Danny Odom provide me with the following material gleaned from the CSRs of the various paroled and exchanged regiments from Port Hudson and Vicksburg. Only the intimate study of thousands of individual Soldiers records can glean the kind of information that Danny, Bryan, and others like George Martin provide on this message board. I often wonder if future researchers who have the luxury of Fold3 will ever gain the same level of understanding as these guys provide as a result of countless hours staring into microfiche viewer? I share these with Danny's permission. These are his personal research notes, and contain his personal abbreviations and editing:
CSR references to consolidations after exchange:
1st [8th] Ark Bn
[I’m fairly sure this information is from a Bryan Howerton post]
After Port Hudson, the already-sketchy records of the 8th Ark Bn become almost non-existent. It appears that some of the men—mainly the companies from south Ark—reconstituted the Bn for a time back in Ark. This remnant was eventually consolidated with the 18th & 23rd Ark regiments sometime in 1864. The companies from north Ark are even harder to track during this period. A group of the men, still identifying themselves as the 8th Ark Bn (or Jones’ 1st Ark Bn) were captured en masse in Ripley County, Mo, on Christmas day, 1863. Practically an entire company of Davies’ 7th Ark Cav Bn seems to have been organized from veterans of the 8th Ark Bn
12th Ark
9/26/63 Pvt James Wood-HQ Logan’s Bgde-Crystal Springs-asking to be returned to his co F of 12th Ark now being organized at Camden, Ark. Said regt having been exchanged—appd Griffith Col cdg
12/8/63 pvt Wozencraft co D 12th Ark-[temp attached to 1 Ark] McNair Bgde Dept of West Gen Johnston
3/27/64 pvt Wozencraft co D 12th Ark asks for transfer to Col Davis trans Miss Bn at Cahaba-says he is temp attached to 9th Tx Ector Bgde-that his regt is west of river. All of my regt on this side of river are in Col Davis Bn
7/28/64 Smith staff to Col T Reid cdg 2nd Consol Regt thru Price-relative to appointment of an ensign
14th Ark
7/22/64 HQ 1st Consol Regt W W. Reynolds Lt Col cdg-Dockery’s Bgde near Monticello-Lt Scott 14th Ark [Powers] now part of 1st Ark consol- to be dropped-absent without leave since 2/1/64-appd Dockery & Fagan
10/17/64 Smithee of 14th Ark was assigned to duty in 1st Regt McNair Bgde
1/14/65 Lt Smithee resigns–Camp Lee-3rd co 1st Regt McNair’s Bgde Churchill Div-[note use of numbers for Co’s]-Capt Wolfe cdg co-Smithee refers to Cravens consol Regt McNair’s Bgde
15th Ark
11/12/63 Lt Pittman unconditional resignation-HQ 19th & 15th &… th ---appd LtCol H G P Williams cdg regts-11/15 HQ paroled & exchanged prisoners-Washington, Ark-appd Gen Dockery-next level endorsement is K Smith
3/6/64 Lt Col H G P Williams cdg camp exchanged and paroled prisoners-to Gen Drayton div cdr-regarding Findley of 15 Ark co C under arrest with Drayton at Springfield
4/14/64-Lewisville, Ark-Dockery Infy Bgde-camp P&E prisoners -Resignation of Capt Daniel
15th P H Regt [Daniel was Capt Co B 15th Ark-so with new co number this must be a new consol Regt of P H Regts?]
HQ-Dockery’s Infy Bgde-Buena Vista, Ark-Lt Col H G P Williams cdg Bgde-Endorsements-Churchill-cdg Div—
7/6/64-Camden-Col Cravens cdg camp-Lt Anderson having no command under late law of congress- resigns. Cravens says no suitable duty for this officer so respectfully fwded-appd Gen Dockery
7/8/64 - Camden-Col Cravens cdg camp resignation of F Young
7/8 Camden-HQ camps mtd brigade –Col Cravens cdg camp 7/13 Monticello HQ Dockery’s bgde-appd 10/30/64 Hqs Reserve Corps, Dist of Ark, Magnolia-Gen Dockery nominating George H Shaw, was QM for 15th [aka 21st] Ark, as Bgde Commissary & James Johnson 15th Ark to be Bgde QM. None has been appointed since my appointment to the organization of this corps.
