15th (Josey's) Arkansas Volunteer Infantry
Encyclopedia
The 15th Arkansas Volunteer Infantry (1861–1865) was a Confederate Army infantry
regiment
during the American Civil War
. The unit was originally formed from existing militia units and designated as the 1st Regiment, Arkansas State Troops. After being transferred from state service to Confederate
service the unit was redesignated as the 15th Arkansas. There were two other regiments which also received the designation of "15th Arkansas". The 21st (McRae's) Arkansas Infantry was redesignatedConfederate States of America| the 15th Arkansas in February 1863, but to avoid confusion, was normally referred to as the 15th (Northwest) Arkansas. This second "15th Arkansas" was surrendered at Vicksburg
in July 1863. A third regiment, under command of Colonels Gee and later Johnson, also received the designation 15th Arkansas Infantry. This last regiment surrendered at Port Hudson, Louisiana
in July 1863.
, Arkansas organized a total of 48 infantry
regiment
s for service with the Confederate Army. Most, like the 15th Arkansas, served the majority of the war in the "Western Theater"
. The 1st Regiment, Arkansas State Troops, was organized from existing Volunteer Militia Companies several of which had participated in the seizure of the Federal Arsenal at Little Rock
.
. Captain Patrick R. Cleburne
, of the Yell Rifles, was elected Colonel of the regiment. As the very first regiment of the line authorized by the State Military Board in the Civil War, they bore the title of 1st Regiment Arkansas State Troops. The regiment was formally organized with the following Volunteer Companies:
When Captain Cleburne was appointed colonel of the new regiment, Capt. Edward H. Cowley succeeded him in command of the Yell Rifles, Company F.
from the following counties:
On July 23, 1861, while stationed at Pitman's Ferry, the 1st Arkansas Regiment, along with the other Arkansas State Troops, were transferred from State to Confederate service. This transfer was not binding on the men, who could opt out if they so desired. The men of Company C (Yell Guards) and Company G (Hindman Guards) declined to transfer to the Provisional Army of the Confederate States, so the men were honorably discharged and their companies were disbanded.
's regiment was accepted and enrolled in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States at Lynchburg, Virginia, on May 19, 1861, as the (1st Regiment Arkansas Volunteers
. When the Confederate War Department realized that it had two "First Arkansas" regiments, it arbitrarily assigned what their records showed was the next available designation, "the 15th Arkansas Regiment" and ordered Cleburne's regiment to adopt this designation. The regiment was redesignated as the 15th Arkansas Infantry on December 31, 1861. Unfortunately the Arkansas State Military Board had already authorized the use of this designation for Col. James M. Gee's regiment. Effectively the Confederate Army went from having two 1st Arkansas Regiments to having two 15th Arkansas regiments; however, these designations stuck for the rest of the war. Thus, by January 1862 Cleburne's 1st Arkansas Regiment was reorganized for the war as the 15th Arkansas Regiment, as follows:
After July 1861, the 1st/15th Arkansas had only eight companies, making it, in effect, a "heavy" battalion, rather than a full regiment, but the unit was kept on the army rolls as a regiment throughout the war.
Lucius E. Polk, the 15th Arkansas fought at the Battle of Shiloh
and the Kentucky Campaign of 1862 as part of Cleburne's Brigade. The regiment lost 2 killed and 19 wounded at the Battle of Richmond, Kentucky. It then was assigned to first Polks' then Liddell's and finally to Govan's Brigade, Army of Tennessee. During the Battle of Murfreesboro the 15th Arkansas was field consolidated with the 13th Arkansas Infantry Regiment
. The 13th/15th reported 68 casualties at Murfreesborough. In September, 1863, the 15th was field consolidated with the 2nd Arkansas Infantry Regiment
and during December 1862, the 24th Arkansas Infantry Regiment
was added to the field consolidation. During December, 1863, the 2nd/15th/24th totaled 295 men and 202 arms. The unit served with the army from the Battle of Chickamauga
to the Battle of Chattanooga
, and throughout the Atlanta Campaign
. In July, 1864, the 15th Arkansas was field consolidated with the 1st (Fagan's-Colquitt's) Regiment and in the Battle of Atlanta lost 15 killed, 67 wounded, and 3 missing. Under the command of General John Bell Hood
, the unit participated in the carnage at the Battles of Franklin
and the near destruction of the Army of Tennessee at the Nashville
in Tennessee. The unit ended the war in North Carolina.
