The 14thOVI/3rd Arkansas History Page

The photo on the left is of Colonel Manning of the 3rd Arkansas. The photo on the right is of Colonel Albert Rust, the original Colonel of the 3rd Arkansas.

Received this document from Steve Bays a descendant. Any changes or corrections made by me are noted by ( )
Text as received begins here.
The following document is copied from a copy I have of the life story of the Reverend Nicholas C. Denson. He dictated this to his daughter between March 1916 to May 1920. I am copying this document as it is worded and spelled. The copy at times is faded and I will do my best to try and determine the correct words. Several portions will be omitted and the primary topic covered will be the Civil War years. Where a sentence begins or ends with... ... there will be portions deleted. My g-g-grandfather was R.L. Denson, the younger brother. Remember that this was dictated by an old man trying to remember events and names from 50 years past. Many names are mis-spelled. In the book "They'll do to tie to" N.C. is listed in the original muster role in Company K as Pvt. M.C. Denson and in the list of those surrendered at Appomattox in Company K as 1st Sgt. N.C. Denson.

Reminiscences of the Rev. N.C. Denson written by request of loved ones and dedicated to my youngest daughter Lucy Denson Daniel

N.C. Denson was born May 13, 1841 in Rankin County, Mississippi. His father, Albert C. Denson, his mother Emiley Eley Denson. In the winter of 44 and 45 moved with father, mother, brother, N.E. Denson and 2 sisters, Casandrie and Emiley Denson, to Arkansas and settled in what is now Ashley County, Fountain Hill, Arkansas. Brother R.L. Denson was born August, 1846. Father died February 25, 1847. Mother married again about January, 1851 to P.H. Baldy. From this union three children were born... ... I entered into partnership with my brother N.E. Denson to farm. Our step-father, P.H. Baldy, having agreed to turn over a few cabins on a tract of land belonging to cousing Madison Denson. Bought two horses, one for $125 and the other for $120 on credit. We rented land up and down Flat Creek for two or three miles adjacent to the Northwest Corner of Fountain Prairie where we worked days and parts of nights. Made a good crop of cotton and corn. Sold for good price and paid debts. Entered 160 acres of land one mile west of Fountain Prairie, built a boxed house with two rooms and porch, two negro cabins, pole crib, and stable. Cleared about 40 or 50 acres of land the first winter, '60 and '61. Set up housekeeping with two brothers, two sisters, and a few negroes. As I was physically stronger than my older brother and my younger brother being young, and the old negro man being old and the negro boys young, I took the lead in splitting rails to fence the ground and deadoning timber, cutting the oaks through the sap. Having a great desire for an education I agreed with my older brother that one of us would work on the farm and the other go to school. So in April '61 I started to school at Fountain Hill academy, W.F. Mack as teacher. But after six weeks of school the war between the states came on. Believing it a duty to my home and loved ones I agreed to go with the first company that left Hamburg, June 1, 1861 on foot for Virginia. We had about 100, mostly young men and boys. Our officers; Captain, Van H. Manning, First Lieut. W.J. Wilkins, Second Lieut, J.W. Morris, Third Lieut, B.F. Lowe. None of my officers ever resigned. First Sergt. J.W. Manning, brother to the Captain. After three days marching with a ride of seven miles on a railroad, we reached Wuice, on the Mississippi River. After a few hours wait we got transportaton on a steamboat to Memphis, where we went by railroad to Lynchburg, Virginia, arriving at Lynchburg June 12. About the first of July we were organized into a regiment, known as the Third Arkansas Infantry. Albert Rust, Col. Lieut. Col., Barton, Capt. Manning was promoted to Major, and J.W. Wilkins to Captain, J.W. Morris to First Lieut., B.F. Lowe, Second Lieut., and W.W. Cochran elected as Third Lieut. We left Lynchburg July 17, by way of Stanton my stepbrother, Sam Baldy, a member of Company C lost his footing, fell and was killed by the car wheels. As my company did not get first position of Company A in the organization of the Regiment, Capt. Wilkins took Company K. Our first camp was on Alleghany Mountain, second at Crab Valley between the mountain and Greenbrier