Benton in Saline County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Saline County in the Civil War

Photographed By Duane Hall, July 30, 2016

1. Saline County in the Civil War Marker

Side One

Inscription. Saline County held 6,640 people in 1860, including 749 slaves. Jabez M. Smith, the county’s secession convention delegate, voted to leave the Union. The Saline Guards formed in 1861 and became Co. E, 1st Arkansas Infantry (C.S.). Their captain, James Fagan, ended the war a major general. As many as 1,300 Saline County men in 24 companies fought for the Confederacy; two companies of local men formed for Union service. The Union army occupied Benton in late 1863 and built fortifications, including one that was named after Col. Cyrus Bussey.

In 1864, David O. Dodd, whose grandparents David and Sarah Dodd lived on Military Road in Benton, was hanged as a spy in Little Rock. The Battle of Jenkins’ Ferry, the last action of the Camden Expedition, was fought just past the southern border of Saline County April 29-30. Col. William Crawford of Benton led a Confederate cavalry unit and fought at Prairie D’Ane and Poison Spring, among others. A skirmish between Col. John Logan’s Confederate troops and Union cavalry was fought at Hurricane Creek near modern-day Bryant on October 23, 1864.

Erected 2014 by Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission, Saline County History and Heritage Society, Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council. (Marker Number 87.)

Topics and series. This

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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 year for this entry is 1861.

Location. 34° 33.912′ N, 92° 35.219′ W. Marker is in Benton, Arkansas, in Saline County. Marker is at the intersection of N. Main Street and W. Conway Street, on the right when traveling south on N. Main Street. Marker is located at the northeast corner of the grounds of the county courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Benton AR 72015, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Persian Gulf War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Operation Iraqi Freedom / Operation Enduring Freedom Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Bicentennial - Saline District Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Saline County's Everlasting Tribute (within shouting distance of this marker); Saline County Revolutionary War Soldiers (within shouting distance of this marker); Saline County Records (within shouting distance of this marker); IOOF Building (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Quapaws, Choctaws, and Chickasaws Passed Here (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Benton.

Photographed By Duane Hall, July 30, 2016

2. Saline County in the Civil War Marker

Side Two

Marker at southwest corner of N. Main Street and W. Conway Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, July 30, 2016

3. Marker at southwest corner of N. Main Street and W. Conway Street

Marker on Grounds of Saline County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, July 30, 2016

4. Marker on Grounds of Saline County Courthouse

Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 881 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 8, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.