THE ARKANSAS POST GAZETTE Volume 6, No

National Park Service National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Park News U.S. Department of the Interior

Arkansas Post National Memorial 1741 Old Post Road Gillett, AR 72055 THE ARKANSAS POST GAZETTE Volume 6, No. 3 x Fall 2011 The Arkansas Post Water Trail Makes a Big Splash

Don contacted Kirsten Bartlow at the Inside this issue: A r ka n s a s G a me a n d F i s h Commission who had already helped Page 2 Superintendent’s Scribblins establish the Wattensaw Bayou Page 3 White Tailed Deer Surveys Water Trail in Prairie County. Page 4 Comings and Goings The water trail launches from Summer Employees Moore’s Bayou. From there, you can float towards Highway 165 or Page 5 Trail of Tears into Post Bayou and Post Bend Lake Page 6 Union Navy: Part 1 which surrounds Arkansas Post. Park Volunteer Don Hubsch installing a sign. Photo by Page 7 Program Recap Kirsten Bartlow, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Launching or landing boats within park boundaries is prohibited. Calendar of Events n June 4, the long delayed The water trail received a lot of buzz ribbon cutting for the Arkansas ™ O with an article in the Arkansas EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA Post Water Trail was held. Democrat Gazette. It was also Ghosts of the Past Representatives from the National featured on Exploring Arkansas with - October 22 Park Service, Arkansas Game and Chuck Dovish in September. Fish, US Army Corps of Engineers, he seventeenth Annual and Arkansas Canoe Club were on Floating on the trail allows visitors to Ghosts of the Past is slated Arkansas Post National Memorial commemorates travel the way Quapaw Indians and T the earliest European settlement in the Lower Next Issue - Winter hand for the event. A float on the for October 22. The candlelight Mississippi valley. First established in 1686, the trail followed the ceremonies. early Europeans did during the walks through Arkansas History Post was an important staging point for Missis- settlement of Arkansas Post. Visitors sippi River trade between New France and the have been pushed back to 6:00 PM Featuring articles on: The idea for establishing a trail see nature in a whole new way from Gulf of Mexico. Situated along the Arkansas around the Post was the idea of park - 8:30 PM because of the River, the small settlement here blossomed into a canoe or kayak. The next guided extension of Daylight Savings the first capital of the Arkansas Territory. It was -March for the Parks volunteer and retired US Army float is scheduled for November 12. the site of a small Revolutionary War skirmish as Corps of Engineers employee Don Time. Returning guests include well as a two-day Civil War Battle. -Recycling Trailer: Year One See page 7 for more details on the Hubsch who is an avid canoeist. the Spanish Soldiers of Fort Update Fall Float. Carlos III and Union Soldiers of Arkansas Post National Memorial the 113th Illinois. Other talks 1741 Old Post Road -2011 Digital Photography Gillett, AR 72055 focus on the early European Contest Winners exploration of Arkansas, the Phone Territorial Period, and the Civil 870 548-2207 -Union Navy at Arkansas Post War Hospital stationed in the The Sobinovsky Family from West Virginia finishing the Part 2 E-mail Junior Ranger program. For the twins, Arkansas Post is Arkansas State Bank during the [email protected] number 203. The oldest girl has 259 badges. -Superintendent's Scribblins Battle of Arkansas Post. The final NPS Photo by Lindsay Robinson Beaton stop celebrates the strong musical Internet And More www.nps.gov/arpo heritage of the Delta.

Visitor Center Hours Guided tours are scheduled every Daily 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 15 minutes. Coffee and hot apple cider will be served at the Visitor Grounds and Picnic Area Hours Daily 8:00 a.m. to dusk Center. Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made by The Arkansas Post Gazette calling 870-548-2207. Edited by Joe Herron Park Volunteer Don Hubsch cuts the ribbons for the trail in June. NPS Photo by Jake McAdams

