14th Arkansas Infantry Regiment (McCarver's)
Encyclopedia
The 14th Arkansas Infantry (1861–1865) was a Confederate Army infantry
regiment
during the American Civil War
. The unit is also known as the 9th Arkansas Infantry regiment and the 18th Arkansas Infantry Battalion. There were two Arkansas units designated the 14th Arkansas. The other 14th Arkansas regiment was originally commanded by William C. Mitchell, but is best known as Powers' 14th Arkansas Infantry Regiment.
It is unclear why the Confederate War Department assigned this designation to McCarver's regiment. Correspondence exists between Arkansas Governor Henry Rector and Confederate Secretary of War Walker, in which Mitchell's regiment is clearly identified as the 14th Arkansas. In a letter dated August 22, 1861, Governor Rector wrote, "The Fourteenth Regiment of Arkansas is at Yellville. We understand that General Hardee does not wish to receive it." So the War Department was clearly informed of the existence of a 14th Arkansas Regiment; yet they still assigned that designation to McCarver's regiment four months later.
McCarver's regiment had barely received its designation when it was placed in danger of losing it. Four of the regiments companies (Company A, B, E & H) were detached in January 1862 and designated as the 9th Battalion Arkansas Infantry, and placed under command of Brig. Gen. William J. Hardee. General Hardee took the 9th Arkansas Battalion with him when he transferred his command to Kentucky. This left McCarver with half a regiment. The War Department notified Colonel Borland that unless the 14th Arkansas was assigned its requisite ten companies, it would henceforth be known as the 8th Battalion Arkansas Infantry (though that designation was later given to Lieut. Col. Batt L. Jones' battalion). As with most of the other active units in Arkansas, McCarver's regiment was ordered to Corinth, Mississippi
, in April 1862. Research breaks down between January and April 1862, and when McCarver's regiment appears again, in a return of troops in the Army of the West, dated at Corinth, Mississippi, May 4, 1862, it is reported as the 18th Battalion Arkansas Infantry, with 198 of 275 men present for duty. It is unclear how that designation came about. On the same return is listed Lemoyne's 17th Battalion Arkansas Infantry, with 387 of 627 men present for duty. On May 15, 1862, McCarver's 14th and 17th Arkansas Infantry Regiment (Lemoyne's)
s, (or 17th and 18th Arkansas Battalions), were consolidated to form the 21st Arkansas Infantry Regiment
. This increased the confusion because the 21st Arkansas had already been assigned to the regiment of Dandridge McRae. To avoid confusion between two 21st Arkansas Regiments, McRae's regiment was later redesignated as the 15th (Northwest) Arkansas Infantry Regiment
(making a total of three 15th Arkansas Regiments). Confusion solved!
The unit was composed of volunteer companies from the following counties:
, Battle of Grand Gulf
, Battle of Port Gibson
, Battle of Champion's Hill, Battle of Big Black River Bridge
, and finally ended up at the Siege of Vicksburg.
The 21st Arkansas was consolidated with the 15th Northwest Arkansas, 16th Arkansas, and Powers' 14th Arkansas Infantry Regiments to form the 1st Arkansas Consolidated Infantry Regiment (Trans-Mississippi)
, and was stationed at Marshall, Texas
, when the war ended. The consolidated regiment was assigned along with the 2nd Arkansas Consolidated Infantry Regiment
and the 3rd Arkansas Consolidated Infantry Regiment
and to the 2nd (McNair’s) Arkansas Brigade, 1st (Churchill’s) Arkansas Division, 2nd Corps, Trans-Mississippi Department, from September 1864 to May 1865.
, to be paroled. None of them did so. Some soldiers went to Shreveport on their own to be paroled, but the regiments simply disbanded without formally surrendering. A company or two managed to keep together until they got home. For example, Company G, 35th Arkansas Infantry Regiment
, traveled back to Van Buren, Arkansas
where they surrendered to the U.S. post commander in a formal ceremony, drawn up in front of the court-house, laying down their weapons, etc. But for the most part, the men simply went home. Many of the Arkansas Cavalry units, which had largely been furloughed for the winter of 1864-1865 following Price's disastrous Missouri Expedition
did formally surrendered at Jacksonport, Wittsburg, and a few other locations.
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
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...
. The unit is also known as the 9th Arkansas Infantry regiment and the 18th Arkansas Infantry Battalion. There were two Arkansas units designated the 14th Arkansas. The other 14th Arkansas regiment was originally commanded by William C. Mitchell, but is best known as Powers' 14th Arkansas Infantry Regiment.
