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Arkansas Battlefield Update

Fall 2005 - Volume 13 Number 3

Published quarterly by the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program
An agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage

Arkansas

Battlefield Update

Fall, 2005 Volume 13, Number 3

Published quarterly by the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program

An agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage

ACWHT Foundation receives

status as 501(c)3 non-profit

By Danny Honnoll

ACWHTF President

Congratulations go to all of the trails groups of Arkansas! The Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trails Foundation has received the IRS status of having been accepted as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. I want to thank all of you who helped us gain this status.

The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program provided key assistance in preparing the application. Mark Kalkbrenner worked also on this and he is keeping our funds in a sock in White Hall. (Just kidding; he has it in a bona fide bank account in White Hall.) All groups have been working hard and have accomplished numerous projects over the past decade or so.

The new status for our Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trails Foundation is like a new start for all of us. There are plenty of organizations that have grants or they have budgeted to donate to preserve the heritage of this great state. Now we all need to stop and access this and seek out these organizations. It will take money to build and document the stories of the years 1861-65.

Our pamphlet on the battle sites in Arkansas was a huge success. We all need to be adding markers and documenting the stories of Arkansas. This is a lot to ask – the war has been over for 140 years now, but there are individuals that have stories that were handed down from generation to generation in the families. We need to record these stories and catalog them for the future.

You may be an individual that loves history and receives this newsletter but has never attended a meeting of one of our trails groups. Now is the time for you to volunteer to either help research battle sites or help raise funds to further our cause. You may live too far from where the meetings are held but the Internet is the connection of today’s signal corps. We are all connected in some way.

You do not have to be a re-enactor, Civil War Round Table member, Sons of Confederate Veteran member, United Daughters of the Confederacy member or even a Son of the Union Veteran. In receiving the Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trails newsletter you have shown an interest in what we are all about. I now ask you to step forward and help us with this ongoing project.

We are always looking for individuals that love history and have an interest in the Civil War in Arkansas. I encourage you to contact your nearest trails chairman and volunteer to help. We are always looking for new helpers in all areas of our quest to preserve the sites and tell the stories of all of the events that took place that are related to Arkansas so that future generations will be able to learn the history of our state's most epic struggle.

Our state was one of the most active state during this war with over 700 battles and skirmishes within our borders. Arkansas has a rich history to draw on. Let’s all get to work on telling the stories of Arkansas and its citizens during the “War Between the States.”

Now keep your powder dry and I look forward to working with all of you on future projects.

WCACWHT completes driving brochure

of Fort Smith, Van Buren attractions

By Tom Wing

WCACWHT Chairman

After years of research (seemed like longer), millions of dollars (not really), and thousands of workers (a handful), we have finished our driving tour brochure.

The original concept was devoted to Fort Smith and Sebastian County with the understanding that a follow-up edition would include Van Buren and Crawford County. However, through the encouragement of the Fort Smith and Van Buren Advertising and Promotion Commissions, we opted for a combination map and tour route. Focusing on two specific events, the brochure covers the Federal invasion of Van Buren in 1862 following the Battle of Prarie Grove and the six days of Confederate probes against the Union- controlled Fort Smith in 1864.

Western Arkansas has a rich Civil War story and the new brochure will make that story more accessible to the general public. Highlighted sites in Van Buren include the Confederate section of Fairview Cemetery, Main Street, the original wharf location, and Union artillery positions on the heights above downtown. The Fort Smith route includes well known locations like Fort Smith National Historic Site and the National Cemetery, new sites like Massard Prairie, and lesser known sites like Fort #2 and Fort # 4. Both tours include stops at the City Visitor Information Centers, Miss Laura’s and the Van Buren Depot, to otherwise assist tourists.

In other news, the Drennen-Scott Home in Van Buren was elevated to national significance on the National Register of Historic Places for its connections with Indian Removal. Further research on the home and family should reveal important Underground Railroad connections as well as Civil War history. John Drennen’s stepson, James Stuart, was a captain in the 1st Cherokee Mounted Rifles and rode with Confederate Brigadier General Stand Watie.
The WCACWHT had an information table at the “Frontier Fest” on October 23 and 24 in downtown Fort Smith. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 7:00. The location will be at the Drennen Scott Home in Van Buren. Contact Tom Wing 479-788-7805, wcacwht@gmail.com for details and directions.

