Organized in January, 1862 by grouping four companies from McCarver's 14th Arkansas Infantry in January, 1862. Assigned with Wood's Brigade, Hardee's Division in Kentucky from January to March, 1862. Fought at Shiloh with Wood's Brigade on Apr 6-7, 1862. Casualties at Shiloh caused the battalion to be consolidated into two companies on May 6, 1862, whereupon it was further consolidated to become the new Company F and G of the 8th Arkansas Infantry Regiment.
Officers: Maj. John H. Kelly
The 9th Regiment, Arkansas Volunteer Infantry, was organized at Pine Bluff on July 20, 1861, and taken into state service at Pine Bluff on July 27. They marched to Pocahontas, Arkansas, later that month where they were mustered into Confederate service and assigned initially to Pillow's Division. Like all the other Arkansas regiments raised in the first wave of recruiting in 1861, they were taken into Confederate armies east of the Mississippi River, and only the few survivors made it back home after the war.
The 9th Arkansas was known as the "Parson's Regiment" because they included 42 ministers of the Gospel of all Protestant denominations among their ranks. The regimental commander was a preacher, as was the major and many of the company officers. Notwithstanding that it contained so many men of the cloth, it was a hard-fighting regiment and many of its officers, notably its last lieutenant colonel (Dunlop), were as intrepid and gallant as any knight of chivalry. Field officers were Colonel John M. Bradley, Major John C. Bratton, Lt. Col (later Col.) Isaac L. Dunlop, Lt. Cols. W.Y. McCammon, Reuben W. Millsaps, and Jefferson W. Rogers, and Majors R.M. Wallace and W.J. Wallace. The company commanders were: Co. A, the "Bradley Guards", of Jefferson county, Cpt. John M. Bradley; Co. B, the "Cut-Off Guards, of Drew county, Cpt. W.H. Isom.; Co. C, "Henry's Hornets", of Jefferson county, Cpt. Phillip G. Henry; Co. D, of Bradley county, Cpt. W.Y. McCammon; Co. E, of Bradley county, Cpt. John W. Blankenship; Co. F, the "Dixie Guards", of Drew county, Cpt. W.G. Haislip, Co. G, the "Arkansaw Travelers" of Union county, Cpt. Robert M. Wallace; Co. H, the "Hardee Guards" of Jefferson county, Cpt. James T. Anderson, Co I, "McCulloch's Guards" of Jefferson county, Cpt. George F. Bayne; Co. K, of Ashley county; Cpt. John F. Carr.
The regiment saw its first combat at the battle of Belmont, MO, and was subsequently retained at Bowling Green, KY for the defense of that post during the winter of 1861-1862. The regiment served in Shaver's Brigade, covering the retreat out of Kentucky to Corinth. It fought gallantly at Shiloh, charging repeatedly upon the "Hornet's Nest" where it lost Lt. Col. Dunlop. It was through this regiment that General A. Sidney Johnston rode from the rear to the front, with a tin cup he had appropriated earlier that morning, saying "Men of Arkansas, the enemy is stubborn. I want you to show General Beauregard and General Bragg what you can do with your bayonets and toothpicks!" The regiment went forward with a cheer and passed him at a run; in five minutes 130 men of their ranks were killed or wounded, but they did not falter. Lt. Duckworth was killed at the head of his company, and Cpt. Wallace was wounded. It closed up and disappeared into the thicket in front, followed by the whole Confederate line, and the enemy was silenced in twenty minutes. General Johnston, however, received a mortal wound while leading this charge, and shortly thereafter bled to death.
Following the Confederates' repulse at Shiloh, the 9th Arkansas returned to Corinth and participated in the Corinth Campaign, in the battles of Corinth, and Iuka, MS. They served at Coffeeville, and in the Vicksburg Campaign in the spring and summer of 1863, where they served briefly in the garrisons of Port Hudson, Louisiana, and Jackson, Mississippi, then fought in the battle of Champion Hill on May 15, 1863. The 9th served in Loring's Division at Champion Hill, and following that battle, Loring retreated north to join Joes Johnston's army near Jackson rather than being trapped with the rest of Pemberton's army in the Vicksburg defenses.
The 9th Arkansas served with Johnson's attempt to relieve Vicksburg, in the second battle of Jackson, in the Meridian (MS) campaign in Feb. to March, 1864; and the Atlanta Campaign at Resaca, New Hope Church, Kennesaw Mountain, Dug Gap, Peachtree Creek, Atlanta, Ezra Church, and the final siege of Atlanta, as well as follow-on action at Lovejoy's Station and Jonesboro, Georgia. Following the fall of Atlanta, the regiment participated in the Tennessee campaign that resulted in the battles of Franklin, and Nashville, TN.
