Portions of this work are based upon "family lore" having been received third or fourth hand. Input from a more reliable source is welcomed. Due to the fluid and ongoing nature of genealogical research, all materials must be considered a work in progress. Use this information as “clues” toward resolution of the mystery of our ancestors. For much of my research, I “googled” key words combined with names. The same method will glean even more information today.
My sources are:
My story begins with the men who were unit leaders from Johnson County, AR……………..
There are two men from Johnson County, AR who recruited many of the Johnson County, AR men into units to fight the Civil War. Since our Blackard family were listed in their units, I’ve learned to trace these two men and their Civil War history in order to solve our Blackard family activities during the Civil War. The two names are Lt Col Olinver Basham and Colonel John Fry Hill, as in, "Hill's Cav Bn". A person can find reams of information about these two, but, our interest is our Blackard family. So, a synopsis, only………........
Company "C" 1st Mounted Rifles, C.S.A., 1st Arkansas Cavalry, Clarksville, Johnson Co., Arkansas; 3rd Inf St. Troops, King's Co., Captain Olinver Basham, Organizer - All enrollments in this company were 6 Jun 1861 unless otherwise indicated. Later he was with the 7th ARK Cav in Price's Raid when he was killed in Sep 27,1864 at Pilot Knob, MO. He was with the 7th ARK Cav in Price's Raid when he lost his life. His place of burial is unknown at this time.
John Fry Hill recruited and formed the 16th Arkansas (Hezekiah Blackard) and is mentioned many times in the official records about Pea Ridge, AR. Once the 16th was permanently disbanded after Port Hudson surrender in 1863, John Fry Hill came back to Johnson County, AR to be sheriff of occupied Clarksville, AR under the Kansas Union occupation. In the fall of 1863, he once again recruited Johnson Co., AR men, among them Hezekiah. That time, since the 16th no longer existed, he became part of the 7th Cavalry along with the men he recruited.
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Here are links to both some Copyright protected information and to the National Park Service database about the units in which the Arkansas Blackard family served.
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AR, 10th Militia, state unit http://www.couchgenweb.com/civilwar/10milcod.html
10th Regiment Arkansas Militia Company B
Blackard, Toliver G-Private. Appointed judge-advocate of regiment; later in Co. L, 7th Arkansas Cavalry.
Blackard, William M-Private. Later in Co. L, 7th Arkansas Cavalry, and in Co. D, 4th Arkansas Cavalry.
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AR, 16th Inf, Co A, CSA. http://www.couchgenweb.com/civilwar/16inf_f&s.html
16th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/regiments.htm
16th Infantry Regiment completed its organization at Rogers, Benton County, Arkansas, in November, 1861, then moved to Elm Springs and remained there until February, 1862. Its members were recruited in the counties of Johnson, Carroll, Stone, Washington, Pike, Madison, and Searcy. The 16th was involved in the fight at Elkhorn Tavern and after the battle had 24 officers and 282 men present for duty. Ordered east of the Mississippi River, it took an active part in the conflicts at Iuka and Corinth where it reported 13 killed and 29 wounded. Later the unit was assigned to Beall's Brigade, Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana, and was captured when Port Hudson fell. It was not reorganized after the exchange.
The field officers were Colonels J. F. Hill and David Provence, Lieutenant Colonels William T. Neal and Benjamin T. Pixlee, and Majors Samuel Farmer and J. M. Pittman.
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AR, 7th Arkansas Cavalry, CSA http://www.couchgenweb.com/civilwar/7cavf&s.html
FIELD OFFICERS BASHAM, O. Lt Col HILL, JOHN F. Col
http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/
7th Cavalry Regiment was organized during the spring of 1864 by adding independent companies to J. F. Hill's Arkansas Cavalry Battalion. The unit served in General Cabell's Brigade, Trans-Mississippi Department, and fought at Poison Spring, Marks' Mills, Pine Bluff (http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/abpp/battles/ar011.htm), and Dardanelle. Later it was active in Price's Missouri raid and included in the surrender at Galveston, Texas.
The 7th Cavalry was commanded by Colonel John F. Hill, Lieutenant Colonel Oliver Basham, and Majors J. L. Adams and J. C. Ward
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Gordon's, 4th AR Co D, CSA http://www.couchgenweb.com/civilwar/4thcod.html
http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/template.cfm?unitname=Gordon's%20Regiment%2C%20Arkansas%20Cavalry&unitcode=CARGORDRC
Gordon's Cavalry Regiment [also called 4th Regiment] successor to C. A. Carroll's Cavalry Regiment, was organized in September, 1863. It served in General Cabell's Brigade, Trans-Mississippi Department, and took an active part in the conflicts at Poison Spring and Marks' Mills where twenty-one percent of the 117 engaged were disabled. Later it participated in Price's Missouri Expedition and reported 106 casualties. During the spring of 1865 it disbanded.
The field officers were Colonel Anderson Gordon, and Majors J. A. Arrington and William H. Fayth.
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To understand the Arkansas Blackard story, a little Clarksville, Arkansas Civil War background is helpful.
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John Fry Hill, a tailor, owner of a mercantile store in Clarksville, a Methodist, Sheriff in 1860, Ark senator 1879, Grand Master of Arkansas Masonic Lodge. Served as a Captain for Company C Sixteenth AR CSA, later made Colonel; enlisted 10/29/1861 at Fayetteville, AR.
In July 1861, a defense plan in Johnson Co called for a home guard, or minute men (10th Arkansas Militia). John W May of Clarksville was the overall commander of the different townships. Vincent Wallace, a Clarksville minister, was captain of the Clarksville guard. May and Wallace were also on a committee to purchase ammunition to be used in the defense of Johnson Co. The state of AR granted tax relief for the families of these minute men.
