COLONEL SAM LESLIE’S REPORT TO GOVERNOR RECTOR

H. M. Rector Gov. State of Arkansas & President Military Board

On the 20th of November I received information that there were about 100 persons in Locust Grove Township, Searcy County, arresting men confining them for some purpose of which I was not informed. Immediately on the receipt of the information I sent Adjt. Major Jesse Cypert, the Lieut. Colonel and Major both being absent fro the county. As soon as he arrived we set out for Locust Grove Township about 20 miles distant. Late at night we arrived at Henry Bradshaw’s, where we found about fifty persons, citizens of Locust Grove and Big Flat townships, and some from Izard County. They had learned there was a secret organization of citizens in the country, hostile to the government of the Confederate States, and they had turned out voluntarily and without legal authority, and were making arrests of those supposed to be members of the organization. The first man they arrested disclosed the whole secret. There was a sworn bond with signs and pass words, which caused me to believe there was or would be a premeditated attempt at insurrection. The excitement was high. At the urgent request of the loyal citizens, and in accordance with my own judgment, I ordered out on the 22nd
November, Companies A and E under the command respectively of Lieut. A. R. Sisk and Capt. John R. Redwine, and directed them to march to Burrowsville as soon as possible and arrest all persons engaged in this secret organization. On the same day I ordered Joseph Stephenson to act as commissary to furnish the troops with provisions. On the 23rd and 24th of November, Lieut Sisk, who I had breveted to a captain in The absence of Capt Alexander of Company A, and Capt Redwine were engaged in making arrests. A great many voluntarily surrendered themselves, confessing their guilt.

On the 25th I ordered the line of march to be taken up for Burrowsville where we arrived on the 26th with thirty prisoners in charge. On the 26th I ordered into service Company C of the militia under the command
of Capt. Samule R. Redwine, Company F under command of Capt. Johnson, Company D under Capt. M. M. Terry and Company G under Capt. Wm. S. Goodnight, all of which arrived at Burrowsville the same day, excepting Capt. Goodnight’s which reported itself ready for duty on the day following.

On the 26th November I sent a despatch to you by R. N. Melton and R. D. C. Griffin, informing you of the situation of affairs and my reasons for calling the militia into service. On the 28th of November, I mustered
into service the six companies I had ordered out, by swearing each officer and private according to the usual forms. During this time I had out scouting parties arresting all persons I could find in the county belonging to this oath bound organization. On the 1st day of December my messengers, Melton and Griffin, returned to Burrowsville bringing me instructions from the Executive of the State, which I have endeavored faithfully to carry out. The excitement among the people continued to increase, many rumors were in circulation, one of which was to the effect that a large body of men were assembled in the western part of the county, determined on resisting arrest. Thinking such might be the case I immediately ordered Capt. Wm. Wyatts Company into service, and it reported ready for duty on 4th, and was mustered in on the 5th of December.

By this time the number of out prisoners had increased to seventy-two the Court House was full and I was determined to send them to Little Rock in accordance with the instructions I had received.

On the 9th of December the prisoners were started for Little Rock, under the command of Brevet Lieut. Col Alex Ham, Maj John Bradshaw and Adjt. Major Jesse Cypert, with instructions to Col. Ham and a list of the
names of prisoners, now amounting to 78 in number, and also a communication sealed and directed to the Executive of the State, all of which I suppose is now on file in your office. Brevet Lieut. Col. Ham instead of returning and reporting to me a Burrowsville, as he should have done, returned home and dismissed his troops on furlough, some to meet again at Burrowsville on the 23rd and some on the 24th of December. Had it not been for Maj. Bradshaw, bearer of your despatch of 19th December, I should have had no official information of the prisoners even reaching Little Rock. Col. Ham made no report to me whatever, notwithstanding he was the officer in command. The time for which he was appointed has expired.

Capt. John R. H. Scott, commanding Squadron and Culadon, Carroll County, arrived at Burrowsville on the 20th day of December for the purpose of taking up winter quarters at my request. I am under many obligations to Capt. Scott for the valuable aid he rendered in arresting the persons engaged in the conspiracy. On the 20th Decr. I discharged all the militia I had ordered into \service deeming their services no longer necessary. Diligent search has been made for several days, without effect, for those who escaped to the woods. At the time of disbanding I gave orders to the captains of the companies to arrest in their townships any and all persons who were still at large known to belong to the secret order known by the name of peace or Self-protection arty.
Since disbanding of the militia, learning that Capt. J. J. Dawson was receiving volunteers for the war, several have come forward and volunteered, and seemed glad of the opportunity.

I cannot close this report without mentioning in terms of highest praise the conduct of both officers and men under my command. When called upon they responded immediately and left their homes on the same day of
receiving the order, bringing with them such camp equipage as they had. There was no possible chance of receiving any other in the country, excepting a few cooking vessels and water buckets purchased at Messrs
Thomas and McCann, which are now in the hands of the Quarter Master for the use of the State.

I am greatly indebted to Maj. Bradshaw, Adjt. Maj. Jesse Cypert and all my staff officers for their valuable services. All the officers conducted themselves much better than would have been expected, considering their inexperience. Capt. John R. Homer Scott is now in this county with his command for the purpose of remaining until spring. He will, as he has done, use his exertions to bring to justice all those engaged in this secret peace party. I used my utmost endeavors with Capt. Scott to get him here, thinking it best under the circumstances.

After the militia was discharged I learned that some of the citizens in Big Flat Township were distressing some of the families of the prisoners for debt by taking their property. I ordered Capt. Sisk’s to have the
property returned which he promptly beyed, and thus settled that matter. The order, together with Capt. Sisk’s account for services, is herewith enclosed.

Also enclosed will be found an account for repairing the Court House at Burrowsville of damage done by the prisoners while here in custody. I think it is reasonable that the State should pay the account.

In regard to this secret organization, which I trust has forever been broken up, I perhaps should add that, while I have no doubt the leader intended treachery to the Confederate government, I also believe many
good men, innocent of any such guilty intentions, were seduced into it by alluring names and is representations. Many men regarded heretofore as worthy citizens, as well as many known to be the worst, were found to be members of the organization. I have endeavored to give you a correct account of my stewardship while engaged in suppressing this conspiracy, and brining the guilty to justice. I have simply done what I considered to be my duty, and if in the conscientious discharge of it, I have committed an error or incurred the enmity of any one, I am content to take the legitimate consequence. Respectfully your Obt. Serxt Sam Leslie, Col. 45th Regiment Arks. Militia [ Note: The signature only is
in the hand of Sam Leslie]

Arthur R Sisk