They continued service with the Army of Tennessee to the close of the war, fighting at Sugar Creek on December 26, 1864, and in the Carolinas campaign in February to April, 1865, including the last big stand-up fight of the Tennessee Army at Bentonville on March 19-21, 1865.
The few remaining survivors of the 9th Arkansas were consolidated with the survivors of the 1st and 2nd Arkansas Mounted Rifles, the 4th and 25th Arkansas, and others as the "1st Mounted Rifles Regiment" (Dismounted, since they didn't have many horses left, either) in the last reorganization of the Army at Smithfield, North Carolina on April 9, 1865. Two weeks later, they were surrendered with the rest of the Army of Tennessee near Raleigh, North Carolina.
Also Known As: "The Parson's Regiment"... This regiment numbered 42 ministers of the Gospel among its members.
References: James Willis, Arkansas Confederates in the Western Theater (Regimental and Brigade history and complete, annotated muster rolls for the regiment.)
The Tenth Arkansas Infantry Regiment was organized at Springfield in Conway County in July 1861. This is where many volunteers from Van Buren County (southern Van Buren County later became Cleburne) were mustered into the Confederate Army. Company "A," known as the "Quitman Rifles," was headed by Captain A. R. Witt. Other officers were First Lt. W. W. Martin, Second Lt. C. M. Cargile, Third Lt. Israel Davis, and First Sergeant W. R. Corbin. The company had eight non-commissioned officers and 94 men in all.
Company "G" was called the "Red River Riflemen." Officers were Captain John B. Miller, First Lt. James E. Lockard, Second Lt. Henry J. Gatton, Third Lt. Edwin Ellis, and First Sergeant Daniel Johnson. This company with ten non-commissioned officers had 91 men.
Other companies in the regiment were the "Ready Rifles" of Company B; the "Choctaw Riflemen" of Company C from Conway County, the "Conway Invincibles of Company E; "Pemberton's Company," "Muddy Bayou Heroes" of Company F; the "Perry County Mountaineers" of Company H; the "Conway Tigers" of Company I; and "Springfield Sharpshooters" of Company K. Field and staff officers for the Tenth were Colonel Thomas D. Merrick, Lt. Col. S. S. Ford, Major Obed Patty, and Adjutant Robert C. Bertrand.
The Tenth Arkansas Regiment was assigned to General Bowen's Brigade, consisting of the Ninth and Tenth Arkansas, Fifth Missouri and Tenth Mississippi regiments before they were moved to Kentucky. They remained at Bowling Green until the evacuation of that place when they were placed to guard the rear on the retreat. They were then placed in Hardee's Corps and marched to Corinth. Here the Ninth Arkansas was put in Breckenridge's Reserve Corps and marched to Shiloh. The 10th Arkansas fought on the Confederate right flank at Shiloh on April 6, 1862, participating in the many vicious attacks against the "Hornet's Nest" which ultimately led to the surrender of Prentiss's division. The 10th's attack petered out around dark when they ran up against Grant's Last Line. At this same time, Confederate attacks were called off until the next day. In this battle they lost about 160 men.
After the Battle of Shiloh the regiment went back to Corinth, where they reorganized. Formal charges related to the disorganized condition of his regiment were brought against Col. Merrick. He resigned and on May 27, 1862 Captain A. R. Witt of Company "A," "The Quitman Rifles," was promoted to colonel and became commander of the regiment. Here their brigade was broken up and the regiments assigned to other brigades..
They were moved first back of Vicksburg, where they stayed some time on the Yazoo River, at Camp Price. Then they were moved to Vicksburg, where they stayed a short while. They were then with the Ninth Arkansas, placed in a brigade commanded by General Jeff Thompson and moved to Louisiana, 30 or 40 miles above New Orleans, where they spent the winter of 1862-63 guarding the New Orleans, Jackson and Great Northern Railway.
By the early spring of 1863 the Tenth Arkansas was first sent again to Baton Rouge where they were to prepare defenses against the approaching General Nathaniel Banks. This they did by felling large numbers of trees to block the roadways leading to Baton Rouge, digging trenches and mounting siege guns around the city.
By the first of March, 1863, the Tenth Arkansas Infantry was at Port Hudson, Louisiana above New Orleans and during March 7-27 they were in operations against Federal forces at Port Hudson. After a series of engagements and a siege lasting into July, 1863, the Tenth Arkansas Infantry surrendered to General Banks, a surrender that was apparently helped along by internal dissension within the regiment. Certain officers of the Tenth Arkansas seemingly were able to influence some enlisted men to desert and refuse to alternate duties with their fellow companies. By July 7, just two days before the regiment capitulated, there was practically open mutiny.
