The Indian Territory in the Civil War Message Board

J.W. Clanton in IT?; OK Corral, Tombstone AZ

This query addresses the characters of the OK Corral, Tombstone, Arizona Territory.

Question: Who was the "Capt. Clanton" mentioned in the first paragraph of Col. H.E. McCulloch's Feb 3,
1864 letter to Col. James Bourland?
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Was he "Private John Wesley Clanton" of Colonel E.J. Gurley's 30th Texas Cavalry, no company listed,
but probably Company C since they were recruited in Waco, McLennan Co TX?
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http://clantongang.com/oldwest/gangomc.html ... see 1862 that states that John Wesley Gurley enrolled
in the Confederacy.
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http://www.clantongang.com/oldwest/famhist.html ... sort of outlines Clanton family movements
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The American Civil War Research Database lists this "John Wesley Clanton" as a private in Gurley's 30th
TX Cav, no company listed, but he was probably in Company C since he and his father enlisted in 1862 in
Waco, McLennan Co TX. ..It also states that John Wesley Clanton, died 4/19/1916 in Santa Rosa, Old
Rural Cemetery, Sonoma County, CA. ..(Eldest son of "Old Man" Clanton of Tombstone, AZ fame).
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Old Man Clanton was Newman Haynes Clanton (1816-1881) found in the 1860 Dallas Co TX cen p352;
1870 San Buenaventura, Ventura Co CA, p419; 1880 Pima Co, Arizona Territory cen p190. ... I found
this John Wesley Clanton in only the 1900 Mariposa Co CA, p289 and the 1910 Mariposa Co CA cen p183
that show he was born in 1831 in Missouri.
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Question now is, when was "Private John W. Clanton" promoted to "Captain Clanton"? I don’t know the date/
s of the records that the American Civil War Research Database used. ..Also, if he convinced 40
men to follow him, maybe the title of captain was not official.
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My transcription of this February 3, 1864 letter from THE BOURLAND PAPERS is below and can be
found on my web page along with a copy of the handwritten letter.
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http://www.bourlandcivilwar.com/Feb1864WashitaIndianTerritory.htm
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1864 Fannin Co TX, Bonham, Feb 3......COLONEL [James Bourland, Commanding. on Frontier]:
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I have just learned that a Company of 40 men under Capt. [? John W.] Clanton [? Gurley's 30th Cavalry] is
coming down by Washita [Fort, Indian Territory] claiming the cavalry of [CSA Gen. J.S.] Marmaduke. ..I
suspect them and if they get into Texas and have not the proper papers, arrest them and send them to me at
once. This can be done under Genl. [E.K.] Smith’s order No. 58 without creating much ado.
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It was reported to me to day that a company of 100 traitors would cross Red River to night at mouth of
Bois d’arc [Creek, Fannin Co TX] going to the Texas. They catch me without any cavalry force, all gone
off with prisoners, or after deserters. ..I have written to [CSA Gen. S.B.] Maxey and [CSA Gen. D.H.]
Cooper, but fear they will cross through between our fences and get safe and to Fort Smith.
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It is a blessing to get rid of them, but it would be a much greater one if we can intercept and kill the last
one of them or as soon as they got fairly under way. ..This country is full of treason and traitors, & what
we are to do with them is a serious question. ..And one that requires great care and foresight to determine
for the best for our present and future good.
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If New Orleans men are to suffer hangings, would be the true policy in all clearly defined cases, but
helpless women and innocent children pleads for milder terms if the country can be served as well.
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May God help us to do our duty without prejudice, or partiality and save our country.
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Most Respectfully,
Your Obedient Servant,
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Henry. E. McCulloch, Brig-Gen. Comdg. Northern Sub-District, Head Qrs.
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P.S. — I shall order one or two new mule teams sent to your inn. McC. per BP-DM4406-3O-146.
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This February 3, 1864 letter seems to follow McCulloch's November 1, 1963 letter to Turner from
OFFICIAL RECORD sIv53[S#111]p378.
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1863 Fannin Co TX, Bonham, N.S.D. Hdqrs., Nov 1........CAPTAIN [E.P. Turner, A. Adjt-Gen., Houston,
Texas]:

