John Wesley Standridge Jr enlisted in Company C 1st Arkansas Infantry, Union, on February 12, 1863 and was killed by bushwhackers at his home on February 19, 1865. His war record states that he was 5' 9" tall, fair complexion, hazel eyes and light hair. The record also states that John was in camp at Fort Smith, Arkansas and received word that his father and two brothers had been killed by bushwhackers and their families had been robbed of their food and clothing.

His Captain's name was James R. Vanderpool, the Lieut. was Jack Case.

John Wesley Standridge was reported murderd, shot several times by Querrill, February 19, 1865, while home without leave.

His wife Susanna "Susan" Cagle age 23 years, with three small children sent in an application for Pension No. 123,212. Application was rejected June 19, 1866, soldier murdered while absent without leave.

Susan had written John a letter while he was at Fort Smith, Arkansas, to tell him that his father John, and two of his brothers, Lemuel and Washington had been murdered and that they had been robbed of all their food and clothing. Susan and their three small children lived there with the family. John had come home to help them get some food and clothing.

John had only been home one day before Querrill and his men came back and shot him several times, causing his death. There is a letter that said John came home on furlough near the close of the war to see his family, and was killed the next day by Querrill bushwackers. He was reported by enemies to be a deserter, but his old widow of this place now 82 years old declares he was not. Susan and her children never believed him guilty of desertion.

Captian Vanderpool testified at John's hearing that he fully believed that John would return to his unit after helping his family, and got the charges reduced from desertion to A.W.O.L. Susan did receive a bounty from the government for John's service, but did not get a pension because he was A.W.O.L. at the time of his death.

Steel Creek Cemetery

This cemetery is located on the Freeman farm in Limestone Vallley . To reach this cemetery, turn left at the second road after passing Odgen Cemetery going south and cross a low water bridge on Steel Creek, continue around a curve to the right. The cemetery is inside a field on the right after turning the curve. Only two graves had data on the stones. (located in section 18, township 12 N, Range 21 W.)

Cooper,  Isaac F.           22 Aug 1812     29 Sept. 1872
Cooper, Narcissa J.         24 Mar 1814     24 Mar.  1908
             wife of Isaac
Flood,  David  (no marker)      no date         29,  May  1863
Company  F. 1st. Arkansas  Infantry  USA
taken prisoner  and  hung by confederates  during  Civil  War
Smith, James  (no marker)                     no dates                          
29,  May  1863
Company  F. 1st. Arkansas Infantry USA 
taken prisoner and hung by confederates during Civil War
Stone,  Berry   (no marker)  no marker 29, May, 1863
taken prisoner and hung by confederates during Civil War

John Wesley Standridge Jr was born 1842, Richland Township, Newton County, Arkansas. He was murdered at his home in Newton County, February 17, 1865.

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