The Texas in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Camp Hardeman

The question had to do with the location of Camp Hardeman so I'll try and focus on that topic. Certainly there may have been many temporary camps at different points that were called 'Camp Hardeman'. I will limit my comments to the Camp Hardeman from which Brig. Gen. Wm. Steele wrote to Col D.H. Cooper:

HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE INDIAN TERRITORY,
Camp Hardeman, November 1, 1863.
Brigadier General D. H. COOPER,
Commanding Second Brigade:
GENERAL: I shall to-morrow withdraw the Texas brigade to the rear for clothing and other supplies... You will keep me advised of any movements the enemy may make, in time, if possible (should he move south), to place Gano's brigade in his front...
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. STEELE,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Who was "Gano's Brigade"?

HEADQUARTERS NORTHERN SUB-DISTRICT,
Bonham, Tex., October 23, 1863.
Brigadier General WILLIAM STEELE,
Commanding Indian Territory:
GENERAL: I inclose herewith a letter of instructions from Major-General Magruder, by which you will see that I am directed to withdraw General Bankhead's (now General [R.M.] Gano's) brigade from your district...
Most respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. E. MCCULLOCH,
Brigadier General, Commanding Northern Sub-District of Texas.

McCulloch understands at this writing that Bankhead had been transfered and command of his brigade was being given to Gano. Special Order 172, dated Oct. 24th, directed Gano to "proceed to the headquarters of the District of the Indian Territory, and report to Brigadier General William Steele, commanding, &c., for assignment to duty". Steele did not send Gano's Brigade to McCulloch as Magruder had no authority over Steele or Gano.

Where are Gen. Steele, the "headquarters of the District of the Indian Territory", and Gano's new command on October 24th? At Camp Brazil, perhaps on Brazil Creek in what is now LeFlore County, Oklahoma:

HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE INDIAN TERRITORY,
Camp Brazil, October 24, 1863.
Colonel S. S. ANDERSON,
Adjutant-General of the Trans-Mississippi Department:
COLONEL: I yesterday overtook the troops of Cooper's and Bankhead's brigades at this place, General Cooper having moved the whole from a point west of the North Fork road to this place, after he knew of my return from Shreveport, with the apparent intention of attacking Fort Smith. As to whether or not it was his real intention to make the attack, I am in doubt. The movement has placed me in a situation of much embarrassment. Both brigades, General Cooper reports, will number about 3,000, of which number about 500 are without arms, leaving an effective force of 2,500 men, of which more than one-half are Indians without drill or discipline, and armed with all kinds of guns...
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. STEELE,
Brigadier-General.

So on Oct. 24th, Steele in person, Cooper's Brigade, and Gano's (Bankhead's) Brigade are in the northeastern Choctaw Nation near Ft Smith. A week later on Nov. 1st, Steele writes to Cooper from Camp Hardeman near Ft Smith where Gano has just arrived, Col. Hardeman being in command in the interim [See Steele to Anderson, Nov. 9th, further down]. The following day, Nov. 2nd, Steele writes from Camp on Sugar Loaf Creek. Sugar Loaf Creek is south of Ft Smith along the Sugarloaf Mountains.

HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE INDIAN TERRITORY,
Camp on Sugar Loaf Creek, November 2, 1863.
Captain W. H. WOOTEN,
Acting Quartermaster, Boggy Depot:
CAPTAIN: The general commanding directs that you make immediate arrangements to place upon the road from Boggy to Riddle's a supply of forage for General Gano's brigade, now en route in that direction. The command will number about 2,000 animals. Have the forage placed at convenient distances for day's marches. Also have a supply at your depot for at least three days.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. H. CLINE,
Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

It seems likely that 'Camp Hardeman' and 'Camp on Sugar Loaf Creek' are a least within a day's ride of each other but may be the same camp. I have speculated that Camp Hardeman was the camp of Gano's Brigade and the other was Cooper's camp.

On Nov. 9th, Steele writes that on Oct. 31st, Hardeman was commanding Gano's Brigade and Gano arrived the next day (Nov. 1st).

HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE INDIAN TERRITORY,
Camp Sabine, November 9, 1863.
Colonel S. S. ANDERSON,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Trans-Mississippi Department:
COLONEL: I have the honor to report that I have withdrawn Gano's brigade from the vicinity of Fort Smith, on account of the inclement weather, the want of clothing, and the increasing difficulty of supplying troops so far in advance of my depots. I had previously transferred De Morse's regiment and Howell's battery from Cooper's to Gano's brigade, leaving only a weak battalion of whites with Cooper, who has been directed to avoid an engagement, but to harass the enemy by cutting off his small parties.... The clothing for Gano's brigade had been left at Bonham, and the want of transportation had detained it beyond the season when it was required. It has now reached that command, which is en route to Doaksville, where forage and other supplies are more abundant, and where it will be in a better position to oppose a movement down the Line road to Red River, which, I think, will be the one used should the Federal force at Fort Smith advance this winter. That force had been augmented, before I left my position near there, by the arrival of the notorious General McNeil and a force represented by some at 3,000.... I regret to learn that all of the troops from the Northern Sub-District of Texas had been ordered south, as my force is not sufficient to keep the force now at Fort Smith from moving to Red River. On the 31st ultimo, General Cooper's inspector-general reported his brigade at 1,643 Indians and 409 whites in ranks and on other duty; Colonel Hardeman, then commanding brigade (General Gano arrived next day), at 590 for duty, making a white force of 999 and 1,643 Indians. To this has been added Howell's battery and a company which came with General Gano....
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. STEELE,
Brigadier-General.

From the above it seems clear to me that Camp Hardeman is near Ft Smith and probably on or near Sugar Loaf Creek. Hardeman is commanding the Brigade from the time Bankhead leaves until Nov. 1st when Gano arrives.

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Re: Camp Hardeman