THE ARKANSAS POST GAZETTE x Newsletter of Arkansas Post National Memorial x Gillett, Arkansas Superintendent’s Scribblin’s Program Recap: Summer 2011 By Edward E. Wood, Jr. Park Superintendent ven before summer officially attended with a both small arms and Summer also included two Digital began, the park hosted a Civil cannon demonstrations. Kids also Photography Workshops and a day E War Encampment with visiting au- learned about the chores and games of programs on birds and mammals. s some readers may know, I have shadows moving across the window. thors Terry M. and Margaret Ann that kids in eighteenth century The trailblazers program was well the privilege of living in one of Every now and then I would catch Chatfield McCarty in May. They Arkansas would have participated in. A attended this year with eight the houses in the park. There are perks splashes of brown in the cracks signed copies of their book “The Another kids program studied the participants earning the Presidential that come with living where you work between the blinds and the window my shot. The buck gave me a near per- Chatfield Story”. The diaries and Civil War in the Delta. They learned Active Lifestyle Award. and even more when work is a Na- frame. Raising the blinds is a major fect profile and lifted his head to watch a letter of Private McCarty were about letter writing and journals. tional Park site. I can step out of the undertaking due to the arrangement of vehicle travel down the park road. I passed down to Margaret Ann who Dyan Bohnert helped revive the There was also a walk to the rifle pits house and I’m working; no long com- our furniture so I headed out to the captured the image and took several published his stories with her March for the Parks with raised over and Jake McAdams shared a living mute, no traffic and no grouchy driv- kitchen to look out the only other more before the small herd moved to husband. They shared a program on $1,100 for the Civil War Exhibit history program from an Illinois ers. When I go to work, I start the day window in the house facing the back another part of the yard. how they put together the biography. room at the visitor center. by driving through the park to my of- soldier who fought at the battle. yard. No more than three feet in front I have lived in this house for just over Dyan Bohnert presented the Civil fice in the visitor center. In the early of me, there they were, three deer thirteen years now and that buck was War Medicine Woman and reenac- morning the deer are still grazing calmly eating the leaves off my probably the most spectacular deer I tors from the region shared the alongside the road and the rising sun hydrangea. The flowers have long have had the luck to see up close. Even history of 1863 Arkansas. Another shines through the leaves and seems to since turned brown but its stems were after so many years here, I am constantly pair of reenactors, Ron and Linda dance on the ground. It is particularly bare too and only remnants of what being treated to something new. Tankersley, drove from Texas to take inviting this time of year when the used to be large green leaves dangled National park areas have that effect on part in the camp. Ron also had temperature is a bit cooler and the in places. It is not uncommon for deer me. It’s really hard to verbalize; it’s not ancestors in the Battle of Arkansas mosquitoes are few and far between. to graze in both the front and back just the deer, alligators or wide variety Post. yard at our house but I was struck by A couple of weeks ago, in the late of birds; it’s not the manicured grounds The Youth Fishing Derby kicked off what I saw this time. afternoon, I was working at home on or tree-covered hiking trails; it’s not just summer for Arkansas Post. Over 40 my computer which I keep on my desk One of the deer had a beautiful set of the historic sites and their awe-inspiring kids took place in the 2011 Derby. in the master bedroom. The blinds velvet-covered antlers. He was a mystique; it’s the montage that results Makayla Gilbreth caught the largest were drawn, but I kept noticing magnificent animal with slick fur and from the combination of all these. That fish at one pound, fourteen ounces what looked like a gleam in his eye. is why they are designated as places and Spencer Hutchins won the “best He was much more wary than his worthy of NPS status. It means that three” category with three fish companions and he carried himself someone (an individual or a group) got weighing in at five pounds, two with a strut that implied royal bearing. that “special feeling” when they visited ounces. Left - Cornelius William shows how to make butter at Colonial Kids Day (NPS Photo by Lindsay Robinson Beaton) I watched him shift from the hydran- and felt strongly enough to advocate that Colonial Kids Day was also well Right - Dyan Bohnert hands Superintendent Ed Wood the money raised in March for the Parks. Back row includes gea to the freshly cut lawn and decided the area be protected for everyone. Marsha Hein, Jane Hubsch, Phyllis Fullerton, Julie Simpson, and Joe Herron (NPS Photo by Jason Allely) to get my camera and try to take a I hope that you too can experience the picture. Fortunately, the camera specialness that is Arkansas Post battery was charged and ready to go. I Calendar of Events Fall - Winter 2011 hurried back to the window and National Memorial. surprisingly the buck was still there about half way across the yard. As I ctober 22 - The 17th Annual November 12 – The Fall Bayou Call Joe Herron for more informa- tried to take the photo, the bushes un- O Ghosts of the Past - Join park Float – When rivers were the high- tion 870-548-2207. der the window kept getting in the staff and volunteers for the annual ways of the old world, the Quapaw way. Then I wished I had cleaned the guided walk through Arkansas and early Europeans used canoes to December 10 – Open House – In windows more often because they History. Living History demonstra- travel the Bayous around Arkansas partnership with the Arkansas Post were really dirty. I just knew some- tions will portray events from the Post. This float will travel from State Park Museum, the park will thing would spook my dinner guests exploration and settlement of Arkan- Moore’s Bayou to Post Bayou on the hold an open house starting at 1 but they stayed around while I framed sas Post, Colbert’s Raid, and the Civil Arkansas Post Water Trail (if PM. This year, the park commemo- War. One hour tours will start every weather and vegetation permit). rates 325 years of Arkansas Post. A Greener Gazette fifteen minutes starting at 6 PM. The Please wear seasonally appropriate Ranger program, “Rivers and Bay- If you would prefer to receive an e-mail update when the newsletter is last tour will depart at 8:30 PM; clothing. If you cannot bring your ous: Superhighways of the Old posted to the park website instead of a hard copy, please e-mail Joe R e s e r v a t i o n s a r e s t r o n g l y own canoe or kayak, some seats may World” will be presented in the park Photo by Ed Wood Herron at [email protected] recommended and can be made by be available. The program is free, theater at 1:30 and 2:30. calling the park at 870-548-2207. but registration is required.

