Clarksville in Johnson County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Clarksville in the Civil War
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Depredations

Clarksville in the Civil War Marker (Side 1) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, August 3, 2016

1. Clarksville in the Civil War Marker (Side 1)

Inscription.
Clarksville in the Civil War Clarksville was a key point in the defense of the Arkansas River Valley during the Civil War. Confederate troops occupied the town several times before Union forces took Little Rock and Ft. Smith, gaining control of the valley. Lt. Col. G.M. Waugh and men of the 2nd Arkansas Infantry (U.S.) used Clarksville as a base in early 1864 to fight guerrilla bands and Confederates cutting telegraph lines in the area. When Gen. J.O. Shelby’s Confederates crossed the river in May 1864, Waugh left, torching much of Clarksville, including the Methodist church.

Depredations On Feb. 20 1865, Union Jayhawkers raided the home of Lutetia Howell and Susan Willis in Johnson County’s Pittsburg community. They held the women’s legs in a bed of hot coals in an attempt to force them to tell if they had hidden money, then burned the house to the ground. Mrs. Howell was burned so badly that her leg had to be amputated. Other women in the area were also tortured and other houses burned. Union officials arrested deserters and soldiers from Kansas and Arkansas accused of taking part in the crimes, though none

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apparently were punished.

Erected 2015 by Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission, Johnson County Historical Society, Johnson County, Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council. (Marker Number 103.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1864.

Location. 35° 28.263′ N, 93° 27.908′ W. Marker is in Clarksville, Arkansas, in Johnson County. It is at the intersection of West Main Street (U.S. 64) and South Fulton Street, on the right when traveling east on West Main Street. Located on the lawn of the Johnson County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 215 West Main Street, Clarksville AR 72830, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Arkansas River Valley

and in the Cherokee Heritage Region.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Ozarks.

Globally, it is in North America,

Depredations Marker (Side 2) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, August 3, 2016

2. Depredations Marker (Side 2)

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

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 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Johnson County First Anthracite Coal (here, next to this marker); Lone Pine School Bell (a few steps from this marker); Missouri-Pacific Depot - Clarksville (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dr. A.M. McKennon Home (approx. ¼ mile away); B.D. Pennington House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Fremont Stokes House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Clarksville Confederate Monument (approx. 0.7 miles away); Harmony Presbyterian Church (approx. 7.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Clarksville.

Clarksville in the Civil War marker in front of Johnson County Courthouse. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, August 3, 2016

3. Clarksville in the Civil War marker in front of Johnson County Courthouse.

Depredations Marker looking down West Main Street. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, August 3, 2016

4. Depredations Marker looking down West Main Street.

Joseph Orville "Jo" Shelby image. Click for full size.

Public domain

5. Joseph Orville "Jo" Shelby

Credits. This page was last revised on February 25, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,837 times since then and 150 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 3, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.

Clarksville in the Civil War⎯⎯⎯Depredations

Clarksville in the Civil War
⎯⎯⎯
Depredations