12th Arkansas Cavalry Regiment
Encyclopedia
The 12th Arkansas Cavalry Regiment (1864–1865) was a Confederate Army Cavalry
regiment
during the American Civil War
.
, to Union forces in September 1863. Governor Harris Flanagin
began organizing a new force of state troops issuing a proclamation on August 10, 1863, just a month before the capitol fell, announcing that he had been authorized to raise new regiments of state troops and that by special agreement these new units could not be transferred out of the state by Confederate authorities.
After the fall of Little Rock, recruiting was far more difficult than it had been in the first years of the war. The constant transfer of Arkansas troops into the eastern theater of the war, across the Mississippi River
from their homes, was a major objection by the remaining population of men eligible for military service. With Federal forces now occupying the state capitol, the Confederate state government had no way of enforcing conscription laws in the counties behind the Union lines, except during raids by Generals Sterling Price
and Joseph O. Shelby
in 1864. The remaining Confederate regiments were plagued by desertions.
On September 16, 1863, in the immediate aftermath of the fall of the state capitol, Governor Flanagin issued General Order No. 6 from Arkadelphia, which called in to service the militia regiments of the counties of Clark, Hempstead, Sevier, Pike, Polk, Montgomery, La Fayette, Ouachita, Union, and Columbia in order to resist the Federal army. The Governor's order directed the regiments to march to Arkadelphia, Arkansas
, at the earliest possible day. Companies were to be mounted and commanders were to compel persons evading the call to come to the rendezvous. The intent was to form companies of twelve-month mounted volunteers. Only six physicians, one druggist, millers to supply the wants of the country, clerks, sheriffs, postmasters, and persons in the employ of the Confederate States were exempted from the order.
In describing this call in a letter to General Theophilus H. Holmes
dated October 18, 1863 from Washington, Arkansas, the new Confederate state capitol, Flanagin stated that he issued the order calling out the militia, as an experiment, expecting to get volunteers. The order succeeded so well as to get companies organized in the counties where the call for the militia was enforced which resulted in seven companies being collected under the call. Flanagin also stated that "the troops raised by the State are more than double all the troops raised by volunteering, or by the conscript law, within the past few months".
, resigned from that regiment to take command of a newly-organized battalion of cavalry. On December 17, 1863, the 2nd Battalion, Arkansas State Troops, was organized with seven companies from southern Arkansas.
There is one extant muster roll for the Field and Staff, covering the period January 1 to February 29, 1864, when the regiment was stationed at Cut Off, Drew County, Arkansas. The other regimental officers were Lieutenant Colonel James W. Bowie, Major George M. Wright, Surgeon John H. Saunders, Assistant Quartermaster Algernon S. Crute and Sergeant-Major Howell Johnson.
The unit was composed of the following volunteer companies raised from southern Arkansas:
There is one extant muster roll for each company covering the period January 1 to February 29, 1864 when the regiment was stationed at Cut Off, Drew County, Arkansas.
, Poe's Arkansas Cavalry Battalion and McMurtrey's Arkansas Cavalry Battalion.
in the spring of 1864, particularly in the actions at Poison Spring
and Marks' Mills
. The regiment took part in Price's Raid
in Missouri during the fall of 1864. During this operation, it engaged in the battles of Pilot Knob
, Independence
, and Marais des Cygnes
. Returning to southwestern Arkansas in November, 1864, the regiment served in that area until the end of the war. The 12th Arkansas Cavalry Regiment was included in the general surrender of Confederate forces in the Trans-Mississippi Department on May 26, 1865.
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Organization
12th Arkansas Cavalry Regiment was originally organized as a group of Volunteer Companies raised from the militia regiments of southern Arkansas, immediately following the fall of Little Rock, ArkansasLittle Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 699,757 people in the 2010 census...
