Governor Flanagin's calling out of the militia of Southwest Arkansas following the fall of Little Rock in order to form new companies of State Troops set off a storm of corrispondance from various parties requesting exemption from militia service.
General order number 6
Flanagin orders the militia of southwest Arkansas to report to him in Arkadelphia. The only exemptions include six physicians, one druggist, millers, sheriffs, post masters, and persons employed by the Confederate States. Flanagin calls the people of southwest Arkansas "proud and daring" and asks "how many now will willingly bend their necks to an invading foe." Military Board ledger book
Grandison D. Royston, Washington, Arkansas, to Governor Harris Flanagin
Royston assures Flanagin that the men in the area are loyal Confederates and eager to form a militia company. He also entreats Flanagin to take action against the Jayhawkers terrorizing the citizens. Kie Oldham collection
James Bolger, Magnolia, Columbia County, Arkansas, to Governor Harris Flanagin
Bolger provides a sworn statement that he is a shoemaker and is the only one for many miles in a “densely populated” area. Exempted from the Confederate conscription act, Bolger requests that he be exempted from militia duty as well. He promises to not sell his products for more than the law allows. Kie Oldham collection
John C. Lewis and Columbia County Citizens to Governor Harris Flanagin
Lewis requests exemption from militia duty, citing the need for his skills as a physician in the community and due to his health. Suffering from disease of the liver and piles, Lewis feels that the duties of a soldier, even for thirty days, will be too much for him. Signed affidavits and a petition by the citizens of Columbia County supporting his claims are also included. Kie Oldham collection
Union County petition
The citizens of Union County circulated and signed four petitions asking Governor Harris Flanagin to exempt Eli W. Pharr from militia duty so he can continue to practice medicine in the county. The petition states that Pharr is the only physician in his township, is only a few months away from turning forty-five, has a delicate constitution, and has a dependent family with two sons in the Confederate service. Kie Oldham collection
John L. Emerson, Magnolia, Columbia County, to Governor Harris Flanagin
Emerson asks that he be exempted from militia service as he is a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church and preaches to three different congregations and is also in charge of a school with thirty students. Kie Oldham collection
Colonel John H. Hamiter, Walnut Hill, Lafayette County, Arkansas, to Governor Harris Flanagin or Adjutant General Gordon Peay, Arkadelphia, Arkansas
Hamiter is enrolling the militia in Lafayette County. Many men are claiming exemption from the militia because they are in the Confederate service. Hamiter wishes to know if Flanagin wants these men for the militia or if they should be exempted. Kie Oldham collection
Special order number 5
Thomas B. Hancock of Lafayette County is authorized to raise, organize, and muster into service a company of volunteers for the state's defense and report to Arkadelphia "at the earliest practicable moment." Military Board ledger book
Union County petition
The citizens of Union County petition Governor Harris Flanagin to exempt William C. Johnson from militia duty as he is a pastor of the El Dorado Baptist Church and two other churches in the county. Kie Oldham collection
Union County petition
The members of Rehobeth Church in Union County petition Governor Harris Flanagin to exempt their pastor, W.C. Johnson, from the state militia. Kie Oldham collection
Sevier County petition
The citizens of Sevier County petition Governor Harris Flanagin to exempt Thomas Carr from militia duty so he can operate a steam saw and grist mill. The mill will be the only one within fifteen miles and is considered a "necessity" for the community. Kie Oldham collection
William P. Fain, Dallas, Polk County, Arkansas, to Governor Harris Flanagin
Fain asks Flanagin to release from militia duty the men in Polk County who have received a certificate of disability from Confederate service. He informs Flanagin that most of the people in the county are "ginerally poor" and if the remaining men are called into the militia there won't be enough men left to "raise bread for the womin and children." Kie Oldham collection
J.J. Bell and J.T. Kemp, Hot Spring County, Arkansas, to O.H. Oates, Secretary of State
Judges Bell and Kemp certify the election of officers for the Hot Spring County Mounted Volunteers. Kie Oldham collection
Governor Flanagin, Executive Department, Washington, Arkansas, to Lieutenant General Holmes, District Headquarters
Flanagin wishes to clarify any confusion about the role of state troops versus Confederate troops. Having called for the raising of state troops, Flanagin has concerns about the newly formed companies being integrated into the Confederate army. He acknowledges Holmes' authority as commander in chief of the state and of the Confederate forces, but he points out that the troops raised by the state double the number raised by volunteering and conscription. To keep up morale, Flanagin feels it is important that any assurances he has given to the state troops "should be strictly observed." Military Board ledger book
A.R. Winfield, Camden, Arkansas, to Governor Harris Flanagin
Winfield asks that John Dickson be released from militia duty as he is one of the only ministers in Desha County. Kie Oldham collection
T.B. Greene, Camden, Arkansas, to Governor Harris Flanagin
Greene wishes to know if judges of the Circuit Court are to be included in the militia. Kie Oldham collection
J.T. Porter, Camden, Arkansas, to Governor Harris Flanagin
Porter writes that he was "forciably taken" from his home in Desha County by Captain John W. Messenger, who conscripted him into the militia. He protests his conscription and feels he should be exempt due to his position as postmaster for the town of Napoleon. Explaining that he was appointed by Jefferson Davis, Porter writes that he continued to operate the post office "twenty miles back of Napoleon" after the Mississippi River was taken by the Federals and only closed it after the fall of Little Rock. He is still in possession of the keys and is prepared to reopen the office as soon as he can. Kie Oldham collection
W.D. Neely, Arkadelphia, Arkansas, to Governor Harris Flanagin
Neely asks that Ashby and Carpenter be exempted from the militia so that they can continue operating the salt works. Kie Oldham collection
H. Flanagin, Washington, Arkansas, to Major J.T. Elliott, Camden, Arkansas
Flanagin informs Elliott that the "Militia are disbanded" and all officers are now to accept conscripts and turn them over to the Confederate army. He also instructs that all mail post riders "for lines which cannot be used" and steam boat captains "who have no boats" are subject to conscription. Military Board ledger book
Joseph Cossart, Camp Flanagin, Arkansas, to Governor Harris Flanagin
Cossart has been ordered into camp by Colonel Trader of the State Troops. He wishes to be released from this duty and explains that he was recently captured by Federal soldiers, and then allowed to return to his home in Arkadelphia on the condition that he not take up arms before being properly exchanged. He writes that if he is forced into the militia and is then captured by Federal forces "death will be my portion, and all my property taken from my family confiscated and destroyed." He includes a signed petition from men who attest to the truth of his story. Kie Oldham collection
Special orders
Special order number 16 authorizes Captain John Conley to raise a company of mounted volunteers for a twelve month period in the counties of Yell, Perry and Montgomery. Military Board ledger book
Certification, officer elections
Certification of the election of James Williamson as captain, James Choat as first lieutenant, and James Miller as third lieutenant. Kie Oldham papers
Election certification
Certification for the election of officers for a company of Mounted Arkansas Volunteers in Montgomery County. Kie Oldham papers