Howdeshell History

I’m still here, although very much in a writer’s depression over this Howdeshell/Civil War project. I attended a couple of mini reenactments last year but missed the really big one. Wilson’s Creek is the first battle I must portray, knowing that Henry Howdeshell, the eldest of the Howdeshell boys living in Arkansas, was there. A full scale reenactment took place back in August, but when it came time, I was unwilling to drive three hours, spend the day in the blazing heat, then drive three hours home. I should have planned better and found a way to spend the night there. I’m really miffed at myself for not trying harder. Even though I did not make it to the battle last year, I have visited the park and read the books. I’ve already blogged once about Wilson’s Creek. (The photos included here were all taken during a mini reenactment at the Prairie Grove battlefield in Arkansas.)

Wilson’s Creek (or Oak Hill to the unionists) was the first major battle fought west of the Mississippi and occurred soon after Bull Run in the east. A ragtag army gathered here in Northwest Arkansas, and the men marched towards Springfield, MO, to meet the Union forces of General Nathaniel Lyons. Many of the men were barefooted and carried no weapons, and of course, there were no fancy uniforms and not nearly enough supplies. As the army marched northward, more joined them along the way. The heady scent of battle drew men like locusts following some blind instinct; a swarm ready to devour anything in its path. Read the rest of this entry »

I ventured into Indian Territory again last weekend, only this time I was captured by some real Indians. Fortunately, I knew the secret password. “How..deshell,” I boldly proclaimed, knowing the awesome respect that name commands. Descendents of Hugh Miller Howdeshell and his pretty little Cherokee bride came to my rescue. Read the rest of this entry »

The battle of Honey Springs was fought last Saturday in Indian Territory. It was July 17th, 1863, and I was there along with my intrepid husband and daughter, braving the ticks and chiggers that were hiding in the tall grass. Early in the morning, opposing armies faced off close to Elk Creek. Over three thousand Confederate soldiers, under Brig. Gen. Douglas Cooper, had been camped here for two weeks waiting for reinforcements from Ft. Smith under General James Cabell. The plan was to retake Ft. Gibson, about 20 miles to the north of them, which has fallen into Union hands. Read the rest of this entry »

We recently had to make a trip to Kansas City and decided to visit a couple of points of Civil War interest along the way. We stopped in Baxter Springs, KS, and located the position of Fort Blair and the healing springs that brought restoration to many a sick and weary soldier. Baxter Springs has a great museum. While I lingered over the Civil War relics and history, Jack took more of an interest in the story of Mickey Mantle playing ball there.
 
On October 6, 1863, William Quantrill’s confederate guerilla force attacked a supply train of Union wagons, less than a mile from Fort Blair, that was on its way from Fort Scott, Kansas to Fort Smith, Arkansas; a distance of about 200 miles. General James Blunt had only two regiments of soldiers along, one of them so green that they quickly fled the scene when the action began. Quantrill gave no quarter and took no prisoners. His outfit of 200+ men spent the day killing, butchering, burning and looting. Only a few escaped including General Blunt. After Quantrill left, men from Fort Blair brought in the wounded and buried the dead. They had also been attacked but thanks to a howitzer and a seasoned African-American troop, they were able to defend themselves better.
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Here I am at the highlines trailhead in the beautiful Ozark National Forest after finishing up a two-hour ride.  We quit a little early because of the threat of rain.  Johnny Reb looks a little worse for the wear, but that’s only because he likes to splash around in muddy puddles.  He’s like a kid in a wading pool whenever there is water available.

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We spent part of the Easter weekend on a battlefield near Springfield, Missouri.  While I can’t call it a spiritual experience, it certainly was an exciting one for me. I have spent the last few weeks studying the Battle of Wilson’s Creek, trying to understand the circumstances of the opposing armies; the battle lines and troop movements, etc.

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March is a devious month. Comfortable one day and disagreeable the next, but in spite of 10 inches of snow on the 20th and 21st, the grass continues to grow taller and greener each day. The outdoors is calling and I find that I spend less and less time working at my computer, especially since trail riding season has begun. I went on two rides this past week even though there was a threat of rain. One close by and another an hour and a half away in Missouri.

Saturday, March 6

Today, I rode back in time to the Pea Ridge battlefield in NW Arkansas. I left Trusty behind and went with some friends, Lissa and Rich, who are also into time travel. When we got there, it was March 7th, 1862, and very cold. We held our ears as the cannons roared and ducked as musket fire peppered the air.

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