Arkansas Territorial Militia: Difference between revisions

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The Arkansas Territorial Militia is forerunner of today's Arkansas National Guard. The current Arkansas Army National Guard traces its roots to the creation of the Territorial Militia in 1804. Interest in the Militia in Arkansas generally waxed and waned throughout the 19th century as various national emergencies arose and passed. While some organization occurred at the county and city level, no effective organization was maintained above the company level until the closing years of the 19th century. During much of this time local militia companies were supported by private funds. During the territorial period, the Arkansas Territorial Militia was called out to quell problems with the Indian Nations and was held in readiness to deal with trouble along the border with Mexico during the Texas War of Independence.

The history of the Arkansas militia began in 1804, when the United States bought from France a huge tract of land west of the Mississippi River, now known as the "Louisiana Purchase." At first the area that is now Arkansas was a part of the "District of Louisiana" which was attached to Indiana Territory for administrative purposes. In October 1804, the governor and judges of Indiana Territory met as a legislative body to begin the process of formulating laws for the huge District of Louisiana. These laws made all free males liable for militia service excepting superior court judges, supreme court judges, the attorney general, the supreme court clerk, all licensed ministers, jail keepers, and those exempted by the laws of the United States.^[1] It is from this date that the Arkansas Army National Guard tracks its earliest formation.

The authorities found that there were few people in the new territory to enroll in the militia. This was especially true of the area which was later to become Arkansas. Low and swampy, early Arkansas attracted few settlers, and many of those who did come were wandering French hunters and trappers who were hardly temperamentally fit for the militia, which required a fairly settled population. In 1803 a census was taken of the two major settlement areas in Arkansas, Arkansas Post and Ouachita. The census, about which there is much doubt as to its validity, shows that the Post District had an "estimated" population of 600 with a militia of 150. The Ouachita District had approximately 1,200 whites, 100 blacks, and a militia force of 300.^[2]

Despite small population, its appears that the early Arkansans enrolled in the militia in fairly heavy numbers. By 1806, after Arkansas had become a separate district of Louisiana Territory, the area had two militia units: one cavalry company and one infantry company.^[3] Early rosters show the officers for the Arkansas District militia to have had a heavy French immigrant composition:

Major Francois Vaugine

Captain of Cavalry Francois Valier

Lieutenant of Cavalry Jacob Bright

Cornet Pre. Lefevre

Captain of Infantry Leonard Repler

Lieutenant of Infantry Anthy Wolf

Ensign Charles Bougie.^[4]

The same roster indicates that the Arkansas District militia had its own "inspector and adjutant general", Major David Delay. Other than this roster and a few other minor references, the militia of the District of Arkansas, Louisiana Territory, left few records.^[4]

On June 4, 1812, Louisiana Territory was renamed Missouri Territory. A little more than one year later, on December 31, 1813, Arkansas District was made an official county of Missouri Territory; and in early 1815 Lawrence County was created. The establishment of new counties had an impact on the militia since it was usually organized by county. For example, the creation of Lawrence County necessitated the appointment of a separate commander for the county militia. On January 22, 1815, Missouri Governor William Clark commissioned Louis de Mun a lieutenant colonel and commandant of the 18th Reginent Missouri Militia. De Mun, who had command responsibility for all of Lawrence County, was ordered by the governor to "discharge the duty of Lt. Colonel Comdt. by doing and performing all manner of things..." ^[5]

On March 2, 1819, President James Monroe signed the bill creating Arkansas Territory. The act which created Arkansas Territory provided that the territorial governor "shall be commander-in-chief of the militia of said territory, shall have power to appoint and commission all officers, required by law, be appointed for said territory..." At the time of it's formation, the new Territory of Arkansas included the following five counties^[6]:

