Featured 30th Arkansas Infantry Signed CSA Note

Discussion in 'Paper Money' started by Collecting Nut, May 27, 2021.

  1. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    Happy Birthday to me. Today is my birthday and I decided to purchase this CSA Note. It is endorsed on the back side with a signature and A.R. 30th. This is the Arkansas 30th Infantry Regiment (1862-1865). They were a Civil War regiment also known as the 5th Arkansas Cavalry, the Trans-Mississippi Regiment or 39th Regiment after April 1863. They were converted to mounted infantry for Price's Missouri Expedition in 1864, also known as Rogan's Arkansas Cavalry.

    Originally formed on June 18, 1862, with Colonel Archibald J. McNeill as the first commander. The state was facing an invasion after the defeat of General Earl Van Dorn at the battle of Pea Ridge. McNeill was a Major in early June 1862, until his appointment to protect the state of Arkansas. General Van Dorn was ordered East to what became the battle of Shiloh. He took all of Arkansas organized units with him.

    Major McNeill was promoted to Colonel and ordered to rebuild the defenses for the state. McNeill rebuilt the forces and at that time they were mounted troops. By July 10, 1862 McNeill's General, General Hindman ordered McNeill's troops to be dismount and sent the horses home. He did this as the supplies were very low and the winter months were approaching. The consumption of corn was greatly reduced but the troops were dissatisfied and many desertions took place.

    The 30th Arkansas Regiment was originally founded with 10 regimental officers. On November 12, 1862; Colonel McNeill resigned his command and was replaced by Colonel Robert A. Hart, who died of wounds received on August 6, 1863 in the Battle of Helena. He was succeeded by Colonel James W. Rogan. The remaining field officers were now down to four.

    The regiment fought in the Battle of Helena as part of Colonel McRea's Brigade. In early July 2, 1863 five general met near Helena and discussed plans for the attack. Lots of confusion occurred and the timing was off which resulted the defeat of the Confederates. The 30th Arkansas suffered a total of 8 killed, 46 wounded and 39 missing at the Battle of Helena. Colonel Hart, his Major and Adjutant were all mortally wounded in this engagement. Colonel Rogan assumed command when Colonel Hart was wounded. Colonel Rogan remained in command for the rest of the war.

    By September 30, 1864, the regiment was assigned to Brigadier General John S. Roane. Lieutenant Colonel Hicks remained in command of the mounted operations of the Arkansas 30th under the command of General Price. By January 22, 1865 they were ordered to move to Minden, Louisiana and occupy winter headquarters. By April 1, 1865 they were ordered and moved to Shreveport Louisiana and a week later they were ordered to move to Marshall Texas. The Brigade was at Marshall, Texas, when the surrender occurred.

    The 30th Arkansas Infantry Regiment took part in the following battles:
    * Battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, December 7, 1862
    * Battle of Helena, Arkansas, July 4, 1863
    * Battle of Little Rock, Arkansas, September 10, 1863
    * Red River Campaign, Arkansas, March-May, 1864
    * Battle of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, April 9, 1864
    * Battle of Jinkins Ferry, Arkansas, April 30, 1864
    Price's Missouri Raid, Arkansas-Missouri-Kansas, September-October, 1864
    * Battle of Fort Davidson, Missouri, September 27, 1864
    * Fourth Battle of Boonville, Missouri, October 11, 1864
    * Battle of Glasgow, Missouri, October 15, 1864
    * Battle of Sedalia, Missouri, October 15, 1864
    * Second Battle of Lexington, Missouri, October 19, 1864
    * Battle of Little Blue River, Missouri, October 21, 1864
    * Second Battle of Independence, Missouri, October 21-22, 1864
    * Battle of Byram's Ford, Missouri, October 22-23, 1864
    * Battle of Westport, Missouri, October 23, 1864
    * Battle of Marais des Cygnes, Linn County, Kansas, October 25, 1864
    * Battle of Mine Creek, Missouri, October 25, 1864
    * Battle of Marmiton River, Missouri, October 25, 1864
    * Second Battle of Newtonia, Missouri, October 28, 1864

    This regiment remained in service until the surrender with Major General Kirby Smith's army of the Trans-Mississippi on May 26, 1865. The Arkansas Infantry simply disbanded without formally surrendering except for a few exceptions. When the surrender occurred all of the Arkansas infantry regiments were in Marshall, Texas as war ravaged Arkansas was no longer able to support the Army. They were ordered to Shreveport, Louisiana to be paroled but none of them did so. Some soldiers went to Shreveport on their own while others reported to Union garrisons at Fort Smith, Pine Bluff or Little Rock to receive their paroles. For the most part, the majority of the men simply went home.

