Lee's Dispatch Captain Bob Lee SCV Camp 2198

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Lee's Dispatch Captain Bob Lee SCV Camp 2198 Volume 3, Issue 5 www.captboblee.

1 Lee's Dispatch Captain Bob Lee SCV Camp 2198 Volume 3, Issue 5 March 15, 2014 Commander s Report By Doug Garnett Spring of 2014 has not been the most exciting of times; however we have had two new applications with one of those still pending. At our last meeting we had someone ask for an application and still another person sit in on our program. The State reunion is fast approaching being held in the Woodlands, just north of Houston. This is a non election year, however it promises to be a fun time for those who attend. There is a link to the reunion on the Texas Division SCV web site Hotel arrangements are a night for a double queen or single king. Suits were already gone when I made my reservations. At the DEC (Division Executive Counsel) meeting on March 8 th a recruitment program was unveiled which will assist every camp in bringing in new members. As the program is designed a group of recruiters will be trained on how to recruit. These recruiters will be selected from the best recruiters or volunteers from each camp and will, together with people who are good at genealogy, be trained on how to snag the potential member s attention and get them into the SCV. Also in the planning is a training day set in Gainesville for the camp officers. This training day will show the officers how to do their jobs their duties, etc and give them the source material to answer questions that may arise during their tenure as a camp officer. Some of us have been through this training but a refresher is always good; gives the old hands a chance to go over changes. When the date is set it will be sent out. You don t have to be an officer to attend. It is a good day for all who attend. Lee s Dispatch is the official newsletter for the Sons of Confederate Veterans Captain Bob Lee Camp 2198 and is intended for the sole purpose of keeping the camp members and friends of the camp informed to the activities and news of Camp Statements in this newsletter are those of the author and may not reflect the opinions of the Captain Bob Lee Camp, editor or the National Sons of Confederate Veterans. Within articles or quotes written by outside authors mistakes in spelling, grammar or sentence structure are strictly those of the author and may be left as is.. Mar 22 Camp Ford Living History Event Tyler, TX Camp Ford Historical Park Mar 29 Sophia Porter Grave Dedication N of Pottsboro, TX Apl 12 Medal of Honor Parade Gainesville, TX Apl 19 Fairview Cemetery CV Graves Dedication 2 P.M. Gainesville, TX Apl 26 Cowboy Day Frontier Village Denison, TX May 3-4 Battle of Port Jefferson; Jefferson, TX May 3 Bonham Frontier Days Bonham, TX Jun 6-8 TX Div. SCV State Reunion Houston, TX Jul SCV National Reunion North Charleston, SC Review of the Lee Peacock Feud Part Three Lee goes Defensive Lee was on the defensive more than ever. He never slept at home, he spent most of his time in his hideout in the thickets, until one of his family made sure it was safe to emerge. Lee knew someone would be trying to collect that one thousand-dollar reward. General J. J. Reynolds dispatched his blue boys, Fourth United States Cavalry, headed up by Lieutenant Charles A. Vernon to the troubled spot of Four Corners. The countryside resented the presence of the Yankees that they had fought so desperately for four years. General Reynolds report follows: "Lee seems to be the most popular man in this section of the country, and I am sure that the citizens of that neighborhood would not only give him all the aid in their power, but will even help him with force of arms if necessary. I have strong hopes that Lieutenant Sands will eventually capture this man... He has at all times a portion of his command under a non-commissioned officer lying in the brush...and he has put Lee on the defensive". Continued on page 6B Lee's Dispatch 1

The Battle of Elkhorn Tavern, Arkansas March 7 8 1862 By James Neel Day one - The Battle of Leetown Following the Confederate victory in the first battle of

Ben McCullough took his Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana troops back to Arkansas and Indian Territory where they spent the winter of 1861-62 in snug

General Sterling Price led his Missouri State Guard on a raid through the western part of the state before also withdrawing into northern Arkansas before a

To rectify the divided command, Confederate President Jefferson Davis sent former Regular Army officer of Dragoons Maj. Gen.

Curtis, moved south along what was known as the Telegraph or Wire Road, the old route of the Butterfield Overland Stage from Springfield, Mo.