2 THE ARKANSAS POST GAZETTE THE ARKANSAS POST GAZETTE 7 Union Navy at Arkansas Post: Part 1 White Tailed Deer Surveys by Joe Herron, Park Ranger and by Sarah Allely, Natural Resource Manager Eric Leonard, currently Chief of Interpretation at Andersonville National Historic Site ildlife viewing is one of the These surveys serve to document omething that surprises many visitors to the Post today is the colossal size of the Union force W most popular activities at yearly changes in the population and Arkansas Post. During the fall and to determine long-term trends that attacked Fort Hindman in January 1863. With over 32,000 men, dozens of transport S winter months, visitors flock to the associated with these changes. Since with the 2011 population numbers ships, and eight heavily armed gunboats, General Ulysses Grant angrily remarked that General John McClernand had Park to see the herds of White-tailed the surveys began in 2005, the being 33% above average. taken “Caesar’s half” of the Western Army in the wilderness. Although well positioned, Fort Hindman and its approxi- Deer that make their home at The population has changed every year, Learn more about the Heartland Post. Occasionally there are in an up and down oscillation. The mately 5,000 defenders stood little chance to such overwhelming odds. Fort Hindman briefly held the gunboats back on Inventory and Monitoring Network sightings of herds containing as 2011 surveys showed that the the evening of January 9, but the next day the gunboats completely silenced Fort Hindman’s artillery. Union casualties by visiting could have been much higher if it were not for the large navel force and their destruction of Fort Hindman’s large guns. many as 40 deer. White-tailed Deer population numbers were on a down- were driven nearly to extinction in ward trend. Even with the up and http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/ The following are two of the large ships that played a role in the naval attack. the early 1900’s. Since that time down oscillation, it is evident that index.cfm predators such as Mountain lions and the deer population is increasing USS Black Hawk coyotes, populations have decreased leaving deer populations unchecked. This 902 ton side-wheeler was originally a civilian Without these predators, deer num- steamboat named the New Uncle Sam. Built in New bers have grown dramatically lead- Albany, Indiana, she was purchased by the Navy after ing to some unfortunate side effects. the war began. After being fabricated into a “Tinclad”, Overpopulation can lead to disease she was commissioned and renamed Black Hawk. The and starvation, damage to natural tinclad ships were quicker than the heavy ironclads. This resources from the deer foraging on large ship became the flagship of the Mississippi native plants, and threats to safety Squadron under Rear Admiral David D. Porter. due to increased vehicle collisions. The decision to attack Fort Hindman and plans on how to Arkansas Post is tracking the size of attack were made aboard the Black Hawk by General McClernand, General Sherman, and Admiral Porter while on port our deer population with the help of at Milliken’s Bend on January 3. During the battle, Admiral Porter directed the attack from a tugboat named the Ivy. the Heartland Inventory and The Black Hawk was heavily engaged, firing shrapnel and light rifled shell at Fort Hindman. During the heat of the Monitoring Network, a group of naval battle, the gunboats reportedly moved within 60 yards of the Fort. With the fort unable to mount a defense, the scientists that monitor trends and gunboats were able to lay heavy artillery fire on the Confederate line. issues within parks. The work they do helps the managers of Arkansas The Black Hawk participated in most of the major western rivers operations during the remainder of the Civil War Post make informed decisions. Each including Vicksburg and the Red River campaign in 1864. On April 22, 1865, Black Hawk accidently burned and sank January scientists travel to Arkansas near Cairo, Illinois. Her wreck was salvaged and sold in 1867. Post to survey the White-tailed Deer.