Capt John F Hill's company was mustered into service at Fayetteville as a unit of the 16th regiment under Co. McRae, July 18, 1861. Company C 16th AR Inf CSA was given the honor of carrying the regimental flag. The regiment first participated in battle in March 1862 at Pea Ridge, where the Confederate army suffered defeat.
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In June 1862 Arkansas enacted a conscript law for all males between ages 16 and 45. So, here are our Arkansas Blackard family members who served that were still alive with their ages in June 1862. All four were of draft age on that date.
Toliver Goldstone Blackard b: November 1819 was age 42 was already enlisted in 10th Arkansas Militia
William Merit Blackard b: April 15, 1822 was age 40 was already enlisted in 10th Arkansas Militia
Hezekiah Ki Blackard, Lt b: February 09, 1843 was age 19 was already enlisted 27 Feb 1862 in Co A 16th AR Inf CSA
George Daniel Blackard b: November 14, 1845 was age 16 was already enlisted May 31, 1862. Enlistment unit not yet determined
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On December 23, 1862, Federal troops under Lt Gordon Waugh, established a post in Clarksville. Under his command were 600 men consisting of negroes, KS jayhawkers and AR tories. Lt Waugh kept his soldiers under surveillance, but he still could not keep up with them.
"When General Van Dorn's army was ordered west of the Mississippi River, the 16th followed, being brigaded with four Missouri regiments. Arriving too late to participate in the Battle of Shiloh, the regiment saw bloody service in Mississippi, both in the Battles of Iuka and Corinth.
Shortly after Corinth, the 16th was detached and temporarily brigaded with other AR regiments at Holly Springs, MS. In 1863, the regiment was once again detached and brigaded with even more AR regiments and then sent to strengthen the important Confederate stronghold of Port Hudson, LA. Here the regiment performed honorably and endured 48 long days of siege. Finally on July 9, 1863, the garrison was surrendered to Union forces. From that time, the 16th no longer existed. Most of the Confederate prisoners were transported to northern prisons.
By Dec 18, 1863 Col John F Hill and 32 men had returned to their homes in Johnson Co. During this time, they saw 117 Union soldiers where the College of the Ozarks stands today. Col Hill led his men away from the oncoming troops, but they would not follow. Hill then decided to follow them. With the help of Jennie and Matilda Watts who lived along the way, the Confederates followed their enemy to Red Lick Mtn where the Federals stopped to camp on Dick's Branch (which feeds Ludwig lake today). Hill's men surprised the Federals and as they tried to get away, two were killed (George Washington Chronister was one) and one was wounded. Hill lost only one of his men in the only skirmish that took place in the Clarksville area in the war.
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Realize that Clarksville was under Kansas Union occupation for a major part of the war. Also, Clarksville was on the military road that paralleled the Arkansas River from Little Rock to Ft Smith. Any male old enough to carry a gun, say 13 yrs old or more, had to avoid the Union soldiers if they were going to stay alive. Besides the conscript law, the men of Arkansas were forced to join some Confederate unit or other just to have "safety in numbers". Males of fighting age were summarily executed when Union soldiers happened upon them. The Confederate guerrillas also “executed” fighting age males they happened upon. The only way to stay alive was to join one side or the other and hide amongst the masses.
By the time that Toliver and William Merit joined the regular Confederate forces in 1863, so many brutal atrocities had been enacted upon the families of Johnson County that these men joined from anger, not necessarily from political conviction, although that was present as well.
William Merit was not wealthy enough to own slaves so his enlistment was in reaction to the Union atrocities. He worked as a carpenter in downtown Clarksville during this era and had to attempt to stay alive with the everyday stress of living under Union occupation. There is family lore that was passed by "Buck Blackard" to my Dad about the day that William Merit finally gave in and joined the Confederate regular Army that has a ring of truth to me after all my snooping into family stories. Mind you, it may be total romanticized fabrication from a man that is now dead. But we happen to like the tale however undocumented and unverifiable.
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Now for the genealogy report linking the six Arkansas Blackard Confederates together, with the two still in Person Co., NC
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1. TOLIVER GOLDSTONE3 BLACKARD, SR (SARAH MARY2 FARMER, DANIEL1) was born November 1819 in Person Co., NC, and died 1898 in Oakland Cem, Clarksville, AR.
Notes for TOLIVER GOLDSTONE BLACKARD:
7. Blackard, Toliver G-Private. Appointed judge-advocate of regiment 10th Militia, Co. B. This company mustered at Clarksville, Arkansas, from February 22 to March 19, 1862, with 99 men present. Captain John W. King was in command during this muster. Most of these men later enlisted in regular Confederate regiments.
8. Military 410, 1 Oct 1863 +Civil War, CSA, 7th Arkansas Cavalry Regiment, Co. L, Sergeant, Mt. Ida, Arkansas
http://www.couchgenweb.com/civilwar/7cavf&s.html
BLACKARD, T.G. Sgt - Enl 1 Oct 1863 at Mt Ida, AR. . Co L-7TH ARK CAV REG, CSA
BLACKARD, W.M. Pvt - Enl 1 Oct 1863 at Mt Ida, AR. 7TH ARK CAV REG-CSA
This regiment was formed by increasing Hill's Cav Bn to a regiment 25 Jul 1863.
NOTE: The Thompson's Regt referred to at times was later re-designated as Gordon's Regt of Cav
Camden Expedition Mar - May 1864
Poison Springs 18 Apr 1864
Marks Mill 25 Apr 1864
Price's MO Raid Sep- Oct 1864
Mound City, Kansas Oct 24 1864 1300 Arkansas Cavalry captured by Kansas troups
Marais des Cygnes 25 Oct 1864
Toliver is buried in the Oakland Cem., Clarksville, Johnson Co., AR with a Civil War headstone.
