Bloomfield in Stoddard County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

General Davidson's Cavalry

Photographed by Craig Swain, September 28, 2022

1. General Davidson's Cavalry Marker (front)

Inscription. In June of 1863, Brigadier General John W. Davidson received orders to take command of the newly formed First Cavalry Division, Department of Missouri, (U.S.). The division consisted of 6,000 cavalrymen, thousands of horses, 16 pieces of field artillery and numerous supply wagons. The soldiers came from Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Ohio and far-off Colorado. Their mission was to join Union infantrymen in east central Arkansas and move west into the state's interior to capture the Confederate stronghold of Little Rock.

This large force moved from Missouri's Arcadia Valley to assume control of Crowley's Ridge in southeast Missouri and northeast Arkansas. This ridge had the only all-weather road through the huge swamps and wetlands of the area. Bloomfield was the largest and most prominent Missouri town on the ridge.

When Davidson's command reached Bloomfield, they discovered the town of approximately 1,100 people to be nearly deserted. A Union soldier wrote in his diary, "Bloomfield was once a very pretty town, but since the war has been totally demolished." [Actually the academy, the courthouse, a few businesses and homes

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remained at that time. Later everything except the academy was torched by bushwhackers during Price's Raid in the fall of 1864.] For 12 days,
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(Back):
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General Davidson held his troops here waiting for reports from hired spies regarding road conditions and the strength of Confederate forces between Bloomfield and Little Rock. The troops were kept busy with drill, picket duty, drill, foraging parties, drill, digging and erecting fortifications, dress parades and MORE drill.

His orders were that no soldier could enter a private home or take private property unless ordered to do so. Soldiers found little to take, indicating that Bloomfield residents were subsisting mainly on cornmeal and bacon. A few soldiers reported that they found a few chickens, some butter and a few vegetables.

At dress parade on July 18, the men of Davidson's command were told to strike their tents and prepare to move south at 8:00 a.m. on July 19. The men seemed happy to leave the area after camping so long in the July heat of southeast Missouri. It is safe to assume that the residents of Bloomfield were

General Davidson's Cavalry Marker (back) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, September 28, 2022

2. General Davidson's Cavalry Marker (back)

pleased to see the 6,000 Union soldiers and their horses leave.

A consequence of the "occupation" of the community by General John "Black Jack" Davidson and his large force was that the 1864 gardens of Bloomfield were said to be the most productive in history.

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Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1863.

Location. 36° 52.67′ N, 89° 55.902′ W. Marker is in Bloomfield, Missouri, in Stoddard County. It can be reached from the intersection of Park Avenue and McLain Lane, on the right when traveling west. Located in Bloomfield Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bloomfield MO 63825, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Missouri and specifically in the Missouri Bootheel.

It is also in the American Mississippi Delta,

in the Ozarks,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

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

General Davidson's Cavalry Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, September 28, 2022

3. General Davidson's Cavalry Marker

Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Stoddard County (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mutiny in Bloomfield (approx. 0.4 miles away); The First Stars and Stripes (approx. half a mile away); Major Amos Stoddard (approx. half a mile away); The Civil War in Bloomfield (approx. half a mile away); The Execution of Asa V. Ladd (approx. half a mile away); Stoddard Countians Aboard the C.S. Arkansas (approx. half a mile away); The Fatal Tree (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bloomfield.

General John W. Davidson image. Click for full size.

courtesy of Wikipedia Commons

4. General John W. Davidson

After the Little Rock campaign, Davidson went on to lead a raid through Mississippi and hold various administrative and garrison posts for the remainder of the war. After the war, he led the 10th U.S. Cavalry, a colored regiment. During that time, he received the nickname "Black Jack," as cited on the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 11, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2022, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 377 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 11, 2022, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.