While his men went into camp in the area above, Curtis sent out scouting parties and began a series of defensive earthworks a short distance farther south

Little Sugar Creek Van Dorn decided to seize the initiative and "steal a march" around Curtis' army and cut him off from his base at Springfield by using a

2 The Battle of Elkhorn Tavern, Arkansas March By James Neel Day one - The Battle of Leetown Following the Confederate victory in the first battle of the war in the West, fought at Wilson's Creek, Missouri, dissention and indecision beset the victors. Brig. Gen. Ben McCullough took his Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana troops back to Arkansas and Indian Territory where they spent the winter of in snug encampments. Meanwhile Maj. General Sterling Price led his Missouri State Guard on a raid through the western part of the state before also withdrawing into northern Arkansas before a revitalized Federal thrust from St. Louis. To rectify the divided command, Confederate President Jefferson Davis sent former Regular Army officer of Dragoons Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn of Mississippi to take command. The Federals, now under the command of Iowa Brig. Gen. Samuel R. Curtis, moved south along what was known as the Telegraph or Wire Road, the old route of the Butterfield Overland Stage from Springfield, Mo., towards Fayetteville, Ark., halting in the vicinity of the stagecoach inn known locally as Elkhorn Tavern for the horns mounted on its roof. While his men went into camp in the area above, Curtis sent out scouting parties and began a series of defensive earthworks a short distance farther south along the northern bluff of Little Sugar Creek. Little Sugar Creek Van Dorn decided to seize the initiative and "steal a march" around Curtis' army and cut him off from his base at Springfield by using a little-known country road to the west that passed near a hamlet called Leetown. Dividing his command, Van Dorn sent McCullough east to engage the Federals there while he continued with Price's State Guard around the Elkhorn Mountain spur of Pea Ridge to gain Curtis' rear. Leetown below was the Federal right flank held by troops led by Brig. Gen. Franz Sigel, who had done poorly at Wilson's Creek the year before. Sigel was a refugee from the failed revolutions wracking the German states during the 1840's and his command consisted largely but not entirely of German immigrants from St. Louis and other areas of the Midwest. Continued on page 3A Lee's Dispatch 2

Continued from page 2B Union artillery from their position above dueled with the 1st Texas Battery and other artillery in their

Creek, and Cherokee warriors who had charged and captured one Union battery but refused to do so again!

At this point a crisis occurred when Ben McCullough decided to investigate things for himself and rode forward, clad in a black

He made a tempting target for a Union rifleman and soon this wing of the Confederate attack was without its leader.

The best uniformed, drilled, and led unit on this part of the field was the 3d Louisiana which went into line of battle in the

and essentially out of the battle for the remainder of the day.

Curtis' little army of some 10,000 men was stretched out in its camps for two or three miles along the Wire Road all the way

3 Continued from page 2B Union artillery from their position above dueled with the 1st Texas Battery and other artillery in their position below during the remainder of the afternoon but essentially this part of the fight was over despite the presence of Brig. Gen. Albert Pike. Pike was a political appointee with no military experience commanding the Confederate Indian Brigade of Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Cherokee warriors who had charged and captured one Union battery but refused to do so again! Sigel and his men reacted quickly however, and formed a line against the advancing Confederates. At this point a crisis occurred when Ben McCullough decided to investigate things for himself and rode forward, clad in a black velvet suit and top hat. He made a tempting target for a Union rifleman and soon this wing of the Confederate attack was without its leader. Command devolved upon Arkansas Brig. Gen. James McIntosh but he too was soon killed while leading a cavalry charge. The best uniformed, drilled, and led unit on this part of the field was the 3d Louisiana which went into line of battle in the thickets and became disorganized; a Union counterattack captured its Colonel Louis Hebert, leaving this entire wing leaderless and essentially out of the battle for the remainder of the day. Action at Elkhorn Tavern Six-pounder guns marking the Union artillery position at Elkhorn Tavern on the first day of the battle. Curtis' little army of some 10,000 men was stretched out in its camps for two or three miles along the Wire Road all the way from the entrenchments at Little Sugar Creek back through his headquarters area around Parker's store to Elkhorn Tavern. When Van Dorn's column reached the Wire Road north of the tavern he had achieved complete surprise, attacking south toward the rear of the Union force. Unfortunately Van Dorn grew cautious, ordering Price to deploy all his men before attacking, giving Curtis time to send one of his four divisions from Little Sugar Creek back to the tavern. Continued on page 4A Lee's Dispatch 3