Organization
McCarver's 14th Arkansas Regiment has been described as the regiment that barely was, since it existed only briefly as a full regiment. This regiment was organized on October 22, 1861, at Pocahontas, Arkansas, with nine companies (a tenth company was added in December) from Izard, Lawrence, and Randolph counties. Stationed in the same area were the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Arkansas Regiments, which led Col. Solon Borland, commanding Post of Pocahontas, to muster Col. James H. McCarver's new regiment into service as the 9th Arkansas. This would have been logical, except for the fact that a 9th Arkansas Regiment had already been authorized by the State Military Board and mustered into service at Pine Bluff on July 25, 1861, Col. John M. Bradley commanding. When Colonel Borland sent the muster-in rolls to the Confederate War Department, he was informed that McCarver's regiment would instead be designated as the 14th Arkansas Regiment.It is unclear why the Confederate War Department assigned this designation to McCarver's regiment. Correspondence exists between Arkansas Governor Henry Rector and Confederate Secretary of War Walker, in which Mitchell's regiment is clearly identified as the 14th Arkansas. In a letter dated August 22, 1861, Governor Rector wrote, "The Fourteenth Regiment of Arkansas is at Yellville. We understand that General Hardee does not wish to receive it." So the War Department was clearly informed of the existence of a 14th Arkansas Regiment; yet they still assigned that designation to McCarver's regiment four months later.
McCarver's regiment had barely received its designation when it was placed in danger of losing it. Four of the regiments companies (Company A, B, E & H) were detached in January 1862 and designated as the 9th Battalion Arkansas Infantry, and placed under command of Brig. Gen. William J. Hardee. General Hardee took the 9th Arkansas Battalion with him when he transferred his command to Kentucky. This left McCarver with half a regiment. The War Department notified Colonel Borland that unless the 14th Arkansas was assigned its requisite ten companies, it would henceforth be known as the 8th Battalion Arkansas Infantry (though that designation was later given to Lieut. Col. Batt L. Jones' battalion). As with most of the other active units in Arkansas, McCarver's regiment was ordered to Corinth, Mississippi
Corinth, Mississippi
Corinth is a city in Alcorn County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 14,054 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Alcorn County. Its ZIP codes are 38834 and 38835.- History :...
, in April 1862. Research breaks down between January and April 1862, and when McCarver's regiment appears again, in a return of troops in the Army of the West, dated at Corinth, Mississippi, May 4, 1862, it is reported as the 18th Battalion Arkansas Infantry, with 198 of 275 men present for duty. It is unclear how that designation came about. On the same return is listed Lemoyne's 17th Battalion Arkansas Infantry, with 387 of 627 men present for duty. On May 15, 1862, McCarver's 14th and 17th Arkansas Infantry Regiment (Lemoyne's)
17th Arkansas Infantry Regiment (Lemoyne's)
The 17th Arkansas Infantry was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War.-Organization:The Seventeenth Arkansas regiment was organized in August, 1861, at Fairfield, Yell county, under orders of the State military board. The field and staff officers were:*Colonel. George...
s, (or 17th and 18th Arkansas Battalions), were consolidated to form the 21st Arkansas Infantry Regiment
21st Arkansas Infantry Regiment
The 21st Arkansas Infantry was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War.-Organization:21st Infantry Regiment was organized on May 15, 1862 by consolidating four companies of McCarver's 14th and six companies of Lemoyne's 17th Arkansas Regiments, to form the 21st ...
. This increased the confusion because the 21st Arkansas had already been assigned to the regiment of Dandridge McRae. To avoid confusion between two 21st Arkansas Regiments, McRae's regiment was later redesignated as the 15th (Northwest) Arkansas Infantry Regiment
15th (Northwest) Arkansas Infantry Regiment
The 15th Arkansas Infantry Regiment was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War. The unit was originally formed as the 3rd Arkansas Infantry Battalion. After receiving the required 10 companies, the unit was redesignated as the 21st Arkansas Infantry Regiment...
(making a total of three 15th Arkansas Regiments). Confusion solved!
The unit was composed of volunteer companies from the following counties:
- Company A, Commanded by Captain Lindsey S. Williams, organized at Pocahontas, Arkansas on September 1, 1861.
- Company B, Commanded by Captain Thomas N. Smith, organized at Pocahontas, Arkansas on September 24, 1861.
- Company C, Commanded by Captain Enoch O. Wolf.
- Company D, Commanded by Captain Christopher C. Elkins, organized in Izard Co, Arkansas on August 27, 1861.
- Company E, Commanded by Captain Hugh A. Barnett, organized at Pocahontas, Arkansas on September 23, 1861.
- Company F, Commanded by Captain William G. Matheney, organized at Pocahontas, Arkansas on September 23, 1861.
- Company G, Commanded by Captain Samuel J. Herndon, organized at Pocahontas, Arkansas on August 31, 1861.
- Company H, Commanded by Captain, organized at Pocahontas, Arkansas on September 23, 1861.
- Company I, Commanded by Captain Adison H. Nunn, organized at Pocahontas, Arkansas on October 24, 1861.