Both are supernumerary due to consolidation of Regt
11/4 Appd & fwded by K Smith
11/29/64 HQ 3rd consol regt Ark inf McNair Bgde Camp Lee-Col H G P Williams-recommends Sgt Spinks co D 15th Ark [Port Hudson troops] as Lt-Capt John Meak cdg regt. [must be cdg the 15th Ark portion of 3 Consol regt] This regt is now consol with the 19th & 20th Ark as the 3rd Consol per Dept Orders. It has been regularly mustered and the muster rolls sent to Richmond. Spinks unit now consolidated and co is 5th co of 3rd Ark consol. He has been acting as an ensign since 7/22. H G P Williams Col cdg regt
16th Ark
11/20/63 Washington, Ark camp P & E prisoners-Lt Jones tenders resignation-after being paroled, the men dispersed to their homes in NW Ark, behind enemy lines and out of my reach leaving me without a command-appd D Boone Capt cdg 16th Ark Regt-appd Dockery BGen-next endorsement is Kirby Smith
4/26/64 HQ Dockery’s Bgde-Camp Buena Vista-Capt Poyner 16th Ark tenders resignation-appd H G P Williams cdg inf Bgde [of Dockery’s Bgde] appd Churchill Div
5/6/64 Camden- Lawson of 16th Ark resignation-appd D Boone Capt cdg 16th Ark-appd Dockery Bgde-appd Churchill Div-co too small and must be consol making me supernumerary
5/6/64 Capt Wilson tenders resignation-my co is invisible in the consolidation
7/20 Monticello-Daniel Boone tenders resignation as Capt Co I, 16th Ark for following reasons: ….6 men present, & my present command consists of this with 4 other Co’s consolidated altogether not exceeding 20 men. Endorsed ….can’t read, then W W.. Reynolds Lt Col cdg…HQs Dockery’s Bgde ... [1st TM] Dockery B Gen [16th Ark]
7/21/64 Smith’s staff to Lt Col W W. Reynolds cdg 1st Consol Ark Regt per his letter of 7/6 nominating a man for ensign
8/15/64 Camp near Monticello-Smithee tenders his resignation as Capt Co B 16th Ark since we only have present: 1 Capt, 1 Lt,
1 Jr Lt & 2 men-The original Regt has been consol into 2 Co’s. The Co I [composed of Co’s C & A] now command has Agg strength 1 Capt, 1 Lt, 1 Jr Lt & 34 men
8/15/64 Jesse Cravens Capt co B 16th & cdg 4th co 1st consol Regt resigns-Monticello HQ 1st consol Regt appd W W Reynolds, Lt Col cdg- - Ark-resignation-appd Gen Dockery-reason is original co present is 3 officers & 2 Men. The original regiment has been consol into 2 Co’s -I command one of these of 34 men & 3 officers. I wish to join a cav command east of the Miss
17th Ark
8/10/63 being impractical to join the command [east of river] Capt Thomason will proceed to Washington, Ark & report to Col Chas Turnbull cdg camp of instruction for duty
9/24/64 Lt Milan Paid-“paroled prisoner”- Richmond- applies for artificial leg
18th Ark
3/14 Camden-Lt Atkins Co K 18th Ark resigns-Dockery’s Bgde-appd Crockett Col cdg Regt
5/7 Camden, Dockery Bgde-Hellums resigns Lt Co K 18th Ark-Col Crockett cdg
5/17 Taylor 18th Ark—says Bgde organized on this date [I guess now as all infantry]
5/22 Camden-Dockery Bgde-Capt Fletcher 18th Ark to Gen Cooper-The fields of Corinth, etc. caused consolidations, and I was left without a command & request a position in AG’s Dept
20th Ark
9/7/64 Monticello, Hqs Dockery Bgde- resignation of Capt Worsham 20th Ark -Dockery Bgde Capt Co E, 20th Ark. Being a supernumerary & having been offered a position on Gen Dockery’s staff as ADC w/rank of Capt of cavalry- Dockery says Capt Worsham’s Co has been consol & he is supernumerary. Good soldier and well suited for the new position asked for him. [ADC on Dockery staff] -Fwd M M Parsons-Maj Gen cdg-fwd Gen Magruder-appd K Smith
__ Capt Stuart [20th Ark] becomes Major of 3rd Ark consol
3/2/65 Maj Wm S Haven applies for permission to recruit the 20th Ark Regt of Infy from the Fed prisoners in TM Dept-3/3 Cooper to Sec of War for his consideration-I have no roster of this Regt since that at its reorganization in 1863. It showed 10 Co’s at that time. Field officers appear to be:
Col H P Johnson 5/13/62
Lt Col -vacant
Maj Haven 1/5/63
Appears that Col Johnson is not now in the service though I have no official report of the fact-If so, Maj Havens is the Sr officer and is just now returned to this city a paroled prisoner. He appears to be a gentleman of energy and intelligence. I have no doubt that if permitted he could increase the strength of the Regt in the way he proposes.