Toward the end of the war, Cleburne's old regiment finally recovered its original designation, after a fashion. In the massive reorganization of the Army of Tennessee
on April 9, 1865, the 15th Arkansas was consolidated with nine other depleted Arkansas regiments, the 1st Arkansas, 2nd Arkansas
, 5th Arkansas, 8th Arkansas
, 13th Arkansas
, 19th (Dawson's) Arkansas
, 24th Arkansas
and the 3rd Confederate Infantry Regiment
were lumped together as the 1st Arkansas Consolidated Infantry
. The survivors of the 15th Arkansas made up into a single understrength company, "Company H" of the new 1st Arkansas Consolidated Infantry
.
on April 26, 1865.
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 was originally formed from existing militia units and designated as the 1st Regiment, Arkansas State Troops. After being transferred from state service to Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
service the unit was redesignated as the 15th Arkansas. There were two other regiments which also received the designation of "15th Arkansas". The 21st (McRae's) Arkansas Infantry was redesignatedConfederate States of America| the 15th Arkansas in February 1863, but to avoid confusion, was normally referred to as the 15th (Northwest) Arkansas. This second "15th Arkansas" was surrendered at Vicksburg
Battle of Vicksburg
The Siege of Vicksburg was the final major military action in the Vicksburg Campaign of the American Civil War. In a series of maneuvers, Union Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and his Army of the Tennessee crossed the Mississippi River and drove the Confederate army of Lt. Gen. John C...
in July 1863. A third regiment, under command of Colonels Gee and later Johnson, also received the designation 15th Arkansas Infantry. This last regiment surrendered at Port Hudson, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
in July 1863.
Organization
At the beginning of the American Civil WarAmerican 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...
, Arkansas organized a total of 48 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 for service with the Confederate Army. Most, like the 15th Arkansas, served the majority of the war in the "Western Theater"
Western Theater of the American Civil War
This article presents an overview of major military and naval operations in the Western Theater of the American Civil War.-Theater of operations:...
. The 1st Regiment, Arkansas State Troops, was organized from existing Volunteer Militia Companies several of which had participated in the seizure of the Federal Arsenal at 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...
.
Organized from State Militia Units
These Volunteer Companies were enrolled in State service on May 14, 1861 at Mound City, 6 miles (9.7 km) above Memphis on the Mississippi RiverMississippi 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...
. Captain Patrick R. Cleburne
Patrick Cleburne
Patrick Ronayne Cleburne was an Irish American soldier, best known for his service in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War, where he rose to the rank of major general....
, of the Yell Rifles, was elected Colonel of the regiment. As the very first regiment of the line authorized by the State Military Board in the Civil War, they bore the title of 1st Regiment Arkansas State Troops. The regiment was formally organized with the following Volunteer Companies:
| Company | Name | County | Militia Regiment | Commander | Organization Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Company A | "Harris Guards" | Monroe | 35th Militia Regiment | Capt. James T. Harris | May 27, 1861 |
| Company B | "Jefferson Guards" | Jefferson | 24th Militia Regiment | Capt. Charles H. Carlton | September 24, 1860 |
| Company C | "Yell Guards" | Jefferson | None | Capt. Francis M. McNally | |
| Company D | "Rector Guards" | Prairie | 50th Militia Regiment | Capt. George W. Glenn | February 12, 1861 |
| Company E | "Napoleon Grays" | Desha | 6th Militia Regiment | Capt. Henry E. Green | February 28, 1861 |
| Company F | "Yell Riflemen" | Phillips | 12th Militia Regiment | Capt. Patrick R. Cleburne | January 29, 1861 |
| Company G | "Hindman Guards" | White | None | Capt. Henry B. Blakemore | April 18, 1861 |
| Company H | "Phillips Guards" | Phillips | 12th Militia Regiment | Capt. George Otey | January 29, 1861 |
| Company I | "Tyronza Rebels" | Mississippi | None | Capt. Robert L. Harding | June 3, 1861 |
| Company K | "Monroe Blues" | Monroe | 35th Militia Regiment | Capt. Gaston K. Baldwin | May 16, 1861 |
When Captain Cleburne was appointed colonel of the new regiment, Capt. Edward H. Cowley succeeded him in command of the Yell Rifles, Company F.
