Initially organized with eight companies (lettered from "L" to "P" and "R" to "T" as an extra force attached to the 2nd Arkansas Infantry Regiment at some time between May and August, 1861. Assigned to the Upper District of Arkansas from August until September of 1861, then sent to the Indian Territory (eastern Oklahoma) in September and October of that year. Returned to Pocahontas, AR in October, 1861, where it was assigned to Hindman's Brigade of Hardee's Division in the Army of Central Kentucky from October to December, 1861. Engaged in battle at Rowlett's Station, KY on December 17, 1861. Two additional unlettered companies were attached to this battalion in December, 1861, and it was then reorganized and renamed as the 18th (Marmaduke's) Arkansas Infantry in December, 1861. On January 31, 1862, the 18th Arkansas converted from state troops to a Confederate regular army unit, and was renamed the 3rd Confederate Infantry Regiment, under which designation it fought in all the battles of the Confederate Army of Tennessee through the end of the War.
Officers: LTC John Sappington.Marmaduke
The 1st Arkansas Infantry Regiment, (Confederate) was organized at Little Rock, Arkansas, in May, 1861 following the seizure of the Little Rock Arsenal by the state militia. Before the creation of the Arkansas Military Board, Thompson B. Flournoy had been authorized by President Jefferson Davis to organize an Arkansas regiment for the Confederate service. The first companies which arrived in Little Rock sought admission into this regiment, andwere recognized by Col. Flournoy, a patriotic planter of Laconia, on the Mississippi River, and strong supporter of the Douglas/Johnson presidential ticket in the 1860 election. Flournoy had other politically-appointed officers associated with him in the commissioning of the regiment, and when it came time for the regiment to elect officers, both Flournoy and his associates were soundly defeated - the regiment electing Cpt. James F. Fagan of Saline County as colonel and regimental commander, Cpt. James C. Monroe of Clark County as Lt. Col., and John Baker Thompson as major. Professor Frank Bronaugh of the military department of St John's College, Little Rock, was chosen as adjutant. Col. Flournoy and his partners eventually acquiesced, and were assigned to other duties in other commands. Company organization: Co. A, the "El Dorado Sentinels" from Union county, Cpt. Asa Morgan; Co. B, the "Clark County Volunteers" from Clark county, Cpt. Charles Stark of Arkadelphia; Co. C, the "Camden Knights" from Ouachita county, Cpt. Crenshaw, of Camden; Co. D, "Clan McGregor" from Jefferson county, Cpt. Donelson McGregor, of Pine Bluff; Co. E, from Saline county, Cpt. William A. Crawford, of Benton; Co. F, the "Ettoman Guards" from Pulaski county, Cpt William F. Martin,of Little Rock; Co. G., the "Jackson Guards" from Jackson county, Cpt. A.C. Pickett, of Augusta; Co. H, the "Crockett Guards" from Arkansas county, Cpt. Robert H. Crockett of DeWitt; Co. I, the "Monticello Guards" from Drew county, Cpt. James Jackson of Monticello; Co. K, the "DeWitt Guards" from Arkansas county, Cpt. Quartermous, of DeWitt.
The regiment was immediately ordered to Richmond, Virginia, and attracted much attention while on the road, being known to have among its captains a grandson of the immortal Davy Crockett and Cpt. Donelson McGregor, who was raised near the Hermitage and was a grand-nephew of the beloved wife of "Old Hickory." The regiment was stationed first at Aquia Creek, near Fredericksburg, in the brigade of Gen. Theophilus H. Holmes, and was led by him into battle of 1st Manassas, in which it participated late in the day supporting Cpt. Lindsey Walker's battery of artillery. The 1st Arkansas was then stationed at Evansport, where the men of the regiment, under Cpt. Will H. Martin, made a daring but unsuccessful attempt to capture the federal gunboat Pocahontas on the Potomac. The "Fagan Rifles" were assigned as an unlettered company on October 12, 1861; this company was later transferred to become C Company, 2nd Arkansas Infantry Battalion. Served in Walker's Brigade, Dept. of Fredericksburg, from July 1861 until January 1862. Returned to Western Theater, Confederate Army of Mississippi in February, 1862 to reinforce the Confederate forces gathering at Corinth, MS, and assigned to Gibson's Brigade, Ruggles' Division, 2nd Corps, where it participated in the Battles of Shiloh on Apr 6-7, 1862, and Perryville, KY on October 8, 1862. In December, 1862, reassigned to Polk's Brigade, Cleburne's Division where it fought in the battles of Murfreesboro (Dec. 31, 1862-Jan 3, 1863), Tullahoma Campaign in June, 1863; Chickamauga (Sep 19-20, 1863); Siege of Chattanooga (Sep.-Nov. 1863); Battle of Chattanooga, the Atlanta Campaign, New Hope Church, Kennesaw Mountain, Atlanta, and the siege of Atlanta. Consolidated with the 15th Arkansas Infantry in the spring of 1864. Regiment and colors were captured at Jonesboro, Georgia on Sept. 1, 1864, and exchanged approximately 1 month later. Rejoined Cleburne's Division for Hood's Tennessee Campaign where it fought at Spring Hill, Franklin, and Nashville. Engaged in the Carolinas Campaign in early 1865, and at the last battle of the Army of Tennessee at Bentonville on March 19-21, 1865. Survivors were consolidated along with those of the 2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 13th, 19th (Dawson's) and 24th Arkansas Infantry and the 3rd Confederate Regiment (formerly Marmaduke's 18th Arkansas Infantry) to form the 1st Infantry Regiment (Consolidated) at Smithfield, NC on April 9th, 1865.Surrendered two weeks later with LTG Joe Johnston's Army of Tennessee near Durham, North Carolina.