On July 9, 1863 the entire regiment surrendered and became prisoners of war. The men were paroled until exchanged, with the officers imprisoned at Johnson's Island, Ohio, in Lake Erie. The unit was eventually exchanged and returned to Arkansas. Col. A. R. Witt reorganized the unit, including some newly recruited members to form Witt's Cavalry.
John F. Walter in his Capsule History of Arkansas Military Units gives additional information on the Tenth Arkansas Infantry and Witt's Arkansas Cavalry.
The regiment participated in the following engagements during its career: Battle, Pittsburg Landing, Shiloh, Tenn. - April 6-7, 1862; Engagement, Baton Rouge, La. - Aug. 5, 1862; •Operations against expedition from Pass Manchac and Ponchatuoula, La. - Sept. 13-15, 1862; Skirmish, Bayou Bonfonca, La. - Nov. 21, 1862; Operations against Port Hudson, La. Mar. 7-27, 1863; Action, Plain's Store, La. May 21, 1863; Siege, Port Hudson, La. May 24-July 9, 1863; Assault, Port Hudson, La. - May 27, 1863; Assault, Port Hudson, La. - June 14, 1863; Surrender, Port Hudson, La. - July 9, 1863
At its organization the Tenth Arkansas Infantry numbered 1000 men; yet at the close of the war there were fewer than 200 men surviving.
The 11th Arkansas Infantry was organized with eight companies (approximately 700 men) at Benton, in Saline County, Arkansas in July, 1861. Jabez M. Smith, of Benton, was elected Colonel, Mark Miller, Lt. Col., James T. Poe, major, Moses Waters, adjutant, and W.A. Moss, sergeant major. Company commanders were Co. A, the "Saline Tornadoes" of Saline County, Cpt. M. Vance; Co. B, the "Rough and Ready Riflemen" of Saline County, Cpt. J. Douglas; Co. C, from Saline and Hot Spring counties, Cpt. J. Sanders; Co. D, the "Fairplay Riflemen" of Saline county, Cpt. Z. Philips; Co. E, the "Falcon Guards" of Columbia and Hempstead counties, Cpt J. Moss; Co. F, the "Saline Avengers" of Saline county, Cpt. L. Mauney; Co. G, the "Camden Knights" of Ouachita county, Cpt. J. Logan; and Co. H, from Columbia County, Cpt. J. Matthews. Company I, from Saline, Hot Spring, and Pulaski counties under Cpt. Anderson Cunningham and Co. K, from Saline county under Cpt. J.G. Johnson, joined the regiment at Memphis, TN, and Island No. 10, respectively.
The regiment was ordered to Fort Pillow, TN, in November, 1861, was brigaded with the 12th Arkansas, commanded by Col. E.W. Gantt; and was stationed at Island No. 10 near Tiptonville, TN on the Mississippi River. The regiment was transferred back and forth from Island No. 10 to New Madrid, MO at the whim of General Gideon Pillow. Island No. 10 was surrendered on April 15, 1862 after a terrific bombardment by Union mortar boats and gunboats, aided by a rise of the river's water level which nearly submerged the island. The Confederate defenses at Island No. 10 consisted of dissolving earthworks and twenty cannon. Maj. W.J. Hoadley, of Little Rock, having served his guns with great bravery, spiked them and escaped with one section of the regiment. The others were included in the surrender, and were transported to prison camps at Camp Butler (near Springfield, IL) and then to Camp Chase (Chicago), the officers were sent to Johnson's Island near Lake Erie. Lieutenant Gibson, of Co. H, was shot dead at Johnson's Island by a federal sentry because he crossed the camp's "dead line". The 11th and 12th Arkansas were exchanged at Vicksburg, Mississippi on September 16, 1862, and were subsequently reorganized at Jackson, MS in October of that year. Their year's enlistment expiring at this time, the regiment re-enlisted and reorganized, electing Col. John L. Logan; Lt. Col. M.D, Vance, Maj. James T. Poe, Adjutant Edward A. Warren, Quartermaster E. Whitfield, Commissary Clark, Surgeon James Whitfield. Co. A, Cpt. Jasper Shepherd, Co. B Cpt. Claiborne Watkins; Co. C, Cpt. James D. Burke; Co. D, Cpt. A.A. Crawford; Co. E, Cpt. W.R. Selfridge; Co. F, Cpt L.H. Kemp; Co. G, Cpt. Frank Scott; Co. H, Cpt. Matthews, Co. I, Cpt. W.F. Morton; Co. K, Cpt. Anderson Cunningham. Col. Jabez Smith was as brave and pure as General Lee, but declined re-election. He returned to the Trans-Mississippi district for new duties.
