Civil War Centenial, Cross Co, AR

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Submitted by:  Michelle Slabaugh <michslab @ cablelynx . com>
        Date:  20 March 2005
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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This is a copy of Mrs. Jewell Sigman Hare's (Thomas) speech given at
Vanndale, Arkansas on the 100th anniversary of Civil War.  There are
fragmented sentences, I just copied it the way it was.


The Civil War Centennial Commemoration Ceremony At
Vanndale, Cross County, Arkansas

                                  11 JUNE 1961

One hundred years ago, Tuesday, June 13th a compiled muster roll out at the
Old Camp Ground Springs Pineville, Arkansas reads - Muster roll of Captain
Will H. Trader, Company A, 5th Regiment, Arkansas Vol., commanded by
Colonel David C Cross called into service by the military board of the
State of Arkansas the 13 day of June and transferred to the C.S.A. on 2 of
July 1861 A.D.

Mrs. Ida Hare Vann made these remarks the day of unveiling the marker 30
July 1926 commemorating the place where two companies of soldiers were
formed. She said “my father, Rev. Thomas P. Hare sent Uncle Si, his
servant, with horses out to Cobbs boarding school - once Poinsette Female
Academy to bring Sis Co and myself out to bid our two uncles goodbye.
Captain F.M. Hare and Dr. F.O. Tuberville, and today Rich Miller colored my
Uncle’s bodyguard, who went through the war with him. He and I are the only
two living who saw them march up the hill. Miss Sue Joiner presented a home
made flag to this company. Later she married Mr. Huse Legg, one of the
solders”

Mrs. Vann spoke of her mother Mrs. Hare, Mrs. William Gardner and Mrs. W.C.
Malone in Pineville community packing boxes of clothes, home-knit socks,
scarves and gloves for the soldiers. She told of one soldier, John C.
Hanson, who died at Bowling Green, Kentucky and was brought back home by
Chaplin William McKie and buried at Old Mount Zion.

Some of these soldiers fought in the battle of Shiloh, Perryville,
Chickamauga, Nashville, Murfreesboro, Franklin and other minor engagements.
There were other soldiers from this area, out from Poinsett, Jackson and
Woodruff Counties. We pay them tribute today on the first year of the Civil
War Centennial Commemoration. This tribute to all soldiers who fought in
this conflict. We have one Federal soldier buried in the Vanndale Cemetery
- Charles Jordan. His daughter-in-law, Mrs. Kate Jordan, was given a
special invitation and seat of honor with daughters and sons.

Later, another company was formed by Captain I.N. Deadrick - Company A,
McGhee’s 29th Ark. Regiment. This company patrolled the Mississippi and
White rivers and kept down looting by Federal forces and camp followers.

In October 1864 this company went on a raid with General Sterling Price
through Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and the Indian Territory. We have with
us today one who was a friend to one of these soldiers and will tell his
experience. Ex-Senator Walter W. Raney of McCrory who has been always loyal
to the followers of Gen. Robert E. Lee.

Before he begins, I would love to read a poem entitled “Lee’s Picture on
the Wall” written by Tulah Wolfe, a pupil of Mrs. J.C. Swaim who taught in
the Vanndale School a number of years - she a daughter of a confederate
veteran loyal, and always taught patriotism and citizenship as she went
along. Another pupil, Tulah’s brother George was killed in service (WW1)
and is buried in Flanders Field. The colored janitor, D (Hez Collins) from
her school died in service too. These in World War 1.

Now, Lee’s Picture on the Wall -
It hangs upon the old school wall,
Where everyone can see.
The picture of a noble man
Whose name was Robert Lee.
He seems tho dead to speak to us,
From his place on the wall.
And tells us to be brave and strong
Tho our life’s work be small.
His picture seems to breathe to us
Of those four years of strife
When strong men answered to the call
And many gave their life.
As we look in his eyes so true,
He sadly seems to tell,
About the sorrow in his heart
When Stonewall Jackson fell.
As we gaze at his picture there,
It seems he can recall,
The time when hope for him has fled
When he surrendered all.
But now those days are passed and gone,
And all are friends once more.
We do not see the bullets flash
Or hear the cannons roar.
The noble men both, Grant and Lee,
Each one forgave the other,
And when they died it was in peace,
As brother to brother.
So let us give three cheers of praise
To yonder heroes name
Of whom the South is justly proud
Cheers of Eternal Fame.