Event Report; Zearing Iowa Civil War Reenactment 2024

                                      Army of The Southwest

               

 Photo by Kevin Schmitt 

Copyright 2024 (c)

The Zearing civil war event was part of the Zearing Iowa Days Celebration 0n July 27th, 2024. This was a great family event, and I personally spoke to a lot of people there, and they were really engaged about their local and families history. I'm an avid genealogist and history buff. It was so awesome to hear that the people of Zearing are actively engaged in telling their story. The Army of the Southwest is a civil war reenactment group based in Iowa, it is made up of seasoned, and newer reenactors who travel throughout the state and country recreating the history of the American civil war 1861-1865.

Remaining 2024 Schedule

   2024 Events

    Albert City – August 9-11

   Vinton – August 24-25

   Madrid – Aug 31-Sept. 1

             Corydon – Sept. 20 (kids day) 21-2

    Winterset – Oct. 12-13

The Following photos courtesy Gene Stevens

The Following photos courtesy of Kevin Schmitt

Movie Review; Horizon, produced by Kevin Costner

                                                 Painting Manifest Destiny by John Gast

07/24/2024 G. Stevens 

Western Movie Review

"HORIZON"

I know this movie review is pretty late. I waited a while, and then checked ROKU to see if Kevin Costner's new western, "Horizon" was available via streaming. And I was very pleased to find that was is in fact available on "Plex". I took the time to read and watch a few videos reviews on Youtube before watching Horizon.

 Many of the initial reviews were in the " okay category," but other reviews about Horizon weren't that great. Apparently, Horizon did not do well at the box office. So I decided to take the required three hours, and $20, (the length of this film... Kevin Costner produces long movies). And watched the film. I was glad I did it at home, because it gave me control over the time commitment, so I could hit the washroom and get a snack.                                                                                     

One reviewer had mentioned that the three hours went by quickly, and I found that was very true. However, Horizon's plot was rather slow, and the character development unfolds in a fog, there are many story lines unfolding at one time, on screen, as well as many characters which appear out of no where.  Faces become much more important than names in this story, and names aren't very clear in the story line. The screen story is somewhat chaotic. But about halfway through Horizon, I began to see a few things that seemed to be based on actual known western people. And after I explain it, those of us who were raised on old westerns by John Ford, and seen Fords's cavalry trilogy will start to see some vague similarities. Also wrapped in this story line are characters based on Frank and Jesse James and the James families. I also see shades of Sarah Jane Rousseau, the famed diarist who was part of the Wyatt Earp family wagon train from Pella Iowa to San Bernadino California. Costner most definitely created the script based upon actual events. Though the first scenes (which were really drawn out with over emphasis), included a large Indian raid on the first occupants of the town "Horizon". The raid scenes did not pull any punches, and told the truth about frontier brutality and all sides of the conflicts. This part is at least fair. Horizon is also filled with a lot of gun play, shootings and violence which also involved young people. I think this is worth noting, if you decide to see Horizon with your children.  Though, I'll be honest. Parts of Horizon could be classified as "woke". The use of modern language and context leaks out in the dialogue. But this is because, the dialogue in Horizon, is long, rambling, and in many cases hard to understand, and much of the soundtrack seems to be subdued and hard to hear. This is where the movie falls short. Much of the monologue could have been shortened, or completely cut. My theory here is that Costner is trying to tell us that story of manifest destiny, wrapped in the painful days of the early civil war, and the overlooked period of the Indian wars in the west, as the westward expansion began to gain momentum. As I mentioned there are characters in this film, one of them is based on two angry family members, one with a level head, the other, hot tempered and quick to kill. Most certainly, archetype's for Frank and Jesse James. They seem to have an angry, overbearing, rigid thinking mother, and very cohesive, though violent family. It most certainly reminds me of the James family. Additionally, the U.S. Cavalry has a big piece in this story and there is a Seargent Major, Played by actor Michael Rooker, who is a fairly well known actor. His character attempts to pull off an Irish accent, apparently mimicking John Fords Cavalry Seargent, SgtMaj Quincannon, Played by actor Victor McLaglen. I think Rookers character falls a bit flat, and his dialogue was hard to understand. The ending 

 of Horizon leaves the audience hanging, yearning to know if Horizon was going to prosper. So therefore,

The story will not be complete without a sequel. On the positive side, the scenery, costuming, and cinematography are quite beautiful, which seems to be a trademark of Costner's movies.  I can only give Horizon 3.5 stars on a scale of 5 stars. 