The regiment was ordered to the lower Mississippi, where it was consolidated with the 17th Arkansas Infantry under Col. John Griffith and reorganized as a mounted rifle regiment. Griffith's "11th/17th Arkansas" was then dispatched to Clinton, Mississippi to head off the cavalry raid of Union General Benjamin Grierson, but failed to catch him before Grierson rejoined the Union lines near Baton Rouge. Then, still under the command of Col Griffith, they operated outside of the fortifications of Port Hudson, LA during the siege of that place in March, 1863. This detachment operated against the army of General Banks in Louisiana, and took a number of prisoners, among them General Neil Dow. Colonel Logan, of the 11th, was second in command of the detachment which captured General Dow.
After the fall of Port Hudson in July, 1863, the greater part of the regiment remained in Mississippi, where they fought in several small engagements against the Federals. A squad of the 17th, under Maj. B.B. Chisom captured a Federal gunboat on the Yazoo River. They had a sanguinary encounter with Federal cavalry at Keller's Lane, June 23, 1863 in which Lieutenant DeVaughn was wounded and maimed for life. Their services were of inestimable value in protecting citizens from the devastation wrought wherever the Yankees were left undisturbed to roam over the country between the fortified posts.
References: Anthony C. Rushing, Ranks of Honor: A Regimental History of the Eleventh Arkansas Infantry Regiment and Poe's Cavalry Battalion, C.S.A., 1861-1865. (Complete unit history and muster rolls)
Organized in January, 1863 by consolidating the survivors of the 11th Arkansas and Rector's-Griffith's 17th Arkansas Infantry under the command of Colonel John Logan. After Logan was promoted to brigade command, Colonel John Griffith assumed command. The 11th/17th was then assigned to Logan's Cavalry Brigade in the Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana. Reorganized as a mounted rifles unit in May, 1863. Mounted detachment was assigned to pursue Union General Ben Grierson's cavalry raid through Mississippi in April and May of 1863; a dismounted detachment of the soldiers whose mounts had died or been otherwise lost joined the garrison of Port Hudson, LA until they could obtain remounts. The dismounted detachment was subsequently besieged there, surrendering with the Port Hudson garrison on July 9, 1863, and paroled later that month. Furloughed in September, 1863. Assigned to Adams' Cavalry Brigade from Novenber, 1863 to August, 1864. Participated in minor battles near Natchez, in the Meridian (MS) campaign, and at Concord Church, MS. Elements of the 11th/17th served as cavalry with Churchill's Division in Arkansas in August and September 1864, and with Wharton's 1st Texas Cavalry Division from September 1864 through the end of the war. Surrendered with General Kirby Smith in the Trans-Mississippi on May 26, 1865.
Organized at Corinth, Mississippi in June, 1862, with four companies - each one composed of men handpicked for their marksmanship abilities from the 18th, Dockery's 19th, 20th, and Craven's 21st Arkansas Infantry regiments. Commanded by Major William F. Rapley, the battalion served with distinction in Hebert's Brigade at the battle of Corinth on October 3-4, 1862, and at Hatchie Bridge during the retreat from Corinth, and subsequently throughout the Vicksburg campaign in the fall of 1862 through the summer of 1863. The battalion was employed to oppose the federal Steele's Bayou Expedition on March 14-27, 1863 and at Rolling Fork on March 20; and subsequently fought at Grand Gulf (April 29), Port Gibson (May 1), Champion Hill (May 16), Big Black River (May 17), and was besieged with the Vicksburg garrison during the 45-day siege of that strongpoint from May 20 until July 4, 1863. Surrendered with the Vicksburg garrison on July 4, 1863 and was paroled at that place later that month. Survivors of the battalion returned home to Arkansas, where many of them reformed their old unit under Brig. Gen. James F. Fagan's Cavalry Division , fighting in the Camden Expedition and at the battle of Marks' Mill. There is little or no record of the unit's activity after this point.