Children of TOLIVER BLACKARD are:
i. JOHN VINCENT4 BLACKARD, b. 1842, Buffalo River, Carroll Co., AR; d. August 10, 1861, Battle of Wilson's Creek, Mo in Civil War.
Notes for JOHN VINCENT BLACKARD:
Company "C" 1st Mounted Rifles, C.S.A., 1st Arkansas Cavalry, Clarksville, Arkansas, Capt. Olinver Basham, organizer (source John E. King, Sr.)
3rd Inf St. Troops, King's Co., Lt. official records
ii. HEZEKIAH KI R BLACKARD, LT, b. February 09, 1843, Clarksville, Johnson Co., AR; d. January 30, 1913, Oakland Cem., Clarksville, AR;
Notes for HEZEKIAH KI R BLACKARD, LT:
AR, 16th Inf, Co A, 2nd Lt CSA.
COMPANY A 16TH ARKANSAS INFANTRY REGIMENT CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA
BLACKARD, HEZEKIAH 2Lt - Enl 27 Feb 1862 at Boston Mountain, AR. Age 19, born in AR. Elected 27 Jun 1862.
16th Arkansas Infantry was assigned to the following Armies
Jan. 1, 1862 Second Brigade, District of Western Arkansas, Western Department
Mar. 17, 1862 Second Brigade, First Division, Army of the West
Mar. 20, 1862 First Brigade, First Division, Army of the West
Apr. 29, 1862 First Brigade, Price's Division, Army of the West
Oct. 1, 1862 First Brigade, First Division, Price's Corps (Army of the West), Army of West Tennessee
Jan. 7, 1863 Beall's Brigade, (Consolidated with 1st Battalion, 17th, 28th, and 23rd Ark Inf), Garrison, Port Hudson, La.
Jan. 31, 1863 Beall' Brigade (no longer consolidated), District of Louisiana, Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana
Mar. 31, 1863 Beall's Brigade, Third Military District, Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana
Apr. 1, 1863 Gee/Johnson Arkansas Infantry (Consolidated with 8th Battalion and 15th Arkansas Infantry
The 16th Arkansas Infantry participated in fewer then ten various type engagements during its brief career.
These engagements are listed below.
March 6-8, 1862 Battle of Pea Ridge, Ark (Elkhorn Tavern, Bentonville, Leetown) April 29- may 30 1862
Advance on and siege of Corinth, Mississippi Sept 19, 1862
Engagement, Iuka, Mississippi Oct. 3-4 1862
Battle, Corinth, Mississippi May 27- July 9, 1863
Siege of Port Hudson, Louisiana (Longest siege of the Civil War) ay 27, 1863
Defense of Garrison, Port Hudson, Louisiana June 14, 1863
Engagement at Slaughter Field, Port Hudson, Louisiana June 26, 1863 26 members crossed over the parapet and engaged the Union forces digging towards the garrison, Port Hudson, Louisiana
July 9, 1863 Surrender of Garrison, Port Hudson, Louisiana
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This is a GOOD STORY which I highly recommend as a “good read” and it has Lt KI BLACKARD
Story to be found in its entirety at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~arcivwar/BAILEY.htm
The fall of Vicksburg, MS - July 1863.
"Our hope of relief at the beginning of the siege was not strong and grew less as the days passed by. Still we hoped and that helped us to bear cheerfully our hardships. With the surrender of Vicksburg, July the 4th all hope of success vanished. On the 8th of June terms of our surrender were agreed upon. Privates and noncommissioned officers to be paroled, and allowed to go home. All commissioned officers to be held as prisoners. Early on the morning of the 9th, the Confederate forces, ragged and dirty, were drawn up in line near the river bank, just south of the village of Port Hudson.
On the following day, the work of making our paroles for the privates and noncommissioned officers was begun, and by the 13th all of them were on their way home except the sick and wounded in the hospital. The Arkansas troops were furnished transportation by boat to points up the river.
After the departure of the paroled men, the officers were confined to about two or three acres of ground on the river bank, embracing a few old business houses, with a double line of guards, to prevent any possible chance of escape. On the morning of the 14th we were notified that the next day we would be put aboard steamers and started north for imprisonment on Johnson's Island.
Eight other officers of my regiment succeeded in getting away before reaching prison, most of them by jumping overboard while going up the Mississippi River and swimming ashore, I recall now, the following: LIEUTENANT KIGH BLACKARD, Captain Dan Boone of Company II, Lieutenant Billy Lawson, Company I. There were others whose names I cannot now remember. A Lieutenant Meadows of the 14th Arkansas lost his life by drowning in the attempt. After reaching a point of safety, some twenty five miles from Port Hudson, we turned our steps in the direction of home, some five or six hundred miles distant."
(Excerpt from: http://www.rootsweb.com/~arcivwar/BAILEY.htm "Joseph M. Bailey Memoirs of the Civil War", This story was written over 40 years after the war ended, by Joseph M. Bailey CO D 16TH ARKANSAS INF REG’T CSA. BAILEY, J.M. 1Lt - Enl 17 Oct 1861 at Carrollton, AR. Age 21, born in TN. Paroled 7 Jun 1865 at Shreveport, LA.)
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"The Paylor Boys and "Ki" Blackard, afterward referred to as "a soldier who never flinched", were enduring the hardest siege of the war at Port Hudson". (Taken from a series of articles written by Ex-Senator G.T.Cazort of Lamar in 1905, submitted by Lillian Mickel-Johnson Co., Historical Society Journal, April 1977 A searchable index for the Journals is: http://userdb.rootsweb.com/bookindexes/ )
Miltitary record of Paylor,J.R.F(Fletcher).