 

History Delights; Jesse James Bank Robbery Corydon Iowa June 3rd 1871

History Delights visits the site of the Jesse James robbery on Corydon Iowa.

THE ROBBERY

On June 3, 1871, four armed men  entered the bank in Corydon Iowa and robbed the new Ocobock Brothers’ Bank of $10,000. The bandits, who were all well mounted and heavily armed, first tried to rob the recently collected tax receipts at the Wayne County treasurer’s office, but the clerk convinced them he could not open the safe. They then went to the bank which was located off the strangely quiet town square. One stood by the horses, and the other three went in, and held up the bank.

JAMES GANG HOLD UP

History Delights!

 THANK YOU History Delights! Looking forward to sharing stories of our history of Iowa! I guess our meeting was "manifest destiny"!

Trains Go West, Lamoni Iowa 1879

 

           The Plaques at Central.                Park in Lamoni tells the.  

            story of the westward.      

      expansion of the railroad to.           Southern Iowa I'm 1879.

God Bless Our Republic

 

In a senseless act of violence, an assassination attempt was made on President Trumps life. He survived,  but other innocent lives were taken. Our deepest condolences go out to those families who have been deeply affected by this tragedy. 

God Bless America 

Gene Stevens 

Back Yard Artillery; Civil War Cannon by Kennesaw Cannon Co.

 

A review of the Kennesaw Cannon Company

This is both a fun and historic toy. This small salute gun is approx. 1/18 scale 58. cal.

black powder cannon. The carriage is made from a very sturdy composite plastic, the barrel

is coated metal. Approx. 4" in length. It requires 1/8 fuse and takes black powder only. Great

accessory to your cannon collection. It has a lite report and makes a lot of smoke.

It also comes with a powder measure/ramrod.

Indian Wars; Red Flag of Defiance and Battle For Apple River Fort; By Gene Stevens

Two Book Set on the Black Hawk War

This set covers many of the key events of the Black Hawk War of 1832 from 

From the Battle of Stillmans Run to the End of the Black Hawk War.

 

 

My Personal Introduction and Talking History.

 

Greetings from the Central States Lawman and Outlaws Historic Association. 

The Battle of Ashley Station

The Battlefield, Ashley Station Arkansas , The marks of the rail line

can still be seen today.

Photo by the author

BATTLE AT ASHLEY STATION

BY GENE STEVENS 

 Copyright (c) 2024

FORWARD

30 June 2024

 In the mid 1990's I began the process of researching my family history. It was through reenacting, research, and writing that I discovered my ancestors who fought in the civil war. One of those ancestors of Jospeh Curtis who would have been my great, great grand father. He served with the 54th Illinois Infantry Volunteers. He is part of this story. I'd also like to thank Mary Jo Sartin, who is a decent person and a professional Genealogist from Crawford County Illinois. Mary Jo is the safe keeper, of the Curtis family history in Illinois. It was her work that lead me to Duvall's Bluff Arkansas to stand on the ground on which my Great, Great Grand Father Joseph Curtis fought for his life against a fast moving and well armed confederate force under Joe Shelby. I'd also like to thank Sam Weems who passed away in 2003, I later found out that Sam was quite a controversial figure in his community. Sam was one of many controversial persons that I came in direct contact in my career and many pursuits.

Every story has path and a truth behind it.

G.C. Stevens

JOSEPH CURTIS 

Name Joseph Curtis

Enlistment Date 16 Dec 1861

Enlistment Rank Private

Muster Date 16 Feb 1862

Muster Place Illinois Muster Company E Muster Regiment 54th Infantry

Muster Regiment Type Infantry

Muster Information Enlisted

Muster Out Date 15 Oct 1865

Muster Out Place Little Rock, Arkansas

a Soldier of the 54th Illinois Regiment. 

Joseph Curtis's Enlistment Document

Photo by the Author

Regimental Flag of the 54th Illinois Volunteers 

THE 54TH ILLINOIS

Adjutant General's Report

The Fifty-Fourth Infantry was organized at Camp Dubois, Anna, Illinois, by Colonel Thomas W. Harris, in November 1861, as a part of the “Kentucky Brigade”. It was mustered into United States service, February 18, 1862.

