360 WASHINGTON DURING THE CIVIL WAR Although Washington's importance to the migration to Texas and to the cultural-intellectual development of Southwest Arkansas is never questioned, the town's golden days were those during the Civil War, specifically from November 7, 1863, when Governor Harris Flanagin issued Special Order No. 6 (the first official publication after the state government was moved to Washington,) until the end of hostilities (360)." The war, however slow it was in getting started, had succeeded in causing Washington to quicken its step as soon as the news of the firing of Fort Sumter was heard. On January 15, 1862, The Washington Telegraph published this: "TROOPS WANTED. I am authorized by the Secretary of War to receive by companies, two regiments of Infantry and two Companies of Artillery for services in the Indian country and elsewhere. It was signed by Brig. Gen. Albert Pike (80)." Urged on by John R. Eakin, Yale-educated lawyer and journalist (81), who set for himself the rather awesome task of keeping up public morale and unifying the citizenry of Southwestern Arkansas generally and Washington specifically, housewives, daughters and idle slaves were soon busy making underclothing and uniforms for the hundreds of men who were volunteering for service against the Federals. It is suspected that Eakin might have had a hand in the composition of such announcements as this one : All clothing designed by the citizens of Hempstead for Capt. Williamson's company, the 'Southern Defenders,' are requested to be delivered at the store of D. & V. Block by the 10th of November. The clothing needed for each member is one coat; two pairs of pants; two pairs of socks; and two pairs of drawers. It is hoped that the citizens of Old Hempstead will respond to the call [because] the members of this company are sadly in need of the above articles. [signed] Geo. M. Williamson, 2nd Lieut. (82). ____________________ 79. Special Order Number 6, as published under the title "Official Orders of Governor Flanagin" in Vol. II, Publications of the Arkansas Historical Association, 376, authorized Peter G. Brown to "raise and muster in a company of mounted men for one year's service in the state." 80. Telegraph, Jan. 15, 1862. 81. Smith, Arkansas Historical Quarterly, XII, 316-326. 82. Telegraph, Jan. 22, 1862.           Contents  Words  Study Questions  Related Sites Next Page