I would like to share with you some of the accounts of my gggrandfather Timothy Sexton (b 1836, d. 1863) and his wife Artilissa Holt (b. 8 Mar 1833, d. May 1863) Her parents I believe are James Holt and Elizabeth Self. His parents are believed to be John Sexton and Sarah Hanson.

From my records I submit the following, according to military records (bookmark R&P315744) According to the Company Descriptive Book, he was 27 years old, was 5 ft 10 inches tall. Dark eyes and Dark hair. Occupation was a Farmer. Enlistment Mar 1, 1863 in Newton Co. by Capt McCoy for 3 years. In the Remarks section, it states 'Deserter at Fayetteville, Ark, Aug 22, 1863.' signed Weans (hard to read signature).

According to Muster-in Roll Call they have his age as 40 (which is just not correct) as a Pvt. Roll was dated Fayetteville, Ark, Mch 10, 1863 for a period of 3 years. On a Company Muster Roll call dated March 10 to Apl 30, 1863 they have him as absent 'Supposed to be a prisoner' signed J.W. Davis (?). The initials are hard to read. They could be G.W. instead.

From a Company Muster Roll call dated May and June 1863 he is shown as absent. According to the records 'On scout since Apl 15, 1963 and cut off by enemy'. In July and Aug 1863 his status was changed to 'Deserted Aug 22, 1863'. On an 'Appears on RETURNS' as follows:
Entry 1 -'Apl 1863 to July 1863 Detached service in Newton Co. Ark on scout since Apl 15.'
Entry 2 -'Aug 1863 Deserted Aug 22 Fayetteville. Failed to compy with the orders of Col Johnson and was dropped as a deserter accordingly.' signed Daggett.

From family lore, the following is a description of those events. For while he was home, he told his wife (Artilissa Holt) he thought Charles (Kendall) Holt, Artilissa's brother was home also, of course she wanted to go and see him. William Riley Sexton, Levi Sexton and Allen Sexton were small children. They lived up on top of the hill from Artilissa's mother and dad. So they got ready and went down the hill to see Charles Kendall. As they sat down for supper, they heard horses with riders - of course bushwackers were rampant in that area. So Charles and Timothy tried to run and get away. The Confederates caught Tim. Charles got away. They blindfolded Tim and told him to run and when he did, he ran into an old chimmney that was left standing from a former cabin. They stood him up in the corner and shot him with his in-laws, wife and children watching. Naturally they were frightned. As they did in the old days they washed him and wrapped him up and carried him up the hill to a spot near where he and Artilissa lived and buried him. He was scouting for the Union forces under Ark Volunteers. Nothiing was said, and as the months went on Artilissa found she was with child. She died after the birth of Esther, named probably after Tims's grandmother or Elizabeth after Artilissa's mother. Artilessa was buried with Timothy nine months after his death. As was the custom for orphaned children they went to relations. William Riley was raised by possibly a cousin or uncle. Levi Sexton was raised by Daniel Sexton. Allen was raised by uncle Charles Kendall Holt. Hearsay has it that Esther, born at Artilissa's death, was raised by one of the Hudson's. This is hearsay and I cannot find any proof to this effect. However, there is a grave marked 'Infant Baby' at Sexton Cemetery between Timothy and Artilissa. Chances are that the child died at birth or shortly thereafter.

From lore it is hard to determine exact date and reconcile events with the calendar. If you consider that in May Artilissa had a child and 2-3 months earlier Timothy enlisted and shortly thereafter they have him on the rolls as 'absent', supposed to be a prisoner, 'on scout and cut off by enemy' and 'detached service in Newton Co.' One could imagine that he went home to be with his wife during the last stages of her pregnancy when she could not fend for herself and had 3 small children to take care of as well. The dates would tend to support this theory. However, the documents state something else. Could have been the person doing the recording being a less than nice person. Anyway the gov't reasons appear to be a concession by the gov't to allow him to be at home with his wife. However, while at home he was killed (murdered) by rogue Confederate soldiers or bushwackers. Thus, since he did not return to his unit in July, the unit had no choice but to put him down as a deserter.

Timothy's name is on the granite Civil War Marker in the square at Jasper, Ark. There will be no military record of Timothy's death, for the records state he 'deserted.'

I do have pictures of the house and chimney mentioned above as well as the grave markers

You can reach me by email: Ed Smith