USS Baron De Kalb Photo by Ed Wood

Originally called the USS Saint Louis, this 512 ton City Class Ironclad was commissioned in January 1862. Taking part in Did You Miss the Last Issue of several battles, the Saint Louis was badly hit and disabled by Confederate cannon fire at Fort Donelson. The St. Louis took the Arkansas Post Gazette? part in campaigns along the Mississippi in May and on the White River in June. She was renamed the Baron De Kalb when transferred to the Western Gunboat Flotilla in September. ue to printing problems on the previous issue, the Arkansas

Post Gazette Volume 6, Number 2 was only released in At Arkansas Post, the Baron De Kalb was one of three ironclads D digital format. If you missed the articles on the Civil War involved and the first to attack the Fort. On the first evening of the attack, the ironclads did not fire until reaching within Sesquicentennial, Exotic Plant Removal, Fredrick Notrebe, and the 400 yards of the Fort. After two hours of fighting in the dark, the Baron De Kalb had seventeen casualties. The next winners of last years Digital Photo Contest, be sure to visit http:// day, the ship was heavily involved with finishing Fort Hindman and then firing on the Confederate line. www.nps.gov/arpo/parknews/newspaper.htm and look under archives. These previous issues are available for download as On 13 July 1863, during an expedition on the Yazoo River, the Baron De Kalb was sunk by a Confederate mine. Adobe PDF.

Next Issue - USS Cincinnati and USS Rattler

6 THE ARKANSAS POST GAZETTE THE ARKANSAS POST GAZETTE 3 Comings and Goings The Trail of Tears and Arkansas Post by Jake McAdams, Seasonal Park Guide (STEP) Bobby Fitzpatrick Retires The River Route Wintering at Arkansas Post t 78 years old, Bobby has been a hardworking member of n 1830, President Andrew One unlucky band of Choctaw Jackson signed the Indian wintered at Arkansas Post in 1831. A the Maintenance staff since 1994. Bobby was a Sergeant I For further information: First Class in the US Army and a Vietnam Veteran. He has Removal Act, forcing the relocation After the Indians had been forced to of the five “civilized” Indian tribes leave most of their livestock and “Sequoyah Research Center: Ameri- two children, two grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. (Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek, possessions in their homes in Missis- Bobby will stay in DeWitt. can Native Press Archives.” Chickasaw, and Seminole) from their sippi, the group was shuttled to University of Arkansas at Little “Bobby brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the native homelands in the east to Memphis in Army wagons. R o c k. http://anpa.ualr.edu/ Maintenance team at Arkansas Post, and he will be sorely Indian Territory. Arkansas Post Unusually heavy rains delayed their default.htm. missed.” David Evans, Facility Manager. became a crucial leg of the relocation departure from Memphis, and the journey for the Indians that traveled Choctaw faced starvation even “Arkansas Trail of Tears.” Arkansas We all wish him the best in his well earned retirement. the water route along the Mississippi, before crossing the Mississippi Department of Parks and Tourism. White, and Arkansas Rivers. Begin- River. After the two week departure http://www.arkansasheritagetrails. ning with the Choctaw in 1831, the delay, the 2,000 Choctaw in com/Tears/. reluctant migrants traveled up the Memphis were loaded on board the Green, Len. Choctaw Removal Was Arkansas River en route to Little steam boats Walter Scott and Really a “Trail of Tears.” Choctaw Rock, passing Arkansas Post on their Reindeer and transported down the Nation, 2010. journey. During the 1830s Mississippi River and onto the relocations, at least one contingency Arkansas River. Once the party http://www.choctawnation.com/ of each of the five tribes traveled reached Arkansas Post, the Army history/choctaw-nation-history/trail- through Arkansas Post following this informed the Indians that the steam- of-tears/. Bobby Fitzpatrick. NPS Photo by Ed Wood water route. boats were needed to transport more soldiers to Fort Smith, Arkansas and During the various Indian removals, they must disembark at the Post. Summer Employees 2011 contingencies traveled to Memphis, The National Park Service and During the Choctaw’s unscheduled TN or Vicksburg, MS on the first leg Cherokee Nation teamed up to lay-over at Arkansas Post, a blizzard The Youth Conservation Corp (YCC) formed in 1970 to of their exodus and boarded steam create a 22 minute educational film blew through the area and the small provide educational and team building skills to young boats which took the Indians, their about the Trail of Tears National garrison struggled to house the adults from different social, cultural, and economic Army escorts, and provisions along Trail. This film can be shown at Indians in 60 tents. As the garrison’s backgrounds. More information is available at http:// the Mississippi. Depending upon the the park Visitor Center or for Christian Spratt, Joseph Harris, Tyruis Luster, Dabratia Clark, Taylor Bradford, and food supply depleted, soldiers and www.nps.gov/gettinginvolved/youthprograms/ycc.htm Kara Jones. route, the steam boats would travel classrooms by special requests. Indians were forced to survive in NPS Photo by Joe Herron along the Mississippi and directly Contact Joe Herron (870-548-2207) subfreezing temperatures on a diet of enter the mouth of the Arkansas and if you are interested viewing the a “handful of parched corn, one proceed upstream to Little Rock. Trail of Tears video. turnip, and two cups of heated Other contingencies chose to travel water” per day. After eight days of The Student Temporary over land from Memphis to the enduring the icy conditions at the Employment Program White River and then follow it down Post, the Army sent a fleet of wagons (STEP) allows college stream on steam boats and enter the to transport them to Little Rock. students to gain field Arkansas at Montgomery’s Point, experience in National Parks located approximately sixteen miles while completing a degree. below Arkansas Post. Several traveling bands feared steam boat travel and opted to make the long journey to Indian Territory by Louisiana Indians Thank you to all of the land. Groups choosing this option Walking Along the student employees for a traveled from Memphis or Vicksburg Bayou by Alfred memorable summer! across countless swamps and smaller Boisseau STEP Employees in Resource Management: Travis Franks STEP Employees - Interpretation and Teacher-Ranger Have a great school tributaries throughout Arkansas until (University of Arkansas Monticello) , Kirby McCallie (University of -Teacher) Left - Cornelius Williams (University of year! Arkansas Monticello), Cece Kolesar (University of Arkansas Pine they reached Little Rock, usually two Arkansas Pine Bluff), Lindsay Robinson Beaton Bluff), Trey Franks (University of Arkansas Monticello) NPS Photo (Teacher, DeWitt Elementary School) Jake McAdams - weeks later than those following the by Joe Herron (Stephen F. Austin University) NPS Photo by Joe -ARPO Staff Herron water route.

