The Missouri in the Civil War Message Board

Re: CSA 8th Missouri Infantry (Mitchell)

Tom Flaspoler Date: Saturday, 4 December 2004, at 1:46 p.m.
My G-G-Grandfather was the Color Sergeant for the 8th Missouri Infantry, C.S.A. (mitchell). Colonel Charles S. Mithcell was his commanding officer.
From the book "Serving with Honor" By Michael Banasik Mitchell, Charles S., Saline Jackson Guards, Missouri State Guard, May 10, 1861, 2nd Sergeant from May 10, 1861, Lt. Colonel, Oct. 19th, 1862, Colonel Jan. 16, 1863, born in Virginia.
More can be learned by contacting the Missouri State Archives, or through orther public

http://8thmissouri.worldbreak.com/custom.html
Tom Flaspoler
Jesse Pearman WilliamsColor Sergeant8th Missouri Infantry (Mitchell's) C.S.A.
BiographyJesse Pearman Williams was born in Larue County, Kentucky on 01 November 1838, to Joel Williams and Delilah Pearman. He was the oldest of ten children, and his parents apparently had taken in another child. About 1848 the family moved to Phelps County, Missouri and settled in Blooming Rose, Missouri, near the Phelps and Texas County line. On 18 November 1859 he married Aseneth Brown. To this union were born three children, but War clouds loomed close by. In 1861 Missouri Governor Claiborne Fox Jackson increased the State Militia, hoping to keep Missouri neutral in the upcoming conflict. The Missouri State Guard units were hastily formed and put under the control of former Governor General Sterling Price. Many of these units fought with the Confederate forces, and many of these men later joined the Confederate Army. Jesse Pearman Williams joined the Seventh Division, 1st Infantry under Colonel Edmund T. Wingo in the spring of 1861. He participated in the "Bull Run of the West", the Battle of Wilson's Creek on August 10th, 1861, where General Nathaniel Lyon was killed. The Missouri State Guard went onwards to Lexington, Missouri where, using Hemp Bales as rolling breastworks, they captured the Federal Forces there. His unit went on to Dry Woods Creek, or Fort Scott, Missouri, where Jesse received his first wounds of the War. He was struck by a gun, and as Jesse stated; "I knew nothing for 36 Hours". His unit was disbanded in the summer of 1862, although several units participated in the Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas. It is unknown if Jesse was in that Battle.On August 5, 1862 Jesse Pearman Williams enlisted as a Private in the Confederate Army at Thomasville, Missouri on the Eleven Points River. He was assigned to the Fifth Infantry; later re-designated the Eighth Missouri Infantry, C.S.A. After a four-day march the new arrived at the Spring River in Arkansas. There, several recruits were enticed to join other units. Officer Commissions were usually given to those that gathered enough recruits for new units, therefore several units were competing for recruits. Colonel Mitchell moved his unit to Camp Bragg, near Batesville, Arkansas. There even more men were enticed away. The situation became so intolerable that Colonel Mitchell went to Little Rock to seek relief. Several in the camp believed he would not return. However, he returned on August 28, 1862, and moved his command to the Camp of Colonel William Coleman. Now training for War could take place. On October 31, 1862 Jesse P. Williams was promoted to Color Sergeant. To him the honor of holding the Regimental Flag in battle was given. The flag of this unit was made by at least three women with the surnames of Casen, Denton, and Hinson. Colonel Mitchell acknowledged this in a letter, and printed in the Little Rock True Democrat on January 21, 1863. Although the exact type of flag is unknown; I believe that it was a "Missouri Battle Flag", described as a Blue flag, with a red stripe on the top, Bottom, and side opposite of the hoist, and with a white Latin cross, close to the Hoist.On December 7, 1862 the 8th Missouri Infantry, C.S.A. received their baptism under fire at Prairie Grove, Arkansas. Marching from Van Buren, Arkansas on the 3rd of December, General T.C. Hindman mustered 9,000 Infantry, 2000 Calvary, and 22 pieces of Artillery. He did not take his entire forces available because some of his men lacked shoes, and weapons in which to fight with! This group included the Cherokee Indian Force under Colonel Stand Watie. Throughout the war the Confederate forces were plagued with inadequate food, worn-out shoes (or no shoes) and inadequate weapons. The Battle of Prairie Grove was no different. Breaking camp at 4 A.M., and marching 15 miles to the battlefield left many stragglers on the sides of the road. Horses pulling Artillery were played out. Yet, when called upon, the Missouri Forces fought valiantly. Waiting until the Federal forces were only 60 yards away, they opened up with shotguns, rifles, muskets, and fowling pieces. Upon breaking the Union Charge, the Confederates charged. After several charges, and counter charges, the Confederate were left in possession of the Battlefield. The Confederates suffered 164 Killed, 817 Wounded and 336 missing, capturing 275 Union prisoners. The 8th reported 0 killed, and only 20 wounded. After the Battle of Prairie Grove, the 8th was assigned Garrison duty at Fort Pleasant, Arkansas. Garrison duty is boring, monotonous, and tedious at the best of times. Officers and men have little else to do, but engage in drinking, cards, and drill. Often there were drunken men, gambling,fights and disorderly conduct that brought no honor upon the men or unitsinvolved. After spending five months in Fort Pleasant, the 8th was orderedto Camp Bragg, Ouchita County, Arkansas. Later the unit was ordered to Camp Sumter, Lafayette County, Arkansas.Their next battle came on April 9, 1864 at Pleasant Hill, Louisiana. TheConfederates had the battle almost won when they were ordered to fall back, because the Arkansas troops were not keeping up with the Missouri troops.The 8th returned to Arkansas, to fight on April 30, 1864 at Jenkin's Ferry, Arkansas. This was a Confederate Victory. From there the 8th moved into Camp Kirby Smith, in Arkansas.As of May 1865 the 8th was in Shreveport, Louisiana. This close to the end of the conflict the 8th was beset with mass desertions, and demoralizing news. The Confederacy had collapsed, the Trans-Mississippi Army was the last to surrender, doing so on 26 May 1865. While awaiting transportation to take them north, members of the 8th worked along side with former enemies to keep the peace in Shreveport and New Orleans, Louisiana.On 19 June 1865 Jesse Pearman Williams signed an Oath of Allegiance to the United States. He was transported to Rolla, Missouri by railroad. His third daughter was born in 1866, but died within a month. His wife died shortly thereafter. He remarried in 1867, and he and his second wife had eight children. He was at one time a Justice of the Peace for Boone Township, Texas County, Missouri. He applied for a pension in 1913, and amended it in 1917. Jesse Pearman Williams died on 25 March 1924, aged 85 years, 3 months, and 23 days. He is buried in Mitchell Cemetery, Texas County, Missouri.

