On February 14, 1861, only six days after the seizure of the Little Rock Arsenal by Arkansas militiamen, Captain William Woodruff wrote this letter from Little Rock to Colonel Craven Peyton, commander of the 13th Regiment, Arkansas Militia. Woodruff notified the colonel that the “Totten Artillery Battery” had been organized with 50 men. Woodruff further requested that the battery be supplied with 50 “Minie” rifles, three six pound cannon, one twelve pound howitzer, and side arms for 50 men and officers.
He requested that the rifles be issued first, “so the men may be speedily acquainted with their use.”
Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 30878