- Company K, Commanded by Captain Thomas G. Shinpock, organized at Pitman's Ferry, Arkansas on December 18, 1861.
Battles
As the 21st Arkansas Regiment, under Col. Jordan E. Cravens, this regiment fought in the following engagements: Battle of CorinthBattle of Corinth
The Battle of Corinth may refer to a Roman battle, or to one of two American Civil War Battles:* The Battle of Corinth * The Siege of Corinth, Mississippi , also known as the First Battle of Corinth, during the American Civil War* The Second Battle of Corinth...
, Battle of Grand Gulf
Battle of Grand Gulf
The Battle of Grand Gulf was fought on April 29, 1863, during the American Civil War. In the Vicksburg Campaign of Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, Union naval forces under Rear Adm. David D. Porter led seven ironclads in an attack on the Confederate fortifications and batteries at Grand Gulf, downriver...
, Battle of Port Gibson
Battle of Port Gibson
The Battle of Port Gibson was fought near Port Gibson, Mississippi, on May 1, 1863, between Union and Confederate forces during the Vicksburg Campaign of the American Civil War. The Union Army was led by Maj. Gen. Ulysses S...
, Battle of Champion's Hill, Battle of Big Black River Bridge
Battle of Big Black River Bridge
The Battle of Big Black River Bridge, or Big Black, fought May 17, 1863, was part of the Vicksburg Campaign of the American Civil War. Union commander Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and the Army of the Tennessee pursued the retreating Confederate Lt. Gen. John C...
, and finally ended up at the Siege of Vicksburg.
The 21st Arkansas was consolidated with the 15th Northwest Arkansas, 16th Arkansas, and Powers' 14th Arkansas Infantry Regiments to form the 1st Arkansas Consolidated Infantry Regiment (Trans-Mississippi)
1st Arkansas Consolidated Infantry Regiment (Trans-Mississippi)
The 1st Arkansas Consolidated Infantry was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War. The regiment is separate from and has no connection to the 1st Arkansas Consolidated Infantry Regiment which was formed in the Confederate Army of Tennessee in April 1865 and separate...
, and was stationed at Marshall, Texas
Marshall, Texas
Marshall is a city in Harrison County in the northeastern corner of Texas. Marshall is a major cultural and educational center in East Texas and the tri-state area. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Marshall was about 23,523...
, when the war ended. The consolidated regiment was assigned along with the 2nd Arkansas Consolidated Infantry Regiment
2nd Arkansas Consolidated Infantry Regiment
The 2nd Arkansas Consolidated Infantry was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War. The regiment is separate from and has no connection to the 2nd Arkansas Infantry Regiment which served in the Confederate Army of Tennessee and separate from the 2nd Regiment, Arkansas...
and the 3rd Arkansas Consolidated Infantry Regiment
3rd Arkansas Consolidated Infantry Regiment
The 3rd Arkansas Consolidated Infantry was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War. The regiment is separate from and has no connection to the 3rd Arkansas Infantry Regiment which served in the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia and separate from the 3rd Regiment,...
and to the 2nd (McNair’s) Arkansas Brigade, 1st (Churchill’s) Arkansas Division, 2nd Corps, Trans-Mississippi Department, from September 1864 to May 1865.
Surrender
The 1st Arkansas Consolidated Infantry Regiment was formerly surrendered with the Department of the Trans-Mississippi by Major General E. Kirby Smith on May 26, 1865. When the Trans-Mississippi Department surrendered, all of the Arkansas infantry regiments were encamped in and around Marshall, Texas (war-ravaged Arkansas no longer able to subsist the army). The regiments were ordered to report to Shreveport, LouisianaShreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport is the third largest city in Louisiana. It is the principal city of the fourth largest metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana and is the 109th-largest city in the United States....
, to be paroled. None of them did so. Some soldiers went to Shreveport on their own to be paroled, but the regiments simply disbanded without formally surrendering. A company or two managed to keep together until they got home. For example, Company G, 35th Arkansas Infantry Regiment
35th Arkansas Infantry Regiment
-External links:* * * *...
, traveled back to Van Buren, Arkansas
Van Buren, Arkansas
Van Buren is the second largest city in the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area and the county seat of Crawford County, Arkansas, United States. The city is located directly northeast of Fort Smith at the Interstate 40 - Interstate 540 junction...
where they surrendered to the U.S. post commander in a formal ceremony, drawn up in front of the court-house, laying down their weapons, etc. But for the most part, the men simply went home. Many of the Arkansas Cavalry units, which had largely been furloughed for the winter of 1864-1865 following Price's disastrous Missouri Expedition
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...
did formally surrendered at Jacksonport, Wittsburg, and a few other locations.
External links
- Edward G. Gerdes Civil War Home Page
- The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture
- The War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies
- The Arkansas History Commission, State Archives, Civil War in Arkansas
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...