The 12th Arkansas Infantry Regiment was raised and organized at Arkadelphia, in Clark county, under a commission granted to Edward W. Gantt, the recently-resigned U.S. Representative for the 2nd District of Arkansas. The regiment was deployed east of the Mississippi River and saw its first service in the garrison of Fort Donelson, TN, on the Cumberland River. The regiment was engaged in the battle of Fort Donelson on February 16-18, 1862, and was surrendered with the garrison of that post. While Col. Gantt was confined as a prisoner at Fort Warren, the 12th Arkansas was exchanged and reorganized at Jackson, MS. Col. T.J. Reid, Lt. Col. Ed C. Jordan, Maj John S. Walker, Adjutant W.L. Hemingway, and Quartermaster C.H. Jonas were elected as the regimental officers in this second reorganization. There were too few men to bring the regiment up to effective strength, so the officers were granted leave to return to Arkansas to recruit replacements, while the enlisted men were temporarily attached to the 11th Arkansas under Col. Logan. When the officers returned to the regiment, the added recruits brought the regiment's strength up to approximately 500 men in the ranks. The company officers in this new organization were: Co. A, Cpt. N.W. Stewart; Co.B, Cpt. W.P. Donnell; Co. C, Cpt. H.L.W. Johnson; Co. D, Cpt. W.P. Linzee; Co. E, Cpt. W.F. Glasgow, Co. F, Cpt. J.C. Bowen; Co. G, Cpt. A.E. Doggett; Co. H, Cpt. J.E. Inge; Co. I, Cpt. J. Archer; Co. K, Cpt. J.B. Davis.
Colonel Gantt, upon his exchange, was placed in command of an Arkansas brigade consisting of his old regiment, the 12th Arkansas, and assigned to the garrison of Island No. 10 near New Madrid, MO. On the fall of that strongpoint on April 9, 1862, many of the regiment found themselves again prisoners of war. Two companies managed to escape through the overflowed river to the Tennessee shore, and were attached to the 6th Arkansas Infantry until the 12th was once again exchanged and reorganized. Though the surrender of Island No. 10 was inevitable, there was severe criticism of Colonel Gantt's performance, and he was not offered another command. He felt that his promotion to brigadier general was being held up, and so aggrieved, he left the Confederate army, went North, and made speeches in favor of the Union.
The 12th Arkansas held fast to the Southern cause, even though it still contained many friends and relatives of its old commander. Exchanged and reorganized again at Jackson, MS on October 2, 1862, the regiment was assigned to Beall's Brigade in the District of Mississippi and East Louisiana, where they served in the garrison and defense of Port Hudson, LA, enduring the siege and ultimate surrender of that place in July, 1863. Lt. Col. Jordan was killed by a shell on the ramparts of Port Hudson during this 49-day siege. Adjutant Hemingway, Cpt. H.L.W. Johnson, and many others were killed at Port Hudson as well. Following the surrender of Port Hudson, the noncommissioned officers and the enlisted men were again paroled, but the regiment's officers were sent to prison camp at Johnson's Island. The 12th Arkansas was never reformed after Port Hudson, its soldiers drifting home to re-enlist or be conscripted into other units, its officers in a POW camp.
Enlisted at Harrisburg, and organized for one year's state service at Gainesville on June 29, 1861 under the command of Colonel (later Brigadier General) James F. Tappan., and transferred to Confederate service on July 17, 1861 at Pocahontas. Field Officers were Lt. Col. A.R. Brown and Major Robert A. Duncan. Moved through Pittman's Ferry to Kentucky where Hardee's Division became the Army of Central Kentucky. Assigned to Travis' Brigade, Pillow's Division, where it fought it the battle of Belmont, MO on November 7, 1861. Col Tappan was promoted to the brigade command in March, 1862, and led it in the Battle of Shiloh on Apr. 6-7 and in the Corinth Campaign from April through June of that year. Company K of the 7th Kentucky Infantry was assigned to the regiment as a second "Company E" on April 13, 1862. The regiment re-enlisted and reorganized for a period of two years or the duration of the War on April 29, 1862. Following the evacuation of Corinth, moved to Tupelo, MS, and thence to Chattanooga, TN under General Bragg for his 1862 Kentucky campaign. Participated in battles of Richmond (August 29-30) and Perryville, KY on October 8, 1862. In December, 1862, reassigned to Cleburne's Brigade (later Liddell's Arkansas Brigade of 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 early in 1863, and additionally with the 5th Arkansas Infantry in August, 1863. 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, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 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: Colonel (later Brigadier General) James C. Tappan. Field Officers: Lt. Col. A.R. Brown, Maj. (later Lt. Col.) Robert A. Duncan, Lt. Col. A.D. Grayson, Maj. E.A. Howell, Maj. George B. Hunt, Maj. (later Lt. Col.) James A. McNeely, and Lt. Col. James A. Pollard.
Organized and mustered into Confederate service for 12 months at Pocahontas on September 23, 1861 under the command of Col. John S. McCarver, Lt. Col. Samuel J. Mason, and Major John H. Kelly. Companies A, B, E, and H were detached from the regiment under Major Kelly's command and designated as the 9th Arkansas Infantry Battalion in January, 1862. The remainder of the regiment was then often referred to as the 18th Arkansas Infantry Battalion. Assigned to Rust's Brigade, Jone's Division, in Earl Van Dorn's Army of the West, where it served in the Corinth Campaign from April to June, 1862. The remaining six companies were consolidated into four on May 14, 1862, and were subsequently consolidated with the 17th (Lemoyne's) Arkansas Infantry on May 14, 1862, and the new organization renamed as the 21st Arkansas Infantry Regiment.
