(Fort Smith: Cradle of The First Southern Free State - continued)
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Union forces led by Major General Frederick Steele m
arched into Little Rock September 10, 1863. This left the confederates with
authority only in effect in an area south of the Arkansas river and west of the Saline
river. As skirmishes were taking place in the captured areas, a recuperated General James Blunt, began supporting Northwest Arkansas Union sentiment for immediate reconstruction of government. In a speech he promised the protection by Federal troops to citizens who stopped fighting the United State and began working for a civil government reorganization loyal to the Union. The words of General Blunt gave added steam to the strong Northwest Arkansas movement of reunion. Following this, the historic "Cradle of the First Southern Free State" meeting held in Fort Smith October 30, 1863, was emotionally a very stirring time, for the Unionists from twenty counties. For two years, thousands of Union families of the border slave states had been driven from their homes. Friends were murdered and thousands more were dragged from their homes and were compelled to fight for a cause they did not agree with. Resolutions adopted at the Fort Smith meeting were: (1) to prosecute any rebels still in arms against the United States; (2) support the Administration in all of its past and present efforts to suppress the existing rebellion; (3) a state convention should be held in Little Rock to reorganize state government; (4) all laws establishing or perpetuating the institution of slavery should be abolished; (5) none but "Unconditional Union" men be allowed to vote at election; (6) cooperation with all "unconditional Union" men in establishing law and order to the State of Arkansas; (7) and that other counties be invited to cooperate in adopting similar resolutions. Those present at the meeting unanimously nominated Colonel James M. Johnson of Madison County, Commander of the 1st Arkansas Infantry, as a candidate to represent Western Arkansas in the United States Congress. Other meetings in several counties followed the precedent setting meeting in Fort Smith. Union representatives for five to ten counties would gather in one county for a mass meeting and pass resolutions showing their intent to be reunited with the United States. |
Some area were not as successful as
Fort Smith had been in it's "Cradle of the First Southern Free State" meeting.
scheming politicians and Confederate sympathizers frequently harassed the Unionists at
the meetings, especially at places close to Arkansas counties still in Confederate
hands. In mid-September, General Blunt turned over command of the Fort Smith post to Colonel James M. Johnson of the 1st Arkansas Union Infantry. General Blunt then went to Fort Scott Kansas for supplies. While Blunt was away from his command in Kansas, he had his command taken from him. For some time, Blunt's superior, General Schofield, Commander of the Department of Missouri, had been alleging that Blunt's staff was guilty of gross frauds and corruption along with troop demoralization. General Schofield finally asked President Lincoln to relieve Blunt of his duties. The President studied the allegations for several weeks. General Schofield had no solid proof of wrong doing and it took considerable prodding from him before the President relieved General Blunt of his District of the Frontier command at Fort Smith. On October 24, Brigadier General JoMcNeil was named as Blunt's replacement and he arrived in Fort Smith October 30th. He formally assumed command of the post on November 2nd after he took a good look around the post and listened to reports of the enemy's activities. Naturally, Blunt was upset by all of this and more than a little angry. He may or may not have deliberately misconstrued his orders on what to do next, for it was intended that he go to Fort Leavenworth. What he did, instead, was to accompany an immense supply train into Fort Smith November 13. The train had government supplies, paymaster trains, Indian and sutler goods. He and General McNeil were cordial, at least on the surface. it was reported that his stay would be brief, but it lingered into January. General Orders #2 from the post came on November 7th. General McNeil was incensed about 'irregularities' concerning horses. The orders mandated a permit was needed to buy and sell horses and there was a strong statement of intent to treat anyone as a bushwacker who stole forage. General Orders #3, also November 7th, directed officers to report the exact |