Early in the Civil War, while eastern Confederate armies were running amok and repeatedly defeating and humiliating US forces, tough western US forces under a bold young general handed the Cornfederates a decisive defeat that shocked the Confederate cause and was a deadly portent of things to come.

came ten days after Grant's capture of Fort Henry, just ten miles to the west on the Tennessee River, and opened the way for Union occupation of the Confederate heartland, from Paducah on the Ohio River all the way south to Florence, Alabama.

Assult on Ft. Henry

After Grant surrounded Fort Henry and forced the surrender of its garrison of approximately 100 men, he marched his force eight miles east to the much more formidable Fort Donelson. This earthen fort sat on a high bluff and had a normal garrison of 6,000.

After the fall of Fort Henry, an additional 15,000 Confederate troops were rushed to reinforce Fort Donelson. Grant crossed the narrow strip of land between the two rivers with only about 15,000 troops. One of Grant's officers, Brigadier General John McClernand, initiated battle on February 13 when he tried to capture a Rebel battery on Fort Donelson's ring of outer defenses. Although unsuccessful, this action probably convinced the Confederates that they faced a superior force, even though they actually outnumbered Grant.

THANKS

PROGRAMS 2007

We Who Study

  Must Also Strive To Save!

February 1861

MESSAGES FROM ALL OVER

MEETING NEWS

Jack Danielson, Reed’s Bridge Preservation

Sheryl Miller, Lonoke County Museum

Chuck Durnette, Central Arkansas Civil War Round Table and the Sons of Confederate Veterans

Don Hamilton, Central Arkansas Civil War Round Table

Clem Papineau, Historian and writer

Mark Christ, Arkansas Department of Historic Preservation

Rick Meadows, Central Arkansas Civil War Round Table

 Sheryl Miller gave us a short tour of museum and we heard portion of a diorama explaining the Brownsville battle.

Discussion –

            ·           3 segments of the Brownsville Campaign have been identified by Mark Christ

            ·           Brownsville Segment (battle field) and 2 off Military Road between Brownsville and Jacksonville

            ·           Parts of 2 small parcels have been placed on the National Historic Registry

Mark Christ suggested that we try to obtain a piece of land at the Brownsville location.  According to group agreement, this could anchor the Eastern Section of the Campaign and Reed’s Bridge can be considered the Western anchor of the running battle. Mark suggested that several wayside makers could be placed along Military Road from Furlow to Reed’s Bridge describing the engagement.

After our meeting Clem took us to the proposed site. The land (5-15 acres north of Watson Lane) has been marked and is located just south of the old Brownsville town. An interpreter-walking trail would be very suitable at this site. Wayside markers explaining the battle and the old town would work nicely on this property. With the help from the county, the road could be upgraded. There is blacktop for a short distance from Hwy 31. There is also ample space for the construction of a parking lot. Even though the battle did not occur at the property of Watson Lane, the bridge over Two Prairie Bayou which confederate troops used to retreat thru Brownsville is located only 100-400 yards north of the proposed site. Interpretive hiking trails could be constructed to the actual site of the bridge, with owner’s permission. All roads that were used in the battle are funneled into this section.

Part of The Trail of Tears was along the Military Road. This has additional historical and preservation importance.

Other discussion during our meeting centered on the effect that this effort would have in promoting heritage and tourism in Lonoke County, the City of Lonoke, Pulaski County and the City of Jacksonville. Visitors would come to sites in both Brownsville and Reeds Bridge.

Don Hamilton suggested before any attempt to discuss with Guy Mitchell or other property owners about the use of the property, that we try to inform residents of the community and government official about the importance of this project.

Clem has done much research on the Brownsville Battle and the Military Road. Since he has much of this on a CD, he is willing to edit it for a presentation to the community. Mark Christ will assist Clem. Sheryl Miller offered to host the presentation with a joint meeting of the Lonoke County Museum and the Lonoke County Historical Society. She felt at least 50 people would attend. We have targeted Sunday, April 15 at 2pm for the presentation.

representatives of the Chamber of Commerce of Lonoke and Jacksonville. A street map of the proposed location could be mailed out to the county judges with the invitation or at a fellowship meeting.

What type of organization do we need? Dan suggested that we have representatives from Reed’s Bridge, Brownsville/Lonoke Community, and the Central Arkansas Civil War Round Table of Arkansas

At the close of meeting, Jack Danielson, offered the use of the Jacksonville military museum for the next meeting place.

Date for joint meeting between the Lonoke County Museum and the Lonoke County Historical Society has been moved to:

AT THE BOOK STORE

You have heard of the Irish Brigade, now read a book about the Confederates from the Emerald Isle that regularly beat up on them.  From the Louisiana Swamp rifles of the 10^TH Louisiana Confederate Infantry, to the men of the First Virginia in Pickett’s Charge – the Irish were there.

Irish Confederates

The Civil War’s Forgotten Soldiers

Phillip Thomas Tucker

THE CIVIL WAR CONTINUES TO FASCINATE HISTORIANS AND

GENERAL READERS.

NEW TO YOUR WEBSITE

We have two new LINKS on your Website that might be of interest. The first deals with the Australians that fought as Confederates in our Civil War, and the second is a directory of everything Arkansas. You can find them at

http://www.civilwarbuff.org on the LINKS page.

American Civil War Veterans in Australia

This website is a dedication to the Australian Union and Confederate Veterans of the American Civil War of 1861 - 1865. It has been created from numerous sources, government documents, research libraries and hundreds of pieces of information emailed in and donated by individuals from all over Australia and the United States; and includes work by individuals in both the "Sons of Confederate Veterans", the "Sons of Union Veterans", the "American Civil War Round Table of Queensland" the "American Civil of Round Table of Australia", the late Roy Parker and others. Hundred of thousands of individuals from all over the world participated in the American "War Between the States"; many in the north forcibly and against their will, inducted into Union service right off ships as they immigrated to America seeking a better life.

Great Arkansas

Arkansas directory contains relevant links across Arkansas including local guide, investment, advertising, shopping, service, travel, transportation, education, history, culture.

SEE YOU TUESDAY NIGHT

GOD BLESS AMERICA