Also Known As: 9th (McCarver's) Arkansas Infantry; 18th Arkansas Infantry Battalion (after January, 1862).
Organized and mustered into Confederate service in August, 1861; Assigned to Hebert's Brigade in McCulloch's Division in northwest Arkansas that October. 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 the Corinth Campaign in May-June, 1862. fighting valiantly at the Battle of Iuka, MS on September 19, and at Corinth on October 3-4, 1862. Consolidated with the 18th and 23rd Arkansas Infantry in February, 1863. Reassigned to Beale's Brigade, Dept. of Mississippi and East Louisiana in January, 1863. Served in the garrison of Port Hudson, LA and was besieged in that strongpoint for 49 days in May to July, 1863. Surrendered with the Port Hudson garrison on July 9, 1863, and was paroled later that month. The regiment dissolved, and was never reformed after this time. Some survivors re-enlisted in the 15th (Northwest), 16th, and 21st Arkansas early in 1864.
Officers: Colonel William C. Mitchell. Field Officers: Lt.Col. (later Col.) Eli Dodson, Major John Allin, Lt. Col (later Col. ) Pleasant Fowler, Maj. H.E. Messick, Maj. J.H. Messick, Col. Frank P. Powers.
The 15th Arkansas was initially organized as the 1st Arkansas Infantry Regiment (State Troops) at Camp Rector near Mound City, Arkansas (about 6 miles north of what is now West Memphis) on July 23, 1861 under the command of Colonel Patrick Ronayne Cleburne. Company A was the "Harris Guards"; Company B the "Jefferson Guards"; Company C the "Yell Rifles" of Helena; Company D the "Tyronza Rebels"; Company F the "Monroe Blues"; Company G, the "Hindman Guards" of Phillips county; Company H the "Rector Guards".
The regiment moved via steamboat from Camp Rector down the Mississippi and back up the White River to Pocahontas, Arkansas where they were sworn into Confederate service as the 1st Arkansas Infantry Regiment. They conducted their initial training here, and were part of Hardee's Division. They made a short excursion into southeast Missouri in September, and in October, moved with the rest of Hardee's command across the river into KY, becoming Hardee's Division, Army of Central Kentucky. Col Cleburne was promoted to command the brigade, and was succeeded in command by LTC Archibald K. Patton. Other field officers were LTC Samuel S. Black, MAJ Charles H. Carlton, James T. Harris, MAJ John E. Josey, and Col Lucious E. Polk. After the regiment's paperwork was forwarded to Richmond, the Confederate Army headquarters realized that it had mustered in two 1st Arkansas regiments, and so changed the numbering of Cleburne's old regiment to the 15th Arkansas Volunteer Infantry effective December 31, 1861.
The 15th Arkansas saw its first combat at the Battle of Shiloh on April 6-7, 1862, where it suffered heavy casualties in driving back Sherman's division of Union troops. After regrouping at Corinth, the regiment participated with Cleburne's Brigade in the Confederate Army of Tennessee at the battle of Richmond and Perryville, KY in October 1862, at Stones River (Dec. 31, 1862-Jan. 3, 1863). Heavy casualties in this campaign caused the regiment's consolidation with the 13th Arkansas early in 1863, and shortly afterwards wit the 2nd Arkansas as well. Participated in the Tullahoma Campaign in June, 1863 and at Liberty Gap on June 24. Fought with Cleburne's Division at Chickamauga (Sept 19-20, 1863); the siege of Chattanooga (Sept- Nov 1863); and at Tunnel Hill in the Missionary Ridge battle on November 23-25, 1863. Served with Cleburne in the Atlanta Campaign at Ringgold, Dalton, Resaca, New Hope Church, and Kennesaw Mountain and Atlanta, and during the siege of Atlanta. Regiment and colors were captured at Jonesboro, GA on Sept. 1, 1864, and paroled approximately a month later. Participated as a part of Cleburne's Division at Spring Hill, TN, Franklin, and Nashville. 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.
