Page 106 - Arkansas Confederate Women

FEDERAL RAIDERS AND THEIR CRUELTIES.

By Mrs. J. B. Crump, of Harrison.

The border of north Arkansas was during the war a thea-
ter of tragedy. The Union men, as they were called, were in
the minority, and left their homes to "go back and forth,"
and thereby inaugurate a system of warfare against the de-
fenseless families whose men folks were enlisted on the other

side.

Four decades have passed since those times of peril, and
criticisms are unnecessary on the conduct of those who, from

principle or provocation, refused to espouse the cause of the
Confederacy.

But with the purpose unbiased save by love for our native
heath, I have gathered from hills and valleys authentic records
of those who shared in our common dangers, trials and priva-

tions.

To preserve these acts of heroism is to cultivate a noble
sentiment that idealizes the principle and love of the cause thai
prompted those acts and to save from oblivion (for the benefit

of future generations) unimpeachable facts as yet untouched
by history.

'Twas in the fall of '63, directly after the surrender of the
Confederate forces in Little Rock, Ark., when Price had gone
South, that Crooked Creek was a temporary rendezvous for a
band of lawless refugees.

DEFENSELESS HOME ATTACKED.

Under the cover of night a party attacked the defense-
less home of John Bailey, who was infirm with age.

With bitter curses and angry commands they aroused the
sleeping family, consisting of Mr. Bailey, his delicate wife and
only daughter, and demanded admission.

The sons of the family (all brave soldiers in the Confed-
erate army) had their clothes packed in saddlebags ready to