4 THE ARKANSAS POST GAZETTE THE ARKANSAS POST GAZETTE 5 Comings and Goings The Trail of Tears and Arkansas Post by Jake McAdams, Seasonal Park Guide (STEP) Bobby Fitzpatrick Retires The River Route Wintering at Arkansas Post t 78 years old, Bobby has been a hardworking member of n 1830, President Andrew One unlucky band of Choctaw Jackson signed the Indian wintered at Arkansas Post in 1831. A the Maintenance staff since 1994. Bobby was a Sergeant I For further information: First Class in the US Army and a Vietnam Veteran. He has Removal Act, forcing the relocation After the Indians had been forced to of the five “civilized” Indian tribes leave most of their livestock and “Sequoyah Research Center: Ameri- two children, two grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. (Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek, possessions in their homes in Missis- Bobby will stay in DeWitt. can Native Press Archives.” Chickasaw, and Seminole) from their sippi, the group was shuttled to University of Arkansas at Little “Bobby brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the native homelands in the east to Memphis in Army wagons. R o c k. http://anpa.ualr.edu/ Maintenance team at Arkansas Post, and he will be sorely Indian Territory. Arkansas Post Unusually heavy rains delayed their default.htm. missed.” David Evans, Facility Manager. became a crucial leg of the relocation departure from Memphis, and the journey for the Indians that traveled Choctaw faced starvation even “Arkansas Trail of Tears.” Arkansas We all wish him the best in his well earned retirement. the water route along the Mississippi, before crossing the Mississippi Department of Parks and Tourism. White, and Arkansas Rivers. Begin- River. After the two week departure http://www.arkansasheritagetrails. ning with the Choctaw in 1831, the delay, the 2,000 Choctaw in com/Tears/. reluctant migrants traveled up the Memphis were loaded on board the Green, Len. Choctaw Removal Was Arkansas River en route to Little steam boats Walter Scott and Really a “Trail of Tears.” Choctaw Rock, passing Arkansas Post on their Reindeer and transported down the Nation, 2010. journey. During the 1830s Mississippi River and onto the relocations, at least one contingency Arkansas River. Once the party http://www.choctawnation.com/ of each of the five tribes traveled reached Arkansas Post, the Army history/choctaw-nation-history/trail- through Arkansas Post following this informed the Indians that the steam- of-tears/. Bobby Fitzpatrick. NPS Photo by Ed Wood water route. boats were needed to transport more soldiers to Fort Smith, Arkansas and During the various Indian removals, they must disembark at the Post. Summer Employees 2011 contingencies traveled to Memphis, The National Park Service and During the Choctaw’s unscheduled TN or Vicksburg, MS on the first leg Cherokee Nation teamed up to lay-over at Arkansas Post, a blizzard The Youth Conservation Corp (YCC) formed in 1970 to of their exodus and boarded steam create a 22 minute educational film blew through the area and the small provide educational and team building skills to young boats which took the Indians, their about the Trail of Tears National garrison struggled to house the adults from different social, cultural, and economic Army escorts, and provisions along Trail. This film can be shown at Indians in 60 tents. As the garrison’s backgrounds. More information is available at http:// the Mississippi. Depending upon the the park Visitor Center or for Christian Spratt, Joseph Harris, Tyruis Luster, Dabratia Clark, Taylor Bradford, and food supply depleted, soldiers and www.nps.gov/gettinginvolved/youthprograms/ycc.htm Kara Jones. route, the steam boats would travel classrooms by special requests. Indians were forced to survive in NPS Photo by Joe Herron along the Mississippi and directly Contact Joe Herron (870-548-2207) subfreezing temperatures on a diet of enter the mouth of the Arkansas and if you are interested viewing the a “handful of parched corn, one proceed upstream to Little Rock. Trail of Tears video. turnip, and two cups of heated Other contingencies chose to travel water” per day. After eight days of The Student Temporary over land from Memphis to the enduring the icy conditions at the Employment Program White River and then follow it down Post, the Army sent a fleet of wagons (STEP) allows college stream on steam boats and enter the to transport them to Little Rock. students to gain field Arkansas at Montgomery’s Point, experience in National Parks located approximately sixteen miles while completing a degree. below Arkansas Post. Several traveling bands feared steam boat travel and opted to make the long journey to Indian Territory by Louisiana Indians Thank you to all of the land. Groups choosing this option Walking Along the student employees for a traveled from Memphis or Vicksburg Bayou by Alfred memorable summer! across countless swamps and smaller Boisseau STEP Employees in Resource Management: Travis Franks STEP Employees - Interpretation and Teacher-Ranger Have a great school tributaries throughout Arkansas until (University of Arkansas Monticello) , Kirby McCallie (University of -Teacher) Left - Cornelius Williams (University of year! Arkansas Monticello), Cece Kolesar (University of Arkansas Pine they reached Little Rock, usually two Arkansas Pine Bluff), Lindsay Robinson Beaton Bluff), Trey Franks (University of Arkansas Monticello) NPS Photo (Teacher, DeWitt Elementary School) Jake McAdams - weeks later than those following the by Joe Herron (Stephen F. Austin University) NPS Photo by Joe -ARPO Staff Herron water route.

