Talk:Powell Clayton

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This article was the subject of a Wiki Education Foundation-supported course assignment, between 12 September 2018 and 10 December 2018. Further details are available on the course page. Student editor(s): Collinzk16.

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Parked photograph(s)[edit]

Powell Clayton

Moved from the article until it can be expanded. Appears to show him in military uniform. Megapixie 13:13, 5 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

working on text[edit]

I'm working on the text below, it was copied from else where but I'm trying to format it to be more just about Clayton --The_stuart (talk) 03:31, 21 December 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Skirmish at Longview[edit]

Possibly foreseeing problems on his expedition to the southwest, before leaving Little Rock, Steele ordered Col. Powell Clayton at the Union post in Pine Bluff to keep a close watch on Confederate forces in the Monticello area which might threaten the expedition. It was that order which eventually led to the skirmish at Longview.

On March 27 when Colonel Clayton reported to Union Brigadier General Kimball his plans to launch an attack at Mount Elba, a community on the Saline in Cleveland County. He wrote that he planned to create a temporary bridge across the Saline River. He would leave a small reserve force and cross with his cavalry and they would destroy a confederate pontoon cutting them off from a reserve he beleived they had at Monticello. He would then attack any paties left between Saline and Washita.

Clayton then changed his plans somewhat, moving first toward Monticello, then toward Mount Elba, bridging the Saline, and, feinting in the directions of Camden and Princeton, marching rapidly to Longview to capture the Confederate pontoon bridge as well as any supplies that might be there, 42 miles from Mount Elba. In beginning his campaign, Clayton selected seven officers and 230 enlisted men from the 18th Illinois Infantry, a detachment of five officers and 260 men from the 28th Wisconsin Infantry, and 600 men, four mountain howitzers and two steel rifled guns from the First Indiana, Fifth Kansas and Seventh Missouri Cavalry units. In addition to the men and guns, Clayton's forces also carried eight pontoons, mounted on wagon wheels, along with them to bridge streams as they came to them as well as a small wagon train of supplies.

Arriving at Mount Elba in Cleveland County about 4 p. m. on March 28, the Union troops killed one and captured four of the Confederates defenders there. They then began assembling their wheeled pontoons and completed a bridge across the river by midnight. Confederate troops at Mount Elba were returning from Gaines Landing on the Mississippi River near Eudora where they had picked up supplies to be taken to the Confederate command in Camden. With the attack on Mount Elba, many of those soldiers withdrew to the Longview area.

At daylight on the morning of March 29, the Union troops left their encampment at Mount Elba and moved rapidly toward Camden to the vicinity of Mark's Mills. From there, Clayton sent Lieutenants Frank M. Greathouse of the First Indiana Cavalry and Grover Young of the Fifth Kansas Cavalry with 50 picked men from each unit "to move with the utmost rapidity by the way of Warren to Long View, to destroy the pontoon bridge, the enemy's trains, etc."

The Union cavalrymen moved quickly, arriving on the west side of the river at Longview just after sundown. A number of Confederate soldiers were encamped on the west side of the river.

However, due to a shortage of uniforms, many of the Confederate soldiers were dressed in captured Union uniforms, and the Confederates on the west side of the river apparently thought that the Union cavalrymen were fellow Confederates and made no attempt to resist them.

The Union cavalrymen moved past the Confederate camp on the west banks of the river, and still unrecognized, ordered some of the Confederates at the main camp on the east side of the river to cross to the west where they were taken prisoners. The Union troops then cut the pontoon bridge and destroyed a Confederate supply train they found on the west side of the river.

By 9:30 the next morning, the Union lieutenants and their cavalrymen were back in camp at Mount Elba, reporting that they had destroyed the pontoon bridge, burned a loaded train of 35 wagons of supplies, captured a large amount of arms and ammunition, about 260 prisoners, nearly 300 horses and mules, and "a large number of contrabands."

Clayton's report to his superiors highly praised the two lieutenants who had commanded the raid on Longview. He said, "The Long View raid reflects the highest credit to Lieutenants Greathouse and Young, and for brilliancy and success is almost without a parallel. One hundred men (50 from the First Indiana and 50 from the Fifth Kansas Cavalry) marched 40 miles into the enemy's country, captured and destroyed a train of 35 wagons loaded with stores of great value (their paymaster's safe containing over $60,000), destroyed their pontoon bridge over the Saline River, captured and brought to Mount Elba 260 prisoners, nearly 300 horses and mules, and a large number of contrabands, all, including the march of 80 miles to Long View and back, in the surprising short space of twenty-four hours. Our loss throughout the expedition was but two killed and eight missing. The conduct of the officers and men throughout was most gallant and energetic, and deserves the highest commendation."