Co A. 16 Ark. Infantry CSA
Fletcher Paylor was a Private in Capt. Swagerty's Co., Arkansas Inf. at the age of 20 years. He was Muster in at Fayetteville Arkansas on Oct. 17, 1861. Joined for duty and enrolled on Sept. 12 1861 at Clarksville Arkansas by Capt. Swaggerty for a period of 1 year.
Private Fletcher Paylor joined 16 Arkansas Infantry, in Company A. Oct. 17, 1861 to July 12, 1863. Appeared on list of non-commissioned officers and privates, prisoners of war, who have been released upon their paroles from Port Hudson, La..
Private Fletcher Paylor fought at the battle of Pea Ridge Arkansas in Feb. 1862, Also in the Battles of Farmington, Iuka and Corinth (spring 1862), Miss. and the Seige at Port Hudson
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December 18, 1863 - Civil War Johnson Co., AR
KI (HEZEKIAH) BLACKARD fought at the only Civil War battle in Johnson Co., AR at Dick's Branch just north of Ludwig, AR. He was enlisted in Company "H", 16th Regimental Infantry, Clarksville, Arkansas. C.S.A. -- "One battle that was not recorded in the history of the Civil War was on the 18th of December, 1863. Captain John C Hill, with 32 men whom he had gathered up for the purpose of going south, were in Clarksville, Arkansas. They were riding west on Main street and saw the Federals coming into town from the north, so he, with his men, galloped out of town and halted to see if the Federals were following. They waited a few minutes and they did not follow them, so they went about a quarter of a mile further and dismounted, hitched their horses back and formed a line near the road. Captain Hill asked for volunteers to go back and see what the Federals were doing and try to decoy them out, so Captain Bill Cravens and Mort Hardwick volunteered to go. They went into town on the west side and saw the Federals going out on the east, so when they returned and reported, Captain Hill and the others held a consultation and decided to follow them. They took their trail and the first place they came to, to get any information, was three miles out. Federals had just passed. So they followed them out to the WILEY TAYLOR PLACE AT THE FOOT OF RED LICK MOUNTAIN, and overtook them as they had stopped to camp. MISS JENNIE WATTS (who was later to become Mrs. Jonathan James Taylor) , was one of the women that gave them the information about where they were camping. Two were killed, one wounded, captured one and several horses, and then they returned to Clarksville where they camped for the night and in a few days went south to the Army." (source: Johnson Co., AR Historical Society A searchable index for the Journals is: http://userdb.rootsweb.com/bookindexes/)
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February, 1865 Civil War Camp Life in Minden, Louisiana. (Memoirs of Joseph Bailey)
About this time Captain Cloud was detailed for court martial duty, leaving me in command of the company with LIEUTENANT BLACKARD second in command. Sometime in February, 1865, we were ordered to camp near Minden, Louisiana.
(Excerpt from: http://www.rootsweb.com/~arcivwar/BAILEY.htm "Joseph M. Bailey Memoirs of the Civil War", This story was written over 40 years after the war ended, by Joseph M. Bailey CO D 16TH ARKANSAS INF REG’T CSA. BAILEY, J.M. 1Lt - Enl 17 Oct 1861 at Carrollton, AR. Age 21, born in TN. Paroled 7 Jun 1865 at Shreveport, LA.)
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Spring 1865 - Surrender!!! and then home.
The infantry forces, of the Trans-Mississippi Department were in a high state of efficiency at the time of General Lee's surrender. In looking over the record (official) of the war, I find reports of Federal spies, in which they comment at length on the discipline and behavior of the Confederates. A few weeks were spent in camp at Minden, Louisiana, where we were ordered to Shreveport, and later to Marshall, Texas, where we received the news of General Lee's surrender. I will not attempt to depict the gloom that prevaded our camps when the news was fully confirmed. General Johnson's surrender later convinced us of the utter hopelessness of further resistance. Many favored the disabandonment of the regular army and the organization of independent commands and a resort to guerilla warfare. But wiser and more conservative council prevailed. "
About a month previous to this time, while stationed at Shreveport I had loaned a horse to a friend, LIEUTENANT McCONNELL of my regiment who obtained leave of absence with the view of getting his wife and baby from CLARKSVILLE, ARKANSAS out of the Federal lines, to some place of safety inside the confederate lines. After a couple of days ride homeward, I met some friends who told me that McConnell and family had passed there a few days previous on his way to Clarksville, Texas. Being anxious to get my horse, I concluded to follow. A ride of three days took me to Clarksville, TX to find that my horse had been stolen, while passing through southern Arkansas about a week previous. Feeling somewhat disappointed I turned my step homeward again. After a ride of two days alone, I over took three mounted exconfederate soldiers, two of whom I knew, and who lived not far from my home. Meeting with these men was a great pleasure as many miles of our route lay through sparsely settled section of country, noted for its outlawry. We found most of the people on our way, in very destitute circumstances, but ready to divide cheerfully anything they had of provisions, with hungry Confederates. We arrived at the ARKANSAS RIVER to find it nearly about full, and looking ugly to a landsman. There being no ferry, our only chance of crossing was by means of an ordinary skiff which the owner preferred to loan us, but he would not undertake to row us over. I was the only one of the party who had ever used oars, and my experience was limited to a few short pulls in still water. With some misgivings, we resolved to make the attempt. Taking the oars while the other parties looked after our horses, we pulled out. Two of the horses refused to swim which made it harder for the oarsman, but we effected a landing, after a hard pull nearly a mile below our place of entering. Not being accustomed to hard work during the war I found before we were half way across that blood was flowing freely from my hands.