River, where we camped for some two months. In September we went on two expeditions led by Col. Rust over mountains and along rivers without roads. Trying to dislodge the enemy on Cheat Mountain. We fought our first battle at Greenbrier River October 3, 1861. The attacking general, Renole Ted, failed. We remained at Greenbrier River until November 22, when we broke camp and marched to Strasburg and thence to Winchester where we wintered, save when we went on an expedition to Bath and Romeny, that's 40 miles west of Winchester. Under command of Stonewall Jackson. Early in the spring of 62 we went to S(G)oldsburro, N.C. and remained until just before the Seven Days Battle around Richmond. Here we were in Walker's Brigade, Ho(l)mes Division. We were under fire of the enemies gun boats but not actively engaged but I stood as special picket the night McClennon(McClellan) fell back to City Point. After which we done picket duty at Chester, the halfway station between Richmond and Petersburg. After which we took up our tedious march to Maryland. We crossed and recrossed the Potomac and on the 17th of Sept. 1862 at Sharpsburg or Antetium, our first bloody battle. My Company K lost eight killed, and about twice that number wounded. Six of the killed were my mess mates. James Hughes my first wife's oldest brother, Isaac Denson, my cousin, Reynolds and Hammock, Pat Davis, Nichols and W.M. Stinson, my bed mate was wounded. E.L. Bingham out of the nine that went into battle were unhurt. It was a great slaughter of dear boys. We slept on the battle field that night among the dead and dying. The night of the 18th, we recrossed the Potomac. P.S.: Just before we crossed to Maryland to the Sharpsburg battle, we went to Harper's Ferry by force march. We were part of the troops that surrounded and captured about fourteen or fifteen thousand of the enemy. After this battle it was a sad time with me. When I sat down to write the sad news to the loved ones at home. Those of us left had little time to muse over the past but we dropped a silent tear for loved ones who slept their last sleep, we believed our cause to be just. We went forward trusting in God determined to do our duty as we now saw it. The enemy now having failed to capture Richmond by way of City Point or by the Sharpsburg Mountain changed commanders and placed Joe Hooker(should be Ambrose Burnside) in command and attempted to cross the Rappihannock River at Fredericksburg. About the 10th of December, 1862 by force marching we commenced to mass our men to meet their advance but our faithful men under James Longstreet on the right, and Stonewall Jackson on the left, we drove them back across the Rappihannock and Lincoln changed commanders and Burnside(should be Hooker) was placed in command. After a hard cold winter, trying be different routes to accomplish that cherished hope in Dec. at Fredericksburg, Va. my regiment the Third Arkansas, Col. Manning, Lieut. Col. Taylor, Major Reedy was placed in a brigade with the 1st, 4th, 5th Texas Regiments, and through the balance of the war as the Texas Brigade, Hoods Division, Longstreets Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia. In the first part of the spring of 1863 we were sent to Suffolk. In the meantime Grant was put in command with his gun boats and army. He strove to drive away and divide the Confederacy by taking and keeping possession of the Miss. River so Lee started a campaign in early summer. I, with others, was willing to go whither-so-ever Lee said and led. We marched through Northern Virginia, crossed in Maryland thence into Pennsylvania on to Gettysburg, where, on the first of July our forces met the enemy west of Gettysburg and drove them back to the town and Little Round Top where on the 2nd my command engaged the enemy at two o'clock p.m. and fought until night fall, held the field, slept on our arms that night. After the hardest evenings fight of the war. I visited this battle field after 50 years and located the ground which is still woods and in sight. An incident occured here on the 2nd just before we went into battle. I was one of the colorguard with the flag. My position in the front rank on the right of the colors. I prided in position but my Capt. JW. Wilkins, went to Col. Van H. Manning and said, "Col. we are going into battle today, I want all of my non-commisioned officers with the Company. Send Denson to the company." which order was given and obeyed. After that evening's