NWACWHT progressing on 2 exhibits

By Troy Banzhaf

NWACWHT Chairman

The Heads Crossing wayside panels for the White River are still on schedule to arrive and be installed this winter. The actual date for the installation and dedication of these two panels has yet to be determined.

Pea Ridge National Military Park has just completed its preliminary evaluation of the new wayside panels for the park tour road. These 15 new wayside panels will replace the 40- year-old waysides that the park currently has, and more waysides will be designed when money becomes available.

These waysides contain new maps and updated information on the battle, and include paintings and illustrations. The waysides are expected to be ready in February and along with the intense battlefield restoration, visitors will now get an in-depth tour of the park and a deeper understanding of this pivotal engagement. Artwork for 10 of the waysides has been provided by artist Andy Thomas and his work is breath-taking. If you still have not seen the paintings you can view them on his website www.andythomas.com.

Since the sudden passing of park historian Doug Keller, Andy has decided to sell nine of the 10 original paintings to any person or business that wishes to buy one or more of them and donate them to Pea Ridge National Military Park. Andy will donate one of the paintings to the park as a gift from the studio. This way, the 10 original paintings will be kept together and enjoyed by visitors for years to come and create a memorial in honor of Doug, who was instrumental in getting this project started. Donors will have small plaques indicating their donation next to the paintings. If you have any interest in this worthwhile venture, please contact Maze Creek studio at (800) 432-1581.

CACWHT continues quest for markers

By Mike Loum

CACWHT Chairman

   The quest continues to identify Civil War cemeteries and monuments in the seven-county area. The purpose is to identify and catalogue the sites, with an eye to those that should be protected and placed on the National Register. This project comes up every few years and may seem redundant. However, we want to be sure that none are overlooked or have been thrust into prominence. At the last combined meeting of the Central Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail and the CWRT of Arkansas, members were asked to help locate and identify Civil War markers.
    Pollution, vandalism, and selling for profit have destroyed many of monuments and markers located in burial grounds. A survey of a few of the cemeteries revealed that most of the commemorative medallions associated with Confederate graves have disappeared. They are easily removed and apparently were located in many smaller, out-of-the-way cemeteries. Identifying the location of the cemeteries is the first step in preservation of the sites. We ask for everyone’s help in identifying sites and helping with the listing.
    Although most sites will not be eligible for the National Register, a list identifying them would be helpful for coordinated preservation work in the future. Currently on the National Register, Pulaski County has two cemeteries and six monuments; Lonoke has one and one; Conway/Perry/Saline Counties have none; Faulkner has one cemetery; and White county has two monuments. As we develop the list, more may become eligible for the National Register.
    The program with the mass grave at the Confederate Cemetery continues to be pursued. A meeting with the caretaker will be the next step in helping to preserve the mass grave of the 900 buried in the protected area of Oakland Fraternal Cemetery (see the Spring 2005 Arkansas Battlefield Update for details). The other ongoing projects continue.
    In addition to watching the progress of this project, the CACWHT had selected the following five subjects as project priorities. Each is progressing at its own speed.
1. Reed’s Bridge Battlefield project
2. Confederate Soldiers’ Home
3. Confederate Cemetery
4. Bayou Fourche panel
5. Monument identification, location, condition, National Register status.
    The CACWHT meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month, jointly with the Civil War Roundtable of Little Rock (except in December, when there is no meeting) at the John Gould Fletcher Library at H and Buchanan streets in Little Rock. The Civil War Roundtable programs are excellent and guests are encouraged and welcome to attend. For more information, contact Mike Loum at 61shelbysmule65@comcast.net.
    For more information on the Reed’s Bridge Preservation Society, call Tommy Dupree at (501) 833-0265. The Society’s meetings are held each month at the new Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce building at 200 Dupree Drive, and are open to the public. Donations can be made to the Reed’s Bridge Preservation Society, 600 Lynx Lane, Jacksonville, AR 72076.

