2nd Arkansas Mounted Rifles

2nd Arkansas Mounted Rifles (Confederate)

Arkansas state flag
Active 1861–1865
Country Confederate States of America
Allegiance CSA
Branch Infantry

The 2nd Arkansas Mounted Rifles (1861–1865) was a Confederate Army infantry regiment that served during the American Civil War. Raised in 1861, the regiment consisted of nine companies, which were drawn from various counties in Arkansas. Throughout the course of the war, the 2nd Arkansas Mounted Rifles fought in a number of battles, including those at Wilson's Creek and Pea Ridge, and participated in a number of campaigns such as Tullahoma, Atlanta and the Carolinas. The regiment's final battle came at Bentonville in March 1865 after which its remaining personnel were consolidated into the 1st Arkansas Consolidated Mounted Rifles.

Contents

Organization

The 2nd Arkansas Mounted Rifles was organized in the summer of 1861, with James McIntosh appointed as Colonel. Other appointments upon establishment included: Ben T. Embry, Lieutenant Colonel; Brown, Major; W. D. DeBerry, Surgeon; W. A. C. Sayle, Assistant Surgeon. The regiment was inducted into Confederate Service on June 15, 1861 at Osage Prairie, outside Bentonville, Arkansas. The unit was composed of volunteer companies from the following counties:[1]

  • Company A, the "Booneville Rifles", Commanded by Captain William Gipson, from Scott County, Arkansas enlisted on 18 July 1861.[2]
  • Company B, the "Galla Rangers", Commanded by Captain Ben T. Embry, organized in Pope County, Arkansas in May 1861.[3]
  • Company C, Commanded by Captain J. A. Gray, organized in Prairie County, Arkansas, enlisted on 20 July 1861.[4]
  • Company D, Commanded by Captain John A. Arrington, organized in Benton County, Arkansas, 15 July 1861.[5]
  • Company E, Commanded by Captain George Gamble, organized in Clark County, Arkansas, enlisted 27 July 1861 at Camp McRae, Arkansas.[6]
  • Company F, Commanded by Captain John D. McCabe, organized in Clark County, Arkansas 27 July 1861 at Camp McRae, Arkansas.[7]
  • Company G, The "Sevier Rifles", Commanded by Captain Allen T Pettus, organized in Sevier County, Arkansas on 27 July 1861.[8]
  • Company H, the "Hempstead Cavalry", Commanded by Captain Henrt G. Rind, organized in Hempstead County, Arkansas 27 July 1861 at Osage Prairie, AR.[9]
  • Company I, Commanded by Captain William F. Patterson, organized in Scott County, Arkansas 20 December 1861 at Cantonment Bee, Arkansas.[10]
  • Company K, Commanded by Captain R.N. McReynolds, organized in Madison County, Arkansas 22 December 1861 at Cantonment Bee, Arkansas.[11]

General McIntosh was killed at the battle of Elkhorn Tavern, or Pea Ridge. In May 1862 the Confederate Army underwent an army-wide reorganization due to the passage of the Conscription Act by the Confederate Congress in April 1962. All twelve-month regiments had to re-muster and enlist for two years or the duration of the war; a new election of officers was ordered; and men who were exempted from service by age or other reasons under the Conscription Act were allowed to take a discharge and go home. Officers who did not choose to stand for re-election were also offered a discharge. The reorganization was accomplished among all the Arkansas regiments in and around Corinth, Mississippi, following the Battle of Shiloh.[12]

When the regiment was reorganized after the battle of Shiloh, the following field officers were elected:[13] Captain Harris Flanagin was elected Colonel; Major J. A. Williamson, was elected Lieutenant-Colonel; and Captain James P. Eagle, was elected Major. Upon Colonel Flanagin being elected Governor of the State of Arkansas in 1862, Lieutenant Colonel Williamson became Colonel and Captain Eagle became the Lieutenant Colonel. Colonel Williamson lost a leg at the battle of Resaca, May, 1864, and J. T. Smith, was appointed Colonel. After Smith was killed in battle on July 28, James P. Eagle then succeeded him as Colonel of the regiment.[14]

