CRAWFORD CO, AR - SAMUEL FARMER  - Bio

The information in this record was taken from an old history book published 
in 1889. " THE CIVIL WAR IN SONG AND STORY",  1860-1865, BY Frank Moore,     
who was also author of the "Rebellion Records And The American Revolution."

Submitted by: Pat Hardison [hardison@crcom.ne]

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SAMUEL FARMER 

The information in this record was taken from an old history book 
published in 1889. " THE CIVIL WAR IN SONG AND STORY",  1860-1865, BY 
Frank Moore,     who was also author of the "Rebellion Records And The 
American Revolution."


SCENES IN THE SOUTHWEST
  The following narrative of a recruiting expedition into Arkansas 
given by Engineer  L.G. Bennett, who left St. Louis in April  1863, in 
company with William M. Fishback, who authorized by General Curtis to 
raise a Regiment among the loyal Arkansasians.

     The party started for Cassville Missouri, intending to make that 
place their  point of departure for the journey into the mountains, as 
the road to Cassville is intersected several times by a  limpid stream 
called Flat Creek, it was very muddy from recent rains.  On the road, 
four great strapping girls were over taken, who were footing it from 
Newton County to Cassville. The girls kept up and occasionally out 
stripped his ambulance, occasionally the vehicle would get the start 
on a level stretch of road, and the girls would fall behind.   Coming 
upon a deep ford, the colonel with gallant intentions halted his 
ambulance until the girls came up and politely offered to convey  them 
to the opposite bank, in his ambulance.  " O! no", said one, and they 
leaped into the boiling current.  Although the creek was only waist 
deep they soon emerged dripping on the opposite bank,  the modest 
colonel was completely non-plussed by the adventurous Amazons, the 
damsels were soon half a mile in the distance singing, "o did you see 
my sister."

On arriving at Cassville, intelligence was received that Fayetville, 
our advance post in Arkansas, was ordered to be abandoned and that the 
Federal Troops were on the retrograde march into Missouri, this 
information put a damper on recruiting in that section and the party 
returned to Springfield.  It was resolved to penetrate Arkansas by way 
of Forsyth on the White River, and a rather formidable Company was 
made up, and a few Arkansas fugitives numbering eighteen in all, armed 
to the teeth under command of Colonel Fishback, the White River was 
reached by the recruiting party about a mile above Forsyth.  The river 
was swollen by recent rains and the prospect of crossing seemed 
dubious, the region was in possession of Rebels, and infested with  
Secesh sympathizers, it was getting toward night .  A Butternut 
individual was discovered on the opposite shore.  After halting the 
stranger  on the parleying sometime with him, it was agreed that one 
of the party should cross and perfect arrangements.  KELLY , an adroit 
man, volunteered to go over, and a boy paddled over in a dugout, to 
get him.   Kelly and the boy started in the dugout, to crossover, 
before they reached the other side, three more men appeared on the 
opposite bank with muskets and revolvers "ready cocked",   Their 
movements were closely watched, and our men  rested their rifles 
across logs, and with steady aim intended to blaze away in case a 
hostile move be made on Kelly.  The later was allowed to land and had 
a long conference, in which he represented his party as bushwhackers, 
and had been chased by federal authorities out of Missouri, and were 
on their way south.  This artful story was credited, and the boat was 
permitted to bring over the balance of the party, which had to be done 
one at a time making some eighteen round trips.  It was consequently 
late at night before all got over.  In swimming their horses four were 
drowned.  The men who so readily assisted the party across turned out 
to be among the worst class of bushwhackers in the region, "one was 
HENDRICK!" who had hanged and shot a number of loyal men in Ozark  and 
Stone Counties, Missouri and another was named BIRD, who was also a 
noted desperado, being  a horse thief and a murderer, he and his gang 
had  cleaned out every loyal family on Bull and Swan creeks in Taney 
County Missouri, after depopulating that section for miles around, on 
taking leave of these desperadoes next morning, the kindest wishes of 
success of our party were expressed.  A list of rebel leaders was 
given where the  party would be welcome and receive assistance in 
their journey through out the country.