We met several squads of Yankee soldiers, after crossing the river, but we were not molested. We spent a day and a night with my friends, Sergeant Clark and LIEUTENANT BLACKARD, who lived near CLARKSVILLE, and then resumed our journey across the Boston Mountains to our homes in Carroll County, arriving there two days later.
(Excerpt from: http://www.rootsweb.com/~arcivwar/BAILEY.htm "Joseph M. Bailey Memoirs of the Civil War", This story was written over 40 years after the war ended, by Joseph M. Bailey CO D 16TH ARKANSAS INF REG’T CSA. BAILEY, J.M. 1Lt - Enl 17 Oct 1861 at Carrollton, AR. Age 21, born in TN. Paroled 7 Jun 1865 at Shreveport, LA.)
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The Clarksville Democrat, obit dated 6 Feb 1913, "Hezekiah Blackard born 9th Feb 1843 Johnson Co., AR. He was the son of "Uncle Toliver" Blackard. He spent his entire life in Johnson County. He enlisted during the civil war & served in the 16th Regiment, Company A, Arkansas infantry, with the rank of lieutenant. During the Port Hudson charge led by Capt. A. S. McKennon, Mr. Blackard fell into the ditch in front of a trench, and Capt. McKennon ran over him, breaking his collar bone. He and the Captain spoke of this story often in later years.
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iii. GEORGE DANIEL BLACKARD, b. November 14, 1845, AR; d. March 17, 1875, Oakland Cem, Clarksville, AR
Notes for GEORGE DANIEL BLACKARD:
BLACKARD, GEORGE Pvt - Enl 31 May 1862 at Clarksville, AR. Absent sick 23 Jun 1863.
Transferred to Engineer Troops 13 Jan 1864. CO D -Johnson Co, 4TH (GORDON'S) ARK CAV REG, CSA
Anderson Gordon's Regt, 4 Arkansas Cavalry, Co D
7TH ARK CAV REG-CSA This regiment was formed by increasing Hill's Cav Bn to a regiment 25 Jul 1863.
NOTE: The Thompson's Regt referred to at times was later redesignated as Gordon's Regt of Cav
BATTLES: Devil's Backbone 1 Sep1863
Camden Expedition Mar-May 1864
Poison Springs 18 Apr 1864
Marks Mill 25 Apr 1864
Price's MO Raid Sep-Oct 1864
Mound City, KS 24 Oct 1864 many Rebel prisoners captured
Marais des Cygnes 25 Oct 1864
So, William Merit joined the 7th and was then transferred to Gordon's 4th which was formerly known as Thompson's. Since George Daniel Blackard is on this webpage with William Merit, I figure his service followed the same path. To the best I can understand, William Merit and George Daniel were then transferred to Gordon's Regt of Cav., 4th Co., D.
2. WILLIAM MERIT3 BLACKARD (SARAH MARY2 FARMER, DANIEL1) was born April 15, 1822 in Hurdle Mills, Person Co., NC, and died January 11, 1865 in Rock Island Union prison camp, IL.
Notes for WILLIAM MERIT BLACKARD:
Johnson Co., Arkansas 10th Militia, Co B
John Fry Hill's 7th Arkansas Cavalry, Co L
Anderson Gordon's Regt, 4 Arkansas Cavalry, Co D
BLACKARD, T.G. Sgt - Enl 1 Oct 1863 at Mt Ida, AR.
BLACKARD, W.M. Pvt - Enl 1 Oct 1863 at Mt Ida, AR. Co L-John Frye Hill's 7TH ARK CAV REG, CSA
7TH ARK CAV REG-CSA This regiment was formed by increasing Hill's Cav Bn to a regiment 25 Jul 1863.
NOTE: The Thompson's Regt referred to at times was later redesignated as Gordon's Regt of Cav
BATTLES: Devil's Backbone 1 Sep1863
Camden Expedition Mar-May 1864
Poison Springs 18 Apr 1864
Marks Mill 25 Apr 1864
Price's MO Raid Sep-Oct 1864
Mound City, KS 24 Oct 1864 many Rebel prisoners captured
Marais des Cygnes 25 Oct 1864
BLACKARD, WILLIAM M. Pvt - Captured 24 Oct 1864 at Mound City, KS and sent to MP at Alton, IL 19 Nov 1864 and transferred to Rock Island, IL 7 Dec 1864. CO D -Johnson Co, 4TH (GORDON'S) ARK CAV REG, CSA
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RECORD OF EVENTS:
Co L-7TH ARK CAV REG, CSA - John Frye Hill's Regiment - organized in Johnson Co., AR in Feb 1863
Organized in part later Oct the 1st 1863 at Mount Ida, Ark. Marched back to Johnson Co, Ark a distance of 125 miles. Routed through Johnson, Franklin and Crawford Counties. Skirmished with the federals on the 27th Oct. Crossed the river on the 28th marched to Center Point, Ark consolidated with another company on the 14th of November 1863 and re-elected three lieutenants. The company that mine was consolidated with was with Col Brooks in his raid to Keetsville, MO and in one engagement. /s/ A.D.King, Capt, Commanding
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The Period following Aug 12, 1864-in Missouri with Gen. Price. There were actions at Lexington, MO on Oct 19 and at Independence Big Blue River, and State Line on Oct 22. Price wound up with the Federals in front and to his rear. He retreated to the south, then turned to fight Curtis. His forces had to be near exhaustion when a large portion was captured, near the Kansas line, Cabell & Marmaduke among them. Gordons Cavalry, of which Merit was attached was captured on Oct 24 at Mount City, KS. Merit likely was removed to Alton, IL by boat down the Missouri River. Alton lies at the confluence of the MS River. He later went up river on the MS to Rock Island, which was to become his final resting place.