23rd Ark
8/3/63 Hodgkins 1st Lt co K 23rd Ark-asking for orders to go to the TM Dept to collect my co recently captured and paroled. 35-40 were paroled plus there are another 8 absent with and without leave in Chicot County. I am the only officer of the co not captured, and IMHO they will not return to the army unless I return for their collection
12/22/63 AG Cooper to Holmes-C W Adams, late Col of the 23rd Ark Regt is now out of commission by reason of his irregular and illegal appointment by Gen Hindman. This illegal assignment or appointment has worked ___hardship to Col Adams without any fault on his part and it is desirable, if possible, to provide for him in some manner so that the services of so efficient an officer may not be lost.
_____... to this, I wish to inquire whether there is an Ark Bgde in your command to which Col Adams could be assigned if promoted Brig Gen and if you are still prepared to recommend him for such a position.
I believe the War Dept is confusing Adams’ 23rd Ark Regt in the Army of the West with Adams’ later Regt [un-numbered] in Hindman’s army
2/6/64 Adams asking to be BGen-says Holmes endorses me but no vacant command although a new Bgde about to be org-says it is not vacant, as he has previously recommended Hawthorn for BGen for that Bgde.
As Fagan has been proposed for Maj Gen, his Bgde will then be vacant
10/11/64 Camp Bragg-McNair’s Bgde/Churchill Div-recommends Lt Hodgkins of 23rd Ark to Maj & AIG-New position no one having been assigned since Bgde was organized 5/17/64
11/30 Camp Lee-McNair Bgde-Hodgkins is Capt Co E 2nd consol Regt McNair Bgde, Churchill div. My present position is AIG for the Bgde
12th Bn Ark SS
7/20/63 Shreveport HQs to Gen Holmes-Let Gen Frost arrest the Vicksburg prisoners. Maj Rapley has no orders to join you.
10/20/63 HQs 12th Ark Bn Sharpshooters, Camp near Washington, Ark-Maj Rapley 12th Ark Bn to Gen Cooper, Richmond-statement in relation to the company officers of my command. As there seems to have been …a fraud or great neglect on …part of … [instructions] to [commanders] of [D H Maury] once elected at [Tupelo Miss] during the summer of 1862 and your office at Richmond.
In accordance with Gen Order 34 dated May [June] 3rd, 1862, A&IGO Richmond, [the] Brig Gen D H Maury cdg Division at Tupelo organized a battalion of four companies in compliance with the order and assigned the company officers to the companies until the appointments could be made by the President and which papers … ordered to your office.
The battalion was organized of Arkansas troops for Cabell’s Ark Bgde and mustered on July 13, 1862 at Tupelo, Miss and muster rolls forwarded to your office.
Since … … organized for service without any appointment except the order of assignment to Brigadier General C… dated … 1862 at Tupelo Miss, [Brig Gen] … … … the organization
I would respectfully request [you will] [their] nomination … … … … … …of original assignment and earnestly request that their appointments be made [as] take rank from that date. I also … … that have taken place since the organization… … a mistake may have occurred in your office … [in part] that you were … … … or as mustered as the 1st …Ark Vol Sharpshooters… After waiting for more than a year to [hear your] the appointments of these officers and [learning/hearing through] the … … liberty of addressing you outside of the ordinary channel of communication
1/19/64 Shreveport to Maj Rapley, Camden-the charges against the 4 Pvt’s of the 12th Ark Bn have been dropped. Since the breaking up of the camp of instruction & the removal of a portion of Gen Dockery’s command the whereabouts of these men is unknown. Notify them of their dropped charges and have them return to duty.