Since receiving orders to send the troops to Houston, I have given the subject much thought, and though I
have ordered the troops to move as early as possible -- which will be to leave here on Thursday morning,
and the quartermaster to strain every nerve in getting up the necessary transportation -- I am not willing to
see them go without informing the major-general of the effect that their withdrawal may have upon the
country, and indicate to him that, as a military movement, nothing can justify it, in my judgment, under the
circumstances, but the clearly defined fact that he is certainly and utterly unable to hold the enemy in check
without them, and that one section of the country must be sacrificed to save the other, or any of it.
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In order to give the general any reason for this opinion, it is necessary to refer to the true condition of Gen.
[W.] Steele's command, which is simply an outpost. His Indian force is a thing to be counted when rations
are issued and pay-day comes; but all, General [D.H.] Cooper included, agree that it is totally unreliable,
except when strongly sustained by white troops, and only partially reliable when that is done. ..Then we
must look to the white troops as the only force to keep the enemy from moving on us.
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This force, as I understand it, with [Acting General James] Bourland, now on the frontier, upon which the
Indians have been killing and stealing in his absence, consists of [E.J.] Gurley's regiment, part deserted;
[P.C.] Hardeman's regiment [Arizona Brigade], short one or two companies, part deserted; [D.] Showalter's
battalion, [S.M.] Baird's battalion, both of which would not make a full battalion; [C.L.] DeMorse's
regiment, large part deserted, and [T.C.] Bass' regiment (nine companies), part deserted, making in all,
effective men, not exceeding 1,500 cavalry and infantry. ..Add to this, three, I believe, very poor four-gun
batteries, and you have the entire effective force.
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I will have [L.M.] Martin's regiment, some 500 effective men, two companies State [troops] cavalry
certain, and probably three, making 120 or 180; one company of Showalter's, 50 men, and Lt-Col. [M.G.]
Settle's battalion of infantry, say 300 at the outside, but better recorded at 200 to 250, and not a cannon;
with from 400 to 800 deserters to control; these have agreed to come out, but may not even yet do so, and
if they should not, it will take every man I have to do anything at all with them, and if the troops ordered
off go, I could do nothing in the world with them, and this country would, in some places, be at their
mercy.
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The general says that there is no danger of the Federals advancing upon us from the north. ..That may be
true, but, if true, may it not be from the fact that I have an apparently strong force to sustain Steele with, in
case they press him back through a desert country upon me. ..My force has been greatly and intentionally
overrated by Steele and Cooper heretofore, and as soon as messengers can go with the news, the Yankees
will know that that force is gone, and then what will there be to hold them in check and keep them out of
this country?
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It may be said that Quantrill will help you. ..That may be true in part, but I have but little confidence in
men who fight for booty, and whose mode of warfare is but little, if any, above the uncivilized Indian, and
who say now that they are afraid to enter our army regularly for fear of being captured.
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After looking at the bad effects it will have upon us here, and north of us, in a military point of view, let us
look at the moral effect it may have here.
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Public sentiment had changed greatly, and our cause was being strengthened according to the security felt
by the masses, and the people and the troops begin to feel that they had some hope of protection in this
army, and all had determined to make the fight outside of Texas. ..Now the people will lapse back into
their former apathy; our friends feel weakened; our “opposers” strengthened, and our cause morally, deeply
injured.
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As there is no immediate prospect of the advance of the enemy, the troops in a body may not, and I think
will not, refuse to go, but many of them will dodge off and not go, and, when pressed, if I have the force to
press them, will take to the brush, and I do not believe that Col. N.W. Townes will get to the coast
with 700 effective men. ..Col. [N.C.] Gould was here when the order reached me; talked rather
despondently about his men going, and I don't think there will be 200 out of the 400 or 500 he claims will
ever start, much less go.
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Now, sir, I have given you facts and my views. Please lay them before the major-general at once, and let
him judge and act for the best.
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Respectfully, your obedient servant,

Henry McCulloch, Brig-Gen., Northern Sub-District Texas Hdqts. per ORsIv53[S#111]p378.
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Again, a facsimlie of the Feb 3, 1864 letter can be found on
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http://www.bourlandcivilwar.com/Feb1864WashitaIndianTerritory.htm
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Please help identify this Capt. Clanton.
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Patti, prochette@Juno.com

Messages In This Thread

D.S. Clauton in I.T.?; Boyd's 24th Missouri Inf
J.W. Clanton in IT?; OK Corral, Tombstone AZ