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Inspired by the outbreak of World War I, it was intended only as a memoir to be transmitted to the Anderson family. The original document is in the possession of Mrs. W. E. Porterfield of Little Rock, who has graciously made it available for publication. With editorial changes limited to essential punctuation and paragraphing, the original text is herewith presented:
In the Spring of 1863, my father [Isaac Anderson], under the Conscription Act, had to go in the army. He joined a company, fixed to go. I couldn't stand to see him leave home, and I told him I would take his place and let him stay at home. We went to see Captain E. K. Williamson, and he agreed to the change. I was then past 15 years old and very small to my age but I became a soldier.
We organized at Washington, Arkansas, and went into camp---Company A, Newton's Regiment, Cabel's Brigade. We bivwacted [sic] around, camping different places. After the Yanks occupied Little Rock [September 10-11, 1863], our books and papers of the different departments of state were carried to Hot Springs. The Yanks and Jayhawkers got into Hot Springs and were destroying everything. Our regiment was ordered to the Springs to get what books and papers we could find. We went by the way of Caddo Gap through the mountains, and arrived at the Springs late one evening. We gathered up what papers we could find, and traveled all night with the Yanks after us. We brought the papers to Washington. Later they were carried to Rondo, a little place between the Red River and where Texarkana is now. Later the govenor [sic] of Arkansas was located there. This was Gov. [Harris] Flanagin (3).
- Well, we passed through a very hard winter, and I want to say if there is anybody who knows what war is, it is the man who handles the gun and gets right into the ranks.