1/19/64 Shreveport to Gen Fagan-the charges against Maj Rapley and Lt Beall have been dismissed. Please notify them.
1/26/64 in camp, Hamburg, James A Ashford, Capt Co B 12th Bn Ark SS to Anderson AAG, Trans Miss Dept-In consideration of ill health, Ashford tenders his resignation as Capt Co B 12th Bn Ark SS
Endorsed approved by Harnet Pinson Ast Surgeon PACS, Acting Surgeon Jones & Crockett’s Regt
5/4/64 James A Ashford, Capt Co B 12th Bn Ark SS resigned to take effect Feb 19, 1864
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consolidation comments from various sources:
1st [8th] Ark Bn
Fairly certain this is from a Bryan Howerton post
After Port Hudson, the already-sketchy records of the 8th Ark Bn become almost non-existent. It appears that some of the men—mainly the companies from south Ark—reconstituted the Bn for a time back in Ark. This remnant was eventually consolidated with the 18th & 23rd Ark regiments sometime in 1864. The companies from north Ark are even harder to track during this period. A group of the men, still identifying themselves as the 8th Ark Bn (or Jones’ 1st Ark Bn) were captured en masse in Ripley County, Mo, on Christmas day, 1863. Practically an entire company of Davies’ 7th Ark Cav Bn seems to have been organized from veterans of the 8th Ark Bn
1st Ark Bn DC-Stirman
http://cdm15728.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/biblio/id/12459/rec/2
In fine spirits : the Civil War letters of Ras Stirman with historical comments / by Pat Carr.
Butler Center for Arkansas Studies. Central Arkansas Library System.
8/7/63 Ft Smith-arrived here yesterday -Ft Smith Ark August 7 1863 My beloved Sister We arrived at this place yesterday. We are stopping at Col Rutherfords (Farnie Father) near this place. Uncle Jeff is improrius. I am waiting for Cousin John as Soon as he gets here I shall start for Little Rock I expect him to day. We have cheering news from Little Rock Charley Scott wrote Mr. Bostick that Gen [Sterling] Price told him that a man who was in his imployment told him that he saw and read papers stating that France & Spain had recognized the Confederate Government, he also Stated that Johnson had captured Six hundred wagons from [Ulysses] Grant and driven him across Big Black. That Gen [Robert] Lee after bringing his prisoners and captured suplies into Virginia had crossed back into Pensylvania
As soon as Cousin John gets here he and Uncle Jeff will start for Hot Springs. I am looking for Bondy back from Haity's Hd Qrs Division in Hopes he will come as I visit his Company. This is all I have worth knowing. Write to me at the Rock in Care of Col Brooks
http://cdm.sos.mo.gov/cdm/search/collection/mack/searchterm/stirman/order/nosort
1863-08-10
Transcription, Ozark Ark August 10th 1863 My Dear Sister I arrived at this place a few moments ago, and found Bill Kidd just starting for Fayetteville, So I thought I would give you what news I have. It is reported that Gen [Robert] Lee has whipped Meade again and gone back pensilvania [Pennsylvania] with an additional force of Sixty thousand men, also, that France & Spain have recognized our independence this has been written twice from Little Rock to Mr. Bostick by Charley Scott, this leaves me well and on my way to the Rock to See Kerby Smith, he is there Write Soon, good bye love to all Kis Miss Ly Ras
1863-08-15
Transcription, Camp on Bayou Metoe [Bayou Meto, Arkansas County, Arkansas] Aug 15th 1863 My dear Sister I arrived at the Rock day before yesterday after rather a warm and tiresome ride. Yesterday I came out to camp and found all of our friend in good health except Jim Stirman. he had eat to much pork and had the colick but he soon recovered and in health. This leaves me in good health. I have no news of importance. Gen Smith has been here but left before I arrived he is to be back Soon. I shall wait until his return before I can tell what I shall do. write soon direct your letters in Care of Col Brooks, give my love to all, Good bye, Much love from Your Bro Ras
1863-09-10 Date.Digital2009-03-31 Format.OriginalCorrespondence