Officers: COL James F. Fagan. Field Officers: Maj. (later Col.) John W. Colquitt; Lt. Col. William A. Crawford; Maj. Atkinson Little; Maj. (later Lt. Col.) William H. Martin; Lt. Col. Donaldson McGregor; Lt. Col. James C. Monroe; Maj. (later Lt. Col.) John B. Thompson.
References: W.E. Bevans, Reminiscences of a Private, Company G, First Arkansas Regiment, Infantry. John C. Hammock, With Honor Untarnished, the Story of the First Arkansas Infantry Regiment, Confederate States Army.
Organized at Camp Rector on May 14, 1861. Moved to Pocahontas, Ark. where it was mustered into Confederate service on July 23, 1861. Trained at Pittman's Ferry; served in the Upper District of Arkansas and in the Army of Central Kentucky as part of Hardee's Division from September to December, 1861. Renamed as the 15th Arkansas Infantry Regiment by the Confederate War Department on December 31, 1861. (see 15th Arkansas Infantry below for further service.)
Officers: Col Patrick R. Cleburne. Field Officers:Lt. Col. Archibald E. Patton; Maj. John E. Glenn; Maj. James T. Harris.
Also Known As: Arkansas 1st (Cleburne's) Infantry Regiment; 15th Arkansas Infantry Regiment.
References: Craig L. Symonds, Stonewall of the West: Pat Cleburne and the Civil War.
Organized by companies for Confederate service for 30 days between November and December, 1861. Mustered out on December 19, 1861.
Officers: James H. McCaleb, Field Officers: Major John Black, Lt. Col. Liggin
Mustered as three independent companies between Sept. 29 and Oct. 11, 1861; organized by Special Order #194 on Oct. 29, 1861 in Aquia District, Virginia. The battalion was formed from independent Arkansas infantry companies which were at that time attached to the 1st Arkansas Infantry regiment. Company A was commended by Captain Gregory. Company B, known as "Fagan's Guard", was recruited from southern Saline and western Jefferson county, and was commanded by Captain Henry H. Beavers. Company C was commanded by Captain Lacy. Total battalion strength on organization was 147 men, 76 of these in Company B. The 2nd Battalion was assigned initially to French's Brigade, transferred to Pettigrew's Brigade in March, 1862. Maryland Zouaves were attached to the battalion from February to June, 1862. Served in combat at the Siege of Yorktown (April-May, 1862); Seven Pines (May 31-June 1, 1862), and the Seven Days' Battles (June 25-July 1, 1862). Major Bronaugh and the Battalion was commended in Brigadier General Dorsey Pender's report of the battle of Mechanicsville (Beaver Dam Creek) during the Seven Days, where Major Bronaugh was killed. 7 other members of the battalion were killed inthis battle, and 33 seriously wounded. The battalion had managed to cross Beaver Dam Creek, but then were pinned down and unable to advance further, with the enemy guns only 20 yards away and 10 feet over their heads. Bronaugh's death effectively ended the battalion as a separate unit. The survivors were then merged with the 3rd Arkansas Infantry Regiment, Walker's Brigade, on July 25, 1862.
Officers: Maj. William N. Bronaugh
References: Calvin L. Collier, They'll Do to Tie To!
Raised at Helena, Arkansas in the spring of 1861 at the expense and under the command of Col. Thomas C. Hindman, former Arkansas congressional representative from Helena. Hindman resigned his Congressional seat upon Arkansas's secession from the Union, and returned home to recruit volunteers for the Confederate army, soon forming a full regiment of which he was elected Colonel. J.W. Bocage was elected as Lt. Col.; J.W. Scaife as major. Charles E. Patterson was appointed adjutant; Dr. Ralph Horner as surgeon; and Rev. Samuel Cowley as chaplain. Company commanders were: Co. A, Cpt. C.A. Bridewell; Co. B, Cpt. Thomas Quinlan; Co. C, Cpt. E. Warfield; Co. D, Cpt. E.G. Brashear; Co. E, Cpt. Anderson; Co. F, Cpt. (later Colonel and Brigadier General) Daniel C. Govan; Co. G, Cpt. B.B. Taliaferro, Co. H, Cpt. R.F. Harvey, and Co. I, Cpt. C.D. Ross.
