All was going well until 1861, when there came a call for volunteers; the Civil War had arrived in the quiet and peaceful state of Arkansas. With it bringing renegades, bushwackers, war scouts, who were killing innocent people, stealing, ransacking, and burning homes and towns. During the ravish days of the Civil War in Newton County, Arkansas, the older men, women, and children were enchouraged to go over into Missouri for protection from the bushwackers. The Braxton Edgemon family refused to go. Their sorrow was multiplied. Five of the sons of Braxton and Polly Casey Edgemon enlisted. Three sons, a son-in-law, and Braxton were killed. The family's sorrow: Miles H. Casey, a son-in-law was killed. John E. Edgemon, a son Private of Company K Arkansas Calvary, came home safe. Samuel Edgemon, a son Private Company G 7th Arkansas Calvary was killed February 6, 1863, age 24. Abner Edgemon, a son Private Company G, 7th Arkansas Calvary was killed May 26, 1861, age 17. William Thomas Edgemon, a son Private Company K 2nd Mounted Arkansas Rifles, prisoner of war, age 19.

The Edgemon family learned to detect every sound, like falling rock, crushing of gravel and snapping of twigs under footsteps, that was a signal of danger. They were afraid to close their eyes at night for fear of war scouts and bushwackers, who were wondering about, looting, burning homes and spreading terror among people. One night on September 6, 1864, while Braxton Edgemon, Mr. Brooks, Elsberry Casey (Braxton's brother-in-law), and Abraham Villines were on lookout in Braxton's yard, the bushwackers slipped in and killed all four men under the old chinkapin tree. Polly Casey Edgemon, her two small sons, three grandson she was raising, and her sister-in-law, Jane Casey buried the men near the spring below the house. The war scouts came to Polly's smokehouse, took her meat, loaded up her corn, drove off her horse and cow and left. The bushwackers came and burned her house. She took the children to an old house that was on the farm, gathered leaves and made beds for them to sleep on.

Ida Mae does not have internet access. If you woul like to exchange info with her, send to me via email and I will snail mail to her, Judy Tate.

You can reach me by email: Judy Tate