Continued from page 3B Elkhorn Tavern, in addition to being the largest building in the area also had

above which led east toward the town of that name.

would withdraw the following day making it uncertain in which direction his retreating army had

The 1st Iowa battery of four 6-pounders was able to turn and confront Price's attacking Missourians

Carr to arrive to oppose the Confederate drive.

of West Point, and a cavalryman who had served on the frontier characteristics he also shared with

Although he was wounded three times in the battle he remained on the field directing his division and

Price's victorious but exhausted troops settled down for the night in the road and fields surrounding

The original tavern survived the battle but was burned later in 1864 during the guerilla activities

4 Continued from page 3B Elkhorn Tavern, in addition to being the largest building in the area also had a number of outbuildings and stood at the junction of the Telegraph Road and the Huntsville Road above which led east toward the town of that name. It was along both these as well as other lesser tracks and even cross-country that Van Dorn's army would withdraw the following day making it uncertain in which direction his retreating army had actually gone. The 1st Iowa battery of four 6-pounders was able to turn and confront Price's attacking Missourians until they were overrun, but their stand allowed the rest of the division of Col. Eugene A. Carr to arrive to oppose the Confederate drive. Unlike many of the commanders on both sides at Pea Ridge, Carr was a professional soldier, a graduate of West Point, and a cavalryman who had served on the frontier characteristics he also shared with Van Dorn. Although he was wounded three times in the battle he remained on the field directing his division and was promoted to brigadier general and later awarded the Medal of Honor for his service here. Price's victorious but exhausted troops settled down for the night in the road and fields surrounding the tavern, which like all structures on or near battlefields soon became a field hospital. The original tavern survived the battle but was burned later in 1864 during the guerilla activities which plagued Missouri and Arkansas through much of the war. It was replaced immediately afterwards but again rebuilt in the 1870's; when the NPS acquired the property in 1960 that structure was removed and replaced with the current replica. It's believed that all the structures that have stood on this site have utilized the original foundation and possibly the chimneys as well. Continued on page 5A Lee's Dispatch 4

Continued from page 4B Day two - Curtis counterattacks and turns the tide of the battle.

blue supported by over twenty pieces of artillery that everyone present who witnessed it remembered as one of the pageants of the war.

leaderless by the death of McCullough and lay inert near the opposite end of Pea Ridge; and much worse, his supply and ammunition train had misdirected

It was easy enough to order McCullough's men to rejoin Price's force at Elkhorn though it meant another night march over unfamiliar terrain which would

force; fortunately they were closer together, and soon formed an unbroken line in the fields above facing northeast towards Pea Ridge.

artillery. The Confederate batteries, already low on ammunition, were spaced out along the base of Pea Ridge like that of Capt. John J.

5 Continued from page 4B Day two - Curtis counterattacks and turns the tide of the battle. The view above looking west from the summit of Pea Ridge shows most of the battlefield crossed by the Union counterattack, a solid double rank of men in blue supported by over twenty pieces of artillery that everyone present who witnessed it remembered as one of the pageants of the war. The night of March 7 while in bivouac near Elkhorn Tavern Earl Van Dorn received two very unwelcome bits of news: half of his army had been made leaderless by the death of McCullough and lay inert near the opposite end of Pea Ridge; and much worse, his supply and ammunition train had misdirected away from the battlefield! It was easy enough to order McCullough's men to rejoin Price's force at Elkhorn though it meant another night march over unfamiliar terrain which would ensure they would arrive tired without sufficient time to rest; however nothing could remedy the lack of ammunition which was to doom the second day of the battle. Sigel's force at Leetown now included three of the four Federal divisions so it was imperative for Curtis no less than Van Dorn to reunite his divided force; fortunately they were closer together, and soon formed an unbroken line in the fields above facing northeast towards Pea Ridge. In the dark the tired Confederates made no attempt to actually occupy the rocky ridge which dominated the landscape but was unsuited to maneuver artillery. The Confederate batteries, already low on ammunition, were spaced out along the base of Pea Ridge like that of Capt. John J. Good's 1st Texas Light Artillery. The image on the interpretive sign was painted postwar for Good by his sonin-law Andrew Jackson Houston, son of Texas Governor Sam Houston, based on the description of the battle given by the captain. According to his report he maintained this position until he was almost out of ammunition, then withdrew and was replaced by Capt. Hart's Arkansas Battery. Though outnumbered by the combined Confederate forces, Curtis was determined to attack and regain the lost ground and reopen his supply line. Continued on page 6A Lee's Dispatch 5