Hindman was disappointed in being unable to acquire arms for his regiment at first, and asked for orders to march. These were not issued as promptly as he desired. He believed that through political influences in Richmond he was being slighted. He adopted heroic (and draconian) measures -- he seized steamers laden with heavy cargoes of sugar going up the river to Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, and confiscating their freight, purchased such arms as he could and embarked his command for Memphis. While thus delayed, other organizations joined him - Lt. Col. John S. Marmaduke's battalion of eight companies, which he later renamed the 3rd Confederate Infantry; three companies of cavalry under Major C.W. Phifer, and Captain Swett's Mississippi battery of four guns. This combined force, known temporarily as "Hindman's Legion", was ultimately ordered to assemble with the other Arkansas troops assembling at Pocahontas, where they were mustered into Confederate service by companies between May 26 and June 26, 1861 and assigned to Hardee's Division. Moved through Pittman's Ferry to Kentucky where Hardee's Division became the Army of Central Kentucky, and Col. Hindman was reassigned to brigade command. Engaged at Rowlett's Station, KY on 12/17/1861. Assigned to Hindman's (later Liddell's) brigade, Army of Mississippi in March, 1862 where it participated in the Battle of Shiloh on Apr. 6-7 and in the Corinth Campaign from April through June of that year. The units of the 11th Arkansas Infantry who were not captured at Island No. 10 served with the 2nd as an extra Company "E" from May until September, 1862. Participated in battles of Richmond and Perryville, KY in August and October of 1862, respectively. In December, 1862, reassigned to Cleburne's Division where it fought in the battles of Stones River (Dec. 31, 1862-Jan 3, 1863), Tullahoma Campaign in June, 1863; Liberty Gap (June 24-26, 1863), Chickamauga (Sep 19-20, 1863); Siege of Chattanooga (Sep.-Nov. 1863); Battle of Chattanooga, Ringgold Gap, Dalton, Resaca, the Atlanta Campaign, New Hope Church, Kennesaw Mountain, Atlanta, and the siege of Atlanta. Consolidated with the 15th Arkansas Infantry in the spring of 1864. Regiment and colors were captured at Jonesboro, Georgia on Sept. 1, 1864, and exchanged approximately 1 month later. Rejoined Cleburne's Division for Hood's Tennessee Campaign where it fought at Spring Hill, Franklin, and Nashville. Engaged in the Carolinas Campaign in early 1865, and at the last battle of the Army of Tennessee at Bentonville on March 19-21, 1865. Survivors were consolidated along with those of the 1st, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 13th, 15th, 19th (Dawson's) and 24th Arkansas Infantry and the 3rd Confederate Regiment (formerly Marmaduke's 18th Arkansas Infantry) to form the 1st Infantry Regiment (Consolidated) at Smithfield, NC on April 9th, 1865. Surrendered two weeks later with LTG Joe Johnston's Army of Tennessee near Durham, North Carolina.
Officers: Col Thomas C. Hindman. Field Officers: LTC Joseph W. Bocage, Maj. (later Lt. Col.) Eldrige G. Brasher, Lt. Col. (later Col. and BG) Daniel C. Govan, Maj. Reuben F. Harvey, Maj. A.T. Meek, Maj. later Lt. Col and Col.) James W. Scaife, and Maj. (later Lt. Col. and Col.) Elisha Warfield
Organized with seven companies on July 15, 1861. Served with BG Benjamin McColloch's brigade in northwest Arkansas and along the border with the Indian Territory from August to December of 1861. Fought with McColluch's Brigade at Wilson's Creek on August 10, 1861. Augmented with additional companies to fill out as a regiment, and reorganized as the 21st (McRae's) Infantry Regiment on December 3, 1861.
Officers: Lt. Col. Dandridge McRae; Maj. Thomas H. McRae.
Also Known As: 21st Arkansas Infantry Regiment
The 3rd Arkansas Infantry Regiment was organized by companies in Lynchburg, VA on July 5, 1861 and mustered into Confederate service for the duration of the War. When Dr. W.H. Tebbs and Van H. Manning, a lawyer at Hamburg, Ashley county, organized two companies in early 1861 and marched them to Vicksburg, where they offered them to the Confederate States at Montgomery, Alabama, the Confederate secretary of war refused to accept them. The two officers then went to Montgomery, and by persistent entreaty, succeeded at length in securing their admission to the Confederate Army "for the war". Manning knew Congressman Albert Rust, then the Congressional representative for his district in southern Arkansas, obtained the assistance of his influence, and when Rust decided to enter the military service of the Confederacy, persuaded him to return to his home at Champagnolle, raise eight more companies, and follow on to some rendezvous where together they could organize a regiment for the service "during the war." Rust did so, and joined Manning at Lynchburg, where the regiment was organized , really the "first" regiment from Arkansas, as regular troops of the Confederacy, enlisted for the duration of the war. The officers of the regiment on organization were: Col. Albert Rust; Lt. Col. Seth M. Barton; Maj. Van H. Manning; Adjutant Henry A. Butler; and Surgeon Joseph Brown of Union county. Co. A, Cpt. W.H. Tebbs of Ashley county; Co. B, Cpt. Capers of Ashley county; Co. C, Cpt. T.M. Whittington of Drew County; Co. D, Cpt. Douglas of Desha county; Co. E, Cpt. R.S. Taylor of Desha county; Co. F, the "Hot Springs Hornets", Cpt. Thrasher of Hot Springs county; Co. G, Cpt Reedy of Union county; Co. H, Cpt. Reed of Desha county; Co. I, the "Tulip Rifles", Cpt. J.H. Alexander of Dallas county; and Co. K, the "Arkansas Travelers", Cpt. Wilson Wilkins, of Ashley county. Company L, commanded by Cpt. J. D. Christian of Ashley County, was not present at the muster in Lynchburg, but joined the regiment three weeks later. Colonels Rust and Barton being later promoted to brigadier generals, Major Manning became colonel of the regiment, Cpt. R.S. Taylor became lieutenant colonel, and Cpt W. Wilkins major, subsequently succeeded by Major Smith.
The regiment was ordered to the mountains of West Virginia, where it performed arduous and discouraging service in the campaign on the Gauley and Cheat rivers. This was followed by hard marching under Stonewall Jackson (whom Col Rust later described as "an impracticable old schoolmaster who said grace before he ate and prayed before going to bed") in the Valley Campaign. The regiment was engaged in the battles of Greenbrier and Allegheny. Under General Jackson at Winchester, in January, 1862, the 3rd Arkansas marched to Bath and Romney, returned to Winchester, and was ordered thence to Fredericksburg and assigned to the brigade of Gen. Theophilus H. Holmes. Colonel Rust was promoted to brigadier general about this time, and was transferred to a command in the western armies. Van Manning was promoted to the colonel of the regiment succeeding Col. Rust.