• Arkansas
• Lawrence
• Clark
• Hempstead
• Pulaski

The first governor of Arkansas Territory, James Miller, seemed at first to be the ideal man to establish a militia in the wild new region. Born in 1776, Miller joined the United States Army at an early age and was commissioned an infantry major in 1808. Soon after the War of 1812 broke out, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel of the Connecticut Volunteers. At the Battle of Lundy's Lane, July 25, 1814, Miller gained fame when he responded "I’ll try, sir!" to his commander's question if a British artillery battery on a hilltop could be silenced. The young commander proceeded to take the entire battery, an accomplishment which won for him a promotion to brigadier general as well as a special gold medal from a grateful Congress. Miller distinguished himself in other battles during the War of 1812, including Niagara, Fort Erie, and Chippewa.^[7]

The most sizable hindrance to effectively organizing the militia was the scattered population of only 14,273; and of this number, the majority were scattered around the state on isolated farms. The only real town in Arkansas in 1820 was Arkansas Post, a tiny village of no more than forty houses. To make matters worse, there were few roads in Territorial Arkansas, thereby making communication with the militiamen very difficult.^[8]

Adjutant General A. P. Spencer noted in 1820 that some militia units were unable to drill since "the extent of Territory they cover is to [sic] great to muster them at one point..." ^[9] As late as 1827, Governor George Izard was complaining of the difficulty of organizing the rural Arkansans into a cohesive militia force: "The scattered state of our Population here and the constant changes of Residence among the Inhabitants make it impractical to organize the Militia in such a manner as may render their Service prompt and efficient".^[10]

One of the continual problems form the very start in organizing the Arkansas militia was arms procurement. Among the common misconceptions about the militia is the belief the frontiersmen had plenty of weapons in their own family arsenal to arm the militia. And, indeed, the federal Militia Act of 1792 did provide that militiamen were to provide their own arms and equipment; mounted men were even required to provided their own horse and saddle.^[11]

Governor Miller realized that the new Arkansas Militia would need arms, therefore, immediately upon his appointment he went to Washington, D. C. where he received an order from the Army Ordnance Department for weapons. On his way to Arkansas, he stopped at the Army arsenal at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he obtained 400 stand of arms, 40,000 rounds of ammunition, and fifty pistols.^[12] Upon reaching Arkansas, Governor Miller discovered there was no public armory, and was forced to store the weapons in a rented building.

Miller worked hard to obtain more arms and accoutrements. A "Return of Militia for 1821", located in the Arkansas History Commission archives, shows that the militia possessed a fairly substantial number of weapons and a diverse variety of related accessories, including: powder horns, pouches, bullet moulds, spare flints, cartridge boxes, and belts.

Army officials sometimes proved to be reluctant to cooperate with Miller in his efforts to arm the militia. The War Department had a rule that no arms would be issued to the militia of a state until the state authorities had filed reports on the strength of the militia. Apparently Arkansas’ adjutants general had a difficult time obtaining cooperation from the commanders in the field, for the War Department frequently complained of receiving insufficient reports form Arkansas.^[13] By 1825, fully five years after Governor Miller announced his intention to invigorate the Arkansas Militia, state armaments still amounted to only 400 muskets, 40 pistols, 200 "cavalry sabres", twelve drums, twelve fifes, 4000 flints, 40,000 musket ball cartridges, and three "wall tents". ^[14]

The scattered population, the anti-military spirit of the people, and the lack of material all contributed to the generally poor condition of the Arkansas militia during the Territorial Period. But these were definitely secondary problems when compared to the struggle Governor Miller and his successors had in recruiting a good officer corps. This problem is difficult to understand because Arkansas in the early 1820s was full of seasoned veterans of the War of 1812, many of whom had been high-ranking officers in the regular Army. One of these veterans was Abner P. Spencer, who had been a captain in the War of 1812. Governor Miller brought Spencer with him from New England, and upon reaching Arkansas named him adjutant general of the Territorial Militia. Miller recommended the appointment of another veteran of the War of 1812, William O. Allen, as brigadier general of the militia. In the early 19th century the brigadier general had important day-to-day administrative responsibilities similar to those of the modern day adjutant general. President James Monroe accepted the recommendation and nominated Allen for the position. Both Adjutant General Spencer and Brigadier General Allen wasted no time in setting about to create a militia organization.

