In a message dated 12/28/00 10:05:28 AM EST, powell@cswnet.com writes: << David FLOOD, his brother-in-law James SMITH and Berry STONE were > hanged by Confederates on the same tree, supposedly in Limestone Valley. "You > could see the rope marks one year later," according to one (deposition of Isham Wheeler )source. ( May -June1863) > When David FLOOD was taken prisoner, his wife Martha followed after the men > pleading; but they were hanged anyway. John STANDRIDGE and the others > returned to their command. John STANDRIDGE later heard of his father's death > and returned to Newton County to protect his family. He was killed by > bushwhackers on 19 Feb 1865. His widow was unable to draw his pension, since > he had been absent without leave. That is what is good about purchasing Civil War Pension records. You have the records right in front of you and do not guess at what happened. Or you don't have to read others stories and make up your own. I had heard there were seven prisoners "captured"by the Confederate soldiers under John Cecil (Sissel). I wanted to see if I could find the names of the men who were actually hung in that incident in Limestone Valley.There were several Union men left in Newton County when it was found there were many Confederate soldiers there. These Union men knew Newton County as they had lived there. The Union soldiers had not taken enough provisions to last and some had to return to Fayetteville, only to find that Fayetteville was in Confederate hands (roughly April 1863). Limestone Valley had more Confederate sympathizers and so when the men were captured they took them to Limestone Valley for the hanging.I purchased many Civil War Records in order to write that story of that hanging. I read the depositions of many men, some of them soldiers who had been "there". These depositions were used in writing that story. One deposition was from Capt. James Vanderpool. He and some of the Union men left Newton County to return to Fayetteville. They had to leave some men behind. There were several Union soldiers taken captive; someone had a knife and they cut themselves loose and got away, so the only three I could find record of being hung were David Flood, James Smith and Berry Stone. The late Remmel Flud, who did lots of genealogy research in Newton County ,told me there were seven men hung, but I could only find record of those three. Know there was a Standridge, Kelsey Gilmore, O. C. Bright, a Criner, possibly Alfred Smith and several others taken prisoner. I regret not writing down the names of the men that Remmel told me about before I was in to genealogy . I have the index to the Arkansas Union soldiers as well as a book on the Arkansas Infantry and by checking their listed death dates, that helped also. And by reading the pension records of these men that reported being captured by the "enemy"and escaping, that also helped with the story. From betty renfroe brenfroe@cswnet.com john standridge (father) and two of his sons were surprised by bushwhackers. he and sons wash and lem were shot and killed johns widow and her daughters buried them on the same mattress at richland cemetery. i think this was the beginning of richland cemetery. Per John Standridges (son)Civil War Pension Record, I stated the facts. John Standridge was in the Co. C,First Ark.Infantry. He was one of the Union soldiers in Newton County and returned to his command. He deserted 10 Jan 1865 at Ft.Smith,Ark. to "go home and protect his family". He was killed at home on 19Feb1865. His widow Susan Cagle Standridge could not collect his pension as he had deserted. I do not know where John(the son)is buried. In Richland too? His father John Wesley Standridge (1812\16 to ??1865?) and sons Wash and Lemuel were killed at home. And do believe this was the start of Richland Cemetery. Does anyone know the exact date of their deaths? It had to be about Jan 1865 as that is when John (the son)Standridge deserted to go home and had heard about his father's death and also to protect his family. John Standridge's(father) wife was Mary C, b 1816 in Georgia. Does anyone know her maiden name? The only daughter I have listed for the father is Elizabeth"Betsy" Standridge who married Mart Standridge. Could go on for a few more pages listing more details, but think that is enough for now. Any more questions Ms Powell? Evelyn Flood RKinfolks@aol.com