403 R 1863
Fort Smith Ark
Sept 22 1863
R58 W 1863
File with 1304 M of
Franklin Rounds
Ord Sgt U.S.A.
Reports his arrival in Fort Smith Ark
thr'o
Hd Qr Fort Smith
Sept 22 1863
J.M. Johnson
Col. Comdg
Rec'd Hd Q. Dept Mo Oct 63
Rec'd H.Qs Distr Frontier
Sept 30 1863
Headquarters Dist Frontier
Fort Scott, Kan. Oct 1/63
Respectfully referred to the Adjutant General for instructions
Jos G Blunt
Major General
HeadQuarters Dept Mo
St Louis Mo Oct 8th 1863
Respectfully forwarded to the Adj Genl of the Army with request that if this statement is true, which I have no reason to doubt, I may be authorized to give Sergt. Rounds a position as commis
sioned officer in an Arkansas Volunteer regiment which his fidelity has so justly merited.
J M Scofield
Maj Genl
Respectfully Submitted to the General in Chief U.S.A.
Jas A Hardin
A. A. General
A. G. Office
Oct 14 '63
Mr Hanson
Verify the facts.
Rec H Qrs Army Oct 17 63
Recd. A.G.O. Oct 18 63
Fort Smith Ark
Sept 22, 1863
The
Adjutant General
U. S. Army
Washington D.C.
Sir:
I have the honor to report that per letter of instructions from Col. W. H. Emory 1. Cavy U.S.A. in April 1861 then in Washington to Maj D.B. Sacket 1 Cavy Comdg Fort Arbuckle C.N. I was ordered to remain at that Post after the evacuation by the U.S. Troops. – I remained there until the 27th of August 1861 when the Texas (rebel) Troops were relieved by Indians belonging to Choctaw + Chickasaw Nations. While I remaned at the Post some Secessionists had represented to Maj Rector Superintendant of Indian Affairs and other officials that I was an abolitionist, a union man, and a U.S. Soldier, threatening to hang me, I therefore
considered it unsafe to remain there, and, by the advice of friend living near Bonham, Texas, moved across Red River, about nine mile South East of Bonham, and luckily for myself, into a neighborhood of strong union men. I rented a farm and resided there until the 16th inst. when I heard for a certainty that Fort Smith was in possession of the Federal Forces, and that Genl Cabell (Rebel) had retreated toward Little Rock. I thought chances were in favor of getting through, and on the morning of the 16th inst. I started and arrived at this place on the 21st inst. about 1/2 past 9 a m, when I reported to Col J.M. Johnson 1. Ark. Infy (vol.) Comdg Post, who ordered me to remain here, until further orders from the War Dept.
I left my descriptive list and other papers with my family near Bonham for fear I might be captured by some of the Rebel Force on the route. My fears were near being realized, for on the old military road from Fort Smith to Fort Towson, and about fifty miles from the former place, I came
near coming in contact with Col. Bankhead pickets and had to ride about fifty miles through the thickets and mountains to avoid them, until I struck what is called the Line Road coming from Ft. Smith to Red River near the foot of Sugar loaf mountain.
I am happy to state that the Union sentiment in the counties along Red River, and in fact, I may say all through the state is strong, and it only requires the approach or presence of the Federal Forces when thousands will promptly rally around the Sacred Old Flag, the Stars + Stripes. It is with almost maddening anxiety that they await its approach.
After having served over twenty six years in the U.S. Army, and besides being a northern man, I could never think of deserting my Government, altho many offers were made me, which I might have accepted, had they been proferred by other than Rebels
of the Glorious old Republic. Still auxion to serve her. I await the orders of the War Dept.
Very respectfully Sir Your Obdt Servt
Franklin Rounds
Ord Serg't U.S.Army