Organized at Camden, AR on January 2, 1862 with the following officers: Colonel James M. Gee, Lt. Col. John C. Wright, Major P. Lynch Lee, Adjutant Benjamin W. Johnson; Co. A, Cpt. Proctor; Co. B, Cpt. H. Purefoy; Co. C, Cpt. L.W. Matthews; Co. D, Cpt. Frank Jordan; Co. E, Cpt. Ferguson; Co. F, Cpt Alexander Byrne; Four of the companies were taken from the early regiment commanded by Col. Marsh Walker when he was promoted brigadier general. Before its completion as a regiment, six companies were sent to the defense of Fort Henry on the Tennessee River where they were part of the garrison when a fleet of gunboats and Grant's federal Army of the Tennessee attacked. Fort Henry being nearly flooded, the infantry regiments in the garrison (including the 15th Arkansas) were sent overland to reinforce neighboring Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River while the heavy artillery batteries fought it out with the gunboats to cover their movement. At the following assault by Grant and the gunboats on Fort Donelson, the 15th Arkansas was distinguished for their valor. They manned the heavy guns until these were burst or dismounted, and then led in a sortie in the snow and sleet against the Federal trenches which were in the course of construction in their front.They took the first line of works, suffering great loss - at least one fourth of the regiment. Cpt. Frank Jordan was among the slain, and Adjutant Ben W. Johnson among the wounded. The remaining men and officers were made prisoners in the "unconditional surrender". The enlisted men were sent to POW camps at Camp Butler; the officers to Fort Warren. Lt. Col. John C. Wright escaped, and returning to Arkansas, was appointed as a colonel of cavalry under General Hindman and later commanded a brigade in the Camden Expedition. The other officers were exchanged in the fall of 1862, and the regiment was reorganized at Jackson, MS on October 16, 1862 under Colonel Ben W. Johnson, Lt. Col. P.L. Lee, Maj. W.E. Steward, and Adjutant J.E. Baker. The captains on reorganization were Co. A, Cpt. John Stevenson; Co. B, Cpt. Joseph Daniels; Co. C, Cpt. James Franklin; Co. D, Cpt. John Hubbard; Co. E, Cpt. Ed Wilson; Co.F, Cpt. William Walker; Co. G, Cpt. Albert Reed; Co. H, Cpt. Wilkerson; Co. I, Cpt. L.W. Matthews; and Co. K, Cpt. McClung.
The regiment after reorganization was sent south to Louisiana to resist federal General Nathaniel Banks' operations, and fought in many minor engagements - Cross Landing, Greenfield, Plum's Store, and with the 1st Alabama and 13th Mississippi, engaged at Keller's Lane a largely superior force of Federals, whom they routed, taking many prisoners and valuable stores. The regiment was called into the fortifications of Port Hudson when this strongpoint was attacked by Banks and elements of the U.S. Navy. Captain Reed, of Co. G, was killed on May 29, 1863; Captain Hubbard, of Company D, was killed the same day. Within a day or two, Captain Stevenson died of wounds received. Captain E. Wilson died from concussion of the brain, caused by his being struck by a shell. The regiment, though not serving in the wider filed of conflict, contained some of the finest fighting material, proved its patience, and suffered and was exposed as much as any in the Confederate service. The 15th Arkansas went into the works at Port Hudson with 484 men; it emerged on the surrender of that place with only 92 survivors. Exchanged in the fall of 1863, the few survivors were consolidated with the 19th Arkansas Infantry in November 1863, and were further consolidated with the remnants of the 20th and Dawson's - Hardy's Consolidated Infantry Regiment late in September, 1864 to form the 3rd Consolidated Infantry Regiment, Trans-Mississippi Dept.
Organized in central Mississippi by renaming McRae's 21st Arkansas Infantry Regiment in February, 1863. Assigned to Green's Brigade, of Bowen's Division, where it fought in the battles of the Vicksburg campaign that spring and summer. The regiment was engaged at the battle s of Grand Gulf, Port Gibson, Champion Hill, and the Big Black River. Besieged with the garrison of Vicksburg from May 21 to July 4, 1863, and surrendered with that strongpoint on July 4, 1863. Paroled at Vicksburg late in July, 1863, and the unit disbanded with many of its survivors being incorporated along with those of the 14th, 16th, and 21st Arkansas into the 1st Infantry Regiment, Consolidated, in January, 1864.
Officers: Colonel James F. Hobbs. Field Officers: Lt. Col. (later Col.) Squire Boone, Major David A. Stuart, Lt. Col. (later Col.) William W. Reynolds.