battle the color bearer and one colorguard was all that was left that was not killed or wounded. Not only a hard one but one of the bloodiest battles of the war. On the 3rd we were under fire all day but not actively engaged in line of battle at the foot of Little Round Top while several hundred pieces of artillery on Cemetary Ridge opened up on the camp of the enemy on top of Round Top. Just before Picket made his celebrated charge. After that charge we marched back to Cemetary Ridge. Two or three hundred yards in our rear where we spent that night on our arms. We spent the 4th of July on the field hoping that the enemy would come, but they did not. At nightfall of the 4th we marched to Hagars Town, Maryland, where we stayed until the night of the 11th when we marched back towards Virginia and recrossed the Potomac River into Virginia. On the morning of the 12th we were in Northern Virginia drilling resting and recruiting until the early part of September when we received orders. Longstreet's Corp composed of McLaws and Hodd's Division to go to the Western Bragg Army down in Georgia. So we marched to Petersburg, took the train through the Carolinas to Georgia, so on the 18th got off the train and marched through the heat and dust towards Chic(k)am(a)ugua, where the forces of Bragg and Rosencranze(Rosecrans) were in battle. Again, the morning of Saturday, the 19th of Sept., my Captain asked the Col. to send me back from the flag to the Company. That evening we attacked the enemy who ambushed my command and, killed Major Reedy and killed and wounded a number of our brave boys, but those of us left raised the Rebel Yell and drove them before us. That evening while resting on our arms I learned through Sergt. Maj. Hyatt that J.V. Williams, a mess mate and bed mate, was lying severely wounded in the head, so John Hill, another comrade, and I went and bore him to the rear to a place of safety. We slept on our arms that night on the battle field. The next morning, Sunday morning, the 20th just as day was dawning Harlston, the Company Messenger boy, or Courier, came to me in line, woke me up and said, "Col. Manning says for you to report to him." He was lying in line at the head of the regiment. I reported and said, "Col. I'm here." He said, "Denson, go to the rear, look up the wagon train, tell Bob Rust, Commissary Clerk, to bring my meat wagon for my men to have something to eat." I obeyed orders by taking my gun and went to the rear. At least a mile or more back across Chicamouga(Chickamauga) Creek, found wagon yard and Rust, delivered my message and hurried back to the regiment, which I found getting into line for an advance. We were soon in the charge. I had my gun broke at the lock by a minnie ball. The gun was broke but it saved my body as I was in the act of tapping my gun which I had just fired at the enemy who were charging. We routed the enemy, our colors fell several times Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th. My Col. at this point, presented me with the colors. I have been on this battle field twice since the war, here is where Gen. John B. Hood lost a leg. After this battle we were encamped at Chattanooga for some time. I did some scouting with scouts by permission of Col. Manning and my captain. I went with eleven others across Lookout Mountain on to what is known now as Sand Mountain, spent a day and night and on the second day which was Sunday had a thrilling experience as we, twelve in number, attacked a scouting party of the enemy, killed one, captured thirteen, and brought them safe into camp. After this my command was moved to the west side of Lookout Mtn. for a few days where we had a night skirmish with the enemy. Early in December Longstreet's Corp was ordered to Knoxville, Tennessee, which place we surrounded and would have forced them to surrender had not Gen. Bragg lost at Chic(k)amauga and Missionary Ridge. We marched from Knoxville further east, spent the winter of '63 and '64 in and around Morristown and Sweetwater, east Tennessee. This was one of the coldest winters of the war. About April of '64 took up our march back to Virginia and after a tiresome and weary march, footsore and ragged, we were welcomed by the noble ladies of Charlottsville, Virginia, Jefferson's old home town. Here we got new clothing which was much needed. We changed brigade commanders, General Robertson, familiarly known and called by the boys of the Texas Brigade "Old Billy"(possibly