Tuesday, March 18, 2014

“Know therefore that the Lord they God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;” --- Deuteronomy 7:9
Birthdays this week: Mike Mosley - March 8, Walter DalSanto, Dorothy Shepherd and Memory Sanders – March 11, James McIntyre Jr. - March 12, Joye Splawn – March 13, Sue Sanders – March 14, Jarrod Langford, James Herring and Jackie  Harton – March 15.
Welcome back Jarrod Langford.
We Eagles are saddened at the passing of Mrs. Alene Thompson Erwin last week. She was 93.
Melody Spears reports the BBQ and auction of two weekends ago netter $5,100 that will go toward paying the NECC's building debt of $23,000.
Congratulations to Justin Wagnon who has accepted the pastorship of New Friendship Baptist Church in Kingsland.

The Battle of Marks' Mills by James L. Boney, part 3: "To silence the two Federal guns on the hill, General Cabell sent for his artillery. The cannoneers of Hughey’s battery were standing by their guns, listening to the sounds of the battle when an officer came along the line and ordered them to the front. They went down a long hill, across a creek and out into an opening. Here they were in full view of the Union battery on the hill some four hundred yards in their front. The guns quickly went into battery, powder charges were rammed home, and fuses were cut. At the word from Hughey, the four guns roared into action sending round after round of case-shot into the Federal line. Through the smoke and dust of this man-made hell, the cannoneers could see that their artillery was doing terrible and deadly work. The Federal battle line was weaving to and fro and showing signs of giving way. The soldiers were falling fast. Most of the battery’s horses along with a number of the men were killed. 
The Confederates also suffered heavy casualties from the grapeshot and shell of the enemy cannon. It was here that the South lost many of its best officers and men. The area around the road junction was covered with dead and wounded men. The noise of the battle was terrible. The roar of the cannon could be heard for fifteen miles. The people in the next township could hear the roar and knew a terrible battle was in progress.
At this time, General Thomas Dockery’s small brigade arrived on the field and joined the action on Cabell’s left. Supported by the 7th Arkansas cavalry, Dockery’s command swept around Cabell’s command and reached the Camden road west of the Union position. About the same time, a scout informed Colonel Drake that a large force of Confederate cavalry was approaching from the east. This would be Shelby’s command that consisted of his own Missouri brigade and Colonel John Wright’s 2nd Arkansas brigade. The Federals were now surrounded on three sides. Colonel Drake now called upon the five remaining companies of the 36th Iowa to meet the attack from the east.
At this time, Colonel Drake decided to try to make contact with Major Mark McCauley who was to bring the 77th Ohio to the front. This regiment was at the rear of the train. While enroute to McCauley’s command post, Drake was severely wounded in the left hip by a minie ball fired from the Confederate line. Before passing out, Drake told Captain McGill to turn command over to Major Spellman.  The time: 10:30 a.m., April 25th 1864.
When they reached the battle area, General Shelby told Captain Richard Collins to fire his two cannon. This would let General Fagan know that they were on the Federal left flank. He then gave the order to charge. The troopers charged into the right battalion of the 36th Iowa forcing them back into the already tangled mass of fighting around the guns and buildings. At the same time, Cabell’s command rose to their feet and converged on Lieutenant Peetz’ two guns.
After an hour of this almost hand-to-hand combat, the Federals with their ammunition almost gone began to fall back. Leaving the two guns, a large number of Federal soldiers move to their left and took refuse in and around a large log house which stood about 150 yards north by east of their original position. General Cabell’s command now found themselves in possession of over 200 prisoners, two cannon and a large number of wagons. The first Union position had been taken. The 1st and 2nd Arkansas now moved forward toward the house. After several volleys had been exchanged, they captured about 100 Federals. These soldiers were placed under guard and sent to the rear as prisoners of war. "
Please feel free to share items of interest for this column before Monday.  This will appear on the internet at http://WeAreTheEagles.blogspot.com.  Go Eagles.

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