The 3rd Arkansas was engaged in the battles of White Oak Swamp, June 3, 1862, in J.G. Walker's brigade, on July 1, 1862 participated in the battle of Malvern Hill, and was at Sharpsburg on September 17, 1862 where Col. Manning was seriously wounded. At Fredericksburg again in December, 1862, the 3rd Arkansas was assigned to Hood's Texas Brigade, with which it remained until the end of the war. Here the regiment was additionally augmented by the incorporation of Bronaugh's 2nd Arkansas Infantry Battalion of five Arkansas companies.
The regiment was not engaged at Chancellorsville, being engaged instead with Longstreet's Corpa at Suffolk. The 3rd Arkansas participated in the battle of Gettysburg with Longstreet's Corps, fighting in and in the vicinity of the "Devil's Den", and went with that corps to Tennessee in September, 1863 where it fought at Chickamauga (where the gallant Major Reedy was mortally wounded), Chattanooga, Wauhatchie, and in the siege of Knoxville, TN. Returning to the Army of Northern Virginia in the spring of 1864, the regiment fought with the Texas Brigade at the battle of the Wilderness, May 6, 1864, marching at the double-quick several miles that morning to save the Confederate line and subsequently throw Grant's forces back. Here Col. Manning was shot through the thigh and captured, being detained a prisoner of war until July, 1865. The regiment moved on to continue the fight at Spotsylvania, and on to Cold Harbor. The regiment was at Deep Run on August 6, 1864; at Petersburg during the siege by Grant, at High Bridge and Farmville in 1865, and surrendered at Appomattox Court House with General Lee on April 9, 1865. At Appomattox, only 144 men remained to stack their arms instead of the nearly 1,500 mustered throughout the war.
Officers: Col Albert Rust. Field Officers: Lt. Col. Seth M. Barton, Maj. J. Hickson Capers, Maj (later Lt. Col.) Vannoy Manning, Maj. John W. Reedy, Maj. Samuel W. Smith, Maj. (later Lt. Col.) Robert S. Taylor, Lt. Col. William H. Tebbs, Maj. William K. Wilkins.
References: Calvin L. Collier, They'll Do to Tie To! - The Story of the Third Regiment, Arkansas Infantry, C.S.A. (Complete regimental history and muster rolls); Douglas C. Jones, The Barefoot Brigade (fiction); Mauriel Joslyn, "For Ninety Nine Years or the War" Gettysburg Magazine issue 14, published by Morningside Books in Dayton, Ohio (an article on the 3rd Arkansas at Gettysburg); Col. Harold B. Simpson, Hood's Texas Brigade: A Compendium (has some statistics, numbers etc. as well as a complete roster of the 3rd Arkansas with more detail than Collier's roster. This is out of print, but worth it if you can find it.)
Organized at Arkadelphia in June, 1861. Assigned to the Arkansas State Troops Brigade gathering in northwest Arkansas under the direction of BG Nathan Pearce, joined McCulloch's Brigade along the border of the Indian Territory and in the southwestern Missouri campaign culminating in the Battle of Wilson's Creek on August 19, 1861. Regimental strength at Wilson's Creek: 500 men. Returned to Fort Smith and mustered out in September, 1861.
Officers: Col. Jonathan R. Gratiot; Lt. Col David Provence; Maj. H. Ward
Also Known As: Gratiot's 3rd Arkansas Infantry Regiment; Gratiot's Infantry Regiment
Organized with five companies at Little Rock on November 10, 1861 and assigned to the defenses of Columbus, KY and subsequently to Island No. 10 near New Madrid, Missouri. Company D was detached at Island No. 10, given charge of a battery of heavy guns and reorganized as Company H, 1st Tennessee Heavy Artillery. Company D was captured at the fall of Island No. 10 on Apr. 6-7, 1862, and exchanged later that summer, where they manned the water batteries at Vicksburg with the rest of the 10th Tennessee Artillery, and were surrendered again with the Vicksburg garrison after the siege of that place. The remainder of the battalion was stationed at Tiptonville at the time and managed to escape by wading through the river's overflow to the transport Jeff Davis, on which they floated in the dark down to Fort Pillow, TN. At Corinth, the battalion was reorganized under Maj. T.F. Murff, and participated in the Corinth Campaign from April through June of that year. Participated in battles of Richmond, KY in August 1862. In December, 1862, reassigned to McNair's Brigade, McCown's Division where it fought in the battles of Stones River (Dec. 31, 1862-Jan 3, 1863), the siege of Jackson MS in July, 1863; Chickamauga (Sep 19-20, 1863); Siege of Chattanooga (Sep.-Nov. 1863); the Atlanta Campaign, Dug Gap, Resaca, New Hope Church, Kennesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Ezra Church, the siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro, and Lovejoy's Station. Consolidated with the 4th and 34th Arkansas Infantry in the summer of 1863. Reassigned to D.H. Hill's Brigade for Hood's Tennessee Campaign where it fought at Spring Hill, Franklin, and Nashville. Engaged in the Carolinas Campaign in early 1865, and at the last battle of the Army of Tennessee at Bentonville on March 19-21, 1865. Survivors were apparently consolidated along with those of the 4th, 9th, and 25th Arkansas Infantry and the 1st and 2nd Arkansas Mounted Rifles regiments and renamed as the 1st Mounted Rifles Consolidated Regiment at Smithfield, NC on April 9th, 1865. Surrendered two weeks later with LTG JoeJohnston's Army of Tennessee near Durham, North Carolina.