Transcription, Dardandle [Dardanelle] Arkansas Sept 10th 1863 My dear Sister As an opportunity offers I thought it best to write you and inform you what I was doing I assume Command of the Post of Dardanelle this morning, but order of Gen [Sterling] Price I also have orders from Gen Price to Collect My Men at this place and Mount them, You will find an order enclosed from me which you will please have posted in Fayetteville for the benefit of My Battalion Sis this leaves me in good health I have no news of importance I received your letter of 18th as I am in a great hurry I hope you will put up with this at present Write Soon give my love to all, good bye much love from your Bro Ras
During the Camden Expedition---
HDQRS. FIRST BATTALION ARKANSAS CAVALRY, Near Road where Shelby fought yesterday, April 16, 1864. COLONEL: I have been near enough to see the train pass. They are moving very leisurely along, with a guard of about 6 men to the wagon, cavalry and infantry, mostly infantry. I think they are too strong for me to attack them, unless as a feint to cover some other move. I think by attacking them in two or three places at once we might destroy a large portion of their train; that is, with a sufficient force. Colonel, I will await here for orders. This road can be traveled with artillery very easily, but I think it will not be long until the rear will pass here. Very respectfully, RAS. STIRMAN, Lieutenant- Colonel, Commanding Battalion.
[Indorsement.] Respectfully forwarded, for General Marmaduke’s information. I sent Colonel Stirman out after sunrise this morning. He came to the road about 8 o clock, and saw cavalry, infantry, and their trains. J. F. FAGAN, Brigadier- General
Relating to Dockery’s Brigade as taken from various volumes and chapters from RG 108, National Archives and Official Records:
2/11/64 Shreveport to Gen Holmes-As soon as Gen Dockery has completed the special duty which he was performing, he will be ordered to report to you.
2/15/64 Camp of P & E prisoners, near Washington, Ark-Woodland signs as Bgde QM of Dockery’s Bgde & says I was apptd 9/13/63 but my appointment seems was from 10/14. My bond was filed on 10/14 & appd by the AAG
2/22/64 Smith to Liddell-report what Gen Dockery’s command is doing and whether it can longer be made useful to secure the crossing of arms across the Ms
2/22/64 Smith to Dockery-report by letter to Gen Holmes and also send to these Hqs a report of the strength of your command
2/23/64 Smith to Holmes-Dockery has been ordered to write to you. As soon as he is finished with the special duty assigned to him he will be returned to you and I desire that you then dismount his command in the manner least calculated to cause dissatisfaction
2/24/64 Shreveport Hqs to Gen Dockery-make a report of the disposition of arms you succeeded in crossing over the Ms
2/24/64 Shreveport Hqs to Taylor-asking for a report of the disposition of arms by the officer in your district in charge of crossing arms
2/27/64 Taylor to Shreveport-acknowledge the receipt of dispatches of the 24th, on the subject of crossing arms-The reports of all operations connected with this business were forwarded directly to department Hqs by the officers engaged. When Gen Liddell assumed command at Monroe he was directed to continue the exertions there being made, and to advise himself, through Gen Dockery and Col Harrison, of all past and existing arrangements.-Since then the movements of the enemy have put an end to all crossing
By advices received yesterday Sherman's advance was only 18 miles from Meridian, to which point Gen Polk had fallen back. As far as ascertained there were no arms for the Trans-Ms Dept west of Meridian. Major Price was at Selma, and a Lt, with some arms, at Meridian. This latter was, I believe, sent over by Gen Allen. The history of the arms in charge of Brig-Gen Ross, and the reasons governing that officer in his withdrawal from the point opposite Gaines' Landing have been forwarded to Dept HQs. The views of Gen Polk, as explained by H. Safford's dispatch, were expressed prior to Sherman's movement, and are impracticable at this time.