Transferred to Confederate Service
Under the command of Colonel Patrick Cleburne, the unit was enrolled in Confederate service on July 23, 1861, at Pitman's Ferry, AR and was initially designated as the 1st Arkansas Infantry; The 15th Arkansas was composed of volunteer companiesCompany (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...
from the following counties:
On July 23, 1861, while stationed at Pitman's Ferry, the 1st Arkansas Regiment, along with the other Arkansas State Troops, were transferred from State to Confederate service. This transfer was not binding on the men, who could opt out if they so desired. The men of Company C (Yell Guards) and Company G (Hindman Guards) declined to transfer to the Provisional Army of the Confederate States, so the men were honorably discharged and their companies were disbanded.
- Company A-Harris Guards.
- Company B-Yell Rifles.
- Company C-Napoleon Grays.
- Company D-Tyronza Rebels.
- Company E-Monroe Blues.
- Company F-Phillips Guards.
- Company G-Rector Guards.
- Company H-Jefferson Guards.
Re-designated as the 15th Arkansas Infantry Regiment
In September 1862, all of the Arkansas troops transferred to Confederate service were moved east of the Mississippi River. The 15th Arkansas moved east of the Mississippi River with 506 men. By January 1862, the Confederate War Department had discovered that there was already a "1st Arkansas Infantry" enrolled in Confederate service. COL James Fleming FaganJames Fleming Fagan
James Fleming Fagan was a planter, public official, and a major general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.-Early life and career:...
's regiment was accepted and enrolled in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States at Lynchburg, Virginia, on May 19, 1861, as the (1st Regiment Arkansas Volunteers
1st Arkansas Infantry
The 1st Arkansas Infantry was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War. There were three regiments known as "1st Arkansas" during the war...
. When the Confederate War Department realized that it had two "First Arkansas" regiments, it arbitrarily assigned what their records showed was the next available designation, "the 15th Arkansas Regiment" and ordered Cleburne's regiment to adopt this designation. The regiment was redesignated as the 15th Arkansas Infantry on December 31, 1861. Unfortunately the Arkansas State Military Board had already authorized the use of this designation for Col. James M. Gee's regiment. Effectively the Confederate Army went from having two 1st Arkansas Regiments to having two 15th Arkansas regiments; however, these designations stuck for the rest of the war. Thus, by January 1862 Cleburne's 1st Arkansas Regiment was reorganized for the war as the 15th Arkansas Regiment, as follows:
- Company A-Harris Guards.
- Company B-Jefferson Guards.
- Company C-Yell Rifles.
- Company D-Napoleon Grays.
- Company E-Tyronza Rebels.
- Company F-Monroe Blues.
- Company G-Phillips Guards.
- Company H-Rector Guards.
After July 1861, the 1st/15th Arkansas had only eight companies, making it, in effect, a "heavy" battalion, rather than a full regiment, but the unit was kept on the army rolls as a regiment throughout the war.
Commanders
Colonel Cleburne was appointed brigadier-general in March 1862, and was succeeded by Col. Lucius E. Polk. Colonel Polk was appointed brigadier-general in December 1862, and was succeeded by Col. John E. Josey. The U.S. War Department cataloged the regiment's Compiled Service Records as the 15th (Josey's) Arkansas Infantry.Battles
Under the command of ColonelColonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
Lucius E. Polk, the 15th Arkansas fought at the Battle of Shiloh
Battle of Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh, also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, was a major battle in the Western Theater of the American Civil War, fought April 6–7, 1862, in southwestern Tennessee. A Union army under Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant had moved via the Tennessee River deep into Tennessee and...
and the Kentucky Campaign of 1862 as part of Cleburne's Brigade. The regiment lost 2 killed and 19 wounded at the Battle of Richmond, Kentucky. It then was assigned to first Polks' then Liddell's and finally to Govan's Brigade, Army of Tennessee. During the Battle of Murfreesboro the 15th Arkansas was field consolidated with the 13th Arkansas Infantry Regiment
13th Arkansas Infantry Regiment
The 13th Arkansas Infantry was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War.- Organization :The 13th Arkansas was formally organized on 29 Jul 1861 at Camp Ground in Greene Co, Arkansas with about 1000 men. The companies mustered into Confederate service at Harrisburg,...
