TRANS-MISSISSIPPI COURIER OR COURTESY: PINE BLUFF / ARK // JUN / 20 / 1862 double circle datestamp with matching 5 DUE (CSA Catalog Type D) on cover to Mrs. F. K. Keesee, Hillsboro, Arks, with “Politeness of Mr. Green” at lower left in ink and same handwriting as address; pencil notation at top “From C. Ashbrook, Co. G. Harpers’ Reg. Ark. Mt. Rifles, Churchills’ Brigade, Van Dorns’ Division.” Tiny bit of upper left corner replaced and top back flap missing, CARRIED EAST TO WEST ACROSS THE MISSISSIPPI WHERE IT ENTERED THE MAIL SYSTEM IN ARKANSAS. Ex Clippert. $1,750.

Calvin Ashbrook - Company G, 1st Arkansas Mounted Rifles (Napoleon Rifles), private, enlisted 6/15/61 at Fort Smith, AR; born 1825 in Adams County, MS, age 37, residence: Desha County, AR; occupation: merchant; blue eyes, dark hair, light complexion, height: 5'10"; appointed 2nd corporal 6/16/61; reduced to private 8/1/61; discharged 6/4/62 for having served his time (1 year) as well as being over the age of 35. He was discharged from Camp Ingraham, Miss, and given travel allowance (300 miles) back to Napoleon, Arkansas. Copy of discharge papers included. First organized in Little Rock, Arkansas on June 16, 1861, the regiment was initially commanded by Colonel Thomas J. Churchill. This regiment was east of the Mississippi River 1862-1865.

Milton S. Keesee (1837- 1883) and Fannie (Coburn) Keesee (1840-1880) were in the same household in Hillsboro in the 1860 U.S. census, and Milton S. and Fannie R. Keesee were in Ellis County, Texas, with their children in the 1880 U.S. census. He was born in Alabama and she in Missouri. Both died in Ellis County, Texas, and are buried together. Milton was son of Thomas Keesee, Jr. and Jane Caroline Green. He owned 82 slaves according to the 1860 Union County, Arkansas Slave Schedule so clearly a well-off family. Milton S. Keesee served as a private and later as a lieutenant with the 1st Arkansas Mounted Rifles.