2/27 Taylor’s report in reference to the arms which were crossed to this side of the Ms River in Jan last, their number, and the disposition which has been made of them. Col Harrison's Cav was ordered to the vicinity of Gaines' Ldg, and that officer charged with the duty of communicating with the officers on the other side of the river. Gen Dockery, with his Bgde, wholly or nearly unarmed, joined Col Harrison, putting himself for the time being under orders from Gen Mouton, to whom Col Harrison was reporting. Communication was opened with Gen Ross, the cdg officer on the other side of the river, and by the assistance of the troops on this side about 1,400 stand of arms were crossed and distributed among Gen Dockery's unarmed Bgde.
Col Harrison awaited further action Gen Ross' part, but was informed after some delay that Gen Ross had retired within his Infy lines with the remainder of the arms under his possession, the state of the swamp between the hills and the east bank of the river rendering it impracticable to bring any more arms to the bank of the river at that point.
Two days after Gen Ross left the other side our troops were withdrawn, Gen Dockery to Hamburg and Col Harrison to Tensas Parish, to await further advices from Gen Ross or Major Price, who was the officer specially charged with the duty of crossing arms on the other side of the river.
Copies of all letters and reports which reached these HQs relative to the crossing of arms have already been forwarded to Dept HQs. I have no later information from the officers on the other side of the river than the letter of Major Price, sent me by yourself, which was returned by courier of yesterday.
2/27/64 Smith Hqs to Col A. R Witt cdg parole camp-list of men he is to return under guard to Gen Cabell. If you do not have a sufficient guard, place them in close confinement for Gen Cabell to come and get. 7 from Monroe’s Cav Regt & 6 from Morgan’s Cav Regt
3/1/64 Smith Hqs to Holmes-Information has been rec’d that some time ago 1500 stand of arms were crossed over the river and rec’d by Dockery’s Bgde & Harrison’s command and then divided up among them You will cause Dockery to submit a report
3/4/64 Smith Hqs to Holmes-Gen Dockery and his command have been ordered to report to you. You can of course assume command.
3/10/64 Smith to Holmes-Rec’d yours of 3/5 regarding the dismounting of Dockery’s command that in his opinion it will be best to allow the men to dispose of the horses. If necessary they may be impressed afterwards. Up to you as to sending Col Brooks to NW Ark
3/18 Steele to Grant-Pine Bluff is now threatened by a considerable force, 1,500 of Dockery's Bgde, which are Vicksburg and Port Hudson paroled prisoners.
3/14 List of Commands which crossed the Mississippi River and returned to their homes after the surrender of Vicksburg:
Organization...............Commanding Officer......Division......Brigade........Remarks
15th Arkansas............Col. Squire Boone.........Bowen's......Dockery's.....Exchanged
19th Arkansas............Capt J.K. Norwood..........do...............do...............Do.
20th Arkansas............Col. D.W. Jones..............do...............do...............Do.
12th Arkansas Batt......Lieut. J.S. Bell................do...............do...............Do.
3d Louisiana...............Maj. D. Pierson..............Forney's.....Hebert's........Not Exchanged
17th Louisiana............Col. R. Richardson..........Smith's......Baldwin's.........Do.
26th Louisiana............Lieut. Col. W.C. Crow.........do..........Shoups............Do.
27th Louisiana............Col. A. Thomas..................do............do................Do.
28th [29th] Louisiana...Col. A. Thomas.................do............do.................Do.
31st Louisiana.............Lt. Col. J.W. Dragouhn.......do..........Baldwin's.........Do.
1st Mississippi L't Art'y, Bat. E.................................................................Do.
2nd Texas...................Col A. Smith..................Forney's.....Moore's.........Exchanged
Waul's (Tex) Legion.........................................Stevenson's......................Do.
West Steever Lieutenant Colonel
3/22 Shreveport to Price-: Lt-Gen Smith suggested in a letter of the 20th that Cabell's Bgde be brought in supporting distance of Marmaduke's command. He thinks the Bgde should be halted at some point where, without entirely uncovering Washington, it will be in supporting distance of you at Camden, and can be moved up on undoubted evidence of the enemy's movements in force.
As the stores and shops at Washington are reported to be of great value, Gen Smith suggests their removal across Red River at Fulton, where they will be beyond danger of destruction from any cavalry raid, and where they can be removed in the interior of Texas, if necessary.