4 THE ARKANSAS POST GAZETTE THE ARKANSAS POST GAZETTE 5 Union Navy at Arkansas Post: Part 1 White Tailed Deer Surveys by Joe Herron, Park Ranger and by Sarah Allely, Natural Resource Manager Eric Leonard, currently Chief of Interpretation at Andersonville National Historic Site ildlife viewing is one of the These surveys serve to document omething that surprises many visitors to the Post today is the colossal size of the Union force W most popular activities at yearly changes in the population and Arkansas Post. During the fall and to determine long-term trends that attacked Fort Hindman in January 1863. With over 32,000 men, dozens of transport S winter months, visitors flock to the associated with these changes. Since with the 2011 population numbers ships, and eight heavily armed gunboats, General Ulysses Grant angrily remarked that General John McClernand had Park to see the herds of White-tailed the surveys began in 2005, the being 33% above average. taken “Caesar’s half” of the Western Army in the wilderness. Although well positioned, Fort Hindman and its approxi- Deer that make their home at The population has changed every year, Learn more about the Heartland Post. Occasionally there are in an up and down oscillation. The mately 5,000 defenders stood little chance to such overwhelming odds. Fort Hindman briefly held the gunboats back on Inventory and Monitoring Network sightings of herds containing as 2011 surveys showed that the the evening of January 9, but the next day the gunboats completely silenced Fort Hindman’s artillery. Union casualties by visiting could have been much higher if it were not for the large navel force and their destruction of Fort Hindman’s large guns. many as 40 deer. White-tailed Deer population numbers were on a down- were driven nearly to extinction in ward trend. Even with the up and http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/ The following are two of the large ships that played a role in the naval attack. the early 1900’s. Since that time down oscillation, it is evident that index.cfm predators such as Mountain lions and the deer population is increasing USS Black Hawk coyotes, populations have decreased leaving deer populations unchecked. This 902 ton side-wheeler was originally a civilian Without these predators, deer num- steamboat named the New Uncle Sam. Built in New bers have grown dramatically lead- Albany, Indiana, she was purchased by the Navy after ing to some unfortunate side effects. the war began. After being fabricated into a “Tinclad”, Overpopulation can lead to disease she was commissioned and renamed Black Hawk. The and starvation, damage to natural tinclad ships were quicker than the heavy ironclads. This resources from the deer foraging on large ship became the flagship of the Mississippi native plants, and threats to safety Squadron under Rear Admiral David D. Porter. due to increased vehicle collisions. The decision to attack Fort Hindman and plans on how to Arkansas Post is tracking the size of attack were made aboard the Black Hawk by General McClernand, General Sherman, and Admiral Porter while on port our deer population with the help of at Milliken’s Bend on January 3. During the battle, Admiral Porter directed the attack from a tugboat named the Ivy. the Heartland Inventory and The Black Hawk was heavily engaged, firing shrapnel and light rifled shell at Fort Hindman. During the heat of the Monitoring Network, a group of naval battle, the gunboats reportedly moved within 60 yards of the Fort. With the fort unable to mount a defense, the scientists that monitor trends and gunboats were able to lay heavy artillery fire on the Confederate line. issues within parks. The work they do helps the managers of Arkansas The Black Hawk participated in most of the major western rivers operations during the remainder of the Civil War Post make informed decisions. Each including Vicksburg and the Red River campaign in 1864. On April 22, 1865, Black Hawk accidently burned and sank January scientists travel to Arkansas near Cairo, Illinois. Her wreck was salvaged and sold in 1867. Post to survey the White-tailed Deer.