, to Union forces in September 1863. Governor Harris Flanagin
Harris Flanagin
Harris Flanagin was the seventh Governor of the State of Arkansas.-Biography:Harris Flanagin was born in Roadstown, New Jersey. Flanagin was educated in Quaker schools in New Jersey. At age 18 he became a professor of mathematics. Flanagin moved west and opened his own private school in Paoli,...
began organizing a new force of state troops issuing a proclamation on August 10, 1863, just a month before the capitol fell, announcing that he had been authorized to raise new regiments of state troops and that by special agreement these new units could not be transferred out of the state by Confederate authorities.
After the fall of Little Rock, recruiting was far more difficult than it had been in the first years of the war. The constant transfer of Arkansas troops into the eastern theater of the war, across the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
from their homes, was a major objection by the remaining population of men eligible for military service. With Federal forces now occupying the state capitol, the Confederate state government had no way of enforcing conscription laws in the counties behind the Union lines, except during raids by Generals Sterling Price
Sterling Price
Sterling Price was a lawyer, planter, and politician from the U.S. state of Missouri, who served as the 11th Governor of the state from 1853 to 1857. He also served as a United States Army brigadier general during the Mexican-American War, and a Confederate Army major general in the American Civil...
and Joseph O. Shelby
Joseph O. Shelby
Joseph Orville Shelby was a noted Confederate cavalry general in the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War.-Early life and education:...
in 1864. The remaining Confederate regiments were plagued by desertions.
On September 16, 1863, in the immediate aftermath of the fall of the state capitol, Governor Flanagin issued General Order No. 6 from Arkadelphia, which called in to service the militia regiments of the counties of Clark, Hempstead, Sevier, Pike, Polk, Montgomery, La Fayette, Ouachita, Union, and Columbia in order to resist the Federal army. The Governor's order directed the regiments to march to Arkadelphia, Arkansas
Arkadelphia, Arkansas
Arkadelphia is a city in Clark County, Arkansas, United States. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city was 10,548. The city is the county seat of Clark County. The city is situated at the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains. Two universities, Henderson State...
, at the earliest possible day. Companies were to be mounted and commanders were to compel persons evading the call to come to the rendezvous. The intent was to form companies of twelve-month mounted volunteers. Only six physicians, one druggist, millers to supply the wants of the country, clerks, sheriffs, postmasters, and persons in the employ of the Confederate States were exempted from the order.
In describing this call in a letter to General Theophilus H. Holmes
Theophilus H. Holmes
Theophilus Hunter Holmes was a career United States Army officer and a Confederate Lieutenant General in the American Civil War.-Early life and career:...
dated October 18, 1863 from Washington, Arkansas, the new Confederate state capitol, Flanagin stated that he issued the order calling out the militia, as an experiment, expecting to get volunteers. The order succeeded so well as to get companies organized in the counties where the call for the militia was enforced which resulted in seven companies being collected under the call. Flanagin also stated that "the troops raised by the State are more than double all the troops raised by volunteering, or by the conscript law, within the past few months".
2nd Battalion, Arkansas State Troops
John Crowell Wright, lieutenant colonel of the 26th Arkansas Infantry Regiment26th Arkansas Infantry Regiment
The 26th Arkansas Infantry was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War.-Organization:26th Infantry Regiment [also called 3rd Trans-Mississippi Regiment] was organized as Morgan’s Battalion on June 14, 1862, it was increased to a full regiment and reorganized as the 26th...
, resigned from that regiment to take command of a newly-organized battalion of cavalry. On December 17, 1863, the 2nd Battalion, Arkansas State Troops, was organized with seven companies from southern Arkansas.
There is one extant muster roll for the Field and Staff, covering the period January 1 to February 29, 1864, when the regiment was stationed at Cut Off, Drew County, Arkansas. The other regimental officers were Lieutenant Colonel James W. Bowie, Major George M. Wright, Surgeon John H. Saunders, Assistant Quartermaster Algernon S. Crute and Sergeant-Major Howell Johnson.
