Frederick “Fed” Ross Crawford, born 24 Jul 1836, Knox County, Tennessee, died 28 Dec 1911, burial place unconfirmed (some gave Bentley Cemetery, Baxter County, AR, while others gave Howard’s Ridge, Ozark County, MO)
In 1860, they were both residing in Rapps Barrens TWP, Marion County, Arkansas.
Parents: William Harrison Crawford and Elizabeth (Barger) Crawford.
I found the following in genealogy research of J.Treat, “Rife Family Tree,” Ancestry.com. The William mentioned was the boy’s father.
The threat of war hung heavily over the United States and when the conflict actually commenced William went back to TN. and enlisted with the Confederate troops as a Chaplin. Date of his enlistment was October 10, 1862 at Henderson's Depot, CO. F&S 61st Mounted Inf. His sons Francis & Frederick rode horseback to Springfield, Missouri, and enlisted in the Union Forces. These two lads fought in the battle of Pea Ridge and were captured by the enemy. Because the two boys knew the areas well the Confederates asked them to be guides for a hunting expedition. It was during this expedition that the two Crawford boys planned their escape. They would mis-direct the Confederates and flee. They ended up spending the night on the banks of the Arkansas River and awoke to the morning reveille from their Union camp not far away. Handcuffed together they slipped into the cold water of the river and swam back to safety and their Union brothers.
During this difficult period of time the Crawford women were pressed by the fray and sought refuge where the battle was not so fierce. Margaret carried her mother, Elizabeth, across the icy river as well as her two small children, and her sisters. Margaret's feet were badly frostbitten, and she spent many painful weeks of recovery. The ladies made their way to Ava, Douglas County, MO, and made their home until William returned from Tennessee. After William returned, he and Elizabeth made their home in Douglas County, Missouri. William died in 1877, and is buried in Douglas County, Missouri. Elizabeth died in 1888 and is buried at her husband’s side.”
Family stories passed down through the years are usually a far cry from the actual event that provided basis for those stories. The part about William’s service as a chaplain is true, however. He received an appointment 10 Oct 1862 and Henderson’s Depot, TN, and mustered in 10 Nov 1862. He is buried in Bragg Cemetery, Douglas County, MO, and his stone is inscribed, “Civil War Vet. Chaplain, F & S, 61st Mounted Infantry” (Find-A-Grave). A check in his CSR revealed that the 61st was a Tennessee Unit, CSA.
The boy’s did enlist in a Union regiment at Springfield, MO (Company B, 6th MO Militia, later the 16th MO Cavalry) as the story suggests, but not until several months after the Battle of Pea Ridge. They enlisted 01 Nov 1863.
I would be very interested to discover what event gave rise to this story. Very interesting - thanks for posting.