February 24, 1862, ordered to Cairo, Illinois. March 14, moved to Columbus, Kentucky. Three companies were stationed at Humboldt, Tennessee, during the fall of 1862, and, December 18, the Regiment was ordered to Jackson, Tennessee. December 20, marched to Lexington, Tennessee, and returned on the 22d. 24th, marched to Britton’s Lane and Toon’s Station, returning December 28. Meantime General Forrest captured detachments of the Regiment, stationed on the railroad, and destroyed nearly all the records. The balance of the records were lost by the Quartermaster’s Detachment, in transit from Columbus to Jackson. Remained at Jackson, with two companies at Medon Station, and two at Toon’s, during January, February and March, 1863. In April, went to Corinth, and returned.

Left Jackson for Vicksburg, as part of the Third Brigade, Second Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, Brigadier General Nathan Kimball commanding Division, May 30, 1863. June 2d, arrived at Haines Bluff, on Yazoo River. Was on the extreme left of Sherman’s army, on the Big Black, confronting Johnson’s army, on the Canton road.

July 24th, 1863, ordered to Helena, as a part of General Steele’s expedition against Little Rock, Arkansas. August 13th, marched, and September 10th, arrived at Little Rock. October 15th, moved to Benton and Rockport, and returned.

January 1864, three-fourths of the Regiment re-enlisted, as veteran volunteers, and were mustered February 9th, 1864. Left for Mattoon, Illinois, for veteran furlough, March 28th. Veteran furlough having expired, the Regiment re-assembled at Mattoon. The same day an organized gang of Copperheads, led by Sheriff O’Hair, attacked some men of the Regiment at Charleston, killing Major Shubal York, Surgeon, and four privates, and wounding Colonel G. M. Mitchell. One hour later the Regiment arrived from Mattoon and occupied the town, capturing some of the most prominent traitors.

April 12th, moved to Cairo. 14th, to Columbus. 16th, to Paducah. Left Paducah 22d, and arrived at Little Rock 30th.

May 18th, left for Brownsville. Moved, 19th, in pursuit of General Shelby, and arrived at Little Rock 30th. June 25th, moved to Duvall’s Bluff, and thence to Clarendon. Fought Shelby on the 26th. Returned on the 29th. August 5th, assigned to guard 16 miles of Memphis and Little Rock railroad, having five stations, with two companies at each. August 24, was attacked by Shelby, with 4,000 men and 4 pieces of artillery, and one station captured. Six companies were concentrated at a station, by Colonel Mitchell, and fought five hours, when their hay breast-works being burned by the enemy’s shell, they were driven out and captured by detail. Loss, Lieutenant Thomas P. James and 13 men killed, and 35 wounded. Companies F and H, at a distant station, were not attacked. Were paroled at Jacksonport, Arkansas, and arrived at Benton Barracks, Missouri, September 9, 1864.

The Regiment was exchanged December 5, 1864, and arrived at Hickory Station, on Memphis and Little Rock railroad, January 18, 1865, and remained as railroad guard until June 6, 1865. Arrived at Pine Bluff, June 9, 1865. Marched, August 18, and arrived at Fort Smith, Arkansas, August 30. October 4, marched, and arrived at Little Rock, October 6.

Mustered out October 15, 1865. Arrived at Camp Butler, Illinois, October 26, and was discharged.

Since the organization the Regiment has had 1,342 enlisted men and 71 commissioned officers.

    

 

This photo is of an antebellum mansion that 

may have been used as a field hospital (not verified) 

Rifle trenches near where the battle occurred.

                                                                  Ashleys Hay Station 
 The following pictures were taken by me in Duvall's Bluffs. Before I went there, I had been in contacted with a local resident of Sam Weems, was by the way a very controversial figure in the area. He took me on a tour of the Area and introduced me to the persons who had the artifacts presented here. His story is also worth reading.

" In the summer of 1864, DeValls Bluff was a major depot for Federal cavalry stationed along the White River. Union authorities contracted with civilian hay cutters to operate in the Grand Prairie west of the White River stronghold and supply fodder for its thousands of horses and mules. On August 20, 1864, Shelby set out from camps around Searcy (White County) with 2,000 to 2,500 men to strike the railroad from Memphis, Tennessee." References and full story; Full Context from the Encyclopedia of Arkansas

                                              

                        The following photos are of artifacts that were dug from the site of the battle.

                                                                   All photos are by the Author

Spurs, bayonet and single shot pistol

Shot from Canister round

Various rifle bullets/ minnie ball

A single shot pistol, No further information available

Various rifle rounds with desription

Various uniform buttons

More rifle round with description