If the pontoon bridge at Fulton has been moved down the river it had better be returned to that place for the facility of crossing stores, &c. The enemy can scarcely advance, at the highest calculation, with over 7,000 men. With your four Bgdes of cavalry and Gen’ls Dockery & Fagan's Infy your effective force must reach fully that number, and with the superiority of cavalry you will have great advantage over an invading force, with large trains marching through a country not only destitute of supplies, but which at this season presents natural obstacles to his advance.
Send also a copy of telegram from Col Clayton, at Pine Bluff, dated March 31, 1864, to Major Green, AAG
The expedition to Mount Elba and Long View has just returned. We destroyed the pontoon bridge at Long View; burned a train of thirty-five wagons loaded with camp and garrison equipage, ammunition, quartermaster's stores, &c.; captured 320 prisoners; engaged in battle at Mount Elba yesterday morning Gen Dockery's Div of about 1,200 men from Monticello; routed him and pursued him 10 miles, with a loss on his side of over 100 men killed and wounded; captured a large quantity of small-arms, 2 stand of colors, many wagons, and over 300 horses and mules. Our loss will not exceed 15 in killed, wounded, and missing. The expedition was a complete success, details of which will be furnished in my official report,* which will be forwarded in a few days.
3/22/64 Lt Col O’Bannon QM to furnish transportation for 10-12,000 lbs. of ammunition for Dockery’s Bgde
3/22/64 Smith to Price-...with your 4 Bgdes of Cav & Dockery's & Fagan's Infy your command should approach 7000 men
3/23/64 Smith staff to Price-Rec’d Gen Dockery’s of the 18th forwarded by you giving information of the enemy’s plans and movements and asking that 54 cal ammunition be sent him without delay. 10,000 rounds were sent some days since by Lt Col Taylor to Dockery & 50,000 yesterday via Minden and El Dorado
3/29/64 Smith Hqs to Col Squire Boone cdg post, Marshall, Tex-You asked if all the paroled Vicksburg prisoners had been exchanged. Enclosed are the late G O’s publishing exchange notices. You will observe that all but the La Regts captured at Vicksburg have been exchanged.
-a copy of telegram from Col Clayton, at Pine Bluff, dated 3/31/64, to Major Green, AAG: The expedition to Mount Elba and Long View has just returned. We destroyed the pontoon bridge at Long View; burned a train of 35 wagons loaded with camp and garrison equipage, ammunition, quartermaster's stores, &c.; captured 320 prisoners; engaged in battle at Mount Elba yesterday morning Gen Dockery's Div of about 1,200 men from Monticello; routed him & pursued him 10 miles, with a loss on his side of over 100 men killed & wounded; captured a large quantity of small-arms, 2 stand of colors, many wagons, & over 300 horses and mules. Our loss will not exceed 15 in killed, wounded, & missing. The expedition was a complete success, details of which will be furnished in my official report, which will be forwarded in a few days.
The enemy's forces at Mount Elba consisted of Crawford's and Crockett's Bgdes, commanded by Gen Dockery in person.
4/1 Clayton’s report- The expedition to Mount Elba and Long View has just returned. We destroyed the pontoon bridge at Long View; burned a train of thirty-five wagons loaded with camp and garrison equipage, ammunition, QM's stores, &c.; captured 320 prisoners; engaged in battle at Mount Elba yesterday morning Gen Dockery's division of about 1,200 men from Monticello; routed him and pursued him 10 miles, with a loss on his side of over 100 men killed and wounded; captured a large quantity of small-arms, 2 stand of colors, many wagons, and over 300 horses and mules. The expedition was a complete success
4/7 I reached Prairie D'Ane with Dockery's and Crawford's Bgdes and Wood's Bn of cavalry, all of which had been withdrawn from the north side of the Ouachita River
4/8 Price at Prairie De Anne to K Smith- I have with me Marmaduke's division (of Marmaduke's and Shelby's Bgdes), Fagan's division (of Cabell's, Dockery's, and Crawford's Bgdes), Gano's command, and Wood's Bn. Shelby is about 5 miles to the front
4/8 Shreveport- to Fagan, Cdg Div-Gen Smith directs you to hurry forward with your command as rapidly as possible.