In the latter part of October '64 developed the Battle of Westport. A week-long running fight through a hundred and fifty miles of western Missouri, fought with 20,000 Federals and 9,000 Rebels, was the biggest battle west of the Missouri River. The battle came to an end October 23, 1864, and that night the Rebel Army headed for the Kansas border. A dozen regiments streamed down the road in a column 15 miles long.
The early morning hours of October 24, 1864 has been recorded as wet and blustery. It has also been recorded that the Yankees captured some prisoners that day at Mound City, Kansas.
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http://www.kansasphototour.com/minecree.htm
On this prairie meadow in East Central Kansas, the third largest cavalry battle of the Civil War took place. The year was 1864, and the War was winding down. Doomed, but not defeated, the Confederacy carried out a bold military campaign into the Border State of Missouri led by Gen. Price. The Border States were states which had Southern sympathies, but had decided not to withdraw from the Union. Price's Missouri Campaign had lofty goals; among them the capture of Ft. Leavenworth, capturing much needed military supplies and recruiting men to fight for the South. The campaign was not a military success, but it did manage to recruit about 2000 men and capture 500 wagons of supplies. These wagons would prove to be Price's undoing. The Price campaign had turned into a series of minor skirmishes as the Confederates were retreating South with their wagons of military supplies. At Mine Creek, they were forced to stop as the wagons struggled to cross this large creek and climb its steep banks which were made even more slippery with recent rains. With their backs to the creek the Confederates were compelled to turn and face the Union Army. The Confederates committed about 7500 horse mounted soldiers in a battle line that extended for about one mile. They were challenged by a force of 2500 Union Cavalry. The Southern soldiers were equipped with rifles which, incredible as it sounds, required them to dismount to reload after each shot. Add to this that they had been defeated at Westport (Kansas City) two days before, and it's understandable why they were defeated by such a small group of Union soldiers.
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http://www.ehistory.com/uscw/features/battles/campaigns/transmiss/0012.cfm
Just before Pleasonton returned (with 8,000 horsemen) and 'Gorilla' Smith's 9,000 infantry arrived, Price moved out. He gobbled up the garrisons at GLASGOW and Sedalia, and kept moving westward, away from the dangerous Union columns. But he was also heading toward danger. With a large Confederate column heading west, the Kansas militia was mobilized and formed on the eastern edge of the state. The first elements of this army (mostly unwilling to leave Kansas) sparred with Price's advance guard at LEXINGTON, but were pushed aside. Price now had three Union forces around him: Kansans under Blunt to the west, cavalry under Pleasonton to the northeast, and infantry under Smith further east. His best way out was south, but he continued to head west - for no good reason. Two days after the fighting at Lexington, there was a more serious battle at the LITTLE BLUE RIVER, but still Price was able to force the Union troops back. However, every scrap on the route west cost Price time, and Pleasonton was snapping at his heels. The next day the vice clamped harder. Price pushed further west at BYRAM'S FORD, but at INDEPENDENCE 1864 the rearguard was hit hard by Pleasonton's advancing men. The running fight continued the next day, but grew still worse for the nearly-trapped Confederates. At WESTPORT the Union defenders held their position, while renewed fighting at BYRAM'S FORD wrecked the Confederate rearguard again. Only a desperate rearguard battle by the Iron Brigade (Shelby's old Missouri cavalry regiments) salvaged anything from the battles on the 23rd of October. The 24th saw much hard riding, but little fighting. A Union brigade kept the Confederates from heading any further west, while Pleasonton's men pounded south after the Confederates. Price still had not abandoned his supply wagons, although since they slowed the column down they were a real danger. And then on the 25th three battles each swallowed part of the dwindling Confederate column. At MARAIS DES CYGNES Pleasonton's men started the latest Confederate rout, which continued to MINE CREEK, where a third of the remaining column was captured, and continuing to the MARMITON RIVER where the Confederate rearguard finally stopped the exhausted Federal cavalry. Price finally destroyed his wagons and acted like a cavalry commander. His men rode south fast, over fifty miles some days. At one final rearguard skirmish (NEWTONIA 1864) the Iron Brigade saved the day and Price's battered column escaped wholesale surrender. But their suffering was not over. The Confederates had not coordinated their forces well. Despite having cavalry stationed in eastern parts of the Indian Territory to clear the way and protect supply columns for Price's anticipated return, the supplies weren't there. Perhaps Kirby Smith was washing his hands of Price's debacle, perhaps it was just another aspect of Confederate disorganization, but there were no supplies waiting. Price had to disperse three brigades (only on paper were they brigades) to go home, with orders to reassemble sometime later. (Whether they ever did is unlikely; men sent home in the circumstances had little incentive to return.) He moved slowly down through northwest Arkansas, trying to gather supplies, but finding few, and a sortie by the Union garrison at Fayetteville was nearly the last straw. It inflicted few casualties, but two more brigades had to be sent home before they mutinied, and by mid-November the Confederates were still in desolated Arkansas. A trickle of supplies arrived, and the men came back in small groups - hunting groups, since that was the only way to survive.
On December 2, 1864 the raid was finally over. Only 3,500 men had returned, and only one-third of those were armed. Price had recruited about 10,000 men plus the 12,000 he started with. But many men had fallen on the way, and more had deserted. Most of the 3,500 were starving, horses were feeble, discipline was bad because Price and other leaders had proven incompetent.