The colors of the 8th MO Inf CSA
Posted By: Tom Flaspoler
Date: Tuesday, 21 March 2006, at 2:53 p.m.
The Battle Colors of the 8th Missouri Infantry
From Little Rock True Democrat, January 21, 1863
Headquarters, 5th Reg’t Infantry
Camp Holmes, Oregon Co., Mo.
September 27th, 1862
To Misses Casen, Denton, Hinson, etc., Batesville, Arkansas:
Ladies: Your very beautiful flag presented to my regiment through the hands of Adjutant Leddy has been received and it is fit that I should take occasion to express the feeling responsive to the gift.
I assure you ladies there is no gift to the soldier so sacred and dear as the emblem of our countries nationality.
Every heart rejoices, after years of repeated insult and wrong perpetuated against us, to witness this proof, that at last the banner of southern rights and southern independence has been unfurled, and that the noble Huguenot, who never acknowledged a master, has resolved, cost what it may, to be free from Puritan insolence and fanaticism. While woman’s countenance and sheer are the dearest comfort to the weary soldier, it is a proud satisfaction to father, brother and loved one on the battlefield to see before him such evidence of devotion to our common cause, wrought with your own fair fingers as this lovely flag.
I am, ladies, very truly, your friend,
C.S. Mitchell
Col. Com’dg.

State Historical Society of Missouri, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
January 30th, 1863
Camp at Little Rock

Dear Father and Mother:

I embrace this opportunity of writing to you to inform you that I am well, and hoping when these lines come to hand they find you enjoying the same blessing of God.

We are stationed now at Little Rock, and I expect we will remain here a considerable time; I hear no talk of a move of the forces here. We have undergone a great many hardships the last three months past, making forced marches all the time; many times without anything to eat for twenty-four or thirty-six hours; fought one battle during this time which took place on the morning of the 7th day of December 1862. The engagement commenced about sunrise and continued until dusk. Our brave Missourians fought like heroes. Our loss was slight, but we have to mourn the loss of a few of our brave, brave boys. We lost one out [of] our company; to-wit: Robert Ellis; also one slightly wounded. Colonel Steen and Lieutenant Colonel Chaplain were both killed. We retreated, the next morning at two o’clock we held every inch of ground and repulsed the enemy at every attack – so much for the fight at Prairie Grove.

Notwithstanding we are a long way from home we are all in fine spirits. We have good news from the East. We have fought the “Feds” at Vicksburg and gave them an awful threshing – this is the report. This is twice we have fought them there during the last month, and we have been victorious. No talk of a battle here; the Federals have taken the Post on Arkansas River with about one thousand prisoners.

Since writing above, I learn that they evacuated said Post. I wish I could get a paper to send to you. I know you would like to read a good Southern paper. It is a very difficult matter to get to go to town, so we have a very poor chance to get anything.

We have to pay very high prices for everything we get here. I have paid three dollars for one-half pound of tobacco; everything else in proportion.

More good news; fifteen hundred “Feds” came up here last night; deserted the Federal Army – came here to be paroled. Holmes sent them to Devil’s Bluff today.

