The Arkansas in the Civil War Message Board

Fort Smith and the Montgomery Hunters

In the book, They Never Came Back by Captain John W. Lavender, Company F, 4th Arkansas Infantry, Lavender claims that on their way from Mt. Ida to head to Van Buren to join up with McNair's Battalion from South Arkansas, they marched to Fort Smith and "we remained in Ft. Smith a few days getting such equipment as could be had there". This happened between July 17th and August 17th 1861. Would anyone have any idea what "equipment" they might have picked up there?

On the previous page of his book he does mention that before the Montgomery Hunters left Mt. Ida, they "got together all the old guns we could raise of all kinds from Flint Lock Rifles to some Shotguns Double Barrell . . . of guns that was in . . . woman in the coun . . . clothing for the Camp . . . shade of collor and . . . 17th of July 1861 we marched . . . Our Band of Music was composed (of home) made Drum and Fife made from (joints) of cane. Our Bagage was composed of (home) made Bed Quilts, Pots, Skillets, Coffee Pots -- Pans & our Transportation was Two (wagons) Drawn by a large yoke of oxen to each w(agon). The People contributed Provisions Enouf (for) the Company to Fort Smith where we would (get) Government Rations." In case that helps to narrow things down, I'm not from Arkansas and not familiar with what Fort Smith was before or during the war, so I am curious as to what kinds of things they could have procured.

Any and all help appreciated.