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

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