Huntsville in Madison County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Huntsville Massacre

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 23, 2019

1. Huntsville Massacre Marker

Inscription.
On January 10, 1863, nine men, including two Confederate officers and prominent local citizens and Masonic lodge members, were taken from a guardhouse near here, led to Samuel Vaughn's farm one mile northeast of Huntsville, and shot. Only one man lived. Lt. Col. Elias Baldwin of the 8th Missouri Cavalry (U.S.) was arrested for "murder of prisoners of war," but freed when witnesses failed to appear. The killings may have been motivated by the deaths of 18 Union soldiers escorting Isaac Murphy's daughters to their home in Huntsville in November 1862.

The nine men killed on January 10, 1863, were Chesley H. Boatright, 39, a blacksmith; Confederate captains Hugh Samuel Berry, 31, and John William Moody, 22; former county treasurer William Berry, 60, a farmer; Watson Stevens, 29, the Berry's cousin; Robert Coleman Young, 56, a minister; and Askin Hughes and John Hughes of Tennessee, who were visiting Huntsville when the incident occurred. The sole survivor of the Huntsville massacre, John Parks, moved to Mississippi after recovering from his wounds. No one was ever punished for the Huntsville slayings.

Erected 2013

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by Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission, City of Huntsville, Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council. (Marker Number 54.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 10, 1863.

Location. 36° 5.258′ N, 93° 44.185′ W. Marker is in Huntsville, Arkansas, in Madison County. It is at the intersection of West War Eagle Avenue and West Main Street (Business U.S. 412), on the right when traveling west on West War Eagle Avenue. Located in Memorial Park across from the Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 112 West War Eagle Avenue, Huntsville AR 72740, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northwest Arkansas,

on the Ozark Plateau,

in the Cherokee Heritage Region,

and in Osage Territory.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Ozarks.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Huntsville Massacre Marker (reverse) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 23, 2019

2. Huntsville Massacre Marker (reverse)

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 2 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Isaac Murphy / Governor Isaac Murphy (here, next to this marker); Madison County (within shouting distance of this marker).

Also see . . . Encyclopedia of Arkansas article on the Huntsville Massacre. (Submitted on October 23, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Marker (on right) located in Memorial Park. Madison County Courthouse in background. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 23, 2019

3. Marker (on right) located in Memorial Park. Madison County Courthouse in background.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 23, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,712 times since then and 168 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 23, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.