USS Baron De Kalb Photo by Ed Wood

Next Issue - USS Cincinnati and USS Rattler

6 THE ARKANSAS POST GAZETTE THE ARKANSAS POST GAZETTE 3 Superintendent’s Scribblin’s Program Recap: Summer 2011 By Edward E. Wood, Jr. Park Superintendent ven before summer officially attended with a both small arms and Summer also included two Digital began, the park hosted a Civil cannon demonstrations. Kids also Photography Workshops and a day E War Encampment with visiting au- learned about the chores and games of programs on birds and mammals. s some readers may know, I have shadows moving across the window. thors Terry M. and Margaret Ann that kids in eighteenth century The trailblazers program was well the privilege of living in one of Every now and then I would catch Chatfield McCarty in May. They Arkansas would have participated in. A attended this year with eight the houses in the park. There are perks splashes of brown in the cracks signed copies of their book “The Another kids program studied the participants earning the Presidential that come with living where you work between the blinds and the window my shot. The buck gave me a near per- Chatfield Story”. The diaries and Civil War in the Delta. They learned Active Lifestyle Award. and even more when work is a Na- frame. Raising the blinds is a major fect profile and lifted his head to watch a letter of Private McCarty were about letter writing and journals. tional Park site. I can step out of the undertaking due to the arrangement of vehicle travel down the park road. I passed down to Margaret Ann who Dyan Bohnert helped revive the There was also a walk to the rifle pits house and I’m working; no long com- our furniture so I headed out to the captured the image and took several published his stories with her March for the Parks with raised over and Jake McAdams shared a living mute, no traffic and no grouchy driv- kitchen to look out the only other more before the small herd moved to husband. They shared a program on $1,100 for the Civil War Exhibit history program from an Illinois ers. When I go to work, I start the day window in the house facing the back another part of the yard. how they put together the biography. room at the visitor center. by driving through the park to my of- soldier who fought at the battle. yard. No more than three feet in front I have lived in this house for just over Dyan Bohnert presented the Civil fice in the visitor center. In the early of me, there they were, three deer thirteen years now and that buck was War Medicine Woman and reenac- morning the deer are still grazing calmly eating the leaves off my probably the most spectacular deer I tors from the region shared the alongside the road and the rising sun hydrangea. The flowers have long have had the luck to see up close. Even history of 1863 Arkansas. Another shines through the leaves and seems to since turned brown but its stems were after so many years here, I am constantly pair of reenactors, Ron and Linda dance on the ground. It is particularly bare too and only remnants of what being treated to something new. Tankersley, drove from Texas to take inviting this time of year when the used to be large green leaves dangled National park areas have that effect on part in the camp. Ron also had temperature is a bit cooler and the in places. It is not uncommon for deer me. It’s really hard to verbalize; it’s not ancestors in the Battle of Arkansas mosquitoes are few and far between. to graze in both the front and back just the deer, alligators or wide variety Post. yard at our house but I was struck by A couple of weeks ago, in the late of birds; it’s not the manicured grounds The Youth Fishing Derby kicked off what I saw this time. afternoon, I was working at home on or tree-covered hiking trails; it’s not just summer for Arkansas Post. Over 40 my computer which I keep on my desk One of the