Aunt Polly?), was relieved of the command of the Brigade and Gen. Judge Gregg, of Texas, was placed in command of the brigade. We commenced to drill and get ready for the spring campaign. General U.S. Grant was made the commander of the Federal forces. Our much beloved Robert E. Lee was in command of the Confederates of Northern Virginia. The armies of the two generals met in the country known as the Wilderness on the 4th and 5th of May. On the 5th of May the battle was severe. My Longstreets Corps was many miles away at Gordonsville but by force march the night of the 5th we arrived on the battle field just as two divisions of our best troops were surprised in the early morning of the 6th and almost routed. Just as my brigade, the Texas, and the Bennings Georgia Brigade came marching up on the plank road. Here is where Gen. Lee attempted to lead the Texas Brigade into battle. The brave boys cried, "Lee to the rear, and we go to the front." When Cap. Harding of the 1st Texas Regiment lead Lee's horse to the rear and we did go to the front and forced the enemy back but lost more than half our brave boys, killed and wounded. We went in, that is, my, the 3rd Arkansas Regiment, with 17 officers and came out with five and men lost in proportion. Col. Manning wounded, Lieut. Col. Taylor wounded, and my beloved Capt. J.W. Wilkins, now Major, was killed. His last words to me after the first charge, "Denson, I'm glad to see you here." The next charge which was soon, he was killed. That day was a sad day for us when our lines had been advanced and we were arranging to drive Grant, Gen. Longstreet, Gen. Jenkins, of S. Carolina, with some of their staff were reconertering our own men mistook them for the enemy and fired on them, killing Gen. Jenkins, brigadier general, and severely wounding Lieut. Gen. Longstreet. This caused us to check and halt for the evening. At night we held the field and slept on our arms. On the 7th, 8th, and 9th, Grant, failing to break through our lines moved towards Spotsylvania Court House where on the 10th another bloody battle. But Grant failed to break through our lines. Late in the evening of the 10th the enemy assaulted my brigade, crying, No Quarter, they were repulsed with great loss but I was wounded in the ear and head and had to go to the rear to hospital where I wasa for 40 days, tho I was not able for duty I asked the doctor to let me join my regiment, which I did in the ditches of Petersburg. Later we were ordered to the north side of James River. We were in several skirmishes and on the 7th of October we fought a bloody battle. Gen. Gregg was killed and I went under the shots of fire, seeming the worst I was ever under, back to the remnant of my regiment. Leaving a number of my comrades who were taken prisoners. In the number was Cap. Gill who commanded the right wing of the regiment and I was Orderly Sergt. for his division. Just before this battle seven or eight miles our from Richmond, we were attacked by negroes, those of them that were not killed were repulsed and driven back but that day we were attacked by an overwhelming number 25,000 against 2500. We held them all day until late in the evening we got some reinforcements. From this time on there was more or less fighting. Grant trying to break through our lines to Richmond and Petersburg but he failed, but what he could not do by assault he succeeded in doing as he had so many more men than we, moved south toward Weldon, N.C. and tapped the railroad leaving us only one railroad south, so on the 2nd of April we left Richmond marching toward Appomattox Court House, fighting in the day and marching at night. On the morning of the 9th of April Lee found Gen. Thomas(Sheridan?) had come in on his front and Grant in our rear. His cavalry on the flanks thus surrounded our beloved commander Robert E. Lee, as I believe the greatest general of the continent, surrendered us that day. He said, I heard him, "Men, I have surrendered you and you will be permitted to return home and remain un-molested until exchanged and if ever exchanged I am ready and willing to lead you again." My regiment at the surrender was commanded by Capt. A.C. Jones of Company B, whose home was, and still is Three Creeks, in Union County, Arkansas. He is still living. He is the first man that ever called on me for public prayer. In 1864 about August, eight miles east of Richmond where we fough negroes, my company K was commanded by Capt. J.W. Morris. I