Robert C. Newton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert C. Newton
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 2, 1840 |
| Died | June 7, 1877 |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States |
| Branch/service |  Confederate States Army |
Robert C. Newton (born June 2, 1840 – died June 7, 1877) was an important lawyer and a Confederate officer from Arkansas. He served as a Colonel during the American Civil War. He is best known for his role in a conflict called the Brooks-Baxter War. A group called the Sons of Confederate Veterans named a camp after him in Little Rock.
Early Life and Learning
Robert C. Newton was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. His father, Thomas W. Newton, was a state lawmaker. His grandfather, John Allen, was a colonel who died in battle.
Robert went to the Western Military Institute in White House, Tennessee. He studied literature at the University of Nashville. He also learned math and languages from a private teacher. In 1860, he became a lawyer and worked in Little Rock.
Role in the American Civil War
Robert C. Newton became a leader of a military group. This group was called the Pulaski Artillery. He was their first captain in December 1860.
In early 1861, he joined the Confederate army. He started as a private soldier. He was later promoted to lieutenant. He became an assistant to General Thomas C. Hindman.
Newton fought in many battles during the American Civil War. These included Woodsonville, Shiloh, and the Siege of Corinth. He also fought at Prairie Grove, Helena, Little Rock, and Jenkin's Ferry.
He was promoted often during the war. He became a colonel of the 5th Arkansas Cavalry Regiment. By the end of the war, he was acting as a brigadier general. He led Arkansas state troops. After the war, he helped Arkansas try to get its representatives back in Congress.
The Brooks-Baxter War
During the Civil War, Newton arrested Elisha Baxter for treason. He brought Baxter to Little Rock. Later, when Baxter became governor, he made Newton a Major General. This meant Newton was in charge of the state's military.
There was a conflict called the Brooks-Baxter War. It was a fight for control of the state government. Joseph Brooks tried to take over from Governor Baxter. Newton led the soldiers who supported Governor Baxter. After this conflict, Governor Baxter made Newton the state treasurer.
