During the height of the Civil War, Greenwood's Sarah Ann ("Sallie" or "Annie") Campbell found herself, at age six, orphaned and alone. She was placed on a steamer and sent from her Arkansas home to Cairo, Illinois with other refugees. Sarah, from age six, overcame tremendous challenges and made her own way in life. When Sarah was twenty-five, a compassionate friend wrote a letter to the "Fort Smith Elevator" newspaper, hoping a relative or friend of Sarah's may have remained in the area following the war, would read of Sarah's plight and come to her aid. Sarah's uncle, Samuel Pevehouse Campbell, overheard the friend's letter being read aloud while waiting for mail at the Greenwood Post Office. He quickly contacted the letter's author and sent word that the Campbell family had sought Sarah far and wide, going so far as to send family members into Illinois, and would welcome her home with open arms.
History hasn't revealed to us yet if Sarah and her family were reunited. The Museum staff is eager to know. If you can shed light on the story of Sarah Ann Campbell, won't you please contact us at curator.sschistoricalsociety@gmail.com ?
The Civil War exhibit at the Old Jail Museum displays letters and documents regarding Sarah and her family. Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11 AM- 3 PM.
To read historical documents regarding the relocation of Civil War refugees to Cairo, Illinois, follow this link.
http://mac110.assumption.edu/aas/Manuscripts/whiterefugees.html
