Witnesses to War

Witnesses to War. . So many horses and soldiers were killed that Salty Branch ran red with blood., In 1864, Camden was a large town on the Ouachita River, as was Pine Bluff on the Arkansas River. Moro Bay, to the south, was the largest cotton shipping point below Camden on the Ouachita River. The country between these river towns was rugged and far less populated. Often the closest neighbor was miles away and the closest place to buy goods or see a doctor was half a day's ride or more by horse., The Marks family lived in this remote area at the junction of the Moro Bay and the Camden and Pine Bluff roads. John H. Marks had arrived in the 1830s and saw that the area could be prosperous. He soon had large landholdings, many slaves, a cotton gin, flour and grist mills, sawmill, a brick kiln, and a blacksmith shop., John H. and Mary Barnett Marks' daughter, Martha, was home when the battle began. She later wrote: , I saw them shoot down the driver of the first wagon in front , of out house. Our home was a temporary hospital and I can , see now the wounded and the dying lying on our porches , and in the house., Anita Knowles' Grandfather took part in the battle and was ordered to shoot the lead horses of the first wagon. In 1937, she wrote an essay printed in the Cleveland County Herald describing the battle, and said: , So many horses and soldiers were killed that Salty Branch , ran red with blood. , Marks' Mills Battleground State Park was established by the State Legislature to commemorate the Battle of Marks' Mills. The battle took place about half a mile from here near the Marks family homesite and Salty Branch Creek. To see the Marks family homesite, cemetery, and more, travel about one mile north on Highway 97, turn right on Marks Cemetery Road. Travel on Marks Cemetery Road for another mile and turn right again.