T. Jeff Jobe diary, May 25-August 6, 1861

Location

Arkansas History Commission (Little Rock, Ark.)

Background

Thomas Jefferson Jobe was a lawyer in Des Arc, Ark.

Contents

Jobe, Company B, First Arkansas Mounted Rifles, enlisted in the Confederate army in May 1861. He began his diary with his enlistment and kept a faithful record of his activities during his first months of service. Jobe followed his company from their initial muster at Des Arc to Brownsville (Prairie County), Little Rock (Pulaski County), Fort Smith (Sebastian County), Evansville and Cincinnati (Washington County), and Maysville and Camp Walker (Benton County) near the extreme northwest corner of Arkansas. The entries are detailed glimpses of camp life in the opening weeks of the Civil War. Private Thomas Jefferson Jobe's diary ends with the encampment of his regiment at Wilson's Creek, Mo., just prior to the battle of August 10. The diary also includes what appears to be a complete roster of officers and enlisted men of Company B.

"Wednesday, May 29, 1861

We arrived at Little Rock about 3 o'clock P.M. but was until 5 o'clock getting across the Arkansas River. When we got on the West bank we proceeded up street & haulted, after some delay a band was brought fourth & we were cordially welcomed (with banners flying in the breeze) to the city and were escorted with music to the Colledge ground 1 mile south of the city where we took Quarters for the present.”

(See the NUCMC catalog record)

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