THANKS! I kind of wondered if it was either in the Ft Smith or that other private cemetery, either in Ft Smith or Van Buren. I cannot recall which it was. What throws me off is died "near" Ft Smith. Being from Texas, "near" can mean a hundred miles. But both seem plausible. Family coming and claiming the body would be out. I do not know exactly how many siblings he had (one was close but I cannot find anything on him....his name was Benjamin,), but he left 4-5 small children in the home with a destitute (I assume) widow. I do not know how they fared after his death, but I do know she raised them all. I am just beginning to really look into this side of the family. I doubt they would have had the means, the modality, or the patience to travel that far to claim his body.
My hope is with all of the transcriptions being added online and all of the entries into www.findagrave.com, perhaps someone may come across it and list it.

I intend to read more about Ft Smith, but I am unclear as to why it was so important to both sides. I see he signed up June 19, 1862 and his unit bears MOST signed that day. I pondered that one until I discovered the next day began the draft in Ark. So, beat them to the punch and pick the unit I guess.
We went to Ft Smith once when I was a child on Vacation. I remember going to the courthouse of Judge Parker, seeing the gallows, etc. It was a lawless place from all accounts. Judge Parker was also in the "True Grit" sequal "Rooster Cogburn" (which me thinks is one of the GREATEST westerns of all time).

Thanks for all of the insight, it is hard to fathom them not having the basic necessities of life, the harsh elements, and not even rudimentary medications. And soap, shampoo, and regular hygiene might have stopped the spread of many a malady. I think our military today is too politically correct, but I cannot imagine what life was like then. Thank goodness for small wonders.

Whit