John J. Walker to W.W. Mansfield discussing the Secession Convention and the resulting political situation.
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Letter, Joseph M. Craig to Governor Henry M. Rector
Letter from Joseph M. Craig to Governor Henry M. Rector requesting that Captain James D. Latimer recieve arms from the Little Rock arsenal for the Chicot Cavalry Company.
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Letter, J.W. Talkington to David C. Williams
Letter from J.W. Talkington in Hebron, Arkansas, to David C. Williams about whether the country will remain together through a compromise and to send supplies to him by boat as soon as possible.
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Letter, Major and Assistant Commissary General D.W. Heard to L. Abel
Voucher from Major D.W. Heard to L. Abel over the purchase of beef to give to the Troops of Arkansas totaling $32.37 1/4.
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Letter, Mark Bean to David C. Williams
Letter from Mark Bean in Cane Hill to David C. Williams discussing the political situation and the men campaigning to represent Washington County in the secession convention in Fayetteville.
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Letter, Sabin Hough to Governor Henry M. Rector
Letter from Sabin Hough in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Governor Henry M. Rector. Hough urges Rector to cooperate in preventing secession by distributing literature and encouraging other southern states to return to the Union.
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Letter, Samuel L. Griffith to David C. Williams
Letter from Samuel L. Griffith to David C. Williams requesting 500 copies of Washington's Farewell Address to help gain Union support and to discuss his critics from the Times and Herald over his stance against secession.
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Letter, Secretary of War Simon Cameron to Henry M. Rector
Letter from Secretary of War Simon Cameron to Governor Henry M. Rector calling to muster Arkansas's quota of militia troops in order to put down the rebelling Confederate States by assembling 780 men in Little Rock.
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Letter, S.J. Howel to David C. Williams
Letter from S.J. Howel to David C. Williams about the lack of Union support in the area. The letter also talks about delegates for and against the Union for the Secession Convention.
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Letter, The Reverend B.M. Colman to David C. Williams
Letter from the Reverend B.M. Colman in St. Louis to David C. Williams in Van Buren discussing the recent Arkansas election results and President Abraham Lincoln.
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Letter, Thomas J. Kelly to Governor Henry M. Rector
Letter from Thomas J. Kelly to Governor Henry M. Rector asking for details regarding commissions and the formation of companies.
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Letter, Thomas Rector to Governor Henry M. Rector
Letter from Thomas Rector to Governor Hentry M. Rector asking for a political appointment in the new state government once secession has occurred. Thinking that the secession will pass, Rector also requests for position of Paymaster or Quartermaster for the state troops raised by Governor Rector.
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Letter, W. Cox and Company to General William E. Ashley
Letter from W. Cox to General William E. Ashley about his New Orleans promises to support Arkansas with supplies. The letter also discusses about the surprising results of the Arkansas Secession Convention with the decision to stay in the Union.
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Letter, W.F. Holtzman to David C. Williams
Letter from W.F. Holtzman to David C. Williams describing the difficulty in preparing material for the Gazette, as most of the journeymen have left to join the army. Topics also include Tennessee's vote against secession.
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Letter, W.F. Holtzman to David C. Williams
Letter from W.F. Holtzman from the Arkansas Gazette office to David C. Williams, thanking him for continuing to send election information. Holtzman also shows how close the vote is to have a Secession Convention.
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Letter, William A. Crawford to Sarah H. Crawford
Letter from William A. Crawford to Sarah Crawford about his trip from Arkansas to Camp Davis in Virginia. Crawford tells her about the weather, crops, and the multiple regiments in the camp.
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Letter, William H. Woodruff to his Mother
Letter from William H. Woodruff telling his mother about the camp at Fort Randolph, Tennessee. Woodruff mentions guards sleeping on night watch, attempted suicides, laughs, and wishes to hear from his family.
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Letter, William Quensenbury to David C. Williams
Letter from William Quesenbury to David C. Williams in regards to the recent victory for the pro-Union ticket at the Secession Convention. Other topics include a supply request and discussion of pro-secession thoughts on the election.
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Letter, W.M Fishback to David C. Williams
Letter from W.M. Fishback to David C. Williams about using the newspaper as a tool to keep pro-Union sentiment alive in the state and to use Union Clubs from other counties to give the impression of activity.
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Lithographs, "City and Garrison of Fort Smith, Arkansas" and "United States Arsenal Surrendered to Arkansas State Troops, Little Rock, February, 1861"
Two separate lithographs from Harper's Weekly of the city and garrison of Fort Smith and the United State Arsenal at Little Rock surrendered to State Troops.