The Arkansas in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Confederates surrender at Jacksonport, Arkansa

Joe, I have found 2 resources, Confederate Commander, General M. Jeff Thompson wrote a memoir about his Service, which included a large portion including specifically the surrender at Jacksonport. He describes the confederates arriving by canoe and he describes the force, and the arms they had. The majority reporting they had thrown away their military weapons, had carried their personal shotguns and rifles during the war, and were unharmed. It does describe, that the soldiers were fed, and some required foot wear., The Cavalry by this point were mainly riding mules. The Confederates were allowed to keep their mounts in order to return to farming.
General Thompson signed approximately 6,000 individual Paroles, He had each of his Officers to Sign their own paroles.

An Official Report of the Surrender of Confederates was filed by General Grenville Dodge, (The Union Authority, the Confederates were surrendering to). He references the condition of the soldiers, how many confederates were surrendered, what rations were issued, what other articles were provided. How many stands of colors, how many rifles, swords pistols were surrendered. I do not remember any reference to what happened to the canoe fleet or as to the rations served. I don't know if it is due to faulty memory, or if description of rations were not there. I don't remember how many Federal Soldiers helped support the surrender, or what Regiment.
General Dodge's report can probably be found on line somewhere. Jacksonport State Park, may have access to the report. The Arkansas Department of Heritage may be able to advise you where to obtain copies.

On a completely different note related to the Surrender at Jacksonport:
My wife had an ancestor who served as a 1st Lieutenant with Company F 45th Arkansas Cavalry. Family History reports, he signed his own parole, and that his wife and young son met him somewhere between Jacksonport and Lawrence County after parole. A photograph was made several years after the War of Lt. John Bilbrey. In the photograph he is standing next to a white mule, he is dressed in a Civilian Great coat. In the photograph, thigh high Cavalry boots are very visible. It was reported that prior to the war, Lt. Bilbrey had a tannery, and was able to tan leather, and that he was also a cobbler, and that he made his own horse tack, and that he made the Cavalry boots for himself and others in his company. The family still have the boot lasts, and know where the tannery was located on the farm.
Family tradition has it that the Mule, the great coat, and his boots were all used during the war and he was allowed to keep them after the surrender. Lt. Bilbrey service indicates, that prior to Price's Raid, he was on detached service, (which matches family story, that he made boots and horse tack while being at home). Lt. Bilbrey was in the Major engagements in Price's Raid. The 45th was a part of Fagan's Division, and was surrendered at Jacksonport. my wife had other relatives that served in the 45th as well. Lt. Bilbrey had close relatives who served with Tennessee Regiments, one died. His half brother, M.G. Bilbrey moved to Arkansas after the war.

I provided my wife's family history, to encourage you to research historical information of the units who served in units surrendered at Jacksonport. You may find in a family history or a local Historical Society, a description of exactly what they were served. I am guessing, based on my limited knowledge and expertise,(research on the 60th Infantry USCT at Jacksonport, in 1865. and the Army Quartermaster Transport Mill Boy) they would have had beef, pork, corn, bread, rabbit, fish, Hard tack, eggs, coffee, water. even during Army of Occupation, the Federal Units in Arkansas, these were standard rations. They were known to have been gathered by foraging parties. By the end of the war, I am sure it took longer, and foraging parties had to go much further to find this food. It is possible that the beef may have been in some cases, been in the form of Oxen, which farmers in the Northeast Arkansas region used to pull carts, wagons and plows. There were sometimes, smoked ham and bacon, (taken out of smoke house or a family's hidden cache). Though by this late in the war, it would have become very difficult to find.

The Federal troops most likely would have supplemented their meals with can goods purchased from the Sutlers. and from civilians getting their side hustle on selling can goods, and most sought after, whiskey. Rumor is the Mill Boy, may have kept at least 3 barrels on board, one they were selling, one they were brewing to sell out of, and one of commercial produced for medicinal purposes, and for the crew. The rumor is based on local legend, and research showing this was common during the era.

I hope this information is helpful in your continued research.

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Confederates surrender at Jacksonport, Arkansas
Re: Confederates surrender at Jacksonport, Arkansa
Re: Confederates surrender at Jacksonport, Arkansa