The Texas in the Civil War Message Board

Arkansas Re-enactment

This may be of interest from a Texas standpoint. I don't know how many (if any) Texas troops may have been involved in this event. However, throughout the War there was a large Texas presence in most Arkansas actions. Reed's Bridge, although considered an "action" rather than a "battle"--not sure of the the degree of intensity of war that defines an "action" from a "battle." It was part of a lengthy campaign that began when Confederate forces tried to drive the Union garrison out of Helena (AR) in the summer of 1863 as part of the efforts to break the siege of Vicksburg and reopen the Mississippi. The Confederate forces suffered a bloody defeat storming the well entrenched Union garrison, then began a slow retreat back up the Arkansas River toward Little Rock and the ultimate capture of the state capitol two months later.

Does anyone know what ... and how many...Texas regiments may have been in Marmaduke's command during that period?

The story is quoted, in part, from today's (Sep 6 2010, "Arkansas Democrat-Gazette"--the "state paper of record."):

"Re-enactors to take to 1863 Site
"Reed's Bridge Battlefield to host re-creation of Civil War Action.
"(Jake Sandlin, Arkansas Democrat Gazette)
"Just two weeks before Little Rock fell into Union hands during the Civil War, outnumbered Confederates struck a blow for the South at a Bayou Meto crossing called Reed's Bridge by turning back a cavalry force of 6,000.
The fight on Aug. 27, 1863, off what is now Arkansas (St Hwy) 161 in Jacksonville, helped buy time for the Confederate state government to abandon the capital city. Little Rock ultimately fell on Sep 10, 1863 without resistance.
About 150 Civil War re-enactors are to re-create the action at Reed's Bridge, complete with cavalry riders and booming cannons.
The re-enactment will be on a field adjacent to the bridge on Arkansas 161 in Jacksonville. Re-enactor camps and other 1860s era pertinent activities are to be open to the putlic 9:30 am-5:30 pm. both days. "

The article is somewhat more lengthy and detailed and should be available, on-line.

One interesting side note is quoted: "Reed's Bridge enters into another key part of the Little Rock campaign. Confederate Gen. L. Marsh Walker called out (Gen. John S.) Marmaduke, a fellow commander, in a bellief that the latter had "pronounced him a coward" for his actions at Reed's Bridge. The feud had its roots at the Battle of Helena.
Placing more interest on their personal reputations than the approaching Union Army, Marmaduke and Walker dueled with pistols on Sep.6.
Marmaduke mortally wounded Walker, costing the South one of its top commanders in what became Arkansas' last duel, according to historical accounts...."

For anyone interested, Jacksonville is located about 10 miles north of the Little Rock Metro area on US-67/167.

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Arkansas Re-enactment
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