Pocahontas is next site slated for marker

through fundraising of NEACWHT

By Danny Honnoll

NEACWHT Chairman

Pocahontas is the next location that our group has slated to place a historical marker. Derek Clements has met with the Mayor of Pocahontas, Gary Crocker, and has a location picked out for the long overdue marker.

If you all remember, the 7th Arkansas Infantry Re-enactors raised $1,300 for this project. We have been waiting of the Arkansas Civil Heritage Trails Foundation to receive its non-profit status before asking for donations to finish off this project. We are presently working on paperwork for a matching grant to get enough to place this marker. The marker will be placed before a September 2006 dedication. This will be part of the 150th anniversary of Pocahontas. Jim Kincade and Derek Clements are working with us on this project.

We have interest from Great Britain on this one. General Mark Graves has e-mailed us and wants to help with this marker and maybe another marker to General Sterling Price and his raid into Missouri in 1864. We will keep you posted on this second marker. This could prove to be a very busy year for the NEACHWTC.

In July, Ray Jones and Chairman Danny Honnoll again helped with the Tulip School at Clover Bend. This is an annual event for our group. Jim Burton of Jonesboro helped with the school in March of this year with his presentation of swords and sabers.

Mark your calendar for our annual trip to Chalk Bluff. This event is growing every year. This re-enactment/living history gets better and larger every year! The dates for this year’s event are May 6 and 7, 2006. Judge Gary Howell and Delbert Hughes are working on this project for us. More information to follow on this project.

The Woodruff County marker, “Battle of Fitzhugh’s Woods,” is still being planned, and I hope by the next newsletter that we can set a date for the dedication. The Lunday brothers along with Mark Christ are working on this project.

Ed Dudley and the Northeast Arkansas Southern Heritage Foundation, a subcommittee of the NEACWHTC, have ordered military markers for northeast Arkansas soldiers who died during the “War Between the States” and they will be placed and dedicated to the honor of the northeast Arkansas men who gave their all. They have pledges for the money to place four flag poles as a backdrop for this new marker. The monument site is at the corner of Southwest Drive, Main Street and Highland in Jonesboro.

The next meeting of the NEACWHTC will be on November 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Jonesboro Public Library.

Study approval pending RBBPS

By Tom Dupree

RBBPS President

Phil Thomason, our contractor, has not received an acceptance letter from the Department of the Interior on the Preservation Plans for Reed’s Bridge Battlefield. Hopefully, we will hear positive news within the near future.

The Civil War display at the Jacksonville Military History Museum has recently received several items on permanent loan from Ken King, a Cabot resident. Ken works at the Arkansas State Crime Lab. His passion for collecting artifacts from the Civil War period is certainly evident and appreciated by the members of the Reed’s Bridge Battlefield Preservation Society members. Many thanks to Ken for supporting our Reed’s Bridge exhibit.

The museum is located at 200 Veterans Circle, Jacksonville, Arkansas. Museum hours are 10 to 5 Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 on Sundays.

If you have not been by the location of the Battlefield at the Bridge recently, on your next visit you probably will notice that the rail fence has been moved back and new rails have been added to raise the height of the fence to strengthen it. It looks 100% better. We all appreciate the hard work and want to thank Jack Danielson and George “Buddy” McCain for a project well done.

SEACWHT hopes to reconnect

with projects in Delta region

By Mark Kalkbrenner

SEACWHT Chairman

The Southeast Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail has been busy in some areas and languishing in others.

While some areas have ongoing projects, we are having trouble making contacts in others. I would like to see more involvement in the counties in the Delta. We used to be active there, but once some people moved away or initial projects ended, all contact has been lost. I would like to meet in the Chicot/Ashley County area in February and Phillips County in March.

As for ongoing projects, White Sulphur Springs was recently placed on the National Register of Historic places. A dedication service was held on Oct. 9, 2005, with Mark Christ as the guest speaker. Research and marker placement continues on this site.

Marks’ Mills has been a site of never-ceasing growth. New markers are always being erected, being prepared, or being researched. Mr. Edgar Colvin was recently awarded the SCV National Cemetery Award for his work at Marks’ Mills, White Sulphur Springs, and various other local cemeteries around the state and neighboring states.