was his Orderly Sergt. T.P. Brewer signed my parole, which I still have. Capt. Jones said to the boys of the Regiment, 3rd Arkansas, "You can remain together under my command and we will go back to Richmond and down the James to Fortress Monroe around New Orleans and thence up the Mississippi River and out to your several homes or go at will on your own motion." I chose to be my own general and boss so on the morning of the 13th of April, 1865 more than a thousand miles from home and loved ones, without money or rations, in company of one comrade, William N. Bell of Mississippi, we bid farewell to Appomattox Court House and the boys of '61 to '65 and took up our line of march first for Danville, Va., ninety miles away, which we reached the third evening just in time to be too late to catch a train for Greensboro, N.C., where we passed Johnson's army that surrendered on the 26th of April at Charlotte, N.C. We passed Pres. Davis and Ex-governor Lubbock of Texas, who was with Davis, here in person. Davis, at the request of Lubbock, examined my parole. The first and perhaps the last one from the army of Northern Virginia. We rode when we could and walked when we couldn't ride and somewhere in Georgia fell in company with Jim Trip of the 18th Mississippi Regiment. He was alive a few years ago in Hinds County, Miss. We three rode from Atlanta, Georgia on the train to West Point, Ga., where we crossed the river, held a council of war, walked 87 miles to Montgomery, Ala, where we entered into the Federal lines. I had copied the terms of agreement between Grant and Lee, relative to transportation for parolled soldiers of the army of Northern Virginia and had it with me. It said we should have transportation on Federal and Confederate transportation lines. On our way home we reached Montgomery, Ala at twelve o'clock on the third day footsore and hungry. We left on the Federal transport down the Alabama River about sundown that evening and reached Selma, Ala. before day the next morning. Learning the next morning that my beloved old captain, J.W. Wilkins wife and baby were living in Selma I visited them a few minutes. I talked with his sad hearted widow. When I got back to Bell and Trip they were in company with Cousins of Alabama, who was on Gen. E.M. Law's staff at the Battle of Gettysburg, and on the evening of the 3rd of July after Picket(t)'s Charge came to my command at the foot of Little Round Top and piloted us out into the open and told us we were ordered to form on and hold Cemetary Ridge. He, Cousins, accompanied Bell, Trip, and myself to the town limits of Selma, Ala. and bid us farewell. I met him some 30 years afterwards at Houston, Texas at a Reunion of Soldiers. I recognized him and spoke to him. From Selma we made forced march, ten miles, caught a train for Demopolis, took boat for seven miles on the Tombigee River, connected with a train at Meridian, Miss. slept on the train at night. Gen. Dick Taylors command of Confederates was at Meridian when we passed. They surrendered on May 6. Bell and I got off at Morton, Miss. and walked 19 miles to his home at Good Hope, Leak County, Miss. Arriving there at night the 4th of May, having traveled a thousand miles riding some six hundred and walking the rest. I visited kinfolks in Leak County, Scott and Rankin County, worked some in the wheat fields and on the morning of June 19th, with a suit of new clean clothes, fifty cents silver, in company with Bell, I left Uncle and Aunt and a very dear cousin Helen Bell, and rode horseback to Morton.(portion here deleted) I took a train for Jackson, Mississippi.(portion deleted) I went aboard the train a little and met R.M. Roberts and B.F. Simpson of M(?) Company and A. boyd of Company D of my regiment. (porton deleted) The last day the 22nd of June, I marched on foot fifty miles and met stepfather and Joe Baldy, half brother, that evening. (portion deleted) Met Aunt Frankie Daniels near Fountain Hill. She lost tow sons, W.W. Daniels at Sharpsburg, September 17, 1862 and Jessie on the 7th of Oct., 1864 on the skirmish line east of Richmond and as I helpted to bury Jessie in the Rockies in the edge of Richmond I visited her to tell her about her boys.

	Eugene Courtney,1st Sgt. of Company G, 3rd Arkansas
	Daniel Newman, Captain of the 3rd Arkansas. Daniel was the Sheriff of Hot Springs County when the War broke out.

Wm. Stanely, Private in Company F, 3rd Arkansas

Hiram Smith of the 3rd Arkansas.