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SERGEANT ANCIL MATTHEWS IN THE CONFEDERATE ARMY
By an Old Comrade
(W.C.S. Lackey)
Sometime in the summer of 1862, probably in August, the writer, who had served with General Thompson in the Missouri State Guard, was stopping with some relatives in the south part of Madison County, Missouri, waiting for an opportunity to go south and join the regular Confederate Army in Arkansas. A messenger was sent to me, stating that a number of my neighbors were fixing to go south. I at once shouldered my gun and went to the place of rendezvous. We met for temporary organization in a cave or hollow just south of the Clifton farm in Creek Nation settlement -- Rufus Baird, Joe Yancey, John G. Lackey, Ancil Matthews, James Hawkins, Joe Murray, William White, George Clifton, Benjamin Morrow, and the writer.
Joe Yancey was chosen as the guide, he being somewhat acquainted with the country through which we had to pass. We left our place of rendezvous just at first peep of day. All had some kind of arms, mostly our home rifles or shotguns, some little food, such as we could conveniently carry. It was a sad morning. Ancil Matthews was leaving a family of children; so was Joe Yancey, Rufus Baird, and William White. We marched west, crossing St. Francis River not fur from the mouth of Captain's Creek, ascending the mountain on the opposite side. We paused for a rest and to take a last look at our beloved Creek Nation.
The subject of remarks was, "And who, if any, will live to get back?" We then moved furward, traveling all together over the mountains, avoiding public roads, for we had left Federal troops in Fredericktown, Missouri, who were watching. Just to the north was Ironton, Missouri, full of Federals, all watching and scouting up and down the roads to catch and intercept recruits going south. It was quite necessary for us to be careful.
We reached Black River and waded it. Our little supply of food gave out. We halted on a mountainside, Joe Yancey and myself went down toward a valley and succeeded in getting some com bread. We finally reached Eleven Point River; here we found large bodies of men passing south - mostly cavalry. We proceeded on to Alton, Missouri. South of Alton a few miles, at a place known as Couches' Farm, or Spring, Col J. D. White and Maj. Miles Ponder were recruiting a regiment of infantry. At this point we organized our first company, "Co. B." An Irishman by the name of Smith was chosen as Captain, he being once a soldier in the English army and was well Up in discipline and drill. Ancil Matthews was 1st. Sergeant General, known as "orderly sergeant," in which capacity he served until the close of the war.
Sometime, probably about the first of September, we broke camps at Couch Springs and moved down the Arkansas line to Bridgeport, Arkansas. This point is some 20 miles, a little northeast of Pocahontas, Arkansas. Here we went into camp --a motley set -- about all the arms we had was our squirrel rifles. At this place our regiment recruited about 1100 men. The Federals at Ironton, Missouri, learning of this camp, sent out a body of cavalry, with some artillery, to capture and break it up. Col. White sent Lieutenant Tom Scott furward with some men, and the best arms we had, to hold them in check until the stuff could be loaded in wagons and moved south. After some few shots by the artillery, and skirmishing, the camp was abandoned; and during the night we moved on to Pocahontas.
At this place we went into quarters and for some weeks put in most of the time drilling. In early October we moved on through Arkansas to Yellville. Our men were in bad fix; no arms, and no clothing, and many bare-footed. Arriving at Yellville the 8th or 9th of October, we had a large number on the sick list. On the 18th of October there fell a considerable snow, something unknown in the climate by the oldest inhabitants, at such early season. Several regiments were at this place, preparing to cross the Boston Mountains to join Major General Hindman, in command of the northwestern department, who was at this time concentrating on organizing a large army at Fort Smith, Arkansas.
On account of the severe weather, our regiment, (part of which) was left behind at Yellville in charge of Col. Chaffee. Only those were left that were bare-footed and sick. After some days the weather got better and we marched out for the Boston Mountains, as pitiful sight perhaps as one ever saw. The writer was one of this barefooted contingent. It may seem incredible, yet it is true; we marched over the Boston Mountains with bleeding feet. At or near Clarkville, on the Arkansas River, we halted for a few days. At this place we got a few shoes and quite a lot of homemade socks. From here we moved up the Arkansas River and joined General Hindman's main army.
At Camp Massard, six miles below Fort Smith, nearly opposite Van Buren -- here our regiments all came together. During most of the remainder of October and November the time was spent in drilling and equipping the army. General Hindman had at this time some 15,000 men. Here at this camp the splendid qualities of Ancil Matthews as a soldier were brought out in the performance of the duties dwelling upon him, always looking out for the welfare and interest of his company.
At this time the Federals were gathering a large force at Fayetteville and Cane Hill, some 75 miles north of Fort Smith. On or about the 4th of December, 1862, General Hindman put his army in motion to attack and drive back this army. Generals Blunt and Herron were in command of the Federal Army. General Hindman's plan was to attack Herron at Fayetteville. On the morning of the 7th of December about sunrise the battle opened at Prairie Grove by General Marmaduke. The Infantry was pushed rapidly forward At two o'clock the battle was on, and lasted until darkness closed the scene. Ancil Matthews was wounded and fell in the hands of the enemy. After this battle, Hindman moved his army to Little Rock, which was being threatened.