African Americans in Confederate Service

It was not uncommon for African American slaves to accompany their Confederate masters in the army; there are several documented accounts of African Americans serving as cooks or performing other menial tasks. The 33rd Arkansas Infantry Regiment even included African American cooks on its unit muster rolls.[15] However, accounts of African Americans participating in combat on behalf of the south are rare. Martin Cole's negro killed two dutchmen and got a good gun."[16]

Battles

Colonel McIntosh was educated at the United States Military Academy. He was impetuous to a degree that scorned all caution. Being ordered by General McCulloch into the Indian Territory against the Creek chief, Hopoeithleyohola, he dispersed the Indian Federal organization. It is said his regiment was deployed in groups of two for five miles, when he at its head began the attack upon the Indian camp. He was speedily promoted to brigadier-general, and Embry became colonel. The regiment took part in the battles of Oak Hills and Elkhorn, and in the Kentucky campaign under E. Kirby Smith. Among its battles were Richmond, Ky., Murfreesboro, Jackson, Miss., Chickamauga, Resaca, Atlanta, Ezra Church, Lovejoy's Station, Jonesboro, Moore's Station, Franklin, Tenn., Nashville, Sugar Creek, and Bentonville, N.C.

They would go on to take part in the following battles:[17][18]

Battle of Wilson's Creek, Missouri, August 10, 1861.
Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, March 6–8, 1862.
Siege of Corinth, April to June 1862.
Battle of Richmond, Kentucky, August 29–30, 1862.
Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, October 8, 1862.
Battle of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, December 31, 1862 to January 3, 1863.
Tullahoma Campaign, June 24 – July 3, 1863.
Battle of Liberty Gap, Tennessee, June 24–26, 1863.
Battle of Chickamauga, Georgia, September 19–20, 1863.
Siege of Chattanooga, September to November 1863.
Battle of Missionary Ridge, Tennessee, November 25, 1863.
Battle of Ringgold Gap, Georgia, November 27, 1863.
Atlanta Campaign, May to September 1864.
Battle of Dalton, Georgia, May 5–11, 1864.
Battle of Resaca, Georgia, May 14–15, 1864.
Battle of New Hope Church, Georgia, May 25 – June 4, 1864.
Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, June 27, 1864.
Battle of Peachtree Creek, Georgia, July 20, 1864.
Siege of Atlanta, Georgia, July 22, 1864.
Battle of Jonesboro, Georgia, August 31 to September 1, 1864.
Battle of Spring Hill, Tennessee, November 29, 1864.
Battle of Franklin, Tennessee, November 30, 1864.
Battle of Nashville, Tennessee, December 15–16, 1864.
Carolinas Campaign, February to April 1865.
Battle of Bentonville, North Carolina, March 19–21, 1865.

Consolidation and surrender

On April 9, 1865, the depleted Arkansas regiments of D. H. Reynolds' Brigade, Walthall's Division, Confederate Army of Tennessee, were consolidated into a single regiment the 1st Arkansas Consolidated Mounted Rifles, at Smithfield, North Carolina. The companies of the consolidated regiment were drawn from the following Arkansas regiments:[19]

Company A — 1st Arkansas Mounted Rifles.
Company B — 1st Arkansas Mounted Rifles.
Company C — 2nd Arkansas Mounted Rifles.
Company D — 2nd Arkansas Mounted Rifles.
Company E — 4th Arkansas Infantry.
Company F — 4th Arkansas Infantry.
Company G — 31st Arkansas Infantry.
Company H — 9th Arkansas Infantry.
Company I — 9th Arkansas Infantry.
Company K — 25th Arkansas Infantry.

The 1st Arkansas Consolidated Mounted Rifles surrendered with the Army of Tennessee at Greensboro, North Carolina, April 26, 1865. The 1st Arkansas Consolidated Mounted Rifles was paroled on May 1, 1865, at Jamestown, North Carolina.[19]

