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Colonel Rob Sanders Sir, Upon my arrival in the vicinity of the town of Prairie Grove informed that neither you nor Ltc. Griggs would be arriving. I immediately established our camp and organized the units of the battalion that were able to make it to Prairie Grove. The severe weather and cold held up many of the units and our numbers were greatly reduced as a result. Saturday morning, 2 Dec., was cold and occupied with organizing the battalion. We would field two companies of infantry, one company of dismounted cavalry, one company of mounted cavalry, and one section of artillery. We had a short drill and soon received reports of the enemies presence. By this time you had arrived and took up duties as brigade commander leaving me in command of the battalion. I placed the battalion in line of battle just forward of the Borden House along a prominent ridge line. I placed my dismounted cavalry forward as skirmishers and my artillery on my right. I held the mounted cavalry in reserve. Battle was soon joined and enemy pushed our skirmishers up the ridge towards my line of battle. I had the battalion fire several volleys and the fighting increased in tempo. I felt I had the upper hand until a hidden battery opened making the ridge untenable. I was soon forced to withdraw behind the Borden House and took up a position along a fence of an orchard field. The enemy pursued and I fell back into the orchard with the intent to draw him into a trap. It worked. I was able to envelop both his flanks with the cavalry and after a short fight he began to fall back. We once again moved forward of the Borden House and sent the sent the enemy running for their lives. We pursued him into the valley but were compelled to halt and return our original positions. Our causalities were few in number and we held the ground at the end of the day. That evening, the good citizens of the local area presented our men with small gifts of fruits and candies and hosted a dance. We then settled down for a very cold nights sleep. Sunday was sold and windy, more so than on Saturday. After a slow morning I moved the battalion out in search of the enemy. After crossing a large field we spied the enemy in line of battle near a house> atop a ridge that ran west to east. I moved into a column of companies and engaged with our artillery. With skirmishers forward I moved to meet our foe. I soon placed the battalion into line of battle and> continued to advance up the ridge. The footing was treacherous due to the ice and snow still on the ground. Fighting all the way to the top of the ridge we forced the enemy to withdraw behind the farmhouse. I felt compelled to give chase and advanced past the house into an orchard. The enemy finally stopped and an intense fight erupted. We fought until the sheer numbers of the enemy forced me to refuse both flanks. Soon orders were received to fall back and we established a line of battle in a sunken road on the north side of the farmhouse. We were soon ordered to fall back to the base of the ridge and not long after that we fell back yet again into a large field. With many men killed, wounded, and missing we were forced to continue our retreat. I wish to commend all the members of the battalion who braved the severe weather to fight with the battalion. They proved yet again that there are none better in this theater! Your most obedient servant, Commanding, 1st Arkansas Battalion MANASSAS 145th Exactly 45 years ago, on a similarly muggy weekend in July, 2,500 "soldiers" marched on Manassas National Battlefield Park to mark the centennial of the battle. Dressed in blue and grey work shirts from Sears, they ran and hollered at each other, firing blanks wildly. 50,000 spectators viewed. It was the birth of modern reenacting; unfortunately the crowd took a heavy toll on the park and the National Park Service will not allow the use of its system for reenacting. The "hobby" is comprised of 150,000 soldiers today, according to Ed Hooper, the editor of Camp Chase Gazette. The 1st Arkansas battalion was well represented with participants from AR, TX, LA, OK, TN and MO, swelling the command of Colonel Rob Sanders to well over 120 men. The battalion represented the 2nd Mississippi proudly and fought with great elan. As they marched into battle on Saturday they covered two miles of hard marching to get into position to deliver their deadly blow to the invading Northern hordes. While heavily engaged on their left flank by a host of scores of cavalry, the troops were assaulted by several brigades of enemy forces. At the moment of initial contact, with guns loaded, the troops fell victim to blinding torrential rain, but held their position. With no way of knowing whether the figures advancing in front of them were friend or foe, due to the torrent, hundreds of troops went into posititon on the horizion. They were Federal and let loose a staggering volley, charging our fair troops. Then the 2nd repulsed the Union advance only to be sent reeling again. Colonel Sanders was sent to the rear, wounded by a stray musket ball, yet maintained the men in good order, refusing to allow the Yankees to advance. After several more assaults by well disciplined and hard charging Federals, the 2nd was ordered to the rear with