I will give you the particulars of the Prairie Grove fight. On the evening of the sixth of December, we arrived at the foot of the Boston Mountains; at the same time we heard the report of the small arms, and shortly afterward we received an order to march to the summit of the mountain and to hold that position at all hazards. Arrived on top, we were ordered to form in line of battle. Never was an evolution performed any nicer and prompter. We were all ready for a fight. No excitement prevailed among us. The firing became more incessant and lasted until dark when our cavalry, after having driven the enemy from their position, returned. We remained in line of battle until two o’clock when we turned, descended the mountain again. It was a cold night and we were [p. 2] nearly frozen for we were allowed to have but very little fire. We got to the foot of the mountain. We took the Fayetteville Road and marched on until daylight when we came in sight of Cane Hill. About sunrise the small arms commenced firing again. We were ordered to advance in double quick. We did so amid the cheers and hurrahs. While running along thus, the firing ceased. Our cavalry had whipped them again taking several hundred prisoners which we passed. Several of the Federals were killed and a good many wounded while none of our men even received a scratch. Thus ended the first engagement of the memorable 7th of December 1862. After running five miles we halted. Two soda crackers issued out to a man – the first refreshment we got since the morning before. While there, the enemy threw a shell into our midst. It exploded right over our heads killing one of our men and wounding another. We changed our position again, and while passing the scene of the engagement of the morning, we saw Federals lying on their glory beds. We took position in a cornfield, but it was not long until the thunder of artillery told us that the ball had opened in earnest. If anyone would wish to know my feeling at that moment, he should just know he would be soon in battle and could then judge my feeling by his own for I cannot express. This much I know – my thoughts ran nothing else but Heaven, wife, my children and their forlorn condition were I to get killed. It was not long ere I was roused from my meditation by the command: “Right! Face! Forward! Double-quick, March!” We were marching to the scene of action and now, brave heart, gather up all your courage. Show yourself worthy of the name of Southern Soldier. Such were my thoughts. Then Captain Mooney and I were marching side by side. All at once a cannon ball came whizzing. We heard it in time to throw ourselves on the ground. It passed over our heads and struck the ground about three feet from us throwing the soil sky high and ploughing up the ground with a fury undescribable for one hundred yards when it struck the root of a large oak. All this firing of artillery was incessant, and furious cannon shells, canister, and grape shot came flying all around us, but still we pushed on until we got in reach of the Enemy’s small army. They had a favorable position being in an open field while the position that we held was so full of underbrush as to make it impossible to bring up our batteries so as to play on them. We were ordered to lie down. I lay down behind a bush about the size of my arm; that bush saved my life several times for several bullets struck it right before my head. We did rise at last, when we were ordered, and charge the enemy. We charged with a shout. It was caught by our center and carried to our extreme right. Our whole brigade was engaged in the charge at the same time. One of the Enemy’s batteries sent her infernal contents of grape and canister shot right into the midst of our regiment. The Minnie ball of fifteen hundred muskets came whizzing around us. The sky was fairly darkened by the bullets and for awhile the noise of musketry silenced that of the artillery. It was a terrible noise but on we pushed without firing a gun, and closing up the space left by our fallen comrades as well we could until we got in about one hundred yards of the Enemy’s lines. They could not stand any longer; broke, took shelter behind their batteries. We drove them from their position and occupied the field ourselves; then we received orders to fire. After the battle, General Frost said when (p. 3) our regiment turned loose on them, there was a whole brigade firing. There were 250 men of our regiment in battle. We had to fight 1500 of them. We kept up a continuous blaze. It reminded me of seeing a post-oak ridge on fire. Several laughable circumstances occurred, but I will not mention them now. For want of space on this sheet, I must write on another.

The Enemy, being about to get the best of us, Colonel Clark’s regiment caught our enthusiasm and came to our relief. The Enemy fought bravely; made many assaults on our lines, but they were all repulsed by our brave Missourians, and when darkness ended the strife, we were in possession of the battlefield of Prairie grove. The Feds retreated, and our soldiers rested after a hard gained victory. Our loss at Prairie Grove in killed, wounded, and missing was about 950. The Federals after the fight brought in a flag of truce to get permission to bury their dead, and they acknowledged a loss of two to our one. This is the truth. I did not exaggerate in the least.

These are the movements of General Parson’s Brigade; as to the others, I know very little, so I will close my few lines to you hoping that you will write the first chance you can. By inquiring where to deposit your letters, you can through the same hands by which I send this letter to you, send me one. Write so I may know how you and mother are getting along. No more at present, but yours affectionately till death.

S. H. Mitchell

Peter Wellington Alexander Papers

http://www.ozarkscivilwar.org/archives/4746
Missouri Digital Heritage Collection

or

http://library.uark.edu/search/o39126308

Col. Peter Wellington Alexander, C.S.A., collection 1862-1864
Collection acquired by the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Special Collections from the holdings of Columbia University Libraries, gift of Mrs. Robert P. Hamilton in 1974. Collection contains correspondence, general and special orders, field reports, telegrams, and other documents of the Confederate forces in Arkansas. Correspondents include Elias Cornelius Boudinot, Samuel Ryan Curtis, Thomas C. Hindman, Francis J. Herron, Theophilus H. Holmes, Robert Edward Lee, R.C. Newton, Albert Pike, William Quesenbury, John Selden Roane, and Stand Watie. Confederate States of America documentation regarding almost everything that occurred during the years 1862 to 1864 in Arkansas
8 microfilm reels

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CSA 8th Missouri Infantry (Mitchell)
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