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Submitted: 4/4/18 • Approved: 4/6/18 • Last Updated: 4/9/18 • R1216884-G0-S3
Erastus Lynch Black was born in Georgia but grew up in the Tallapoosa County, Alabama area. He attended the Southern Military Academy in Freedonia, Chambers County, Alabama. Within three years of his marriage, he migrated from Alabama to Phillips County, Arkansas (1859). At that time he was a farmer. Served in the Confederate Army, 23rd Arkansas Infantry. Entered as a Captain, promoted to Major and towards the end of the war he was possibly promoted to Lt. Colonel, CSA [CMSR]. Participated in the Battle of Corinth, engagement at Iuka, Mississippi as well as pursuit at Hatchie Bridge and operations on Mississippi Central Railroad. Sent to defend Port Hudson, Louisiana and served there during the entire seige. After the fall of Vicksburg, Mississippi, the garrison of Port Hudson surrendered. Major Black became a prisoner of war and was sent to the Federal POW camp at Johnson Island, Sandusky, Ohio. After about 9 months as a prisoner, he was exchanged and returned to Arkansas where he rejoined CSA forces under M. Jeff Thompson. In 1864, he participated in General Sterling Price's raid into Missouri and Kansas. Fought at the Battle of Mine Creek, Kansas with Fagan's Arkansas Cavalry Division. In the last days of the war, his unit was operating against deserters along the Black and St. Francis Rivers. Surrendered at war's end and paroled at Wittsburg, Arkansas. After the war, he was a farmer and County Judge in Lee County. He was also in partnership with brother-in-law, George Slaughter, in the merchantile business.
Contributed on 4/4/18 by sandycurry10
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Record #: 1216884