You might look up the story of Wiley Jones, the black servant of the James Yell Family of Jefferson County.

Wiley was given to Drew County resident Fontaine Pitts Yell who was the son of Major General James Yell commander of the Arkansas State troop in 1860. Wiley served during the War as Colonel Fontaine P. Yells' (Col. 26th Arkansas Infantry) body servant during the war until Col. Yell was killed in 1864 in the Battle of Mansfield, Louisiana. After Col. Yell's death Wiley returned to Monticello to inform Mrs Yell of her husband's death and then went to Pine Bluff to find Gen. Yell for the same purpose. Gen. Yell had fled the Union Occupation of Pine Bluff and his home was destroyed during the Battle of Pine Bluff. While in Pine Bluff, Wiley was emancipated. Wiley left Pine Bluff to find the elder Yell in Waco Texas and returned to Gen. Yell's service. General Yell returned to Pine Bluff when the War ended and Wiley remained in the General's service until the General's Death in 1867.

Wiley because of his association with White businessmen in Jefferson County became one of the riches Black men in Arkansas and reputedly west of the Mississipi River.