Arkansas State Guard and the Spanish-American War
Encyclopedia
The history of the Arkansas State Guard and the War with Spain begins with the reorganization of the state militia following the end of Reconstruction. In 1879 the Arkansas Legislature had abolished the office of Adjutant General in retaliation for the use of the state militia to interfere in local political matters during reconstruction. During this period the Governor's Private Secretary performed the duties of the Adjutant General as an additional duty, and the legislature provided no appropriated funds for the state guard. Several companies
existed during this period, including the Quapaw Guards and the McCarthy Guard in Little Rock
. In 1897 the Arkansas State Guard was reorganized to consist of four infantry
regiment
s, two artillery batteries
and a cavalry
squadron
. In 1897, the state provided two volunteer infantry regiments for the Spanish-American War
and although these two Arkansas Volunteer Infantry Regiments were not deployed overseas and did not see actual combat, they did suffer a number of casualties from disease.
Pursuant to the Governor's direction the Regiments were organized as follows:
The Quapaw Guard was organized in Little Rock in 1880. The unit was deployed to Perry County in the summer of 1881 for three weeks to deal with a general spirit of lawlessness, reported by the county judge. The unit won drill competitions at the state fair against units from Memphis and St. Louis. The unit's armory was located in Little Rock at the corner of Markham and Chester Streets.
The McCarthy Light Guards were organized in Little Rock in 1887, being named for the local business man who provided their uniforms, John H. McCarthy. The unit competed in several drill competitions, including the Interstate Competitive Drill at Galveston, Texas, where the unit placed third, at Atlanta in 1889 where they placed second, in Omaha in 1891 where they took second, and at Nashville Tennessee where they took first place. The unit was invited to attend the Chicago Worlds Far in 1893. The unit took fourth prize at the Interstate Competitive Drill conducted in its home town of Little Rock in 1894. In 1894 the unit was mobilized to deal with a rail road worker's strike.
The state was divided into two military districts, with the Arkansas River being the dividing line. Major General R.G. Shaver was commissioned and placed in overall command of the state's Forces. Brigadier General C. R. Shaer was commissioned and placed in command of the Southern District, which included the 1st and 2nd Infantry Regiments, two batteries of artillery and a signal company. Major General V.Y. Cook was commissioned and placed in command of the Northern District, consisting of the Second and Forth Regiments of infantry and a squadron of Cavalry. The units were poorly equipped and had outdated equipment.
The following regimental officers were appointed by Adjutant General Files:
Col. Waldron was ordered to take necessary steps to completely organize, and equip his regiment, making all necessary appointments of non-commissioned officers. He was authorized to make such visits and inspections as he deemed proper in the performance of his duty.
Artillery Batteries
Pursuant to the Governor's direction the Regiments were organized as follows:
1st Arkansas Volunteer Infantry
2nd Arkansas Volunteer Infantry
The newly formed Arkansas Volunteer Infantry Regiments did not see combat during the Spanish American War. The 1st Arkansas, commanded by Colonel Elias Chandler, along with the 2nd Arkansas, moved to Camp George H. Thomas
at Chickamauga Park
, Georgia in May 1898. The two Arkansas Volunteer Infantry Regiments were still there participating in basic training when the war effectively ended with the fall of Cuba and the signing of an armistice in early August. The 1st Arkansas Volunteer Infantry mustered out of Federal Service on October 25, 1899 at Little Rock, Arkansas
. The 2nd Regiment continued in service until February 25, 1899, when they were mustered out at Anniston, Alabama
. While the units saw no actual fighting, the deployment did have its casualties. Fifty-four Arkansas Soldiers died of disease or accident during the mobilization.
and the 142nd Field Artillery Regiment each trace their lineage and honors to the units in existence just prior to and during the Spanish American War. The nation's experience with a large scale mobilization of the state militias would result in new legislation that changed the nation's national defense strategy. The realization that the system of state funded and organized militia units had failed to provide the nation with a rapidly deployable army at a time when the United States was becoming an international power led to legislative provisions focused upon establishing a more reliable, standardized and federally funded reserve component. These provisions were enshrined in the Militia Act of 1903
, which established the National Guard.
During an outbreak of "Yellow Fever" from August trough October 1905 the Arkansas State Guard was activated to enforce a quarantine. The ASG guarded the borders of the state "just as in time of war" and established relief camps.
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
existed during this period, including the Quapaw Guards and the McCarthy Guard in Little Rock
Little 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...
