A SOLDIER OF TWO WARS. [CORRESPONDENCE OF FORT SMITH, NEW ERA.] HACKETT CITY, ARK., MARCH 14, 1884

[Arkansas?, 1884. Broadside 10" x 7," printed in two columns. Old folds, minor toning and foxing, light edge wear. Very Good.

George S. Statham's laudatory recollections of Captain Stephens occupy most of this broadside. Fourteen lines at the bottom of the second column print Stephens's explanation that he arranged for the broadside's printing, after Statham's remarks first appeared in a local newspaper. Stephens bought up the newspapers as gifts to friends, but says popular demand caused him to reprint Statham's Letter in this form. Statham says his text was originally published as a letter to the editor of the Fort Smith NEW ERA; Stephens' (truncated) note at the end names the Greenwood, Arkansas, Times.
Statham describes the courageous military service of Captain Stephens in the Mexican-American and Civil Wars. "I have been with Captain Stephens on the burning sands in the low country. I have been with him on the guerrilla chase. I have laid down with him in the mountains between Vera Cruz and the City of Mexico. . ." His anecdotes describe the Captain's giving his horse and blanket to sick and weary soldiers. "If all was told that could be truthfully said, his narrow escapes and good deeds would make quite an interesting little volume."
The stimulus for Statham's letter is an unjust accusation that Stephens has been charged with a crime in Hartford, a town near Fort Smith. "Now, sir, had it not been for the late persecution of Captain Stephens at Hartford, this article would never have been written." Because Statham refers to a "burned building," Stephens apparently was arrested on a charge of arson, though there is "not one particle of proof against Captain Stephens." We have not located information concerning the fire and arrest.
Captain James Berry [a/k/a Bery] Stephens [1824-1906], a veteran of the Mexican - American and Civil wars, served with Statham in Company H, Arkansas 2nd Union Cavalry. He was a private in Company D, Gray's Battalion, Arkansas Volunteers, during at least part of the Mexican War. In October 1853 he enlisted at Springfield, Missouri, with the Arkansas 2nd Cavalry as 2nd Lieutenant. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and discharged on April 25, 1865. George Spotswood Statham [c.1826-1911] enlisted four days later as a 1st Sergeant. Both men were farmers.
Not located on OCLC or anywhere else as of December 2024, despite diligent search. (Inventory #: 40666)