Continued from page 5B Van Dorn's men, also low on ammunition, began to retreat as well, their final stand being made at the tavern as seen below from the vantage point of the attacking Federals.

Franz Sigel was originally an artillery officer from the German Grand Duchy of Baden and at Pea Ridge he probably rendered the greatest service of his entire Civil War career, not as a general but as

Like many of the forces engaged here the Federal gunners had never been in a battle before and Sigel walked from gun to gun the length of the combined batteries giving encouragement and adjusting

Sigel ordered all his batteries to concentrate on individual Confederate batteries in counterbattery fire; in addition to running out of ammunition this was what caused units like Good's to pull out

They were joined by Sheriff George Wilson and his deputies.

Witt was located at another farm nearby and killed in an ensuing gun battle. The next day a smaller posse again rode out to the home of Colonel Fitzhugh where they found Penn and Hayes.

6 Continued from page 5B Van Dorn's men, also low on ammunition, began to retreat as well, their final stand being made at the tavern as seen below from the vantage point of the attacking Federals. As noted, they retreated in different directions making pursuit difficult. For many who simply chose to go home it was the end of their war, for a time at least. Franz Sigel was originally an artillery officer from the German Grand Duchy of Baden and at Pea Ridge he probably rendered the greatest service of his entire Civil War career, not as a general but as an instructor of artillery. Like many of the forces engaged here the Federal gunners had never been in a battle before and Sigel walked from gun to gun the length of the combined batteries giving encouragement and adjusting things as needed, even sighting some of the guns. Sigel ordered all his batteries to concentrate on individual Confederate batteries in counterbattery fire; in addition to running out of ammunition this was what caused units like Good's to pull out of the defense line. END Continued from page 1B Lee goes Defensive On March 28, 1869, a military posse left from Sherman and came to McKinney. They were joined by Sheriff George Wilson and his deputies. This party of thirty men went to the home of Colonel William Fitzhugh, north of McKinney, about midnight looking for Bill Penn, Dow Witt, and companion named Hayes; but the three men were not there. Witt was located at another farm nearby and killed in an ensuing gun battle. The next day a smaller posse again rode out to the home of Colonel Fitzhugh where they found Penn and Hayes. In the gun battle that ensued, Deputy William C. Hall of Collin County was mortally wounded and a soldier, James Johnson, was severely injured. Both Penn and Hayes escaped; but Hayes was later killed near Bonham by a posse on April 20. Once Confederate batteries were mostly silenced or driven off the long lines of Federal infantry advanced, the division of Carr now joined by those of Peter J. Osterhaus, Alexander Asboth, and Jefferson C. Davis. The Union line went forward without stopping, overrunning Hart's Arkansas Battery capturing two cannon and a limber, and retrieving Capt. Good's flag of the Dallas, Texas, Artillery that had inadvertently been left behind when they pulled out earlier. Bob Lee dressed in a black suit, boots and black hat with plume, and all his side arms, decided to go to Mexico. On June 25, 1869, just a short distance from home, he was caught in a flash of Federal musket fire. Henry Boren had betrayed Bob and exposed his secret trail to Lee's hideout in Wildcat Thicket. Killed by Henry Boren and Captain Charles Campbell's, Sixth Cavalry, the deed was finally done. Another account of Bob s death gives this date as May 24, Next time Bob is gone but the feud continues. Lee's Dispatch 6

Chapter II SECESSION AND WAR

Chapter II SECESSION AND WAR 1860-1861 A. Starting the Secession: South Carolina - December 20, 1860 South Carolina votes to secede - Major Robert Anderson US Army Commander at Charleston, South Carolina