The Arkansas in the Civil War Message Board

John M. Simpson

Hey all,

I'm looking for some more specific information on John M. Simpson of Mt. Ida, AR. He helped organize Company F of the 4th Arkansas Infantry with John Lavender, and according to an 1860 census was born in Alabama, 31 years old and a merchant in Mt. Ida. He was killed at the battle of Pea Ridge/Elkhorn Tavern. Lavender states that he was "killed in the 2nd charge on the Batteries, had got to the guns and climbed up and standing on one of the guns waiveing his saber and incouraging his men to Push Forward was shot and mortally wounded and soon after Died", Gammage's reports say that his thigh was broken and he died of wounds around March 30th.

Could anyone tell me what kind of merchant he was or any other details about his life?
Thanks in advance,