     Proceeding three miles further, zep popped a picket from the side 
of the road and ordering the party to halt.  Demanded who they were 
and their destination.   The ever prompt KELLY  was sent forward, and 
after a brief explanation made all things satisfactory to the picket.   
The picket said he was from St. Louis, and was among forty prisoners 
who escaped from the guard house at Springfield, on a dark rainy 
night.  He was asked why he was stationed at that out of the way 
place, and he replied pickets were stationed in these places to kill 
mountain Feds as they were called.  Who were in the habit of fleeing 
from Arkansas to Missouri and that ten more pickets were concealed in 
the brush.  His credulity was so far over come that he gave the party 
the rebel password, it consisted of whistling three times like a 
quail.  He said that by making that noise they would not be molested 
when they ran across any of their men.  If any one was in the act of 
firing, he said, just whistle the signal as directed and the fire 
locks would drop instantly, KELLLY soon became proficient in making 
the desired signal.

    The bald tops  of the hills were clothed with light verfue and 
spinkled with flowers, they descended from the hill country into the 
long piece of woods.  The last picket had given the locality of the 
pickets to avoid a strongly posted picket guard some fourteen miles 
ahead,  the travelers held a council and resolved to leave the main 
traveled road by this detour they intended to circumvent the picket 
guard.  On leaving the main road they were among the hills again, and 
after traveling a whole day ascending and descending the hills they 
merged at night on the road, and found that they had advanced but five 
miles.  The next morning the blankets were tied to the saddles and the 
party mounting their horses determined to leap the road and run the 
risk of encountering the pickets when they got sight of the latter 
instead of  meeting with opposition the cowardly pickets mounted their 
steeds and precipitately fled to Carrollton, the county seat of 
Carroll County, sixteen miles distant.  The pickets spread the alarm 
that the Missouri enrolled Militia was coming in full force.

     They followed the pickets and camped within eight miles of 
Carrollton;  procuring a few ears of corn, which was parched for 
supper.   In order to avoid the rebel bands who were patrolling the 
country it became necessary much of the time to travel in the woods, 
over mountains and through rocky ravines, away from the settlements, 
ignorance of the geography of the country kept the party so long on 
way their scanty supply of hardtack was exhausted, hogs and cattle 
were plentiful, one of their party a rocky mountain hunter exercised 
his agility in lassoing a fat steer without exposing their position by 
a shot.  The Colonel one day came up to a cabin, inquired of the 
butternut owner if  he had any  cornbread  to spare.  No! said the 
butternut  don't raise much of nothing down here crops are poor 
casting a glance over in a small enclosure bristling with weeds, 
Colonel thought he discovered something resembling onions inquiry was 
made of the man if he had onions to spare and the answered reckon not.

  Presently his barefooted better half who had been listening I reckon 
its injuns he is after, "o" said butternut its injuns youre after, I 
low we can spare you a heap of them,  and the Colonel returned to camp 
with an abundant supply of injuns.  To regale his half famished 
command not far from Carrrolton was found one LEWIS, a most wicked 
rebel, with  an oath and protection papers in his pockets Colonel WEIR 
of the tenth Kansas boasted that all along  he had made it his 
business to hunt and help to hang, and rob  Union men, or oblige them 
to flee the country.  Under the idea that the party were Southern men 
piloted them eight miles on the way.  That they thought there was no 
such man as KELLY in the Kansas Jayhawkers.  Volunteers were flocking 
in by the score and in ten days a company of ninety six was formed.  
WILLIAM BRASHEARS an Arkansanian as Captain, KELLY  as first 
Lieutenant: other expeditions were planned, many horses, guns and 
prisoners taken and much property recovered which had been captured 
from Union men.  Word finally came that an expedition  of three 
hundred rebels were coming from Dover, County seat of Pope County to 
break up BRASHEARS Company, the boys retired to favorite positions 
among the mountains and for two days awaited their coming.  At length 
word was brought from what was deemed a reliable source that the 
rebels had returned.  Capt  BRASHEARS having business at home and not 
expecting danger, with four men in the company was proceeding to the 
transaction of his business when suddenly he was among the entire 
Secesh force.  They chased him over a mile, wounding him several times 
and finally killing him.  One of Captain BRASHEARS companions made his 
escape, and other was killed and others were captured and hung after 
enduring many tortures, and fiendish harassments disgraceful even to 
savage Indians, and repulsive to be related.  The neighbor women were 
not even permitted to bury the dead bodies without being threatened 
and insulted.  Mention has already been made that Captain VANDERPOOL 
was recruiting in the neighborhood of Jasper, one morning the citizens 
of Jasper were surprised to find a force of two hundred rebels under 
Captains MITCHELL, LOVE and SISEL, in their midst, and four or five of 
VANDERPOOLS recruits were captured.  The Captain was in the immediate 
neighborhood but his men were scattered, and it was impossible 
immediately to collect them.  Eighteen however were near at hand, with 
this handful he did not hesitate to attack them.  Approaching the 
lower part of the town and covering the men behind rocks and fences 
and trees, and not under destructive fire was poured upon the enemy, 
and they were glad to seek the cover of the neighboring hills.  But 
VANDERPOOL'S men were then beginning to collect and retreat was 
ordered.  At the crossing of Hudson creek, their boys gave them a few 
more rounds, scattering them in every direction.  Leaving the dead 
behind.  Our party met with  no losses except the prisoners captured 
early in the morning.  An expedition was planned to make a raid on the 
section of Clarksville and the Arkansas River, and about sixty men 
were collected for the enterprise.  One of BENNET'S  recruiting 
officers resided south of the river.  The recruiting officers crossed 
the river, but nothing has been heard from them since.  The 
acquaintance was formed of Captain SAMUEL FARMER, who resided near the 
head  of  Mulberry some party had been but a few minuets of his when 
some of his smaller children went to his hiding place weeds and 
informed him that a party of Federals were at the house,  the Captain 
soon made his appearance and with tears of joy made them welcome, 
saying that any thing he had was free.  Such demonstrations of 
friendship deterred the boys from meddling with even his bees, and the 
bold fellow had to take the lead in opening two of his hives of honey 
for the boys.  Cornbread and bacon were served liberally.  For the 
first time since the scout, the boys got enough to eat.  The Captain 
said he was an early settler of Arkansas and formerly represented 
Carson County in the state Senate, at the breaking out of the 
secession troubles he had taken an open stand in favor of the Union, 
and in the elections preliminary to the convention, and steadily voted 
against succession by the action of the convention, (not the people).