The next meeting of the SEACWHT will be at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Historical Museum. Following at 6 p.m. will be the annual Southern Heritage Christmas Potluck. Everyone is invited. There will be food enough for everyone.

SWACWHT sets meeting, gets markers

By Jim Hale

SWACWHT Chairman

The SWACWHT will hold a meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17, at the Clark County Historical Musem at 520 S. Fifth St. in Arkadelphia. The location will be announced before the meeting. The purpose of this meeting will be the election of new officers, as current Chairman Jim Hale is re-focusing his efforts solely on the research and identification of new Civil War sites throughout the region. All interested persons are encouraged to attend this important meeting.

Robert Dodson of Camden and Jim Hale of Royal are in the final steps of formally marking the five major Civil War fortifications in Camden that were built by Confederate soldiers prior to the Camden Expedition, occupied and improved by Union soldiers during their occupation of Camden, then held for the duration of the war by Confederates.

Dodson has successfully raised the necessary funding for large bronze tablets to be placed at each of the five locations, and he and Hale have worked together to research and write the narratives to be included at each of the five forts. This information will include the accurate name of each fort, the number of guns at each site, etc. The names of those forts included are Lookout, Picket, Simmons, Southerland and Diamond. This project should be an asset to Civil War tourists seeking more information about this pivotal part of the Trans-Mississippi history.

Having had such excellent success the past two winters in the identification and marking of sites throughout this region, additional sites have been scheduled to be surveyed this winter. Those who know of remote or undiscovered Civil War camps or other sites are encouraged to contact Jim Hale at (501) 760-2566 with details.

Civil War Preservation Trust study

shows economics of battlefield tourism

   After two years of investigation that included hundreds of interviews, the Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT) recently released the results of an independent study showing the economic benefits of battlefield preservation. The report, titled Blue, Gray and Green: A Battlefield Benefits Guide for Community Leaders, provides concrete measures to help elected officials determine when preserving historic land makes good economic sense.
   “Civil War battlefields are not just national treasures,” CWPT President James Lighthizer said. “Each one is also a treasure trove of benefits for its neighboring community. Millions of Americans are willing to spend their money to visit these historic shrines – as long as local officials have the wisdom to not pave them over.”
   The study included surveys conducted at 13 different sites, representing a cross-section of Civil War battlefield parks throughout the nation. Although a majority of the sites surveyed are maintained by the National Park Service, CWPT also examined battlefields maintained by state and local governments, and private entities.
   The 13 sites examined are: Antietam, Md.; Bentonville, N.C.; Brice’s Cross Roads, Miss.; Corinth, Miss.; Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania, Va.; Franklin, Tenn.; Gettysburg, Pa.; Mill Springs, Ky.; New Market, Va.; Perryville, Ky.; Port Hudson, La.; Shiloh, Tenn.; and Wilson’s Creek, Mo.
   The survey data included in the report show that Civil War battlefields attract affluent, well-educated tourists who come to the area specifically to visit the battlefield. While in the region, these Civil War tourists are likely to stay longer and spend more than the average pleasure visitor to a community.
   According to the Blue, Gray and Green Guide, each year Civil War tourists spend an average of $173.6 million in the surveyed battlefield communities, bringing in $15.3 million in state and $7.7 million in local tax revenue. The study also found that, on average, every 702 non-local visitors to a battlefield translates into a new job in the local community.
   In addition to quantifying the economic impact of these Civil War sites, the Blue, Gray and Green Guide creates an easy-to-use index showing local decision makers how those factors may be applied to their community. The index examines the number of non-local tourists that visit the battlefield and the expenditures of those visitors (broken down according to shopping and lodging expenditures).
   The Blue, Gray and Green Guide is especially important in communities where developers are forcing local elected officials to decide between preserving their historic spaces and opening it to commercial or residential development. The Guide demonstrates how to determine the economic windfall generated by a Civil War battlefield or historic site in terms of visitor spending, job creation and tax revenues. It also indicates that new developments generate new costs. For a copy of the Blue, Gray and Green Guide, visit: http://www.civilwar.org/news/append/BGG_2005_lowres.pdf.
   In his remarks, Lighthizer emphasized that there are continuing economic benefits to preservation, while development often brings continuing increased costs. According to the Blue, Gray and Green Guide, the costs for providing schools, roads, water and other public services to an area are often greater than the tax revenue the development produces.
   The Blue, Gray and Green study was conducted by Davidson Peterson Associates in 2003 and 2004. The guide was partially funded by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service.

