A memorial for a Confederate general, the return of a Union flag and other activities are scheduled in March as part of sanctioned events by the Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission in observance of the 150th anniversary of the 1861-1865 war.
A complete list of sanctioned activities, times, locations, event contacts and more information is available at the commission’s website at arkansascivilwar150.com/events.
A Gen. Patrick Cleburne Memorial ceremony commemorating the 150th anniversary of his death will be March 15 at the Helena Confederate Cemetery in Helena-West Helena.
Cleburne, an Ireland native, settled in Helena in 1850 and joined the Yell Rifles, which became part of the Confederacy’s First Arkansas Volunteer Infantry Regiment when the Civil War began. Cleburne rose in the ranks to become a major general with participation in the battles in Tennessee at Shiloh, Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge. He was killed Nov. 30, 1864, at age 36 while leading a charge in Franklin, Tenn., and is buried in Helena-West Helena.
On March 20, the Arkansas History Commission will repatriate the flag of the Union’s Sixth Missouri Cavalry to the Missouri State Museum in a ceremony at Pea Ridge National Military Park. The Sixth Missouri fought at the Battle of Pea Ridge, March 6-8, 1862.
Other sesquicentennial events in March include separate Civil War history exhibits displayed throughout the month at the Prairie County Historical Museum in DeValls Bluff and at the Delta Cultural Center in Helena-West Helena.
Arkansas, Pages 10 on 02/28/2014