     Military Companies were ever raised for the South and quite early 
one of MR. FARMER'S neighborhood, he had served in the Mexican and 
Florida wars and more recently in the Indian war in California and 
Oregon and his Military experience and qualifications were known. At 
once every device which rebel ingenuity could invent was brought to 
force him to service.  Flattery, threats, promises of high pensions 
and the personal influence of Governor RECTOR in a measure his 
scruples, and he was made Major of HILL'S Fifteenth Arkansas Regiment 
the work of drilling and preparing the regiment for duty devolved  
entirely upon him.  

     During PRICES  occupation of Springfield, in the winter of 1861-
1862 his regiment was stationed at Elm Springs under MC CULLOUGH.

       PRICE'S rapid retreat before General CURTISS called for help 
from McCULLOUGH and  with other forces met the retreating Missourians 
of Sugar Creek where a stand was resolved upon.  All remembered 
results of that skirmish in which the Federal Cavalry under CARR and 
BOWEN charged so  vigorously the rebel horses, foot and artillery set 
them ahead set them in a headlong flight.  The impetuous squadron of 
cavalry in measure removed from FARMER'S eyes, the scale of which 
Lexington, Wilson Creek and Bull Run had placed over them.  He saw the 
arm of the National Government was not yet raised, but was capable of 
felling to traitors powerful blows.

     At Cross Hollows, PRICE who outranked  McCOLLOUGH determined to 
make a stand, to this the latter was opposed, and so serious was the 
quarrel between the two leaders that the council of  war was called to 
settle the difficulties and adopt a policy.    FARMER was the only one 
of that council who sided with  MC MOLLOUCH. He admitted the strength 
of the position, provided CURTISS was foolish enough to attack in 
front but stated the topography of the country was such that their 
position could be easily turned and predicted that the next thing the 
Federals would be on the Rebels flank.  Sure enough the next day SIGEL 
was at Osage Springs threatening PRICE'S flank and rear and nothing 
was left for them to do but resume the skedaddle, to the Boston 
Mountains where MC COLLOUGH wished to remain and received  CURTIS' 
attack.  Here VAN DORN the chief command, which soon culminated in the 
battle ridge.  At this battle Colonel HILL and his Lt. Colonel early 
ran away from the fight taking a small part of the regiment with them 
but Major FARMER kept the remainder in their places from where BEN MC 
CULLOUGH was killed, he was the first man to aid him after he was 
shot.  About ten minutes before  McCULLOUGH  fell, they were together 
reconnoitering the federal position.  The thirty sixth Illinois formed 
in Line for a charge, and when the breeze unfolded the stars and 
stripes to view Major  FARMER'S love for the flag returned and turning 
to McCULLOUGH he said,  "This was the last battle and the last time he 
would ever raise his hand against that flag."
The scene and such surrounding circumstances in the thunder of a great 
battle an expression from one he highly esteemed effected even MC 
CULLOUGH, and he asserted that it was a trying ordeal for him to fight 
against that once honored flag.  He was among the last to leave the 
field at Elkhorn at the rebels final retreat.   FARMER shortly after 
tendered his resignation, which after many delays was granted and he 
returned to his home.
   