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If, as General Sherman said, "War is Hell", this place, Rock Island Barracks was where the Devil collected his terminal due. It has been written that since Yankee prisoners of war were dying of hunger in the south, the Yankee Officials said, we'll give them a taste of their own medicine, "starve em" and Rock Island Barracks was said to be the worst of any prisoner compound in the North. After 1 years, 24 days of war, and then from October 24, 1864 to Jan 11, 1865, equaling 2 months and 17 days a prisoner, he (William Merit Blackard) reportedly died of pneumonia. Delicately stated, malnutrition, was a major contributor.
Here is what C. Toliver Park wrote about the Rock Island Prison, in part. "Arsenal Island is in the MS River between Rock Island IL, and Davenport, Iowa. 84 barracks in 6 rows of 14 each. measured 82' x 22' with a cook house apiece. A high fence enclosed these on the island that measured 3 Mi x 1 1/2 mi. Water was scarce, with only 2 stoves per barracks. 5 to 8000 Confederate prisoners were held here at a time from late in 1863 to the end of the war. 11,000 total passed through, and 1900 died and are buried here, our William Merit Blackard among them.
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Buck Blackard told an anecdotal story to Robert Francis (Bobby) Park about the day that William Merit Blackard went away to fight the Union soldiers: A rider came into Clarksville and told the citizens that the Union soldiers were approaching Lamar, AR (from the east). William Merit was doing carpentry work on the Dr Rader house at the corner of Fulton and Taylor Streets in Clarksville with his boys. After hearing the news, William Merit removed his tool belt, gathered his tools on the porch, and told his boys, "take the tools on home, and I will see you later”.
This was the last time the family in Clarksville, AR saw their father. The letter below dated August 12, 1864 states, " I think when my 12 months is out if the army does not move there I will slip up there and see you" which indicates that he entered the CSA sometime after Aug of 1863. His official enlistment date given by the Archives is October 1, 1863 at Mt Ida.
He left seven young children ranging from age 13 down to about 6 months. Rachel Bell Blackard, widowed at age 33 with seven young children, never remarried.
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Below is a transcription of a letter written by William Merit Blackard during the Civil War dated August 12, 1864, to his wife and children who resided on a farm near Mt. Olive Church near Clarksville AR. At the time this letter was written, Col. Anderson Gordon's 4th Regiment Arkansas Cavalry was camped on Biobartholemy 15 miles SW of Pine Bluff, AR. Toliver Goldstone Blackard is mentioned in the letter Merit wrote to his wife Rachel in 1864, so we know that Toliver Goldstone was under the same command as was Merit.
"August 12, 1864. Dear Wife and Children once more I seat myself to write you a few lines to let you know how we are getting along. I am in good health and have bin since I left home. I have not taken a dose of medison since I left home, I had a very bad cough and a cold a time or two. It has been so long since I wrote to you that I hardly know how to commens. The last letter I wrote to you I sent by ---(not readable). I reccon you got it. Well since I rote you last I've seen ups and downs, when we left winter quarters we had about six weeks of the hardest scouting that we ever done. I reccon ive went day and knight for the most of the time, reading and schemin, bing with the mamory (word may have been enemy). I woldnt a thought though that I could have stood half of what I have stood but that is not the hard part. At last I have been in two fights and that is the hard part at lest men may say what they please about fighting but when they say they do not feel bad on a battle field you may take it for granted that they was not in their proper place for when a man sees deth staring him in the face he must feel bad. When I go on a battle field the first thing I think about is my pore wife and children, if I am smashed to pieces what will becum of you and my children. If I had no famly I would not regret death so much, but when I go into battle I give up myself to the Lord and ask him to take care of me and I believe He has done it. I was in one place that it does look like a man could not live for the cannon ball shells grape shot and minnie balls was whistling and cutting the lumber and the dirt all around me and men falliing but for some cause God spared me and many others. I have never been so scared but what I had the presents of mind and knowd exactly what I was doing but nothing cannot express the feeling i've had. It is not like any other feeling that ever come over me. I do not boast on my bravery but I think I have don my duty lest the thoughts of my little boys prompts me to stand to my post and I believe I am fittin for liberty. I never want it throwed up to my boys your father was a coward or your Father deserted the southern army. When Susy and Martha has grown up and goes out I don't want it said there comes Merit Blackards girls but He was a coward. I believe I will not keep the company of those and other things causes me to stay away from you.