one third of her men fallen dead on the field of honour. The troops of the ANV quickly took up position and the battle shifted back and forth for over two and a half hours. With artillery belching mountains of dark smoke from the hills above, the 2nd stood its ground around the Henry House, circa 1780. Remarkably, due to the presense of the 2nd, the house remained intact and the field was held. The next day the 2nd was placed first in line of march by General Stepp, and the 2nd went back in to face a grim fate. In spite of overwhelming odds, the Yankees were sent into an eventual rout and the prize was won by the Confederate forces. Respectfully submitted, Your humble and ob't servant, S Bailey Private REPORT ON JEFF CITY 5/25/06 HQ Jefferson City, Mo May 20, 1861 This bn linked with the 1st Mo bn on the 2oth inst and advanced on Federal positions at Jefferson City, Mo. On Sat morning the field was dominated by cavalry and a sharp engagement ensued. When the horses had fagged and many empty saddles headed for the high ground in our rear, the infantry took the field led by Lt/Col Griggs and Maj Alexander of this bn. Though ably led, the boys soon fell into a state of confusion and the attacks were not coordinated as planned by the commanding Gen. However, a final thrust was made which swept the enemy form the field and caused him to take up the defensive. As the enemy worked into the night strengthening his works the gallant officers of this bn and the Mo bn were entertained at a wine and cigar social hosted by the fair and grateful ladies of the city. The officers spent some time going over strategy for the continued fight over the best wine the fair city had to offer. It has been reported that a very high ranking officer of the CSA was present: to give tactical advice, no doubt. On Sunday afternoon the battle continued: Gen Sanders personally taking command of both bn's and directing charge after charge against the formidable works of the enemy. Many a comrade was left writhing on the field. When all was said and done, the army withdrew at precisely 2:00 o'clock pm to regroup and make the trip back through the Boston Mnts. For Gen R. D. Sanders Commanding  Long Live the Rebellion go here to order  The Pizza Hut that stood atop the spot where Gnl Cleburne was killed in the Battle of Franklin has been torn down!  MUSKET CARE -SPECIAL!!! It's time to do that WINTER CLEANING. I recommend a total "off the stock, clean and inspect every part" procedure. I have a winter special. I will do the complete off-the-stock deep cleaning,inspection, re-lubricate and rust preventative, and polish for just $20.00. AND... deliver it to you at the next Battalion event! order now HAMMERTIME webpage |
 Gentlemen, Your Obedient Servant, My very best regards, Lt. Col. Scotty Garrett Jeff Davis Guards  Yankee
captures entire 3rd Arkansas at Prairie Grove...photo by David
Pinkusof the 19th I-oh-way.  34th Arkansas Flag at the Old Statehouse in Little Rock. click here to read more about the 34th ARK It was the year for snow and ice at the Prairie Grove reenactement! Lots of folks stayed away due to the icy roads. However by Friday afternoon the roads were just fine. There were about 60 of the 1st Arkansas there. We reenacted the battle as historically accurately as possible. On Saturday we were the34th Arkansas who were posted on top of the hill and flanked the 19th Iowa and 20th Wisconsin and drove them down the hill to the plains below. It was great weather ...just a little chilly at night! Thanks to the parks efforts we had plenty of firewood. However the water froze and was in short supply. On Sunday we had to do the deed and be the Yankees. We had a great time. Here is a list of events of interest for 2007 ... courtesy of the 7th ARK
May 4-6 Battle of Chalk Bluff, St. Francis, AR June 8-10 Battlefire, Tribbey, OK (date uncertain - could be June 1-3) July August 4 Living history & skirmish at Mammoth Springs,
AR. Sept 14-16 145 anniversary of Battle of Antietam, MD (national
event) Oct 12-14 Battle of Columbus-Belmont, Columbus, KY Nov 2-4 Battles at Old Washington, AR Dec 7-8-9 Battles at Talequah, OK  www.porthudsonrelics.com If any of the 1st Arkansas battalion is interested in our relics... give me a call...we can work a deal....Keith Bauer  "As the moon shone on our battalion we could see we mustered about 120 and knew we would be hard pressed this day. About 6:30am we marched out and we could hear the fray below but could not even see the flashes of their guns due to a fog that was so thick a man could not see his sight at the end of his rifle."  TEXAS CIVIL WAR MUSEUM 3/19/06 When the Beaumont reenactment was cancelled, Col Sanders and members of the 3rd ARK went out to the Texas Civil War Museum. If you havent been to this yet...go. It is great! Lots of amazing things in there and presented in a new impressive way. FLAGS! Lot of 'em and...more Confederate shell jackets that I've seen anywhere. You will not believe how small the waist is on Gnl Robert Hoke's jacket. http://www.texascivilwarmuseum.com CLOTHING GLOSSARY click here to download To print what I sent in book form:(pages printed on the
front and back of each sheet)........print the first 15 pages
and set your printer to landscape.....
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