. In 1897 the Arkansas State Guard was reorganized to consist of four infantry
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...
s, two artillery batteries
Artillery battery
In military organizations, an artillery battery is a unit of guns, mortars, rockets or missiles so grouped in order to facilitate better battlefield communication and command and control, as well as to provide dispersion for its constituent gunnery crews and their systems...
and a cavalry
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...
squadron
Squadron (cavalry)
A squadron was historically a cavalry sub unit. It is still used to refer to modern cavalry units but can also be used as a designation for other arms and services.-United States:...
. In 1897, the state provided two volunteer infantry regiments for the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
and although these two Arkansas Volunteer Infantry Regiments were not deployed overseas and did not see actual combat, they did suffer a number of casualties from disease.
Post Reconstruction
Interest in the state militia waned following Reconstruction. Officially the state militia consisted of two regiments of infantry, one battery of artillery, one troop cavalry, and one signal unit. The Regimental headquarters of the 1st Infantry, Arkansas State Guards was located in Little Rock, but with little or no state funding, the militia units that existed were supported with private funds. Local militia companies, such as the McCarthy Light Guards and the Quapaw Guard in Little Rock, participated in drill and ceremony competitions, with all the funding for travel, uniforms and equipment coming from private sources.Pursuant to the Governor's direction the Regiments were organized as follows:
The Quapaw Guard was organized in Little Rock in 1880. The unit was deployed to Perry County in the summer of 1881 for three weeks to deal with a general spirit of lawlessness, reported by the county judge. The unit won drill competitions at the state fair against units from Memphis and St. Louis. The unit's armory was located in Little Rock at the corner of Markham and Chester Streets.
The McCarthy Light Guards were organized in Little Rock in 1887, being named for the local business man who provided their uniforms, John H. McCarthy. The unit competed in several drill competitions, including the Interstate Competitive Drill at Galveston, Texas, where the unit placed third, at Atlanta in 1889 where they placed second, in Omaha in 1891 where they took second, and at Nashville Tennessee where they took first place. The unit was invited to attend the Chicago Worlds Far in 1893. The unit took fourth prize at the Interstate Competitive Drill conducted in its home town of Little Rock in 1894. In 1894 the unit was mobilized to deal with a rail road worker's strike.
Reorganization of 1897
In January 1897 Governor Daniel W. Jones took office and appointed Brigadier General Authur Neill as his Private Secretary and Acting Adjutant General (the position of Adjutant General had still not been re-authorized by the state legislature at this time). The new Governor and Adjutant General began a massive re-organization of the Arkansas Sate Guard. Two additional regiments of infantry, another troop of cavalry, and another battery of artillery were added to the organization.The state was divided into two military districts, with the Arkansas River being the dividing line. Major General R.G. Shaver was commissioned and placed in overall command of the state's Forces. Brigadier General C. R. Shaer was commissioned and placed in command of the Southern District, which included the 1st and 2nd Infantry Regiments, two batteries of artillery and a signal company. Major General V.Y. Cook was commissioned and placed in command of the Northern District, consisting of the Second and Forth Regiments of infantry and a squadron of Cavalry. The units were poorly equipped and had outdated equipment.
Reorganization of 1891
In 1891, Captain E. D. Thomas, a captain of the 5th Cavalry was ordered to make an inspection of Arkansas State Guard on behalf of the Inspector General of the Army. Upon reaching Little Rock, Captain Thomas found that the only military organizations in existence at that time in the state were at the local level. Captain Thomas indicated that regimental and brigade level organizations had not been maintained in several years. Thomas indicated that the existing local companies were supported through "benevlance and that the state had not even applied to utilize funds for the support of the militia which had recently been approved of by Congress. Captain Thomas' visit apparently spurred the state in to action because he indicated that the following order had been issued prior to his departure from Little Rock:The following regimental officers were appointed by Adjutant General Files:
- Col. John D. Waldron, Commander of the First Regiment Arkansas State Guard, effective October 1, 1891.
- Lieut. Col. John M. Dungan
- Maj. G. C. Schogg
- Capt. C. M. Wing appointed as the Regimental Adjutant
- Capt. Chas. E. Taylor appointed as the Regimental Quartermaster
Col. Waldron was ordered to take necessary steps to completely organize, and equip his regiment, making all necessary appointments of non-commissioned officers. He was authorized to make such visits and inspections as he deemed proper in the performance of his duty.