4/8 Prairie D'Anne, Price to Smith-acknowledge the receipt of your communication on the 7th, and also tracing of the country from Paraclifta to Shreveport and vicinity. The instructions contained in your letter are carefully noted and shall be fully carried out. My HQs are now at the west end of Prairie D'Anne, where I have with me Marmaduke's Div (of Marmaduke's and Shelby's Bgdes), Fagan's Div (of Cabell's, Dockery's, and Crawford's Bgdes), Gano's command, and Wood's Bn. Shelby is about 5 miles to the front. The Federals have advanced but little since yesterday, when Marmaduke engaged them at Elkin's Ferry, and are now about 10 mile distant to the northeast. Their Cav is very inferior, and on all occasions, skirmishing as we do almost daily, the superior fighting qualities of our troops are manifested. In our various affairs with the enemy their loss in killed, wounded, and missing cannot be less than 500, while our own is not one-fourth of that number.
My troops are in full spirits. I am expecting Gen Maxey with his command tomorrow. If he arrives, as anticipated, I feel confident that I shall not only be able to prevent Steele from advancing in any direction, but eventually destroy his army. Their Cav and teams, already in a miserable condition, cannot without difficulty be subsisted, and I have consumed or destroyed everything around and near it. It is impossible for them to obtain further supplies of forage. From all I can learn the enemy are not advancing from Pine Bluff, nor do I believe he can re-enforce, as all his troops except those now in the field are necessary to garrison and hold the points in his rear. I have scouts on the other side of the Ouachita to watch closely & give information of all movements of the enemy.
4/10 Price to Marmaduke at Prairie De Anne-Gen Dockery states that he learns from citizens that several thousand of the enemy passed on yesterday on the road either to Tate's Ferry or Tate's Bluff, he does not know which. This force consisted of both infantry and cavalry, but mostly infantry. Gen Dockery also learns from Dr. Thompson, Sr surgeon of Crawford's Bgde, that Col Clayton, in charge of cavalry, and Col Marks, of infantry, were crossing the Saline at White Oak Bluffs & the ferry above, a distance of 35 miles from Pine Bluff. This force, intended as reinforcements for Steele, consisted of 700 infantry & 800 cavalry, and crossed the river (Saline) on Thurs last.
The major-Gen cdg directs that you make every effort to ascertain the facts as respects these reported movements. He suggests that Col Lawther is a proper person to be charged with this duty, as he is well acquainted with the roads to the Little Mo. Belton AAIG
[Endorsement] Respectfully referred to Gen Shelby, who will take steps to determine what is required herein, and report information concerning same at these HQs, returning this paper when he is through with it.* By order of Gen Marmaduke: H. Ewing
4/19 Gen Price says -Gen Fagan received orders to cross the Ouachita with his own division, consisting of Cabell's, Dockery's, & Crawford's Bgdes, to which Shelby's Bgde was temporarily attached
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4/20/64 Dist of Ark-Price
Fagan's cavalry division
Dockery's Bgde
18th Ark
19th Ark-Williams
20th Ark
12th Ark Bn SS
4/23 Cabell says Gen Dockery was ordered to report to me, and I to command a Div composed of Cabell's and Dockery's Bgdes. On the morning of the 25th, while marching to the road leading from Chambersville to Mount Elba, it was reported that a train of wagons belonging to the enemy,
5/7 # 64 Report of Lt Col H. G. P. Williams, 19th Ark Infy, Dockery's Bgde, of engagement at Jenkins' Ferry-
Camp near Camden- requiring a report of the action of my command in the battle of Jenkins' Ferry I have the honor to submit the following: I carried into action nearly 400 men, divided into 4 small detachments, commanded respectively by Capt’s Drewry and Etris, Major Southerland, and Lt Gillespie, composing the Infy portion of Brig-Gen Dockery's Bgde. Being temporarily detached from your Div, I was ordered by Gen Smith to cross a …
5/8/64 Camden
Churchill Div
-....................effective total, .....total, and aggregate
Tappan’s Bgde......725................775 ........843
Dockery’s Bgde.....870 ...............900.........987
Hawthorn’s Bgde...549............. 1,095.......1,185
Gause’s Bgde....... 545............... 574........ 639
Artillery Bn...........186............... 275........ 288
Total ................2,893............. 1,637..... 3,963