The Bryant Historical Society received a grant from the Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission to refurbish the historic marker in Bryant. The sign commemorates the battle of Hunter’s Crossing, also known as the Skirmish at Hurricane Creek. It tells of the battle that took place a mile and a half south east of the sign near the Bryant cemetery.
Members of the Society on hand for the unveiling of the sign were Ted and Joyce Boswell, Alderman Steve Gladden (past president), Patsy Kuhn (president), Kathy Lewallen (vice president) and Steve Perdue (Saline County History and Heritage).
The Society also includes Michelle Gladden (secretary), board members Debbie Broadway and Butch Alexander, and members Sissie Farchman, Billie Ferguson and Joe Lewallen.
According to Kuhn, Jason Hogue of Bryant secured the grant for college credit. He and his father J.W. Hogue also took the sign down for crating and put the sign back up when it was returned. David Demuth and the Bicentennial Commission first placed the sign at the spot in 1976. Weathering had caused the paint to peel and chip.
The crossing was on the farm of Andrew Hunter. On Oct. 23, 1864 as Confederate soldiers lay in ambush for a Union raiding party coming back from Princeton, 28 men died, 11 were wounded and 1 captured.
The Bryant Historical Society has produced a video about the battle. It shows how the Civil War affected citizens and soldiers who lived during that era. The Confederate soldiers who lived through that era or died during it and are buried at the Bryant cemetery are also highlighted.
The movie will be shown at the Mabel Boswell Memorial Library in Bryant on Prickett Road on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 6:30 p.m. The presentation is open to the public at no charge.
“This is an important part of Bryant’s Heritage,” Kuhn said. “Men died at this battle to protect our local citizens from those who would destroy their way of life. They should be remembered as we remember those today who fight to protect their fellow countrymen. They should be forever honored for their sacrifice as they lay entombed in the Bryant cemetery. This video was made in remembrance of those who died and fought at this battle and those other Confederate soldiers that fought for the South.”