Officers: Lt. Col. Francis A. Terry; Maj. John McKay; Maj. Jesse A. Ross
Organized and mustered into Confederate service under the command of Colonel Evander McNair at Miller's Springs, Lawrence County, MO on August 17, 1861; an 11th, unlettered company was mustered in on November 11, 1861 and which was later detached to become Company H of the 16th Arkansas Infantry on December 4, 1861. Co. A was the "Calhoun Escopets"; Co. B the "Hempstead Hornets"; Co. C the "Caddo Rifles"; Co. D was the "Bright Star Rifles"; Co. E the "Confederate Guards"; Co. F the "Montgomery Hunters"; Co. G the "Pike County Blues"; Co. H, the "Polk County Invincibles".
the 4th Arkansas was assigned to McCulloch's Brigade in northwest Arkansas in late August, 1861. Served in the Indian Territory, September-October 1861. Reassigned to McIntosh's Brigade, McCulloch's Division of Van Dorn's Army of the West in February, 1862. Fought at Leetown battlefield at Pea Ridge on March 7-8, 1862. Reconsolidated at Van Buren, Arkansas, then marched overland to Des Arc where the regiment was transported by steamboat to Memphis in an attempt to unite the Army of the West with the Confederate Army of Mississippi to attack Grant at Pittsburgh Landing TN, but arrived too late for the Battle of Shiloh. Reorganized at Corinth, MS on May 8, 1862. Served in Price's Division, Army of the West in the Corinth Campaign in May-June, 1862, then participated in battles of Richmond, and Perryville KY in August and October of 1862, respectively. In December, 1862, reassigned to McNair's Brigade, McCown's Division where it fought in the battles of Stones River (Dec. 31, 1862-Jan 3, 1863), the siege of Jackson MS in July, 1863; Chickamauga (Sep 19-20, 1863); Siege of Chattanooga (Sep.-Nov. 1863); the Atlanta Campaign, Dug Gap, Resaca, New Hope Church, Kennesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Ezra Church, the siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro, and Lovejoy's Station. Consolidated with the 4th and 34th Arkansas Infantry in the summer of 1863. Reassigned to D.H. Hill's Brigade for Hood's Tennessee Campaign where it fought at Spring Hill, Franklin, Nashville, and Sugar Creek. Engaged in the Carolinas Campaign in early 1865, and at the last battles of the Army of Tennessee at Avarasboro and Bentonville on March 19-21, 1865. Survivors were apparently consolidated along with those of the 4th Infantry Battalion, 9th, and 25th Arkansas Infantry regiments and the 1st and 2nd Arkansas Mounted Rifles regiments and renamed as the 1st Mounted Rifles Consolidated Regiment at Smithfield, NC on April 9th, 1865. Surrendered two weeks later with LTG Joe Johnston's Army of Tennessee near Durham, North Carolina.
Officers: Col. Evander McNair. Field Officers: Lt. Col. (later Col.) Henry G. Bunn, Maj. (later Lt. Col) James H. May, Maj. Joseph B. McCulloch, Lt. Col. Samuel Ogden
References: Washington L. Gammage, The Camp, the Bivouac, and the Battlefield, Being a History of the Fourth Arkansas Regiment, from its First Organization Down to the Present Date; John W. Lavender, They Never Came Back: the Story of Company "F", Fourth Arkansas Infantry
Organized in June, 1861. Assigned to the Arkansas State Troops Brigade gathering in northwest Arkansas under the direction of BG Nathan Pearce, joined McCulloch's Brigade along the border of the Indian Territory and in the southwestern Missouri campaign culminating in the Battle of Wilson's Creek on August 10, 1861. Regimental strength at Wilson's Creek: 550 men. Returned to Fort Smith and mustered out in September, 1861.
Officers: Col. James D. Walker
Organized for one year's state service at Gainesville on June 28, 1861, and transferred to Confederate service on July 17, 1861 at Pocahontas, assigned to Hardee's Division. Moved through Pittman's Ferry to Kentucky where Hardee's Division became the Army of Central Kentucky. Assigned to Hindman's (later Liddell's) brigade, Army of Mississippi in March, 1862 where it performed rear area security duties near Corinth during the Battle of Shiloh on Apr. 6-7 and in the defensive works surrounding Corinth and the campaign in that vicinity from April through June of that year. Participated in battles of Perryville, KY in October of 1862. In December, 1862, reassigned to Cleburne's Division where it fought in the battles of Stones River (Dec. 31, 1862-Jan 3, 1863), Tullahoma Campaign in June, 1863; Liberty Gap (June 24-26, 1863), Chickamauga (Sep 19-20, 1863); Siege of Chattanooga (Sep.-Nov. 1863); Battle of Chattanooga, Ringgold Gap, Dalton, Resaca, the Atlanta Campaign, New Hope Church, Kennesaw Mountain, Atlanta, and the siege of Atlanta. Consolidated with the 15th Arkansas Infantry in the spring of 1864. Regiment and colors were captured at Jonesboro, Georgia on Sept. 1, 1864, and exchanged approximately 1 month later. Rejoined Cleburne's Division for Hood's Tennessee Campaign where it fought at Spring Hill, Franklin, and Nashville. Engaged in the Carolinas Campaign in early 1865, and at the last battle of the Army of Tennessee at Bentonville on March 19-21, 1865. Survivors were consolidated along with those of the 1st, 2nd, 6th, 7th, 8th, 13th, 15th, 19th (Dawson's) and 24th Arkansas Infantry and the 3rd Confederate Regiment (formerly Marmaduke's 18th Arkansas Infantry) to form the 1st Infantry Regiment (Consolidated) at Smithfield, NC on April 9th, 1865. Surrendered two weeks later with LTG Joe Johnston's Army of Tennessee near Durham, North Carolina.
