Mena in Polk County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Polk County in the Civil War

Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 24, 2022

1. Polk County in the Civil War Marker

Inscription. Polk County men served on both sides during the Civil War. Two companies of the 4th Arkansas Infantry – Co. I and Co. H, the Polk Invincibles—and Hart’s Battery served the Confederacy and at least 73 local men joined the Union army. One man in the 4th, Thomas Harmon, was expelled for deserting. He was hanged after returning to Polk County. Because of its nearness to Texas, both regular and irregular soldiers for both sides roamed and scouted in Polk County, particularly after Union troops occupied Waldron in late 1863 and began operations.

Several Union scouting expeditions traveled through Polk County during December 1863. A Federal detachment captured two men at Dallas on Dec. 6, 1863. Union troops fought Confederate guerrillas at Baker Springs on Jan. 24, 1864, killing 5, wounding 2 and taking 27 prisoners while losing 1 dead and 1 hurt. On May 12, 1864, men of the 2nd Arkansas Infantry Regiment (U.S.) were attacked by Confederate Choctaws, losing 1 man dead and 1 wounded in the skirmish. The Polk County Courthouse at Dallas with all of its records was burned in the war.

Erected 2016 by Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission, Polk County Genealogical Society, Shirley Manning, Harold Coogan and David Dingler, SCV Polk County Invincibles #646, Arkansas Historic Preservation

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Program. (Marker Number 130.)

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 month for this entry is December 1863.

Location. 34° 34.994′ N, 94° 14.144′ W. Marker is in Mena, Arkansas, in Polk County. Marker is on Sherwood Avenue west of Mena Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mena AR 71953, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Also see . . . The Mena Star Civil War marker unveiled. (Submitted on June 24, 2022, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Polk County in the Civil War Marker (reverse) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 24, 2022

2. Polk County in the Civil War Marker (reverse)

View of marker towards old Mena train depot. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 24, 2022

3. View of marker towards old Mena train depot.

View of marker and intersection of US-71 & Mena St. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 24, 2022

4. View of marker and intersection of US-71 & Mena St.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 24, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2022, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 693 times since then and 227 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 24, 2022, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.