Southern District, BG C.R. Shaer, Commanding
| 1st Regiment, Arkansas State Guards | Colonel F.B.T. Hollenberg, | Station |
|---|---|---|
| Company A, | Not yet formed | |
| Company B, | CPT James Wood | Little Rock |
| Company C, (McCarthy Light Guards) | CPT C.M. Wright | Little Rock |
| Company D, (Fletcher Rifles) | CPT R.M. Pearson | Little Rock |
| Company E, | CPT Grant White | Hope |
| Company F, | Not yet formed | |
| Company G, | Not yet formed | |
| Company H, | CPT Edward Lucas | Star City |
| Company I, | Not yet formed | |
| Company J, | Not yet formed | |
| Company K, | Not yet formed | |
| Company L | CPT R.W. Reynolds | Lake Village |
| 3rd Regiment, Arkansas State Guards | Colonel J.F. Smith, | Station |
|---|---|---|
| Company A, | CPT W.E. Wooten | Hot Springs |
| Company B, | CPT D.P. Terry | Nashville |
| Company C, | CPT R.A. Gilliam | Lockesburg |
| Company D, | CPT C.F. Armistead | Fort Smith |
| Company E, | CPT E.K. Braley | |
| Company F, | CPT J.W. Coffman | Benton |
| Company G, | CPT Leo Krause | DeQueen |
| Company H, | CPT Wiley Wright | Prescott |
| Company I, | CPT Henry Stroup, Paris | Paris |
| Company J, | Not yet formed | |
| Company K, | Not yet formed | |
| Company L | Not yet formed |
Artillery Batteries
| Unit | Commander | Station |
|---|---|---|
| Battery A | LT A.G. Crawford | Little Rock |
| Battery B | CPT C.E. Byers | Fort Smith |
| Unit | Commander | Station |
|---|---|---|
| Signal Corps | CPT J.F. Loughborough | Little Rock |
Northern District, MG V.Y. Cook, Commanding
| 2nd Regiment, Arkansas State Guards | Colonel J.B. Dent, | Station |
|---|---|---|
| Company A, | CPT S.L. Jeffers | Van Buren |
| Company B, | Not yet organized | |
| Company C, | CPT B.T. Bullion | Conway |
| Company D, | CPT P.W. Mooss | Paragould |
| Company E, | CPT J.J. Cox | Marion |
| Company F, | CPT M.M. Stuckey | Newport |
| Company G, | CPT J.C. South | Moutian Home |
| Company H, | CPT J.E. Nichols, | Clarksville |
| Company I, | CPT M.D. Moody, | Judsonia |
| Company J, | Not yet organized | |
| Company K, | Not yet organized | |
| Company L | CPT R.W. Reynolds | Lake Village |
| 4th Regiment, Arkansas State Guards | Colonel J.M. Phelps, | Station |
|---|---|---|
| Company A, | CPT R.H. Reed | Batesville |
| Company B, | CPT C.P.Sanders | Helena |
| Company C, | J.R. Newman | Harrison |
| Company D, | CPT G. W. Granberry | Cabot |
| Company E, | Not yet organized | |
| Company F, | CPT J.H. Yuckley | Stuttgart |
| Company G, | CPT W.J. Moss | Gillett |
| Company H, | CPT Mark Maxwell, | DeWitt |
| Company I, | CPT J.L. Long, | Springdale |
| Company J, | Not yet organized | |
| Company K, | CPT Collier | Berryville |
| Company L | Not yet organized |
| 1st Cavalry Squadron, Arkansas State Guards | Major M.C. House, | Station |
|---|---|---|
| Troop A, | 1LT J.D. Adams | Panola |
| Troop B, | CPT S.W. Murtishaw | Jacksonville |
The Spanish-American War
On April 25, 1898, President William McKinley called upon the State to supply two infantry regiments for the Spanish American War. None of the Regiments were in acceptable condition to deploy and only two companies were determined fit to be mustered in to service intact. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Regiments of Infantry, Arkansas State Guard, were reorganized, redesignated and mustered into Federal Service between May 14–25, 1898 at Little Rock as the 1st and 2nd Arkansas Volunteer Infantry for service in the Spanish American War. Governor Jones intended that all sections of the State be represented as far as possible, so the two new Regiments were created from selected State Guard companies and from different sections of the state.Pursuant to the Governor's direction the Regiments were organized as follows:
1st Arkansas Volunteer Infantry
| Company | Former Organization | Station |
|---|---|---|
| A | Company A, 3rd Regiment, Arkansas State Guard (ASG) | Hot Springs |
| B | Company, E, 3rd Regiment, ASG (Jefferson Fensibles) | Pine Bluff |
| C | Battery B, ASG | Fort Smith |
| D | Company D, 3rd Regiment, ASG | Fort Smith |
| E | Co E, 1st Regiment, ASG and Co G, 3rd Regiment, ASG | Hope (Co E) and DeQueen (CO G) |
| F | Company I, 4th Regiment, ASG | Springdale |
| G | Company B, 4th Regiment, ASG (Helena Light Guards) | Helena |
| H | New Unit Organized for the War | |
| I | Company A, 1st Regiment, ASG | Van Buren |
| K | Company I, 3rd Regiment, ASG | Paris |
| L | Company L, 1st Regiment, ASG, (Chicot Rifles) | Lake Village |
| M (Greene Rifles) | New Unit Organized for the War |
2nd Arkansas Volunteer Infantry
| Company | Former Organization | Station |
|---|---|---|
| A | Company C, 1st Regiment, ASG (McCarthy Light Guards) | Little Rock |
| B | Company A, 4th Regiment, ASG, V.Y. Cook Rifles, | Batesville |
