After the Union army arrived in July 1862, Helena was no longer part of the Confederacy. It was in Union hands and the Union commander made law and policy. The Moore-Hornor Home across the street was one of many in Helena seized by the Union army.
Family Homes Become Army Quarters
Arthur S. Thompson built the house in 1859,
When the Union army marched into Helena, the
house was empty, the family having fled to
Kentucky.
The army seized this and other abandoned houses,
including Confederate General Thomas C.
Hindman's, for use as officers' quarters and office
space. Families that remained in Helena, such as
the Rightor and Richardson families, housed
Union officers whether they wanted to or not.
Living Under Martial Law
The Union army controlled every aspect of civilian
life in Helena. Union commanders decided who
could buy and sell cotton. In 1863, General
Benjamin Prentiss forbade trade with people living
outside of Helena.
Residents could not leave the city with goods.
Those who refused to take the Oath of Allegiance
could not come into the city to buy goods. At least
one resourceful young woman smuggled food past
the Union sentries by concealing it under her
petticoat.
"Our
dread is that our necessities will compel us to take
the oath of allegiance to the Lincoln government. It is
deeply repugnant to every feeling of our heart . ."
Mary Sale Edmondson
who lived outside of Helena
[Photo captions]
Top left: Robert Caswell Moore, 13th Arkansas Regiment, C.S
Moore purchased the house in 1873. It belonged to his
descendents for 118 years.
Bottom left: Citizens could not enter or
leave Helena without a pass.
Individuals had to take the Oath of Allegiance
in order to do business in Helena or to come
into Helena to buy goods.
General Frederick Salomon directed the Union
defense of the city from the Moore-Hornor
Home during the Battle of Helena.
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