Mark your calendar!

Northeast Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail meeting

6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, Jonesboro Public Library, Jonesboro

Central Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail meeting

7 p.m., fourth Tuesday of each month,

John Gould Fletcher Branch Library, Little Rock

Southeast Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail meeting

5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Museum

Southwest Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail meeting

7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, Clark County Historical Museum, Arkadelphia

West Central Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail meeting

7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, Drennen-Scott House, Van Buren

Northwest Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail meeting

11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, Pea Ridge National Military Park Admin. Bldg.

Northwest Arkansas CWHT

Troy Banzhaf (479) 451-8122, ext. 310

Troy_Banzhaf@nps.gov

The Northwest Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail serves Benton, Carroll, Boone, Marion, Washington, Madison, Newton, Searcy and Van Buren counties.

West Central Arkansas CWHT

Tom Wing (479) 474-4781

wcacwht@gmail.com

The West Central Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail serves Crawford, Sebastian, Franklin, Johnson, Logan, Yell, Pope and Scott counties.

Southwest Arkansas CWHT

Jim Hale (501) 760-2566

jim.hale@sbcglobal.net

The Southwest Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail serves Polk, Montgomery, Garland, Howard, Pike, Clark, Hot Spring, Grant, Dallas, Sevier, Little River, Hempstead, Nevada, Ouachita, Calhoun, Miller, Lafayette, Columbia and Union counties.

Southeast Arkansas CWHT

Mark Kalkbrenner (870) 247-2394

captk1ark@hotmail.com

The Southeast Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail serves Jefferson, Arkansas, Phillips, Cleveland, Lincoln, Desha, Bradley, Drew, Ashley and Chicot counties.

Central Arkansas CWHT

Mike Loum (501) 835-9649

61shelbysmule65@comcast.net

The Central Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail serves Conway, Perry, Saline, Faulkner, Pulaski, White and Lonoke counties.

Northeast Arkansas CWHT

Danny Honnoll (870) 935-9830

wdhonnoll@prodigy.net

The Northeast Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail serves Baxter, Fulton, Izard, Stone, Cleburne, Independence, Sharp, Randolph, Clay, Lawrence, Greene, Jackson, Craighead, Poinsett, Mississippi, Woodruff, Cross, Crittenden, Prairie, Monroe, Lee and St. Francis counties.

For More Information:

General Information
Mark Christ (501) 324-9880
mark@arkansasheritage.org

The Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail is a network of regional private, nonprofit, volunteer organizations seeking to identify, protect, interpret and promote Arkansas properties related to the state’s Civil War experience. General guidance for the groups is provided by the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage.

Northwest Arkansas CWHT
Alan Thompson
(479) 846-2990
alan.thompson@arkansas.gov

The Northwest Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail serves Benton, Carroll, Boone, Marion, Washington, Madison, Newton, Searcy and Van Buren counties.

West Central Arkansas CWHT
Kim Myers (479) 996-6357
wcacwht@yahoo.com

Larry Puckett (479) 459-1412
larrypuckett@email.com

The West Central Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail serves Crawford, Sebastian, Franklin, Johnson, Logan, Yell, Pope and Scott counties.

Southwest Arkansas CWHT
Tom Beam
tombeam@hotsprings.net

Peggy Lloyd (870) 983-2633
peggy.lloyd@arkansas.gov

Southeast Arkansas CWHT
Mark Kalkbrenner
(870) 247-2394
captk1ark@hotmail.com

The Southeast Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail serves Jefferson, Arkansas, Phillips, Grant, Cleveland, Lincoln, Desha, Bradley, Drew, Ashley and Chicot counties.

Central Arkansas CWHT
Rick Meadows (501) 843-9090
rmeadows@aaamissouri.com

The Central Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trail serves Conway, Perry, Saline, Faulkner, Pulaski, White and Lonoke counties.

Northeast Arkansas CWHT
Danny Honnoll (870) 935-9830
danny@honnoll.com