The 16th Arkansas Infantry Regiment was organized at Rogers, Benton County, Arkansas on December 4, 1861. The companies (listed below) were mustered into Confederate service in October and November 1861. On 2 December 1861, the Regiment was encamped at Callahan's Store, Arkansas, and moved to Elm Springs, 8 December 1861. Before the Battle of Pea Ridge, the regiments' sick were sent off to Van Buren, Arkansas. During the maneuvering prior to Pea Ridge, 1 member of the 16th Arkansas was wounded. At Pea Ridge, the regiment lost 6 killed and mortally wounded, 5 wounded and 12 missing or captured. BG McCulloch was killed on the Leetown battlefield at Pea Ridge on March 7 while advancing with the 16th Arkansas. The regiment was reorganized at Corinth, Mississippi on 8 May 1862, with election of new field and line officers taking place in late June near Tupelo, Mississippi. The unit underwent field consolidation with the 14th, 17th, 18th and 23rd Arkansas Infantry Regiments and the 8th Arkansas Infantry Battalion in the winter of 1862-3. Field consolidation with the 15th (Gee's/Johnson's) Arkansas Infantry Regiment and the 8th Arkansas Infantry Battalion from 2 January 1863 until 2 May 1863. The regiment was surrendered by Major General Franklin Gardner at Port Hudson, Louisiana on 9 July 1863, and the men were paroled there later in the month, while the officers were conducted to New Orleans and Johnson's Island for imprisonment. A portion of the regiment were regrouped and consolidated into two companies prior to 30 September 1863. The two companies were consolidated with the 14th, 15th Northwest and the 21st Arkansas Infantry Regiments and designated as the 1st Arkansas Infantry Regiment Consolidated, Trans-Mississippi Department, in January 1864.
Many other survivors of the 16th Arkansas served in other regiments after their parole from Port Hudson, most notably in the 7th and 10th Arkansas Cavalry Regiments and the 27th, 35th and 36th Arkansas Infantry Regiments.
Company A: Captain: Lorenzo N. C. Swagerty. Men from Johnson
County.
Company B: Captains: George Turner, J. W. Utley. Men from Johnson
County.
Company C: Captains: John F. Hill, James W. Clark, John G. Connelly.
Men
from Johnson County. Armed with "minié rifles."
Company D: Captains: John H. Williams, E.G. Mitchell. Men from Carroll
County
Company E: Captain: William S. Poyner. Men from Carroll County. Armed
with
Hall's Breech-loading rifles.
Company F: Captains: David Goodnight, William C. Stephens. Men from
Stone
County.
Company G: Captain: J. P. Carnahan. Men from Washington County.
Company H: Captains: William J. Kelley, John B. Cloud, Grandison
Preston.
Men from Pike County. (This company was initially part of the 4th
Arkansas
Infantry Regiment.)
Company I: Captain: Daniel Boone. Men from Madison County.
Company K: Captain: John W. Lawrence, Jasper Woodruff. Men from Searcy
County.
FIELD OFFICERS AND STAFF
John F. Hill Colonel
David Provence Colonel
William T. Neal Lieutenant Colonel
Benjamin T. Pixlee Lieutenant Colonel
Samuel Farmer Major
James M. Pittman Major
Lorenzo N. Swagerty: Major
Augustus M. Ward QM Captain
Francis Miller QM Captain
John S. Tutt Adjutant
John P. Mitchell Surgeon
Orlando Hobson Assistant Surgeon
S. N. Denham Assistant Surgeon
BATTLES, ENGAGEMENTS & CAMPAIGNS:
Pea Ridge, 7-8 Mar 1862, Corinth Campaign (Apr-Jun 1862); Farmington, 26 May 1862; Iuka 19 Sep 1862; Corinth, 3-4 October 1862; Port Hudson Siege (May-Jul 1863); 1st Port Hudson Assault, 27 May 1863; 2nd Port Hudson Assault, 14 Jun 1863;
UNIT NOTES
Casualty returns for Port Hudson are incomplete after 1 June 1863. The known battle losses of the regiment prior to that date are incorporated below.
Combat losses:
6 officers and 23 men killed and mortally wounded; 6 officers and 41 men
wounded; 5 officers and 39 men missing or captured, prior to Port Hudson.
32 officers and 215 surrendered at Port Hudson for a total of 247 survivors.
Non-Combat deaths: 2 officers and 59 enlisted men died of disease. 1 officer and 5 enlisted men died as prisoners-of-war
Total unit mortality: 9 officers and 87 enlisted men, total: 96
PARTIAL FIELD RETURNS
4 December 1861: 42 officers and 661 enlisted men mustered into service.
Enlisted between December 1861 and May 1863: 8 officers and 137
enlisted
men
Discharged during service: 16 officers and 120 enlisted men.
Resigned during service: 12 officers
Deserted during service: 1 officer and 61 enlisted men.
Present at Pea Ridge: 46 officers and 618 enlisted men.
Crossed Mississippi with regiment, April 1862: 44 officers and 527
enlisted
men.
Present at Farmington: 40 officers and 479 enlisted men.
Present at Corinth: 47 officers and 400 enlisted men.
On 3 May 1863, the 16th Arkansas fielded 235 officers and men.
Captured at Port Hudson, 9 July 1863: 32 officers and 215 enlisted men.