Russellville in Pope County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Pope County in the Civil War / Pope County Militia War

Pope County in the Civil War Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 9, 2018

1. Pope County in the Civil War Marker

Inscription.
Pope County in the Civil War
Pope County soldiers served in at least 10 companies that were raised for Confederate service during the Civil War, fighting in battles east of the Mississippi River and in Arkansas. Two companies were raised in Pope County to serve in the 3rd Arkansas Cavalry (U.S.), engaging in anti-guerrilla operations in the Arkansas River valley. While no major battles were fought here, there were skirmishes in Pope County Jan. 25 and Feb. 5, 1863, at Dover on March 25, 1864, at Norristown on May 19 and Sept. 6, 1864, and at Glass Village on Sept. 8, 1864.

Pope County Militia War
Bad feelings ran deep in Pope County after the Civil War. Arkansas’s Unionist Gov. Isaac Murphy appointed a former U.S. soldier as county sheriff in 1865, and a former Confederate officer killed him, a deputy, and the county clerk. A new sheriff was murdered in 1866 and federal troops would occupy the county from 1867-69. Violence flared again in 1872, and a militia unit was formed to restore order, but members instead killed several prisoners. Martial law was declared, but murders continued. Calm returned with Reconstruction’s end.

Erected 2015 by Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission, River Valley Veterans

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Coalition, Arkansas Historic Preservation Program. (Marker Number 101.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • 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 March 25, 1864.

Location. 35° 18.332′ N, 93° 8.699′ W. Marker is in Russellville, Arkansas, in Pope County. Marker can be reached from Lake Front Drive, 0.2 miles west of River Lane. Located along the Bona Dea trail near the east side of the parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 399mLake Front Drive, Russellville AR 72801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. J. Madison White (approx. 1.6 miles away); J.L. Shinn Building (approx. 1.9 miles away); Fire of 1906 (approx. 1.9 miles away); First Christian Church (approx. 2.1 miles away); Wilson House (approx. 2.3 miles away); William L. Lovely (approx. 3½ miles away); Military Road Marker Stone (approx. 3.9 miles away); Exploring the Arkansas (approx. 3.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Russellville.

Also see . . . Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture article on the Pope County Militia War. (Submitted on July 9, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Pope County Militia War Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 9, 2018

2. Pope County Militia War Marker

Marker along the Bona Dea trail at the Bona Dea Trails & Sanctuary. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 9, 2018

3. Marker along the Bona Dea trail at the Bona Dea Trails & Sanctuary.

View from marker towards trailhead at parking lot. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 9, 2018

4. View from marker towards trailhead at parking lot.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 9, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 813 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 9, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.