Well this is he first time I have had a chance to send a letter since I came back from Texas, after the fight at Mark's Mills, our ridgmint with some others had to take charge of the prisners, which was a long and tyersom jurney wee first marched through Shreveport (LA) and then had to take them to Tyler Texas a distance of 300 miles, the number was 1230, which made the duty very heavy for about 400 men to guard, so I have went through a great many hardships rode my horse down pretty well, but he has recruted as good as ever. I do not mind the many hardships nor nothin else if I can have peace and get home a livin and find you all livin. We have been in fine spurits all the time we are gitting tyrd waitin here but there is a move on hand now. I think our ridgment is 15 miles south east of Pine Bluffs. Wherever we have been three weeks as picket and recruting every day, the balance of the cavalry has been 15 miles below the bluffs, on the river but is moving now. I don't know where they will go but recon you'll hear from them soon perhaps we are camped the Byopartholomy, a very sickly portion of the country, tho we have not had any very searys sickness in our ridgment yet. We have been camped near the strem ever since we came back from fexas, which was the first of June. Shelby is still on white river, the infetry is behind us somewhere, I recon we will all rally together again soon. I was not in camp Lieutenant McConnell started back and I should have written. I saw a letter that Jane sent to Toliver which gave me some satisfaction to hear that you was still livin and had something to eat. I can inform you that I have never received a scratch of a pen from you yet I think the time long, I want you to write if you have any chance, I recon you have not had a chance, tho you may have written and it has never come to hand. I still hope to see you again but I cannot tell when. I think when my 12 months is out if the army does not move there I will slip up there and see you, and if you cant live there I will try to get you out. Tell Susan and Thomas that I have got a pretty gold penna pease for them if they will be smart and the one that is smartest will have chois. Tell the balance of my children that I will get them something if they will be smart they shall all have something If I can possabil git anything. I want a Puss and Martha to be sertain not to go to any of the Fed balls and I don't want Thomas to go either. Tell Tolly to hug little Moly once more for me and write to me what She said." (copied by Charles I Graves from the original handwritten letter from William Merit Blackard to his wife Rachel Bell Blackard which is kept in an old family Bible that Charles I Graves has in his possession)
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Information gained from the Bureau of Vital Statistics, as per Lillian Mickel: William Merit Blackard (search as Blackark), Private, Co. D. Anderson Gordon's Arkansas Cavalry, captured Oct 24,1864 Mounds City, KS; transferred from Mound City to Gratiot Military Prison in St. Louis, MO; was removed to prison in Alton, IL on Nov 19, 1864; then was transferred to Rock Island, IL Prison, Arsenal Island, Dec 7, 1864, where he died of pneumonia on January 11, 1865. He is buried in the Confederate Soldiers Cemetary on Rock Island IL, grave number 1767, recorded in Rock Island register page no. 10.
3. Thomas Washington Blackard b: November 24, 1828 in Hurdle Mills, Person Co., NCd: May 07, 1915 in Mt Zion Methodist Church Cem., Hurdle Mills, Person Co., NC
Notes for THOMAS WASHINGTON BLACKARD:
NC in the Civil War - Com A, 50th N.C. Troops -
2- Corporal Thomas W. Blackard age 32, farmer in Person Co, NC.
Source: "North Carolina Troops 1861-1865 A Roster" by Weymouth T Jordan, Jr. 1990 - 14 Volumes
4. IRVIN HENCE3 BLACKARD (SARAH MARY2 FARMER, DANIEL1) was born May 25, 1832 in Person Co., N.Carolina, and died August 10, 1861 in Wilson's Creek, Civil War, MO.
Notes for IRVIN HENCE BLACKARD:
The following is from a lost document. It is from a letter for Irvin H. written by his commanding officer.
"Camp Stevens July 28, 1861;
This goes to certify that Irvin H. Blackard, a private, was enlisted by me, on the 29th day of May 1861 in my company of the Johnson County Rifle Company #26, 3rd Regiment of Infantry of Arkansas Volunteers. That he served as a private in my company from 29 day of May 1861 to 28th day of July 1861.
The said Blackard was born in the state of North Carolina, 29 years of age, six feet high, dark complection, dark hair and blue eyes, and is husky. Discharged by reason of Certificate of the Regimental surgeon of disability.
I further certify that the sum of $21.26 is due him, on account of his per month pay, for 1 month 28 days $21.26. The further sum for clothing allowance of $5.41 and a bounty of 17 mo and 28 days. And 3 years is $5.32. Total of $31.99.
Signed by
A. D. King Captain
Commanding Co. #26
3rd Regiment, Arkansas Valley"
Family legend was that Irvin Hence Blackard died at Wilson’s Creek, Missouri
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“Probate Court Records, Johnson County, Arkansas” compiled and published by Mrs. R. W. Mickel, p. 31
1861 Term “Irvin Hince Blackard dec. Lavinia Jane widow.
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5. LAURENCE HUDGINS3 BLACKARD (SARAH MARY2 FARMER, DANIEL1) was born May 20, 1835 in Person Co., NC, and died October 20, 1920 in Oakland Cem, Clarksville, AR.
Notes for LAURENCE HUDGINS BLACKARD:
NC in the Civil War - Co. A, 50th N.C. Troops -
1- Private Lawrence H. Blackard age 26, farmer and born in Person Co, NC
Source: "North Carolina Troops 1861-1865 A Roster" by Weymouth T Jordan, Jr. 1990 - 14 Volumes
Laurence is buried in the Oakland Cem., Clarksville, Johnson Co., AR with a Civil War headstone.
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I found Toliver's Confederate soldier's gravestone.
I also verified that Laurence Blackard's stone was a Confederate Veteran's stone for I already knew where his stone was.
Then I went across to Hezekiah's stone. Much to my disappointment, and probably his, Hezekiah's stone was not a Confederate Veteran's stone. A quote from Hezekiah's obituary, "He was buried, per his request, in his Confederate gray uniform."
Then I found the picture of William Merit's stone in the Rock Island Prison Cemetery that Kes Trulove sent me. It has "Gordon's Cavalry", George Daniel's stone has "Gordon's Cavalry", and Toliver's has "7th Arkansas Cavalry". Whatever precipitated the reorganization that put William Merit and George Daniel into the Engineering Troops of Gordon's Cavalry, it looks like Toliver was left where he was in Co L, 7th AR Cav.
Both Toliver and William Merit's enlistments were for one year which means their enlistments would have been up October 1, 1864. Lt Colonel Olinver Basham was killed September 27, 1864 at Pilot Knob, Missouri while on Price's raid. William Merit was captured October 24, 1864 in Mound City, Kansas while on Price's Raid. This website link has the day by day itinerary of Price's Raid. The day that William Merit's enlistment was up, he was deep into Missouri, still with the hope of Price's Raid winning back Missouri. Price had yet to meet up with the Kansas Yankees who whipped our boys on the banks of Mine Creek.
http://www.missouridivision-scv.org/price1864raid.htm
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http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/la/state/military/wbts/units/lainf3rg.txt
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