Baxter’s 4th Arkansas Mounted Infantry, USA
Batesville, Arkansas
Capt. Moses Ford
Capt. Moses Ford was born in Tennessee, August 6, 1823, son of Ezekial Ford. The Fords moved to Independence County, in the late 1840's. Moses and wife Harriet, with six children, settled in Batesville, his occupation, blacksmith. He was known to friends and neighbors as a devoted Unionist.
Capt. Ford officially organized Co. D, 4th Arkansas Mounted Inf. after Union Col. Robert R. Livingston arrived in Batesville, Christmas day, 1863. He and his company served till June 2, 1864. Upon mustering out his regiment, Capt. Ford declared his men were “never regularly mustered or paid, only sworn in and placed on duty”, the only company commander to do so. After the war, Ford returned to black smithing and served as Independence County deputy sheriff.
On December 23, 1871, deputy Moses Ford was killed in a fight with John Woods, a 23 year old Black farmer. The trial of John Woods was heard by Judge Elisha Baxter. Woods claimed self defense. Woods was found guilty and sentenced to hang but his lawyer, William B. Padgett appealed the case to the Arkansas Supreme Court. The court overturned Baxter’s conviction. Woods was retried and found guilty of manslaughter.
Capt. Moses Ford was buried in the Shaw Cemetery, Mount Pleasant, Izard County, Arkansas.
Ford served in the Mexican War, 1846. He was a member of Capt. John D. Lowry’s Company, 2nd Tennessee Volunteers. Harriet Ford applied for a Mexican War Veterans widows pension in the late 1880's.
Interestingly, Moses’ brother Barney Ford was commander Lt. Col. Barney Ford of Ford’s Arkansas Cavalry Battalion, CSA. Col. Ford’s Battalion served with distinction on Prices Missouri raid.
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