Newton was also the grandson of Col. John Allen, who was killed leading his “Bark” at the Battle of River Rasin, January 22, 1813.

[1] He joined the Confederate army as a private in 1861 and was promoted lieutenant and assistant adjutant-general on the staff of Thomas C. Hindman.

He took part in the battles of Woodsonville, Shiloh, Siege of Corinth, Prairie Grove, Helana, Little Rock, and Jenkin's Ferry.

[1] Newton arrested Elisha Baxter for treason during the American Civil War and brought him to Little Rock, the state capital.

After the war, when Baxter was governor, he appointed Newton Major General in charge of the Arkansas State Militia.