Officers: Col. David C. Cross Field Officers: Maj. T.W. Ellsberry, Col. Lucious Featherton, Maj (later Lt.Col. and Col.) Peter V. Green, Lt. Col. E.A. Howell, Lt. Col. (later Col.) John E. Murray, Maj. Riddick Pope, Lt. Col. Benjamin F. Sweeney
References: Floyd R. Barnhill, Sr.; The Fighting Fifth. Pat Cleburne's Cutting Edge: the Fifth Arkansas Infantry Regiment, C.S.A (privately published) (1990)
Organized with five companies in June, 1861 under the command of Colonel Thomas P. Dockery of Lamartine in Magnolia County. Lt. Col. Joseph Neal was deputy regimental commander. Company commanders were Co. A, Cpt. Whallings; Co. B, Cpt. Dismukes; Co. C, Cpt. Lawrence; Co. D, Cpt. Dowd, and Co. E, Cpt. Titsworth. Assigned to the Arkansas State Troops Brigade gathering in northwest Arkansas under the direction of BG Nathan Pearce, joined McCulloch's Brigade along the border of the Indian Territory and in the southwestern Missouri campaign culminating in the Battle of Wilson's Creek on August 19, 1861. Regimental strength at Wilson's Creek: 650 men. Returned to Fort Smith and mustered out in September, 1861. Most former members of the 5th State Troops subsequently re-enlisted in Dawson's Infantry regiment.
The 6th Arkansas Infantry Regiment was organized at Little Rock on June 10, 1861 with the election of Col. Richard Lyon as Colonel, A.T. Hawthorn as Lt. Col., and D.L. Kilgore as Major. C.A. Bridewell was appointed adjutant and John F. Ritchie as adjutant. Company commanders were Co.A, the "Capital Guards" of Little Rock, Cpt. Gordon N. Peay; Co. B, the "Dallas Volunteer Rifles" of Calhoun county, Cpt. P.H. Echols; Co. C, the "Dallas Rifles", Cpt. F.J. Cameron; Co. D, the "Ouachita Voyageurs" of Ouachita county, Cpt. J.W. Kingswell; Co. E, the "Dixie Grays" of Arkansas county, Cpt. Sam G. Smith; Co. F, the "Lafayette Guards"of Lafayette county, Cpt. Sam H. Dill; Co. G, the "Columbia Guards" of Magnolia county, Cpt. J.W. Austin; Co. H, the "City Guards"of Camden, Cpt. S.H. Southerland; Co. I, the "Lisbon Invincibles" of Union county, Cpt. Sam Turner; and Co. K, the "Ouachita Grays" of Ouachita county, Cpt. Hope T. Hodnett.
After the organization, the regiment marched on June 19th overland to Pocahontas. Measles broke out in camp, and a great many died here. In September, 1861, the regiment was transferred to Confederate service in the brigade (consisting of the 2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th Arkansas Infantry regiments) commanded by Brig. Gen. William J. Hardee. Company B, as well as a number of individual soldiers from the other companies, declined to enlist for Confederate service here, and were released. After a raid into Missouri, the 6th Arkansas returned to camp at Pittman's Ferry, on Current River. The latter part of September, 1861, the brigade was moved to southeast Missouri, and thence by boat to Columbus, KY, arriving on October 3. From there, it was sent to Cave City, Barren county, KY, where it spent the winter of 1861. While camped at Cave City, the 6th Arkansas smelled its first powder, and a deep companionship with Terry’s Texas Rangers and Swett’s Mississippi Battery was formed in a skirmish with a Union patrol. Colonel Lyon was killed in an accident on October 10, 1861, while supervising the crossing of the regiment over the Tennessee River, when his horse fell over a precipice with him. Lt. Col. Alexander T. Hawthorn succeeded to Colonel in his place. On December 17th, the 6th Arkansas supported the 8th Texas Cavalry (Terry’s Texas Rangers) and Swett’s Mississippi Battery in a skirmish at Woodsonville, KY, when Colonel Terry was killed. The regiment occupied this advanced position until the fall of Fort Donelson, when it moved with the remainder of the army to Corinth, Mississippi under General Albert Sydney Johnston. BG Hardee having been promoted to Major General, Col. T.C. Hindman of the 2nd Arkansas was promoted to brigadier general and the brigade command until he was promoted to major general, and Col. R.G. Shaver was appointed as his successor. Col. Shaver commanded the brigade gallantly at the vicious battle of Shiloh, General Hindman commanding the division. When Corinth was evacuated, the brigade retreated to Tupelo, MS where it remained until July, 1862. Then the 6th Arkansas was sent to Chattanooga, TN, with General Bragg, and from there on to the Kentucky campaign. It was present when 4,500 Federals surrendered at Munfordville, KY, and was in the line at Perryville, when Adjutant Sampson Harris, of Company A, was mortally wounded. Sergeant W.W. Carter of Company A was promoted to lieutenant and succeeded Harris as adjutant. Before the regiment had left Corinth, approximately 200 men of the 12th Arkansas which had escaped from Island No. 10 were organized into two companies and attached to the 6th Arkansas. In December, at Shelbyville, TN, these two companies were returned to their own regiment as the 12th Arkansas had been exchanged by that time. Casualties at the battle of Perryville had already weakened the regiment, as well as decimating the 7th Arkansas, so the 6th and 7th Arkansas regiments were consolidated into one unit on December 15, 1862. The regiment was heavily engaged at the battle of Murfreesboro, TN (Stones River) on December 31, 1862, through January 2, 1863; and in the spring advanced to Bellbuckle, where it remained until June 24, 1863, when it was hastily ordered to the front to Liberty Gap, where it found and reinforced the 5th Arkansas in dealing with a large