True to his word, Clayton on April 6 commended both lieutenants in a dispatch to Assistant Adjutant-General Major W. D. Green. The two, he said, "are deserving of the highest praise for the masterly manner in which they created a diversion in the direction of Monticello, and more especially for their gallantry, energy, and skill in the execution of the raid to Long View and return."

The written report that the two lieutenants prepared was not so elaborate. They wrote to Clayton, "When we came to the fork of Long View and Camden Road, which is some two miles from Long View, we took four prisoners, and learned from them that there had been a train of nine wagons and 25 men passed out a short time ahead of us. We sent a party out after them, burnt the wagons, and captured the men. We learned from them that there was a large train crossing, which had come out from Monticello that day. We moved on, and reached their camp just at dark. We charged into their camp, surrounded them, and demanded their surrender, and ordered them to fall into line. We coming on them so unexpectedly, and they being in such confusion, they obeyed immediately. There were 250 men, 7 or 8 officers. We destroyed their bridge, threw about 175 or 200 stand of arms in the river, burnt 30 wagons, which were loaded with baggage and camp equippage, also ammunition; took some 300 horses and mules. We then mounted our prisoners, and returned to our most worthy commander all O. K."

To Union newspapers, such as the National Democrat in Little Rock, the raid on Longview was a brilliant success. Titling its story on the raid "Good News from Gen. Steele and Col. Clayton," the National Democrat said: "We are furnished by Adjutant General Green with news received from rebel sources placing Price at Camden on the 28th of March, and General Steele at Arkadelphia on the 26th. Steele's march has been a complete success so far, meeting with but little obstruction. The army is said to be in excellent health and fine spirits."

"Col. Clayton, commanding the expedition from Pine Bluff, destroyed the pontoon bridge at Longview--burned a train of thirty-five wagons loaded with camp and garrison equipage, ammunition, quartermaster's stores, etc., and captured over three hundred prisoners."

"He engaged (General Thomas) Dockery's division, of about 1200 men, from Monticello, on the morning of the 30th ult., routed and pursued him ten miles, with a loss on his side of over one hundred killed and wounded--capturing a large quantity of small arms and two stands of colors. Our loss did not exceed fifteen in killed, wounded and missing." "Three hundred horses and mules and many wagons were captured. Col. Clayton by this expedition has added fresh laurels to his brow. He is worthy of all honor, and deserving the highest reward at the hands of the government. He has been in every instance successful and will be promoted to the rank of Brigadier General for valiant service to the Union cause. He justly deserves the honor."

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GA Review[edit]

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Reviewing
This review is transcluded from Talk:Powell Clayton/GA1. The edit link for this section can be used to add comments to the review.

Reviewer: Hog Farm (talk · contribs) 04:40, 19 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]