deer had a beautiful set of the historic sites and their awe-inspiring kids took place in the 2011 Derby. in the master bedroom. The blinds velvet-covered antlers. He was a mystique; it’s the montage that results Makayla Gilbreth caught the largest were drawn, but I kept noticing magnificent animal with slick fur and from the combination of all these. That fish at one pound, fourteen ounces what looked like a gleam in his eye. is why they are designated as places and Spencer Hutchins won the “best He was much more wary than his worthy of NPS status. It means that three” category with three fish companions and he carried himself someone (an individual or a group) got weighing in at five pounds, two with a strut that implied royal bearing. that “special feeling” when they visited ounces. Left - Cornelius William shows how to make butter at Colonial Kids Day (NPS Photo by Lindsay Robinson Beaton) I watched him shift from the hydran- and felt strongly enough to advocate that Colonial Kids Day was also well Right - Dyan Bohnert hands Superintendent Ed Wood the money raised in March for the Parks. Back row includes gea to the freshly cut lawn and decided the area be protected for everyone. Marsha Hein, Jane Hubsch, Phyllis Fullerton, Julie Simpson, and Joe Herron (NPS Photo by Jason Allely) to get my camera and try to take a I hope that you too can experience the picture. Fortunately, the camera specialness that is Arkansas Post battery was charged and ready to go. I Calendar of Events Fall - Winter 2011 hurried back to the window and National Memorial. surprisingly the buck was still there about half way across the yard. As I ctober 22 - The 17th Annual November 12 – The Fall Bayou Call Joe Herron for more informa- tried to take the photo, the bushes un- O Ghosts of the Past - Join park Float – When rivers were the high- tion 870-548-2207. der the window kept getting in the staff and volunteers for the annual ways of the old world, the Quapaw way. Then I wished I had cleaned the guided walk through Arkansas and early Europeans used canoes to December 10 – Open House – In windows more often because they History. Living History demonstra- travel the Bayous around Arkansas partnership with the Arkansas Post were really dirty. I just knew some- tions will portray events from the Post. This float will travel from State Park Museum, the park will thing would spook my dinner guests exploration and settlement of Arkan- Moore’s Bayou to Post Bayou on the hold an open house starting at 1 but they stayed around while I framed sas Post, Colbert’s Raid, and the Civil Arkansas Post Water Trail (if PM. This year, the park commemo- War. One hour tours will start every weather and vegetation permit). rates 325 years of Arkansas Post. A Greener Gazette fifteen minutes starting at 6 PM. The Please wear seasonally appropriate Ranger program, “Rivers and Bay- If you would prefer to receive an e-mail update when the newsletter is last tour will depart at 8:30 PM; clothing. If you cannot bring your ous: Superhighways of the Old posted to the park website instead of a hard copy, please e-mail Joe R e s e r v a t i o n s a r e s t r o n g l y own canoe or kayak, some seats may World” will be presented in the park Photo by Ed Wood Herron at [email protected] recommended and can be made by be available. The program is free, theater at 1:30 and 2:30. calling the park at 870-548-2207. but registration is required.

2 THE ARKANSAS POST GAZETTE THE ARKANSAS POST GAZETTE 7 National Park Service National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Park News U.S. Department of the Interior

Arkansas Post National Memorial 1741 Old Post Road Gillett, AR 72055 THE ARKANSAS POST GAZETTE Volume 6, No. 3 x Fall 2011 The Arkansas Post Water Trail Makes a Big Splash

THE ARKANSAS POST GAZETTE x Newsletter of Arkansas Post National Memorial x Gillett, Arkansas