    Shortly after the Conscript law was put into force and at public 
meeting I his neighborhood, he denounced the measure with all of his 
powers.  Though not daring to avow himself a Union man, yet he 
predicted that such arbitrary measures would drive the people of 
Arkansas to rebel against the rebellion.  He compared the helpless 
condition of Arkansas after the battle of Pea Ridge, to the valley of 
dry bones; and his conviction that a wind would blow from the north 
and that bone would seek its bone, and the whole becoming a living 
mass and truly this was come to pass in the present up rising of the 
people of Arkansas, and the development of a Union sentiment there; 
Bone is seeking its bone all over the south.	

     Three of his sons came with in reach of the conscription act and 
to avoid it  they sought safety among the neighboring crags of the 
mountain woods.  They were hunted like wolves and one of them shot 
down by a rebel guard; and though this occurrence was a year ago he 
was still almost helpless from the effect of the shot.  The Father and 
sons by hiding in the woods thus far escaped the provisions of the act 
and hailed us his dearest friends, and benefactors.  He stated that 
there was a large number in the neighboring mountains who were hunted 
the same way.

    The Captain was advised to  form a company  and join the Federal 
Army and if he ever expected Arkansas to be free and restored to the 
Union he must help to do it.  He could not expect others to do that 
which more intimately concerned him.  Said he, "Will the Federals 
receive me after the part I have taken against them?"  Having  been 
satisfied in regard to this he avowed his intentions to immediately 
raise a heard from the company numbered over 60 with him as Captain 
with other equally as loyal as Lieutenants.  When last heard of his 
company numbered 103 men.  Nearly every day the formation of this 
company expeditions were planned and executed against the 
secessionists.  For arms and ammunition and horses for his men.  At 
one time a few of his boys entered Clarksville captured a rifle from 
one BASHAM which cost $150.00 also a horse valued at $1000.00.  This 
BASHAM was a noted Secessionist and had been lieutenant Governor of 
the State.  On another occasion, Lt. MIDDLETON with but one companion 
came suddenly Captain BIRK and three soldiers and demanded their 
surrender, both parties prepared for a fight, but after a long parley 
BIRCH and his men surrendered,  Captain BIRCH was a splendid Sharps 
cavalry rifle and all were mounted on good horses, MIDDLETON would 
scarcely take $1,000 for his rifle.  One day  Captain FARMER was alone 
at a blacksmith getting his horse shod for a journey and not dreaming 
of any thing being with in many miles of him, he heard a rustling in 
neighboring corn field but paid no attention to it until suddenly he 
was fired on by 40 men.  The bullets cut his clothes and tore up the 
gravel all around him but he was not hurt, he dashed into a 
neighboring thicket losing his hat in the flight, shots were poured 
after him and a number of rebels pursued among whom was Captain BIRCH, 
whom he had kindly treated and released but a few days before, after 
promising not to molest Union people again.   Captain FARMER  had a 
rifle and a pistol with him but the rifle misfired, but with the 
pistol he scratched the Captain in the face, and nearly cut his ear 
from his head,  of course the forty men made a hasty retreat, 
forgetting even to take off the Captain's horse, they joined the other 
forces of their band, consisting in all of 150 men.  The Captain soon 
met seven of the boys and gave the alarm while he went to collect the 
remainder of his men,  the seven secreted themselves in a corn field 
and fired into the whole secesh crowd as they  passed along, killing 
two and wounding one.  The seceshs prepared to make a charge into the 
corn, but another round from the hidden foe put the whole crowd to 
flight, leaving five dead and two wounded in the road.  The seven 
among whom were two of FARMER'S  sons, chased the rebels to 
Clarksville.
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