    Edited to add Photos
    BBDD9361-C3E4-4945-9372-DEFBC64F38FB.jpeg 7A406D67-6754-4E93-A299-93E1F4CCC3E6.jpeg 10B9B4A8-1019-4FEF-BAE5-7BED01955A27.jpeg 73CA21B8-BF8F-4A2F-9AF7-884F3C934F81.jpeg
     
    Last edited: May 27, 2021
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  3. SteveInTampa

    SteveInTampa Always Learning

    Happy Birthday and nice write-up.
     
  4. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    Thank you. I love CSA Notes and the bills that have signatures or a reference on the reverse just add to that. It’s makes them easier to trace and get some history.
     
    love old coins likes this.
  5. techwriter

    techwriter Well-Known Member

    Not a CSA collector but do enjoy reading about other's and their collections. Thanks for the write-up.
     
  6. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    I understand but I am fascinated by them. This one was rich in history.
     
  7. Jersey magic man

    Jersey magic man Supporter! Supporter

    Thanks for the story and all the research you did. Nice note.
     
  8. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    The research was fairly easy with the notations on the back side of the note.
     
  9. Randy Abercrombie

    Randy Abercrombie Supporter! Supporter

    Wow, Dave…. And happy birthday!
     
    Collecting Nut likes this.
  10. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    Thanks my friend. I wasn’t sure which note to get for myself so I bought both of them. Lol
     
  11. Randy Abercrombie

    Randy Abercrombie Supporter! Supporter

    That was the proper choice!
     
    Collecting Nut likes this.
  12. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    I think so. This note has slaves in the center photo and that is always popular but this also has the A.R. 30 plus a signature. I traced the A.R. 30 burg the signature will have to wait.
     
  13. love old coins

    love old coins Well-Known Member

    Happy Birthday...you made out like a bandit with those two notes you got today. Thanks so much for sharing the pictures and history with all of us!
     
  14. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    I have one other that I just purchased as well. I’ll post that one tomorrow. I found them all very interesting. These Civil War notes are fascinating to me.
     
    love old coins likes this.
  15. AidenAlexander

    AidenAlexander Well-Known Member

    Happy birthday.
     
    Collecting Nut likes this.
  16. lettow

    lettow Senior Member

    You already know who the signature is -- Jonathan S. Roane.
     
    Collecting Nut likes this.
  17. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    You are the only one that noticed. I congratulate you. Brigadier General John S. Roane. This is one of the main reasons that I wanted this bill. The signature of a known 1 star General on a CSA Note is something wonderful to me. Thank you for paying attention. I’m glad it was noticed. You’ve made my birthday even better than it already was.
     
  18. Antonius Britannia

    Antonius Britannia Well-Known Member

    Fantastic article!
     
    Collecting Nut likes this.
  19. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    Thank you.
     
    Antonius Britannia likes this.
  20. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    The back of the bill is signed John S. Roane. He was a Brigadier General in the Confederate Army. The date of 12-17-64 is behind the signature. This date corresponds with brigadier general John S. Roane being in command of the Arkansas 30th at that time.

    During the Civil War numerous signatures appear on the back of Confederate bills. It was common practice at this time, and for various reasons, to have the bill signed. in most cases someone signed the bill using the commanders name.

    While brigadier general John Roane’s signature appears on this bill I cannot confirm that this is his signature. More research is needed to try and prove this. It is very difficult in some cases to trace their signatures. Roane was not a very good military man but he has quite a family history.

    He was the 4th governor of Arkansas. He died 2 years after the war ended. He has an interesting family history.

    The ink and the hand writing are definitely from the 1864 period. I have a very strong feeling this is his signature but I lack the proof needed to say so. Maybe one day.
     
  21. Evan Saltis

    Evan Saltis OWNER - EBS Numis LLC Supporter

    I looked at his known signature from his governorship. Looks pretty good to me besides the R in his surname. But I’m no expert.

    really nice note.. collecting nut. Really love it.
     
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