Lead/Infobox
  • "He became president of the Eureka Springs Improvement ... In 1883, he became president of the Eureka Springs" - Can this be rephrased to avoid having "he became president of the" appear in consecutive sentences?
  • "and as U.S. Ambassador to Mexico from 1899 to 1905." - Donovan says 1897 - 1905
  • Years that he was Republican National Committeeman in the infobox don't appear to be cited
  • Why isn't the controversy, impeachment attempts, and senate hearings mentioned in the lead? Especially since the senate hearing is given a very large amount of information in the body?
    • I added quite a bit more on the arc of his career to the lead including senate investigation. Dwkaminski (talk) 19:01, 23 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
Early life and career
  • Is there a way to briefly gloss what Penn's Council was in a couple words? Most readers are gonna have no idea what that was
    • I removed it and described Clayton as a personal friend and associate of William Penn. Dwkaminski (talk) 15:02, 22 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • " Ann (née Clark) Clayton" - Unsure where you're getting "nee Clark". The source doesn't directly say this, so it could have been her original middle name instead of moving here maiden name to that slot; and it's spelled Clarke in the source, as well
    • removed nee - added Donovan reference where he refers to her as (Clarke). Dwkaminski (talk) 11:00, 20 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • "became the city engineer of Leavenworth in 1859" - Body says 1860. I've noticed the sources disagree here (Encylopedia of Arkansas says 1860, Donovan says 1859), so it's probably best to state that sources say either 1859 or 1860
American Civil War
  • "In May 1861 Clayton was formally mustered into the U.S. Volunteers as a Captain of company E" - captain is not a proper noun here, so it should be lowercase. Company E is a proper noun, so it should be uppercase
  • It's a fairly minor action, but if you wanted to add a brief summary of Clayton chasing John S. Marmaduke around northeastern Arkansas, there's a JSTOR PDF I linked in the sources at 10th Texas Field Battery when I wrote that article. You can get access to JSTOR through WP:LIBRARY. It wasn't a very big action, though, so its fine if you don't want to add it
  • " three-pronged confederate attack of the forces of General John S. Marmaduke" - Marmaduke's official rank was Brigadier General. There was a Confederate rank that was just "General", so its best to use the official rank of Brigadier General here. Also, Confederate should be capitalized.
  • " three-pronged confederate attack of the forces of General John S. Marmaduke" - Where in the source are you getting "three-pronged"? The sources I've read about Pine Bluff indicate that Marmaduke's plan was more two-pronged. His split his forces into two wings which attacked Pine Bluff from different directions. It could have split into three prongs once the fighting bogged down in town, but the attack itself was planned as two prongs, I believe.
    • Christ - Rugged and Sublime reference - page 100 - The Confederates, attacking from three sides... Dwkaminski (talk) 14:55, 20 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • "Clayton commanded the cavalry brigade on the right flank of the Union forces and received a commendation for his actions" - Two issues with this. First, this is far too close to the wording in the source. Second, the source actually states commendations, not just one.
  • "Clayton's regiment accompanied General Frederick Steele's" - I think Steele would have technically been a Major General at that point.
  • Is the John Edwards you quote the same person as John Newman Edwards? If so, wikilink. John Newman Edwards was one of Shelby's staff officers, so I wouldn't be surprised if that were him
  • " in cotton and acquired sufficient capital to purchase a plantation in Jefferson County where he settled after the war" - This is a little too close to the phrasing in the source for my comfort, see WP:CLOSEPARAPHRASING.
  • Encyclopedia of Arkansas source says he did some raid to cooperate with the Camden Expedition, mention that in the article
Governor of Arkansas
  • "confrontations with ex-Rebels on his plantation that convinced him that Unionists required additional protection" - close paraphrasing
  • " Edward Ord was appointed military governor of the Fourth Military District which included Mississippi and Arkansas" - close paraphrasing
  • "He disbanded the legislature and called for a constitutional convention" - close paraphrasing
  • "could take the "ironclad oath" that they had not served in the Confederacy or given aid or comfort to the enemy" - close paraphrasing
    • Slight rewrite. I don't think it is that egregious. Donovan page 44 states "Due to the scarcity of Democrats who could take the "ironclad oath" that they had neither served in the Confederacy nor given "aid or comfort" to the enemy..." Dwkaminski (talk) 12:15, 21 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • "Clayton was not a delegate to the constitutional convention but did participate in the Republican state nominating convention which was meeting at the same time. That convention selected Clayton as the Republican gubernatorial nominee and James M. Johnson" - close paraphrasing
  • " and was responsible for more than 200 murders of former slaves and Republicans" - source doesn't state that these murders were of former slaves and Republicans
    • removed former slaves and Republicans - bit of triangulation since Moneyhon states KKK attacked African Americans and Republicans. Dwkaminski (talk) 12:35, 21 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • "On April 1, 1868, the state board of election commissioners announced ratification of the constitution and Clayton's election as Governor of Arkansas" - source doesn't mention ratification or the exact date
  • "During this time Arkansas Republican Congressman James Hinds was attacked and killed while on his way to a political event and Clayton survived an attempt on his life. Clayton responded aggressively to the emergence of the Klan in Arkansas by declaring martial law in fourteen counties for four months in late 1868 and early 1869. Clayton organized the state militia and placed General Daniel Phillips Upham in charge to help suppress violence throughout the state" - source doesn't mention the four months detail or identify Hinds or Upham by name
    • Added new reference for Hinds assassination. Added Finley reference for length of martial law. Added new reference (Wintory/encyclopedia of Arkansas) for Daniel Phillips Upham's role in supressing KKK in Arkansas. Dwkaminski (talk) 15:17, 22 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • " Arkansas completed its first ever free public school system - close paraphrasing. The only difference between this and the source is that we include the word "ever"
  • "Clayton and the Republicans in the legislature accomplished much during his three-year terms as governor" - Also close paraphrasing
  • "Brooks opposition to" - Should be either Brooks' or Brooks's, depending on your preference as to how nouns ending in s should bear the aposthrophe
  • "legislature never heard the case against the governor" - close paraphrasing
U.S. Senator
  • "they had been given insufficient time to review all of the testimony" - close paraphrasing
  • "Clayton returned to Little Rock, Arkansas where he practiced law and supported economic development" - close paraphrasing. The only differences between this and the source seem to be that "Arkansas" is added and "general" omitted
  • I find it odd that very little besides the hearing is mentioned in this section. Did he not do much as a senator beyond get in trouble?
    • Added a bit about his committee participation. Dwkaminski (talk) 12:24, 23 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
Later life and death
  • "A poem on the fireplace in the lobby of the Crescent Hotel is attributed to Clayton[15] In 1883," - End the sentence with a period
  • Mention that he was involved in the 1896 primaries and presidential election supporting McKinley, per Donovan
  • "On September 9, 1868, he lost his left hand while hunting outside Little Rock when his rifle discharged" - Unclear who he is, the subject of the previous sentence is his daughters

