Pocahontas AR

Also on the square it this historical marker which marks the location of the St. Charles Hotel which was used by officers during the Civil War and where Brig. Gen. M Jeff Thompson was captured. It reads:

CAPTURE OF THE MISSOURI "SWAMP FOX"

Pocahontas was a "no-man's land" after the Confederate troops organized here in 1861 moved east of the Mississippi. Soldiers and irregulars from both sides patrolled the regions. One group of 300 Union militia and cavalry from Arkansas and Missouri came here on Aug. 22, 1863, after learning that Brig. Gen. M. Jeff Thompson was staying at the St. Charles Hotel. Thompson, known as the "Swamp Fox" for his many victories in the swampy regions, was taken by surprise. Exchanged in 1864, he commanded troops in northeast Arkansas, surrendering May 11, 1865.

Another marker was placed near the site of Camp Shaver. It reads as follows:CAMP SHAVER

Col Robert G Shaver established a camp near Pocahontas to train troops for the 7th Arkansas Infantry, C.S.A. Including two Randolph County companies. With 1250 men and officers, the 7th was one of the largest regiments raised in Arkansas. They trained at Camp Shaver under General William Hardee and many died of disease there. Moving east of the Mississippi River, the regiment had heavy losses at Shiloh and Perryville, was nicknamed "the Bloody 7th" and was consolidated with the 6th Arkansas. Both Confederate and Union troops used the came throughout the war.

No. 129

Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission

In Memory of James R. "Jim" Kincade

Col. Robert G. Shaver Camp #1655, Sons of Confederate Veterans

W. Danny Honnoll and M. Ray Jones, ACWSC Commissioners

Arkansas Historic Preservation Program

2015