| C | Company G, 4th Regiment, ASG | Walnut Ridge |
| D | Company D, 2nd Regiment, ASG | ? |
| E | Company D, 1st Regiment, ASG (Fletcher Rifles) | Little Rock |
| F | Company F, 2nd Regiment, ASG (Hurley Rifles) | ? |
| G | Company D, 4th Regiment, ASG (Cabot Guards) | Cabot |
| H | Company I, 1st Regiment, ASG | Forrest City |
| I | Companies F, G, and H, 4th Regiment, ASG | Stuttgart (Co F), Gillett (Co G) and Dewitt (Co H) |
| K | Company A, 4th Regiment, ASG (Clendenin Rifles) | Harrison |
| L | Company C, 2nd Regiment, ASG | Conway |
| M | Company ?, 4th Regiment, ASG (Highland Sharpshooters) | Melbourne (with volunteers from Mounain Home) |
The newly formed Arkansas Volunteer Infantry Regiments did not see combat during the Spanish American War. The 1st Arkansas, commanded by Colonel Elias Chandler, along with the 2nd Arkansas, moved to Camp George H. Thomas
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, located in northern Georgia and eastern Tennessee, preserves the sites of two major battles of the American Civil War: the Battle of Chickamauga and the Chattanooga Campaign.-History:...
at Chickamauga Park
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, located in northern Georgia and eastern Tennessee, preserves the sites of two major battles of the American Civil War: the Battle of Chickamauga and the Chattanooga Campaign.-History:...
, Georgia in May 1898. The two Arkansas Volunteer Infantry Regiments were still there participating in basic training when the war effectively ended with the fall of Cuba and the signing of an armistice in early August. The 1st Arkansas Volunteer Infantry mustered out of Federal Service on October 25, 1899 at Little Rock, Arkansas
Little 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...
. The 2nd Regiment continued in service until February 25, 1899, when they were mustered out at Anniston, Alabama
Anniston, Alabama
Anniston is a city in Calhoun County in the state of Alabama, United States.As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 24,276. According to the 2005 U.S. Census estimates, the city had a population of 23,741...
. While the units saw no actual fighting, the deployment did have its casualties. Fifty-four Arkansas Soldiers died of disease or accident during the mobilization.
Relevance to current Arkansas National Guard
While the Arkansas State Guard did not win any additional campaign participation credit for its mobilization as a part of the Spanish American War, the reorganization the occurred as a result of the war laid the ground work for the modern Arkansas National Guard. The 153rd Infantry Regiment153rd Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 153rd Infantry Regiment is a United States infantry regiment, currently represented in the Arkansas Army National Guard by the 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry, headquartered at Malvern, Arkansas, and 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry, headquartered at Searcy, Arkansas, elements of the 39th Brigade...
and the 142nd Field Artillery Regiment each trace their lineage and honors to the units in existence just prior to and during the Spanish American War. The nation's experience with a large scale mobilization of the state militias would result in new legislation that changed the nation's national defense strategy. The realization that the system of state funded and organized militia units had failed to provide the nation with a rapidly deployable army at a time when the United States was becoming an international power led to legislative provisions focused upon establishing a more reliable, standardized and federally funded reserve component. These provisions were enshrined in the Militia Act of 1903
Militia Act of 1903
The National Guard Bureau is the federal instrument responsible for the administration of the National Guard of the United States established by the United States Congress as a joint bureau of the Department of the Army and the Department of the Air Force. It was created by the Militia Act of 1903...
, which established the National Guard.
Significant state missions
In 1894 the Arkansas State Guard was activated during a railroad strike. The ASG at this time was not funded by the legislature, but the legislature reimbursed the ASG for its expenses during the 1896 General Assembly.During an outbreak of "Yellow Fever" from August trough October 1905 the Arkansas State Guard was activated to enforce a quarantine. The ASG guarded the borders of the state "just as in time of war" and established relief camps.
External links
- AR National Guard
- AR Air National Guard
- AR Army National Guard
- The Arkansas National Guard Museum
- Bibliography of Arkansas Army National Guard History compiled by the United States Army Center of Military History