See also

References

  1. ^ Gerdes, Edward G., "2D ARKANSAS MOUNTED RIFLES", Edward G. Gerdes Civil War Page, Accessed 30 January 2011, http://www.couchgenweb.com/civilwar/2ndmtf&s.html
  2. ^ Scott, M. C., "Record of Co. A, Second Arkansas Mounted Rifles", BOONEVILLE DEMOCRAT in 1977, GenealogyForum.com, http://www.genealogyforum.com/files/AR/2ndARMountedRifles.htm
  3. ^ Henry, Dr. J. A. History of Company B, 2nd Regiment Arkansas Mounted Rifles, Accessed 9 August 2011, http://users.totalspeed.net/tholmes/2nd%20Mounted%20Arkansas%20Rifles.htm
  4. ^ Gerdes, Edward G., " COMPANY C, 2D ARKANSAS MOUNTED RIFLES " Edward G. Gerdes Civil War Page, Accessed 15 October 2011, http://www.couchgenweb.com/civilwar/2ndmtcoc.html
  5. ^ Gerdes, Edward G., " COMPANY D, 2D ARKANSAS MOUNTED RIFLES " Edward G. Gerdes Civil War Page, Accessed 15 October 2011, http://www.couchgenweb.com/civilwar/2ndmtcod.html
  6. ^ Gerdes, Edward G., " COMPANY E, 2D ARKANSAS MOUNTED RIFLES " Edward G. Gerdes Civil War Page, Accessed 15 October 2011, http://www.couchgenweb.com/civilwar/2ndmtcoe.html
  7. ^ Gerdes, Edward G., " COMPANY F, 2D ARKANSAS MOUNTED RIFLES " Edward G. Gerdes Civil War Page, Accessed 15 October 2011, http://www.couchgenweb.com/civilwar/2ndmtcof.html
  8. ^ Gerdes, Edward G., " COMPANY G, 2D ARKANSAS MOUNTED RIFLES ", Edward G. Gerdes Civil War Page, Accessed 15 October 2011, http://www.couchgenweb.com/civilwar/2ndmtcog.html
  9. ^ Gerdes, Edward G., " COMPANY H, 2D ARKANSAS MOUNTED RIFLES ", Edward G. Gerdes Civil War Page, Accessed 15 October 2011, http://www.couchgenweb.com/civilwar/2ndmtcoh.html
  10. ^ Gerdes, Edward G., "COMPANY I, 2D ARKANSAS MOUNTED RIFLES ", Edward G. Gerdes Civil War Page, Accessed 15 October 2011, http://www.couchgenweb.com/civilwar/2ndmtcoi.html
  11. ^ Gerdes, Edward G., " COMPANY K, 2D ARKANSAS MOUNTED RIFLES ", Edward G. Gerdes Civil War Page, Accessed 15 October 2011, http://www.couchgenweb.com/civilwar/2ndmtcok.html
  12. ^ Howerton, Bryan, "14th Arkansas Regiment, No. 1", Arkansas in the Civil War Message Board, Accessed 29 July 2011, http://history-sites.com/cgi-bin/bbs53x/arcwmb/webbbs_config.pl?noframes;read=14705
  13. ^ Harrell, John M., "Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States Military History", Volume 10.2, Arkansas, Page 321, Accessed 1 August 2011, http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2001.05.0254%3Achapter%3D11%3Apage%3D321
  14. ^ Harrell, John M., "Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States Military History", Volume 10.2, Arkansas, Page 285, Accessed 1 August 2011, http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2001.05.0254%3Achapter%3D11%3Apage%3D285
  15. ^ Gerdes, Edward G., " 33RD ARKANSAS INFANTRY REGIMENT ", Edward G. Gerdes Civil War Page, Accessed 9 August 2011, http://www.couchgenweb.com/civilwar/33rdf&s.html
  16. ^ Callaway. Jonathan W., Letters and papers, 1861–1864; 1 roll. University of Arkansas Libraries, Special Collections, Manuscript Resources for the Civil War, http://libinfo.uark.edu/specialcollections/research/guides/civilwarfull.asp
  17. ^ Sikakis, Stewart, Compendium of the Confederate Armies, Florida and Arkansas, Facts on File, Inc., 1992, ISBN 978-0-8160-2288-5, page 118.
  18. ^ National Park Service, Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System, Confederate Arkansas Troops, 25th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry. Retrieved 27 January 2011.
  19. ^ a b Bryan Howerton, "1st Consolidated Mounted Rifles", Arkansas in the Civil War Message Board, Posted, 5 January 2009, 8:58 am" Accessed 6 August 2011, http://history-sites.com/cgi-bin/bbs53x/arcwmb/webbbs_config.pl?noframes;read=19347

Bibliography

External links

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  •  American Civil War portal
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