| 16th Arkansas Infantry (Confederate) | |
|---|---|
Arkansas state flag |
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| Active | 1861 to 1865 |
| Country | Confederate States of America |
| Allegiance | CSA |
| Branch | Infantry |
| Arkansas Confederate Infantry Regiments | |
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| 15th Arkansas Infantry Regiment (Northwest) | 17th Arkansas Infantry Regiment (Griffith's) |
The 16th Arkansas Infantry (1861–1865) was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War.
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The Sixteenth Arkansas regiment was organized in November 1861, near the present town of Rogers, Benton county. The regimental officers at organization were as follows:[1]
The regiment was composed of the following companies:[1]
The regiment went into camp at Elm Springs, Benton county, where it remained in winter quarters until February, 1862, when General Price and his army of Missouri fell back before a large force of Federals under General Curtis, and made a stand at Elkhorn tavern in Benton county.[1]
On March 4, the 16th Arkansas marched to reinforce Price, forming part of Hebert's brigade, under command of Gen. Ben McCulloch, and took part in the battle of Pea Ridge on March 7, 1862. [2] The regiment entered into action soon after General McCulloch's death, passing the body of the dead general in their charge.[1] After the battle the 16th Arkansas could muster 24 officers and 282 men present for duty.[3]
The greater part of the Confederate forces which retreated to Frog Bayou, consisting of Missouri and Arkansas regiments, were transferred under Generals Price and Van Dorn across the Mississippi river in April, 1862. The Sixteenth was brigaded with four Missouri regiments, formerly commanded by Col. Francis Cockrell, and at Corinth were again united in a brigade commanded by Gen. Henry Little, afterward killed at Iuka.[1]
While at Corinth the Sixteenth was reorganized for the war and the following officers chosen:[1]
The company commanders at reorganization were:[1]
The regiment participated in the movements around Corinth on the approach of the Federal army under Halleck. In September 1862, it took part in the Battle of Iuka, and in October 1862, it participated in the desperate assault on the Federal encampment at Corinth, where it lost heavily. It reported 13 killed and 29 wounded.[3] Lieut. J. H. Berry, who lost a leg in this battle. Shortly after, the regiment was detached from the Missouri brigade and assigned to the Arkansas brigade, commanded by Col. Jordan E. Cravens, Arkansas troops, at Holly Springs, Miss. It was there again detached and sent with other Arkansas regiments to Port Hudson, LA, under the command of General William N. R. Beall. The other Arkansas units at Port Hudson included:[1]
The regiment went through the siege of forty-eight days, and was surrendered to General Banks July 9, 1863. Lieutenant-Colonel Pixlee was killed during the siege, and Maj. J. M. Pitman succeeded him; Captain Swaggerty, of Company A, becoming major, and Lieut. Jesse Adams, captain of Company A. The officers were sent as prisoners to Johnson's island, except Capt. Daniel Boone, Lieut. J. G. Crump and William McConnell, who swam ashore from the transport conveying them and made their escape. Capt. Jim Cravens and Lieuts. Paynor, W. W. Bailly and Wilson escaped through the lines and returned to their homes in Arkansas, where they re-entered the service in other commands.[1]
In September 1864, 16th Arkansas Infantry was consolidated with the remnants of 14th Arkansas, 15th Northwest Arkansas,and the 21st Arkansas in the Army of the Trans-Mississippi, and designated as the 1st Arkansas Consolidated Infantry Regiment (Trans-Mississippi) under the command of Colonel Jordan E. Cravens.[4]
The 1st Arkansas Consolidated Infantry (Trans-Mississippi) Regiment was surrendered by General Kirby Smith with the remainder of the Department of the Trans-Mississippi on May 26, 1865.[5]
Miller, Mark. "If I should Live": A History of the 16th Arkansas Confederate Infantry, 1861-1863. (Conway, AR: Arkansas Research, 2000).
Brock, Kevin. "The Sixteenth Arkansas Volunteer Infantry, C.S.A.: A History of an Upcountry Regiment, 1861-1863." Master's thesis, University of Arkansas, 1998.
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