The unit was composed of the following volunteer companies raised from southern Arkansas:
- Company A. This company enlisted at Camden, Arkansas, on December 10, 1863, composed mostly of men from Bradley County, Arkansas. The following endorsement accompanied the muster roll: "My Company was organized at Camden, Arkansas, on the 10th day of Dec. 1863, and have been in the direction of the Arkansas river ever since. /s/ JNO. T. KIRK, Capt. Comdg. Co."
- Company B. This company enlisted at Monticello, Arkansas, on October 15, 1863, composed mostly of men from Drew County, Arkansas. The following endorsement accompanied the muster roll: "Company organized at Monticello, Arks, Oct. the Fifteenth, 1863. Have been scouting and picketing ever since. /s/ W. P. BURKS, Capt. Co. B."
- Company C. This company enlisted in Drew County, Arkansas, on November 3, 1863, composed mostly of men from Drew County, Arkansas. The muster roll was signed by Capt. John W. Messenger.
- Company D. This company enlisted at Camden, Arkansas, on December 7, 1863, composed mostly of men from Calhoun County, Arkansas. The following endorsement accompanied the muster roll: "This Company was organized at Camden, Dec. the 7th, 1863. Have been engaged in Picketting, Scouting, Drilling and Marching. Have been in no engagements up to this time. Marched from Camden to Princeton, then to Warren, then to Monticello and back to Warren and then to Monticello. We are near Monticello now. /s/ E. T. HARRIS, 1st Lt. Comdg. Co."
- Company F. This company enlisted at Lake Village, Arkansas, on November 10, 1863, composed mostly of men from Chicot County, Arkansas. The following endorsement accompanied the muster roll: "This Company is composed of parts of several commands now East of the Mississippi river and of men that were subject to conscription West of the same. It was raised by James W. Bowie, and was organized and mustered into the service on the 10th day of November 1863, at which they and other Companies was formed into a battalion, Col. J. C. Wright Comdg, and now belong to Col. J. C. Wrights Reg't. Our duty has Principally been of an outpost nature, picketing, scouting, &c. Has been in no engagements up to this time. /s/ BELFIELD W. MATHIS."
- Company G. This company enlisted in Ashley County, Arkansas, on December 14, 1863, composed mostly of men from Ashley County, Arkansas. The following endorsement accompanied the muster roll: "Feb. 27, 1864, moved from Camp Lauther, Drew County, Arks, to Cut Off, Drew County, Arks. Men furnished for various scouts and important Picket Posts. /s/ CHARLES A. HARRIS, Capt. Comdg. Company G."
- Company H. This company enlisted in Ashley County, Arkansas, on December 19, 1863, composed mostly of men from Ashley County, Arkansas. The following endorsement accompanied the muster roll: "This Company is composed of paroled Soldiers, some who belong to commands east of the Mississippi river, and the remainder are those subject to conscription. Since the organization of the Company we have been engaged most of the time in Picketing, Scouting, &c. The Company marched from Ashley County, Arks, to Monticello and from there to this camp. /s/ J. R. SMITH, Capt. Comdg. Co."
- Company I. This company enlisted at Warren, Arkansas, on December 21, 1863, composed mostly of men from Saline County, Arkansas. The following endorsement accompanied the muster roll: "This Company has been engaged in scouting, picketing, &c. Made up with men coming from east of the Miss. River, some conscripts, some Paroled, &c. March from Saline County, Ark., to Monticello and thence to this place. /s/ L. F. JONES, Capt. Comdg."
- Company K. This company was organized in Arkansas County, Arkansas, on January 11, 1864, and enrolled in Confederate service at Camden, Arkansas, on January 14, 1864, composed mostly of men from Arkansas and Jefferson Counties, Arkansas. The following endorsement accompanied the muster roll: "This Company is composed of men from within the enemy’s lines. There has never been an election for 2d lieutenant because my men were not all yet reported, but were left at home subject to my order. They have since been ordered to report. /s/ MOSES EMBREE, Capt. Comdg. Compy."