Union force. It retreated from middle Tennessee to south of the Tennessee River, and went into camp at Chickamauga Station, a few miles south of Chattanooga, and remained there until about the 1st of September, when Bragg began maneuvering for the battle of Chickamauga. The regiment was engaged, actually, or in line of battle, all through the Georgia campaign , at Tunnel Hill, the Atlanta Campaign and the defenses of Atlanta where they, along with the rest of Govan's Brigade, were captured en masse near Jonesboro, GA. They were exchanged three weeks later, and rejoined the Army of Tennessee at Palmetto, GA. and were at the battles of Spring Hill, Franklin, and Nashville, TN. The survivors were consolidated into a single regiment, the 3rd Confederate Infantry Regiment, Consolidated, containing the survivors of the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 13th, 15th, Dawson's 19th, and 24th Arkansas and the 3rd Confederate Infantry at the last reorganization of the Army of Tennessee at Smithfield, NC on April 9, 1865, only to be surrendered with General Johnston's army near Greensboro, NC on April 26, 1865. Of the nearly 1000 men mustered with the regiment, only about 150 remained with the colors at the surrender.
Officers: Col Richard Lyon. Field Officers: Lt.Col (later Col.) Alexander T. Hawthorn, Maj. F. J. Cameron, Maj. William F. Douglas, Maj. J.B. Gordon, Maj. Dawson L. Kilgore, Lt. Col. Gordon N. Peay, Maj. (later Lt. Col. and Col.) Samuel G. Smith.
References: Calvin L. Collier, First In - Last Out: The Capitol Guards, Arkansas Brigade (Unit history and muster rolls for Company A.)
Organized on June 16, 1861 at Smithfield, Lawrence County, and mustered into Confederate service on July 26, 1861 at Camp Shaver, near Pocahontas with an initial strength of over 1200 troops. Gen. W. J. Hardee made the 7th the nucleus of his brigade consisting of the 3rd Confederate (formerly Marmaduke's 18th Arkansas), and the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th Arkansas infantry regiments, McCarver's regiment, and McCann's battery of artillery The regimental staff and company commanders of the 7th Arkansas were: Col. Robert G. Shaver; Lt. Col. William R. Cain, Maj. James T. Martin. John M. Dean was appointed Adjutant, H.C. Tunsell quartermaster, Commissary John S. Shaver, Br. Bohannon, surgeon, Dr. Hoadley, assistant surgeon. The company officers at the time of organization were: Co. A, Cpt. John C. McCauley , of White county; Co. B, Cpt. George B. Orme, of Jackson county; Co. C, Cpt. James T. Martin, of Randolph county who was elected major of the regiment and was replaced as captain by his brother, J.H. Martin); Co. D, Cpt. Deason, of Izard county; Co. E, Cpt. M. Van Shaver, of Fulton county; Co. F, Cpt. (Rev.) John H. Dye, of White county; Co. G, Cpt. C.C. Straughan of Lawrence county; Co. H, Cpt. James F. Archer of Marion county; Co. I, Cpt Mellon, of Randolph county; Co. K, the "Arkansas Guards", Cpt Brightwell, of Independence county. Lt. Col. Cain resigned at Camp Shaver because of failing health, and was replaced by John M. Dean as lieutenant colonel and Jack Horne as adjutant. Commissary Shaver resigned at about the same time, and John D. Sprigg replaced him.
The regiment remained in State service about six weeks, when General Hardee was ordered to make transfer of the State regiments into Confederate service. In making these transfers, nearly all the regiments lost the equivalent of a company in those men who declined to re-enlist for confederate service and were subsequently discharged. The 7th Arkansas transferred with the loss of only 17 men who refused to re-enlist as "Confederate troops". Cpts. C.C. Straughan of Co. G, and Cpt. James F. Archer of Co. H retired, and were replaced by Cpt. Warner and Cpt. Blackburn, respectively. The 7th Arkansas was ordered to Pittman's Ferry, where it was drilled and disciplined by General Hardee in person until the last of August, when Hardee's brigade marched by land to Point Pleasant, MO on the Missouri River, and then traveled by steamboat to the Confederate stronghold at Columbus, KY. From Columbus the brigade moved to Bowling Green, KY, in October, where it was assigned to the division commanded by General Simon B. Buckner. Here, Col. Shaver was appointed to command a newly-formed brigade made up of the 7th and 8th Arkansas regiments, the 19th Tennessee, and a battalion of the 9th Arkansas. Shaver's Brigade remained at Bowling Green until February, 1862, when that place was evacuated. Shaver's brigade guarded the Confederate rear during this retreat, being shelled by the artillery of Buell's advance while the last trains of stores were being loaded. On leaving, Col. Shaver, by order of Gen. Hardee, burned the depot and took down the telegraph wires. It was during the worst month in that climate, with rain and snow and the thermometer at night below zero, when this retreat was made. The 7th was caused to stand at arms all night by a report that a large force of Buell's army was coming on its heels, which turned out to be Helm's Kentucky cavalry coming in his rear by an unexpected order of march. General A.S. Johnston, at Nashville, sent a message to Colonel Shaver that the enemy's cavalry was advancing on his rear. This was made known to General Wood, of Alabama, who had taken command of the brigade during the retreat. General Wood refused to wait for the rear guard, and for this reason Colonel Shaver applied for and secured a transfer of the 7th to Hindman's brigade.
