Civil War markers OK'd for 2 counties

A state commission has approved Civil War Sesquicentennial Historical Markers to be erected in Pulaski and Craighead counties to commemorate events in those counties related to the war.

The Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission works with local partners to tell stories of how the 1861-65 Civil War affected communities in the state. The markers now number 103 in 61 of the state's 75 counties, according to commission figures.

The Craighead County marker will commemorate Arkansas' last Confederate veteran to die, Pvt. William M. Loudermilk of Jonesboro (1847-1952). The marker will be located at Keller's Chapel Cemetery in Jonesboro, where Loudermilk is buried. The Col. Robert G. Shaver Camp No. 1655 Sons of Confederate Veterans is sponsoring the marker.

Loudermilk, a North Carolina native, fought with Gen. John B. Hood's cavalry in the Civil War, joining the Confederate army in 1864 at age 16, according to an obituary published Sept. 20, 1952, by The New York Times. Loudermilk was a Jonesboro resident for 71 years, the obituary said.

The Pulaski County marker will mark the events leading up to the September 1863 pistol duel between Confederate Gens. John S. Marmaduke and L. Marsh Walker. The marker will be placed on the Reed's Bridge battlefield on Arkansas 161 in Jacksonville. The Reed's Bridge Battlefield Preservation Society is sponsoring the marker.

The duel took place Sept. 6, 1863, on a plantation along the north bank of the Arkansas River shortly before Little Rock fell under Union control. Marmaduke fatally wounded Walker, who died the next day.

More information on the historical marker program or monthly sesquicentennial activities can be found at the commission's website, arkansascivilwar150.com.

Metro on 03/01/2015

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