On March 10, 1820, while the Senate was in the process of rejecting the nomination of William O. Allen as Brigadier General of the Arkanas Terriorial Militia, he was mortally wounded in a duel with Robert C. Oden, a leading Little Rock lawyer.^[15] Next, Governor Miller secured the appointment of Edmund Hogan as brigadier general. Hogan, a powerful political figure from Pulaski County, held the post until May 1828 when he was killed in a fight with Judge Andrew Scott.^[16] William Montgomery was appointed Brigadier General following BG Hogan's death.^[15]

The dueling deaths of Arkansas' first two militia brigadiers general clearly demonstrates the difficulty Governor Miller had in recruiting a good officer corps. Josiah Shinn, a prominent 19th century Arkansas historian, has written that the Territorial Militia officers were often "of the Western type, free and easy in their manners, very outspoken in their conversation and therefore very hard to control". Indeed, Shinn concludes, the militia was composed of "combustible elements".^[17] The method of selecting militia officers contributed to their poor quality. By both law and custom company-level officers, and some at higher levels, were elected by the enlisted men. This frequently resulted in two bad side-effects: (1) popularity, rather than intelligence or ability, became the basis upon which officers were elected; and (2) the militia became deeply immersed in politics. Actually, the militia had long been a stepping stone to political office: George Washington himself had been a Virginia militiaman. Even the backwoodsman Davey Crockett commented on the political nature of the frontier militia when called upon to give his formula for political success: "Intrigue until you are elected an officer of the militia; this is the second step toward promotion, and can be accomplished with ease". ^[18]

The first recorded Regimental Commanders during the Territorial period are:^[15]

First Regiment of Arkansas Militia:

• James Ross, February 19, 1820
• Samuel W.Rutherford
• Jacob Wells, February 2, 1824
• Allen A. Johnson, October 20, 1826

Second Regiment of Arkansas Militia:^[15]

• Edmund Morgan, (later BG) February 17, 1829 to July 20, 1820
• Robert C. Oden (who earlier killed BG Allen) 1826.

When newly appointed governor George Izard arrived in Arkansas on May 31, 1825 he found to his horror that his predecessor had been unsuccessful in doing more than a bare minimum of militia organization. Izard was the ideal man to bring professional military standards to the rough and tumble Arkansas militia.^[19] On June 10, Izard issued a stern general order to all commanding officers telling them to report immediately to either Brigadier General William Bradford at Fort Towson or to the Adjutant General's office in Little Rock. "The organization of the Territorial Militia will engage the full attention of the Commander-in-Chief" Izard wrote, "and will be proceeded on without delay." In a direct warning to recalcitrant officers, Izard promised that "the laws for the government of the Militia, will be rigidly enforced..."^[20]

To assist in organizing the forces, Izard appointed two aides, Lieutenants Colonel Henry W. Conway and Ambrose H. Sevier, two of the most powerful political leaders in the Territory.^[20]

Izard's interest in the militia attracted widespread attention and support in the state. However, some Arkansans evidently believed that Izard was fighting a losing battle. The editor of the Arkansas Gazette endorsed Izard's efforts by urging "the ready and hearty cooperation of every class of our citizens...." But the expressed the belief that the new governor "will find it an arduous task to perform...."^[20]

Izard found that the state militia had few arms, and he immediately wrote the War Department for weapons and ammunitions to supplement "some boxes of both deposited in a Merchant's Warehouse" in Little Rock. The Secretary of War refused Izard's request since he had not received "returns" of the militia strength in the Territory.^[21] The failure to file complete records with the War Department was a common problem throughout the nation, and Federal legislation had been adopted to prohibit a state or territory from receiving its quota of armaments until all records had been provided. The Arkansas quota had been held up as early as 1821.^[22]

Izard worked to whip the militia into shape. He and Adjutant General Bradford pleaded with local commanders to take their responsibilities seriously. Noting that Arkansas lay directly in the path to be used in the removal of the Eastern Indians, the governor spoke frequently of the need "to place the Militia in a condition to afford immediate protection to our settlements, should any disorder attend the passage of those people."^[23] Governor Izard’s agitation slowly began to get results. In 1825 the legislature authorized the printing of the militia laws of the territory, with a copy of each to go to every officer in the militia.^[23] Finally, in November 1827, a bill passed providing for the first complete overhauling of the militia. The act organized the forces into two separate brigades, provided that battalions were to muster annually and companies were to assemble twice yearly, and established an administrative framework to oversee the organization.^[24] Izard’s periodic reorganization orders,^[25] combined with legislation, resulted in the formation of the first true militia system for Arkansas Territory. The militia system seems to have lost its vitality with the death of Governor Izard on November 2, 1828.

