The Arkansas in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Doyle-Info request on some Jeff. Co. units

Hi Anthony

As you know I have searched for years for information on the 2nd Arkansas Battalion. The only thing I have found as far as a primary source and it is not a direct source, because it was written by a member of Company "C" from Union Country and is incorrectly identified in the diary of 2nd sargeant Alonzo A. Mieares. It is posted on the Trans-Mississippi Brigade web site;

http://www.transmsbrigade.net/

It is an interesting read and description of what the Arkansas Boys were doing in Virginia.

Richmond Daily Dispatch Newspaper
June 28th, 1862
(Battle of Mechanicville)
The Second Arkansas Battalion.
To the Editors of the Dispatch:
Among the many instances of the gallant conduct of our Southern boys which you have so faithfully recorded, I regret to see no mention made of the Second Arkansas battalion, Major Wm. N. Bronaugh commanding, which participated in the bloody battle on the Chickahominy. These are men who add to the name of patriot the sacred name of exile these are the brave hearts who have answered the war-call from a distant quarter, and have come up to the rescues of their glorious old mother State, to strengthen and sustain her. Far from the tender care of kindred hearts, they have, for more than a year, endured suffering and hardships in utter oblivion, while many of their number have wasted away on the bed of disease, in crowded hospitals, whence the stranger has carried them out, and placed "the nameless stone, without a tear." The pure and gentle influence of mothers and sisters, which once sustained them in the toils and dangers of a soldier's life, and inspired them to higher sacrifice, is now but silently felt, and renewed only by the powers of memory. March worn and weather-beaten, their drooping spirits were suddenly aroused, when the clarion notes of war resounded, and Gen. Pettigrew called on his brigade to meet the summons, with all the spirit and chivalry of the South! Then front to front the two armies stood, the carnage-covered field which lay around told many a heart the fate which awaited him, but they- were cool and determined. They looked with confidence upon the calm, dauntless brow of their commander, Major Bronaugh, and "hailed in their hearts the triumph yet to come." The enemy was entrenched upon an eminence flanked and guarded by an under-growth almost impenetrable, and the position was such as to give him full play upon our advancing columns. Thus was our brigade very much cut up, even before we could get into action. General Pettigrew made the attack about 5 o'clock, and although we were called upon to stand the most galling fire, night came on and found us charging desperately. The Arkansas battalion lost more men in proportion to its numbers than that of any other of the command. They went into the fight like men, and discharged their duty bravely, and when darkness closed the conflict, Major Bronaugh was found heroically at his post, with but twelve men, whom he had rallied in the hottest of the fight. The whole brigade mourn the loss of our noble Pettigrew; all unite in asserting that but few can fill his place. As our number is greatly reduced, it is supposed that we shall be thrown into another command, which we regret exceedingly. I speak the sentiments of many, when I hope, in conclusion, that the officers whom we shall leave may retain the places they have filled so faithfully. Our thanks are due the Assistant Surgeon of our command for his assiduity and entire performance of his duty throughout the whole day, when he followed the battalion alone, after his whole corps had fallen on the field. *

Richmond Daily Dispatch Newspaper
June 7th, 1862
(Battle of Seven Pines)

Casualties in Co. B, 2d Arkansas battalion.
(Capt. N. Shannas)Wounded
John W Cockman, left arm shot off;
John A Wilkinson, badly shot in both thighs;
Wm Barker, shot in back and shoulder;
Wm Walton, shot in thigh;
Berry Morris, shot in right leg, severely,
Lt. Johny Laster, shot in back of head, not seriously, ... (Makes me wonder how do you get shot in the back of the head not seriously?)
J J Tidwell, B B Bearers, Robert all slightly wounded.

Of Course you know that Company "H" of the 2nd Arkansas (Hindman's) Infantry were the "famous" Jefferson Guards, but I am not aware of any primary sources on them. I really haven't done much study on them or any of the other companies that you mentioned.

Messages In This Thread

Doyle-Info request on some Jeff. Co. units
Re: Doyle-Info request on some Jeff. Co. units
Re: Doyle-Info request on some Jeff. Co. units
Re: Doyle-Info request on some Jeff. Co. units
Re: Doyle-Info request on some Jeff. Co. units
Re: Doyle-Info request on some Jeff. Co. units
Re: Doyle-Info request on some Jeff. Co. units
Re: Doyle-Info request on some Jeff. Co. units
Re: Doyle-Info request on some Jeff. Co. units
Re: Doyle-Info request on some Jeff. Co. units
Re: Doyle-Info request on some Jeff. Co. units
Re: Doyle-Info request on some Jeff. Co. units
Re: Doyle-Info request on some Jeff. Co. units
Re: Doyle-Info request on some Jeff. Co. units
Re: Doyle-Info request on some Jeff. Co. units
Re: Doyle-Info request on some Jeff. Co. units
Re: Doyle-Info request on some Jeff. Co. units
Flournoy and the 1st Arkansas
Rust and the 3rd Arkansas
Re: Doyle-Info request on some Jeff. Co. units
Re: Doyle-Info request on some Jeff. Co. units
Re: Doyle-Info request on some Jeff. Co. units