We moved in the dead of winter, a time of dreadful suffering and loss of life by disease. Ancil Matthews, before his wound was fairly well healed, escaped from the Federal Hospital and made his way through many dangers to Little Rock and rejoined his command. Quite a number of our wounded died; some took the oath and never came back. Not so with Sgt. Matthews, he was made of better and more patriotic material. Always in camp, when our boys sick and discouraged, he was doing all to encourage them to stand by the flag.
Our next campaign of importance was in the summer of 1863. Lieutenant General Holmes was in command of the Trans. Miss. Dept. Pemberton was hemmed up in Vicksburg by Grant. General Holmes conceived the idea he could move on Helena and draw some of Grant's forces from Vicksburg and relieve Pemberton. It was a fearfully disastrous campaign. Sgt. Matthew’s was in all the campaign. On the 4th of July, 1863, we attacked the place. Our company was badly beaten -- lost our regiment. Only enough left to form two companies, which was done, and consolidated with Col Moore 10th Mo. Infantry, Parsons Brigade. Sgt Matthews was retained as Orderly Sergeant. At Helena, in our charge over fallen timber and high embankments, he fell and was seriously hurt.
After this campaign we fell back on Little Rock and fortified the place; remained there until in the fall. We were forced to evacuate the place and give it up to the enemy. From Little Rock we fell back on Camden on the Ouachita River. We fortified this place and wintered there. Here it was, as well as other places, Sgt. Matthews displayed fine soldier's qualities, and was often spoken of as one of the best orderlies in the brigade.
In April, 1864, the Red River campaign opened up. Banks, with a powerful army, moved up Red River. At the same time, Steel moved out from Little Rock, objective point Shreveport, Louisiana. Lieutenant General Kirby Smith was in command of the Confederate forces in the Trans. Miss. department. From Camden the Infantry was moved by rapid marches by the way of Shreveport; object, to meet Banks and drive him back. General Price was left at Camden with most of the cavalry forces to hold General Steele at check. General Dick Taylor was in command of the Confederate forces in front of General Banks on Red River. Just as we were getting in reach of General Taylor with the Camden forces, he fought the battle of Mansfield, completely defeating Banks. Our Infantry got on the field just as the battle was over. Next morning, April the 9th or the 10th, General Smith put the entire army in motion in pursuit of Banks, who was falling back on Red River. At Pleasant Hill we overtook him and another hard battle was fought. There it was that Sgt. Matthews was conspicuous in gallantry. Our brigade was turned and thrown into much confusion by the 16th Army Corps turning our right wing. General Banks now being completely driven back, General Smith ordered the Infantry back to Camden to assist General Price in driving back General Steele, who had now got possession of the city. We moved on forced marches, reaching the vicinity of Camden April 16th. General Steele having learned of General Banks' defeat, immediately evacuated Camden, destroying much of his army trains. General Kirby Smith then went in pursuit, hoping to force the enemy into battle and destroy him. On the morning of April 30th, we came up with him on the Saline River, but too late; General Steele bad succeeded in getting the bulk. Of his army and munitions over the stream, leaving behind a strong detachment of troops behind embankments.
Here was fought the battle of Jenkins Ferry. The victory was ours, purchased dearly with no results, Our neighbor boy. Jimmy Hawkins, was mortally wounded and soon died. The writer carried him out on his back.. After this we moved back to Camden, and from Camden to Shreveport, Louisiana, moving into various camps from time to time.
At Shreveport on June the 10th, 1865, we lay down our arms -- I think the 7th or 8th -- on the 10th we left Shreveport for home, having got our paroles from the Federals, who now their headquarters in Shreveport.
I have written this from memory. Substantially it is correct. I could give you a more lengthy detailed account, giving many marches and incidents which your father participated in. It would be of but little use to you now. No better soldier went to war than Orderly Sergeant Matthews. The writer was in close touch with him during the war. In the same mess group, when we had something to eat we shared it together; when we had nothing we suffered together. In all these years of hardship and suffering, no one ever heard Sergt. Matthews complain. His devotion to the Southern cause was such that he was willing to suffer all, bear all, shed his blood, and more - give his life -- if only we could win. Such was Sergeant Matthews.
Before closing, as you might not know, I will state how it was at the battle of Prairie Grove, and why it was that we abandoned the field which we had won. General Hindman had left his supply train far to the rear; in fact most of it was at Fort Smith, 75 miles away. His army had nothing to eat and scarcely any sleep for three days and nights, hence it was impossible to remain any longer. So at midnight the field was abandoned. There it was your father fell into the hands of the Federals, he being wounded. If you wish, you
can sketch this off for the other children.
NOTE
Our regiment had several names; once the 1st., later the 9th., and finally the 12th, and remained so until the battle of Helena. It was then consolidated with the 10th. Mo. Inft., commanded by Col Wm. Moore, who is, or still was, alive at the time of Little Rock
reunion. Our regiment was commanded by Col. J.D. White of Texas, Lieut. Col. Miles Ponder of Ripley Co., Major Thos. Sanford of Ironton, Mo. Sanford was killed at Helena. Col White was murdered. Lieut. Dick Spence was killed the same time. He was a nephew of our Creek Nation's Jeff and Wm. Ronald.
Missouri State Archives, Jefferson City, MO.
Note: The original typescript of this account is located among some miscellaneous papers in the
office of the county clerk, Madison County Courthouse, Fredericktown, MO.