There is one extant muster roll for each company covering the period January 1 to February 29, 1864 when the regiment was stationed at Cut Off, Drew County, Arkansas.
12th Arkansas Cavalry Regiment
By mid-January, 1864, three additional companies had been attached to Wright's battalion, and, on February 15, 1864, the battalion was officially enrolled in Confederate service as the 12th (Wright's) Regiment Arkansas Cavalry. The regiment was assigned to Colonel William A. Crawford's Brigade of Brigadier-General James F. Fagan's Cavalry Division in Major-General Price's Cavalry Corps of the Confederate Army of the Trans-Mississippi Department. The other units assigned to the brigade were the 10th Arkansas Cavalry Regiment10th Arkansas Cavalry Regiment (Witt's)
-External links:* * * *...
, Poe's Arkansas Cavalry Battalion and McMurtrey's Arkansas Cavalry Battalion.
History
Wright's Cavalry was engaged in the battles associated with the Camden ExpeditionCamden Expedition
The Camden Expedition was a military campaign in southern and central Arkansas during the American Civil War. It involved Union forces stationed at Little Rock and Fort Smith under the command of Major General Frederick Steele...
in the spring of 1864, particularly in the actions at Poison Spring
Battle of Poison Spring
The Battle of Poison Spring was fought during the American Civil War on April 18, 1864, in Ouachita County, Arkansas as part of the Camden Expedition.-Opposing forces:Dwindling supplies for his army at Camden, Arkansas forced Union Army Maj. Gen...
and Marks' Mills
Battle of Marks' Mills
The Battle of Marks' Mills occurred on April 25, 1864, in Cleveland County, Arkansas as part of the Camden Expedition of the American Civil War. Confederate troops under Maj. Gen. James F. Fagan overwhelmed a small Union detachment commanded by Lt. Col. Francis M...
. The regiment took part in Price's Raid
Price's Raid
Price's Missouri Expedition, also known as Price's Raid, was an 1864 Confederate cavalry raid through the states of Missouri and Kansas during the American Civil War. While Confederate Major General Sterling Price enjoyed some successes during this campaign, he was decisively beaten at the Battle...
in Missouri during the fall of 1864. During this operation, it engaged in the battles of Pilot Knob
Battle of Fort Davidson
The Battle of Fort Davidson, also known as the Battle of Pilot Knob, was the opening engagement of Price's Missouri Raid during the American Civil War. This engagement occurred on September 27, 1864, just outside of Pilot Knob in Iron County, Missouri...
, Independence
Second Battle of Independence
The Second Battle of Independence was a minor engagement of the American Civil War October 21–22, 1864 centered in Independence, Missouri, with some of the fiercest fighting taking place at the present-day United Nations Peace Plaza; the "Harry Truman" Railroad Depot; George Caleb Bingham's...
, and Marais des Cygnes
Battle of Marais des Cygnes
The Battle of Marais des Cygnes took place on October 25, 1864, in Linn County, Kansas during Price's Missouri Raid in the American Civil War. It is also called the Battle of Osage, and the Battle of Trading Post...
. Returning to southwestern Arkansas in November, 1864, the regiment served in that area until the end of the war. The 12th Arkansas Cavalry Regiment was included in the general surrender of Confederate forces in the Trans-Mississippi Department on May 26, 1865.
See also
- List of Arkansas Civil War Confederate units
- Lists of American Civil War Regiments by State
- Confederate Units by State
- Arkansas in the American Civil WarArkansas in the American Civil WarThe state of Arkansas was a part of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War, and provided a source of troops, supplies, and military and political leaders for the fledgling country. Arkansas had become the 25th state of the United States, on June 15, 1836, entering as a...
- Arkansas Militia in the Civil WarArkansas Militia in the Civil WarThe units of the Arkansas Militia in the Civil War included militia organizations to which the current Arkansas National Guard has a connection: the militia, Home Guard, and State Troop regiments raised by the State of Arkansas. Like most of the United States, Arkansas had an organized militia...