When Arkansas became a territory in 1819 there were several thousand Indians living in the area. Early Arkansas settlers perceived these Indians as dangerous savages. Most of the tribes, the Quapaw, Caddo, and Cherokee, were in actuality quiet and peaceful; however, the Osage, who ranged over much of northwest Arkansas, were a fierce and warlike plains tribe. Mounted on their ponies, the Osage frequently attacked villages of neighboring Indian tribes.

Occasionally white settlers would fall victim to the Osage. In March 1820 Reuben Easton, a practically illiterate Arkansas settler, wrote the War Department complaining of the Osage menace: “There has been a number of murders committed on this rivver [sic] by the Osage indians [sic] and a vast number of Robbearys [sic] for wich [sic] the people heir [sic] has never Received any Satisfaction...” ^[26] The Cherokee, who were given a reservation on lands claimed by the Osage, were a more constant target of their war-like neighbors.^[27]

Governor George Izard, who succeeded Miller in 1825, attempted to deal calmly with the Indians. But he was still an old military man, and when trouble between Indians and whites broke out in Miller County in 1828, Izard sent his adjutant general, Wharton Rector, to investigate. Governor Izard had been receiving reports that Shawnee and Delaware Indians near the little Miller County settlement of Pecan Point were "pilfering farm houses and Corn-cribs [,] killing Hogs, Driving their Stocks and Horses and Cattle among us ...." If the Indians were not removed, the settlers protested, there was "no prospect but of being oblidged [sic] to abandon our homes and fields."^[28] Major J. G. W. Pierson, commander of the Miller County militia, asked the governor for permission to call out his company to move against the Indians. The governor, instead, sent Adjutant General Rector to investigate and if necessary "to remove immediately [the Indians], and should they disobey or resist your authority you will call out such a party of the militia as you may consider adequate to compel obedience".^[28]

When Rector reached Pecan Point he found the settlers greatly agitated. The Indians were reported to be stealing and killing livestock and threatening war. Rector immediately ordered the Indians to leave the area, but the Shawnees refused. Calling out sixty-three militiamen under Captain Pierson, Rector marched on the main Shawnee village. Just when a battle seemed imminent, the major Shawnee chief announced he would move.^[29] The entire Pecan Point foray, about a week in duration, cost the Arkansas militia a total of $503. Governor Izard, in requisitioning reimbursement from the Secretary of War, detailed costs as follows: Adjutant general’s salary (for a full month) and expenses, $231; pay for one Major for four days, $12; pay for five company officers for three days, $30, pay for 56 privates for three days, $168, rations for all men were a total of $24.

The Pecan Point campaign was the closest Arkansas would ever come to having a battle between the Indians and the militia. However, the Arkansas militia did send units on several different occasions to perform patrol duty along the state’s western border.

One of the primary roles performed by the militia during the territorial period was social. The prominent military historian, Russell F. Weigley has gone so far as to write that "... the volunteer [militia] companies were at least as much a social as a military phenomenon."^[30] Residents of Territorial Arkansas spent much of their lives in virtual isolation. Farms were scattered over a huge expanse; roads were few and far between, and towns were small in both number and size. In essence, people were lonely and militia service gave them an opportunity to do something out of the ordinary. Early Arkansans, especially the elite, also had a great affection for military titles. "Colonel" Robert Crittenden was a mere ensign during his military career, and "General" John Harrington had not served in the regular Army at all! ^[31] The militia gave status- conscious early Arkansans an easy opportunity to win a military title at very little expense in effort.