Whew. That's the first round. Once these are addressed, I'll give it another read-through to check for grammar and to make sure all the close paraphrasing got cleaned up. There are some referencing formatting issues as well, but those aren't as significant as the non-supported information and the close paraphrasing, so I will save looking at those until the second round of comments. Hog Farm Talk 03:37, 20 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Hog Farm, I've tried to address all the issues you raised. Please take a look and let me know what reference format issues you see. Dwkaminski (talk) 13:00, 24 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Round Two[edit]

  • Political Graveyard isn't RS. If there's not a better source for that detail available, I think the GA comprehensiveness can still be met with the dates removed
  • Be consistent with how you do the Encyclopedia of Arkansas - italics vs nonitalics
    • I'm not seeing the issue here. Dwkaminski (talk) 19:12, 24 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
      • References are set up slightly different, but it's not an issue. My bad - not part of the GA criteria. I'm use to reviewing for featured articles, and probably have a tendency to blur the FA criteria into GA reviews sometimes. So you can ignore that comment.
  • Ref 26 needs a publisher and accessdate.
  • Ref 22 needs a publisher
    • I have no idea how to edit references that have been archived by Wayback Machine. Dwkaminski (talk) 18:39, 24 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
      • I've added this myself
  • Goodley needs a publisher and ISBN (if applicable)

That's the reference comments. I'll give the prose another read-through soon. Hog Farm Talk 17:45, 24 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

I've made a few minor edits, revert anything you don't agree with.

"William was appointed as the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas and served as the chief prosecutor in the court of "hanging judge" Isaac Parker for 14 years" - Can't find this in the source

  • Added new reference for W.H.H. Clayton from encyclopedia of Arkansas. Dwkaminski (talk) 14:04, 25 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Hog Farm - let me know if there are any other changes you want to see. Thanks! Dwkaminski (talk) 14:05, 25 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

  • We just need to get a consensus on the political graveyard point above. Hog Farm Talk 14:25, 25 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
    • Donovan page 51 lists 1872 as his start date with the RNC. Page 53 states that he was still contacted for federal patronage positions in Arkansas as late as 1912 but I can't find a source beside political graveyard that lists when he left the RNC. You are saying it is preferable to remove dates than keep them with a less than perfect source? Dwkaminski (talk) 15:40, 25 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
      • If we can't source it reliably, we can't source it. I guess my train of thought is that the dates aren't essential for GA (it would be desired in a FA, though), but only using reliable sources is essential. I would recommend dropping it from the infobox, and then adding the 1872 date sourced to Donovan in the text, and add that he was still consulted in 1912 as well. If that's all we can do based on the RS, it's all we can do. Hog Farm Talk 15:52, 25 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Did you know nomination[edit]

The following is an archived discussion of the DYK nomination of the article below. Please do not modify this page. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as this nomination's talk page, the article's talk page or Wikipedia talk:Did you know), unless there is consensus to re-open the discussion at this page. No further edits should be made to this page.

The result was: promoted by Cwmhiraeth (talk) 05:47, 20 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]

(
)
Powell Clayton
Powell Clayton

Improved to Good Article status by Dwkaminski (talk). Self-nominated at 12:28, 26 March 2021 (UTC).[reply]

  • Article
    • Article was promoted to GA status within the time frame.
    • Article is GA status, it's by definition not a stub.
    • Article is neutral and well-cited, no plagiarism detected.
  • Hook
    • Hook is fewer than 200 characters and meets the formatting guidelines. The first one is the most interesting, I'd go with that.
    • Hook is interesting, cited, and meets WP:BLP
  • Other
    • QPQ: Not required.
    • Image: Not provided.

Comment: Good to go! theleekycauldron (talk • contribs) (they/them) 20:35, 31 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

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