The regiment reached Nashville ten days after the fall of Fort Donelson, and went there to Murfreesboro, where the remnants of Zollicoffer's command had gone into camp after the battle of Fishing Creek. From Murfreesboro the 7th went to Decatur and thence to Courtland, Alabama, and went into camp at Corinth, Mississippi to await the concentration of the Confederate armies to meet the federal advance through Tennessee. Then followed the battle of Shiloh, where Shaver commanded the brigade under General Hindman. The 7th Arkansas acquitted itself valiantly at Shiloh, suffering high casualties and being dubbed "the Bloody 7th" by General Hardee. The regiment returned to Corinth after the Confederate repulse at Shiloh, where it rested and refitted and participated in the defense of that railroad junction from April to June, 1862. Upon Bragg's assumption of command of the Army of Mississippi, the army moved out again in a campaign intended to regain lost ground in Kentucky. The 7th fought there at Perryville on October 8, 1862, but suffered such high casualties in the attack there that it was subsequently consolidated with the 6th Arkansas Infantry, with whom it continued to serve with the Army of Tennessee for the remainder of the war.
Officers: Col. Robert G. Shaver. Field Officers: Lt.Col. William R. Cain; Maj. (later Lt. Col.) John M. Dean; Col. D.A. Gillespie; Maj. J.A. Hill; Maj. James T. Martin; Maj. J.C. Macauley; Lt. Col. J. Rutherford; Lt. Col. (later Col.) Peter Snyder
Organized with seven companies early in 1862 and assigned to Van Dorn's Army of the West in April, 1862. Moved with the Army of the West from Van Buren to Corinth, MS. Reassigned to Cabell's Brigade in Price's Corps in October, 1862 where it fought throughout the Corinth Campaign and in the Battle of Corinth on October 3-4, 1862. Served in Bowen's Division, in Price's Army of North Mississippi from October to the end of December, 1862, opposing Grant's overland campaign against Vicksburg. Assigned to Beall's Brigade in the Dept. of Mississippi and East Louisiana in January, 1863, where they defended Port Hudson during the May-July 1863 siege, Surrendered at Port Hudson, LA on July 8, 1863. The survivors of the battalion were paroled at Port Hudson later that month; but the battalion was never reformed, its men returning home or joining other units.
Officers: Lt. Col. Bart Jones Field Officers: Maj. John Miller; Maj. M.R. Wilson
Also Known As: Jones' 1st Arkansas Infantry Battalion
The 8th Arkansas Volunteer Infantry Regiment was organized under state service at Camp Price, near Jacksonport (just south of present-day Newport, AR) on July 13, 1861. Companies of the 8th Ark. mustered in at Camp Price, Oil Trough, West Point, and Pocahontas. The 8th Arkansas was mustered into Confederate service for a period of 12 months (later extended "for the war") on September 10, 1861.
The Regiment's first commander was Colonel William K. Patterson. Field Officers were Major (later Lt. Col. and Col.) George F. Baucum, Lt. Col. H.M. Couch, Col. John H. Kelly, Major John A. Price, Major (later Lt. Col.) Anderson Watkins, Lt. Col James H. Wilson, and Major W.P. Witt.
Following organization, the 8th Arkansas marched to Pocahontas where it was sworn into Confederate service under the command of General Hardee. In October, 1861 Hardee took his division, including the 8th Ark., across the Mississippi River into Kentucky, where they served on occupation duty until the Confederates were forced to evacuate that state after the fall of Forts Henry and Donelson in February, 1862. Hardee moved to Nashville, then retreated south to Corinth, Mississippi later in March.
The 8th Arkansas's first taste of battle was a big bite, when they were thrown into the Battle of Shiloh on April 6-7 as part of Wood's Brigade in Hardee's Corps, as part of the Confederate right wing in that battle, entering the early part of the battle at Fraley's Field, then the desperate fight to reduce the "hornet's nest", and finally rolling up against Grant's Last Line just before dark. The 8th suffered heavily at Shiloh, losing more than half its strength.
Following the repulse at Shiloh, the 8th served in the early part of the Corinth campaign, then went with Bragg as a part of Liddell's Brigade (what would soon be come as the Army of Tennessee's "Arkansas Brigade" of Pat Cleburne's Division to invade Kentucky once again, fighting and losing heavily again at Perryville and at Stone's River. After Stone's River, the 8th Ark. was so reduced in manpower that it was combined with the 19th Arkansas in order to maintain some semblance of combat power. They were engaged in the Tullahoma (TN) campaign, and fought at Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Ringgold Gap, the Atlanta Campaign, Dalton, GA; Resaca, New Hope Church, Kennesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, the Atlanta campaign and siege thereof, were captured at Jonesboro, and paroled just in time for the disastrous campaign at Franklin and Nashville, TN. They returned to the Carolinas under Gen'l Joe Johnston where they attempted to fight off Sherman's advance on Richmond from the rear, and in the final battle of the western Confederate army at Bentonville. Less than a hundred survivors were still with the colors when they surrendered with the Army of Tennessee on April 26, 1865 near Durham, North Carolina.