Calico Rock in Izard County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
Military Activity at Calico Rock / Bushwhackers
Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 3, 2021
1. Military Activity at Calico Rock Marker
Inscription.
Military Activity at Calico Rock, also, Bushwhackers. .
Military Activity at Calico Rock. While no battles were fought at Calico Rock, the area saw considerable military activity. The 4th Missouri Cavalry (C.S.) and 1st Illinois Cavalry skirmished at Calico Rock Landing on May 26, 1861. Following a Nov. 16, 1863, fight near Salem, Confederate troops fell back to Calico Rock. Col. T. R. Freeman’s Confederates were based at Calico Rock in late 1863 and early 1864, operating against the 1st Nebraska Cavalry. Part of the 8th Missouri Militia Cavalry (U.S.) was posted at Calico Rock in 1864, and Freeman had returned by that December.
Bushwhackers. The civilians around Calico Rock were the victims of both soldiers who took their food and supplies and lawless bands of bushwhackers who raided the area. John Quincy Wolf’s memoirs recount a band that terrorized a region from the Buffalo River to Calico Rock and Sylamore. After one raid in which livestock and other property were stolen, Wolf’s father and other furloughed Confederate soldiers formed a posse and pursued them, catching them at Shipp’s Ferry Landing. When the smoke cleared 11 bushwhackers, including the leader, were dead.
Military Activity at Calico Rock
While no battles were fought at Calico Rock, the area saw considerable military activity. The 4th Missouri Cavalry (C.S.) and 1st Illinois Cavalry skirmished at Calico Rock Landing on May 26, 1861. Following a Nov. 16, 1863, fight near Salem, Confederate troops fell back to Calico Rock. Col. T. R. Freeman’s Confederates were based at Calico Rock in late 1863 and early 1864, operating against the 1st Nebraska Cavalry. Part of the 8th Missouri Militia Cavalry (U.S.) was posted at Calico Rock in 1864, and Freeman had returned by that December.
Bushwhackers
The civilians around Calico Rock were the victims of both soldiers who took their food and supplies and lawless bands of bushwhackers who raided the area. John Quincy Wolf’s memoirs recount a band that terrorized a region from the Buffalo River to Calico Rock and Sylamore. After one raid in which livestock and other property were stolen, Wolf’s father and other furloughed Confederate soldiers formed a posse and pursued them, catching them at Shipp’s Ferry Landing. When the smoke cleared 11 bushwhackers, including the leader, were dead.
Erected 2015 by Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission, Izard County Historical and Genealogical Society,
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Arkansas Historic Preservation Program. (Marker Number 140.)
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 May 26, 1861.
Location. 36° 7.351′ N, 92° 7.935′ W. Marker is in Calico Rock, Arkansas, in Izard County. Marker is on Arkansas Route 56 south of Pirates Place, on the right when traveling south. Located at Trimble House. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Calico Rock AR 72519, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 16 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. City Hall (approx. 0.7 miles away); Jacob Wolf House (approx. 10.6 miles away); Jacob Wolf House Historic Site (approx. 10.6 miles away); a different marker also named Jacob Wolf House (approx. 10.6 miles away); a different marker also named Jacob Wolf House (approx. 10.6 miles away); Old Military Road (approx. 15.9 miles away).
Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 3, 2021
2. Bushwhackers Marker
Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 3, 2021
3. View of marker at Trimble House looking south on AR-56.
Brush fires north of Calico Rock are the reason for the hazy conditions.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 3, 2021
4. View of Bushwhackers Marker with Trimble House in background.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 4, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 4, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 392 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 4, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
