The Arkansas in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Attn: Bob Meeks, re Artillery Transfers

Thanks Doyle,

Seems I go off on research tangents more and more these days. On one of these, I wound up tracking the Arkansas Post prisoners from their release at City Point, Va until they were shipped to Bragg's army. I utilized the Official Records, diaries and Confederate Records from NARA to piece together what was going on with them from mid Apri to mid May, 1863.

During this period there seemed to be several factors involved in where they would be sent. Considerable discussions were underway with Lee and the War Department regarding the necessity to reinforce Bragg's army and/or Vicksburg. This was about the time that the Sec of War considered sending Hoods and Picket's Division to the western theater. Subsequently, Bragg was ordered to detach troops from his army to reinforce Vicksburg. The call for more troops had become universal by now.

The impact of the Chancellorsville campaign created some emergencies in and around Richmond. With very few troops available, the War Department called on the returned Arkansas Post prisoners [then being housed in Petersburg awaiting the release of their officers] to help defend the capitol.

I'm still looking, but so far unable to turn up anything declarative regarding Lee's stated position on these troops.

Interesting to note the reference that these troops were originally being sent to Vicksburg but then diverted to Bragg's Army to replace other troops already sent to Vicksburg.

4/15/63 Gen Cooper to Gen French, commanding at Petersburg-It is impossible to send officers from here to take charge of prisoners to go West. I will let you know tomorrow what disposition is to be made of the Arkansas prisoners.

4/30/63 Richmond AG to Capt D Meyers AAG Petersburg-I have rec'd yours of yesterday. In respect to the 2500 exchanged prisoners at Model Farm Barracks [Petersburg] reported by you it is desirable that those captured at Ark Post should be immediately organized into their original Co's and the NCO's assigned to their respective Co's. Where there are insufficient NCOs for the several Co's, corporals may be advanced to lance Sgts and the most efficient privates to lance corporals. You will please have the organizations completed w/the least possible delay so that he command may be brought into some sort of discipline and an officer of ... placed in command.

5/1 Richmond AG to Capt Chas D Meyers AAG Petersburg-Why have not the Texas exchanged prisoners been sent here? Cause them to be immediately sent. If necessary communicate this to the cdg officer at Petersburg

5/1 "at 3 o'clock in the morning we are ordered to fall-in, are marched to the armory and every able man was issued full equippage for the field, amidst cries of "On to Chancellorsville." Only 10 of the W.P. Lane Rangers are able to answer this call...
17 of our number could not meet the "call" because of sickness in various hospitals.
At 5 o'clock in the evening, we arrive in Richmond. A big fight occurred at Chancellorsville yesterday. Gen Stonewall Jackson captured about 5,000 prisoners, but late in the evening he was seriously wounded.
There is great uneasiness in the City of Richmond on account of Federal Gen Stoneman having made a dash within 4 miles of the City, but last report form Chancellorsville, it's that the enemy is in full retreat and"Fighting Joe Hooker" is in the lead. The "Moddle Farm" troops are marched to the northern suburbs of the city and properly disposed of behind fortifications."

5/5 Richmond AG to Capt Chas D Meyers AAG Petersburg-Send here the exchanged officers referred to in Petersburg Dispatch, especially those belonging to the Texas troops sent here yesterday

5/5/63 the 19th and 24th Ark Regts, and the unattached Cavalry Co's, including M. J. Tillery, are on the Chancellorsville Road to protect against another raid by Gen Stoneman. At 2 o'clock in the afternoon, an order is received for a company to report to the Post Commandant at his HQs in Richmond. Cap't Hanks, Cdr of the redoubt, forms a company out of the remnants of the four Cavalry Co's which included the W.P. Lane Rangers and we are off for Richmond.

5/9 Seddon to Gen Joe Johnston -"Proceed at once to Ms and take chief command of the force's, as far as practical---Arrange to take with you -- 3000 good troops, who will be substituted in Gen Bragg's army by a large number of prisoners recently returned from Arkansas Post, captured and reorganized, now on their way to Gen Pemberton. Stop them at the point most convenient to Gen Bragg."

5/12 While awaiting transportation, Co H, 17th Tx Cav marched as part of the honor guard to Stonewall as he was laid in state.

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Attn: Bob Meeks, re Artillery Transfers
Re: Attn: Bob Meeks, re Artillery Transfers
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Re: Attn: Bob Meeks, re Artillery Transfers
Re: Attn: Bob Meeks, re Artillery Transfers
Re: Attn: Bob Meeks, re Artillery Transfers
Re: Attn: Bob Meeks, re Artillery Transfers
Re: Attn: Bob Meeks, re Artillery Transfers
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Re: Attn: Bob Meeks, re Artillery Transfers
Re: Attn: Bob Meeks, re Artillery Transfers
Re: Attn: Bob Meeks, re Artillery Transfers
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Re: Attn: Bob Meeks, re Artillery Transfers
Hindman's Arkansas Miracle
Re: Hindman's Arkansas Miracle
Re: Attn: Bob Meeks, re Artillery Transfers
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Re: Attn: Bob Meeks, re Artillery Transfers
Re: Attn: Bob Meeks, re Artillery Transfers
Re: Attn: Bob Meeks, re Artillery Transfers
Re: Attn: Bob Meeks, re Artillery Transfers
Re: Attn: Bob Meeks, re Artillery Transfers
Re: Attn: Bob Meeks, re Artillery Transfers
Re: Attn: Bob Meeks, re Artillery Transfers
Re: Attn: Bob Meeks, re Artillery Transfers
Re: Attn: Bob Meeks, re Artillery Transfers
Re: Attn: Bob Meeks, re Artillery Transfers
Re: Attn: Bob Meeks, re Artillery Transfers
Re: Attn: Bob Meeks, re Artillery Transfers
Re: Attn: Bob Meeks, re Artillery Transfers