Besides a military title, organizers of ante-bellum militia companies also found an excuse to wear fancy military uniforms. Each company could design its own uniform, and sometimes these designs could be more fanciful than utilitarian. William F. Pope, an early settler in Little Rock, wrote in his memoirs of Albert Pike's 1836 artillery company having:

"A full set of black broad-cloth, the coat cut swallow tail and faced with red. The trousers were of the same material, with a wide gold braid down the outside seams. For headgear they had black beaver Shakos, with red pompoms. For summer wear, the uniform was a gray blouse, with red trimmings, with white duck trousers and gray fatigue caps."

According to Pope, the forty-man company sent a "special agent" to New York City to obtain the colorful uniforms.^[32]

A muster of the militia during the 1820s or 30s was often an impressive occasion. In more populous areas of the eastern states the local militia company sometimes drilled as often as once a month. But where travel was difficult, as in most of early Arkansas, musters usually took place once or twice a year. The legislature of 1827 specified that battalion drills were to be held annually in October, and company drills were to be held at least twice a year, the first Saturday in April and October. Through the years the date of July 4 evolved as an important mustering time in Arkansas. That was a convenient date to drill since the crops were generally planted by that time, and besides, everyone wanted to have an excuse for a get-together on Independence Day. The muster might begin with the firing of a volley, as was the case in 1837 when Captain Albert Pikes artillery company put on quite a show for the residents of Arkansas' capital city.^[33] It is difficult to reconstruct the precise manner in which muster training was carried out for few sources exist on the subject. However, it is likely that training was informal, with a good deal of marching and some practice in the manual of arms. Target shooting frequently was included in the day's activities. It is also likely that the muster ended with a large dinner or party, including a liberal mount of whiskey drinking.^[34] Sometimes the heavy whiskey drinking began before the muster actually got under way.

In 1830, the Pulaski County regiment was ordered into a special muster for the purpose of being inspected by the governor. The regimental commander was a German immigrant by the name of Christian Brumbach. Brumbach, though conscientious, was given to ostentatious military display. His uniform was augmented with heavy gold lace and gilt bullet buttons topped off with a cocked hat and large plume. As the men formed for inspection, the commander discovered some were armed with hickory sticks while others shouldered umbrellas. As the governor's party passed in review, a thunderstorm erupted and, much to Commander Brumbach's dismay, many of the militiamen scurried for cover. Those armed with umbrellas remained in formation. The furious Brumbach, his plume drooping in the rain, ordered a court martial to try the runaways. They were each fined five dollar, and soon thereafter Christian Brumbach resigned his command and left Arkansas.^[35]

Next to the Indians, the Arkansans were most fearful of their Mexican neighbors in Texas. Much of this trouble was caused by an ill-defined boundary between Arkansas and Texas. As mentioned earlier, Arkansas’ western boundary was not surveyed and finalized until 1828-29. The Mexicans, naturally, were fearful of the ever-encroaching Americans, and on several occasions feelings ran high between the suspicious neighbors. In 1828, for example, when the Miller County militia was called out to remove the Shawnees from Pecan Point, Mexican officials reminded the Arkansans that the area was claimed by Mexico. Arkansas Adjutant General Rector warned the Mexicans not to interfere. Rector threatened to hang the Mexicans officials "on a tree by the neck like a dog."^[36] Two years later the Mexicans rubbed salt in the wounded pride of the Arkansans by threatening to move Mexicans settlers into the disputed Miller County area.^[37]

Troubles along the border flared again during the Texas War of Independence Brigadier General George Hill was informed on May 4, 1836 that information had been received indicating that Mexican emissaries were trying to incite the Indian Nations to attack in retaliation for United States support of Texas War of Independence. Governor Futon directed BG Hill to place organize his brigade and place it in readiness to take the field at once. On June 28, 1826, General Edmund P. Gains (U.S. Army) called upon Governor Fulton one regiment for the defense of the western frontier. Six companies answered this call.^[38]

Still, as with the Indians, there was no open military conflict between the Arkansas Territorial militia and the Mexicans before the Arkansas Territory achieved statehood on June 15, 1836.

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