Letter, Isaac Murphy
Object number2007.107.02
DateMay 1, 1865
Mediumpaper and ink
Dimensions12 1/2 x 8 in. (31.8 x 20.3 cm)
Credit LineOld State House Museum Collection
Description1: Envelope addressed to "To His Excellency Isaac Murphy Governor of Arkansas, Little Rock, AR." "Politeness of Capt. DD Stark"2.Report attached to the General Orders No. 129 of the Assistant Adjutant General of the Headquarters of the Department of Missouri, dated November 4, 1863.
Letter reads,
Fayetteville, Ark. May 1st/1865
At a meeting of the officers of the Union Post colonies of Northwestern Arkansas held this day at Fayetteville for the purpose of taking into consideration the destitute and starving condition of the people of this part of Arkansas and devising measures for their relief:
Capt. John W. Binis (sp??)was called to the chair and Captain James W. Carney (sp??) chosen as secretary.
Col. Harrison informed the meeting that under late instructions from the General Commanding the 3rd Division, 7th Army Corps, it would be impossible for him to issue any more subsistence to colonies or Arkansas Militia; he also read several communications from His Excellency Governor Murphy giving views and instructions in regard to the organization and management of colonies.
A committee of seven consisting of John W. Binis (sp?? Look up) and Liet. Elijah Drake of Madison Co, Captains JR Rutherford, George M. Cline, and James W. Carney of Washington County and Captains Absalom H. Alfrey and Elijah P. Buttram of Benton County, was then chosen to draft a suitable memorial to His Excellency Governor Murphy and to Maj. Gen. JJ Reynolds in regard to the destitute condition of the colonies of North Western Arkansas and pleading got assistance from Government to prevent absolute starvation. On their return the committee reported the following:
Memorial to His Excellency Isaac Murphy, Governor of the State of Arkansas
And Maj. Gen. JJ Reynolds Commanding Dept. of Ark.
Gentlemen,
The undersigned, your petitioners, officers of the Loyal Post Colonies of North Western Arkansas would most respectfully ask permission to lay before your excellencies the following facts relative to the present condition of said colonies.
These colonies were organized during the early part of the present year by Col. M. La Rue Harrison commanding at Fayetteville. These organizations conform to the printed letter of instructions from Gov. Murphy approved by Gen Reynolds and were organized for the purposes set forth in said letter; viz, "the raising of such crops as will secure subsistence for families dependant upon them for support and to protect each other from the depredations of outlaws who infest the state." That letter also says, "You are encouraged to expect aid from the commander of the military department, who will cause arms and ammunition to be furnished for your defense, and will render such other assistance, as your necessities may require until you have means for self support."
Col. Harrison has been issuing rations to these Colonies under the provisions of Gen. Orders No. 129, Series 1864, dated Hd Qtd. Dept. of MO. St. Louis Nov 4th 1864 (a copy of which is enclosed) until notified a few days since by Brig. Gen Bussy that no more rations could be issued to militia.
A portion of each Colony is constantly in active service to protect us against thieves and bushwhackers. The withdrawal at this time of such assistance, when every effort had been made to cultivate the largest possible crops, and every grain of seed in the country had been put in the ground, has blasted our hopes for a restoration of our country this season to prosperity and leaves us and our families in a state bordering on starvation.
After a very careful estimate of the condition of our respective colonies we give it
as our decided conviction that there are over twenty-five fortieth's (25/40) of our people who must either starve or abandon their already planted ground and emigrate to Missouri in order to prevent that catastrophe unless they receive assistance from government and who have no means to purchase under the provisions of General Bussey's order No. 11.
If subsistence is not furnished us for the next sixty days we cannot exist as organized communities over ten days after the failure of government supplies.
If subsistence is furnished us either as an issue or a loan for the use of the men only who are enrolled, -until July first, we will be able with our rifles to hold North Western Arkansas; drive out the bushwhackers; restore peace and prosperity, and peace at the disposal of the government a crop at least twice as large as any heretofore raised since the outbreak of rebellion.
We therefore ask, in view of this disastrous alternative, that the authorities at Little Rock extend to us that "other assistance which our necessities require" and subsist our enlisted men for sixty days from this date and thereby prevent the disbanding of these now well organized and flourishing colonies, and the removal of the citizens from our state.
For further information we beg leave to refer Col. Harrison's letter of April 20th to Gov. Murphy which expresses fully and fairly the present condition of the loyal people of North West Arkansas.
List of Colonies represented:
1. Huntsville Colony Madison Co. Capt. J. W. Bivins(change name above)
2. War Eagle Colony " " Capt. Elittle Hayes
3. Richland Colony " " Capt. Bethel Counts
4. Brush Creek " " Capt. JW Wilkerson
5. Union Valley " " Capt. JR Rutherford
6. Middle Fork " " Capt. B. Lewis (not represented)
7. West Fork " " Capt. JC Stockburger (??)
8. Prairie " " Capt. Geo. M Cline
9. Mountain " " Capt. Jas W. Carney
10. Prairie Grove " " Capt. Philip Gregory
11. Double Spring " " Capt. Wilson Shreve
12. Bentonville " " Capt. AH Alfrey
13. Pea Ridge " " Capt. EH Buttram
14. Sugar Creek " " Capt. A. Blanset
15. Elkhorn " " Capt. AL Martin
16. Osage " " Capt. Simeon Gariot (??)
Signature sheet is the final sheet attached.
Status
Not on view
April 10, 1865
May 7, 1906
July 17, 1862
May 10, 1861