. The 13th/15th reported 68 casualties at Murfreesborough. In September, 1863, the 15th was field consolidated with the 2nd Arkansas Infantry Regiment
2nd Arkansas Infantry Regiment
The 2nd Arkansas Infantry was an army regiment of the Confederate Army during the American Civil War.- Organization:The regiment was first formed in Helena, Arkansas through the efforts of Thomas Carmichael Hindman who had only recently resigned from the United States Congress due to the Arkansas...
and during December 1862, the 24th Arkansas Infantry Regiment
24th Arkansas Infantry Regiment
The 24th Arkansas Infantry was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War.-Organization:The 24th Arkansas Infantry Regiment was organized at White Sulphur Springs, Arkansas on June 6, 1862. The field officers were Colonel E. E. Portlock, Jr.; Lieutenant Colonels W. R....
was added to the field consolidation. During December, 1863, the 2nd/15th/24th totaled 295 men and 202 arms. The unit served with the army from the Battle of Chickamauga
Battle of Chickamauga
The Battle of Chickamauga, fought September 19–20, 1863, marked the end of a Union offensive in southeastern Tennessee and northwestern Georgia called the Chickamauga Campaign...
to the Battle of Chattanooga
Battle of Chattanooga
There were three Battles of Chattanooga fought in or near Chattanooga, Tennessee, during the American Civil War:* First Battle of Chattanooga, minor artillery bombardment by Union Brigadier General James S. Negley against Confederate Maj. Gen...
, and throughout the Atlanta Campaign
Atlanta Campaign
The Atlanta Campaign was a series of battles fought in the Western Theater of the American Civil War throughout northwest Georgia and the area around Atlanta during the summer of 1864. Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman invaded Georgia from the vicinity of Chattanooga, Tennessee, beginning in May...
. In July, 1864, the 15th Arkansas was field consolidated with the 1st (Fagan's-Colquitt's) Regiment and in the Battle of Atlanta lost 15 killed, 67 wounded, and 3 missing. Under the command of General John Bell Hood
John Bell Hood
John Bell Hood was a Confederate general during the American Civil War. Hood had a reputation for bravery and aggressiveness that sometimes bordered on recklessness...
, the unit participated in the carnage at the Battles of Franklin
Battle of Franklin
Battle of Franklin may refer to three battles of the American Civil War:* Battle of Franklin , a major battle fought November 30, 1864, at Franklin, Tennessee as part of the Franklin-Nashville Campaign...
and the near destruction of the Army of Tennessee at the Nashville
Battle of Nashville
The Battle of Nashville was a two-day battle in the Franklin-Nashville Campaign that represented the end of large-scale fighting in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. It was fought at Nashville, Tennessee, on December 15–16, 1864, between the Confederate Army of Tennessee under...
in Tennessee. The unit ended the war in North Carolina.
Toward the end of the war, Cleburne's old regiment finally recovered its original designation, after a fashion. In the massive reorganization of the Army of Tennessee
Army of Tennessee
The Army of Tennessee was the principal Confederate army operating between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River during the American Civil War. It was formed in late 1862 and fought until the end of the war in 1865, participating in most of the significant battles in the Western Theater...
on April 9, 1865, the 15th Arkansas was consolidated with nine other depleted Arkansas regiments, the 1st Arkansas, 2nd Arkansas
2nd Arkansas Infantry Regiment
The 2nd Arkansas Infantry was an army regiment of the Confederate Army during the American Civil War.- Organization:The regiment was first formed in Helena, Arkansas through the efforts of Thomas Carmichael Hindman who had only recently resigned from the United States Congress due to the Arkansas...
, 5th Arkansas, 8th Arkansas
8th Arkansas Infantry Regiment
The 8th Arkansas Infantry was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War from the state of Arkansas.-Organization:...
, 13th Arkansas
13th Arkansas Infantry Regiment
The 13th Arkansas Infantry was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War.- Organization :The 13th Arkansas was formally organized on 29 Jul 1861 at Camp Ground in Greene Co, Arkansas with about 1000 men. The companies mustered into Confederate service at Harrisburg,...
, 19th (Dawson's) Arkansas
19th (Dawson's) Arkansas Infantry Regiment
The 19th Arkansas Infantry was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War.-Organization:19th Infantry Regiment completed its organization at Nashville, Arkansas, in November 1861. The field officers were Colonel C. L. Dawson; Lieutenant Colonels A. S. Hutchison and P. R....
, 24th Arkansas
24th Arkansas Infantry Regiment
The 24th Arkansas Infantry was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War.-Organization:The 24th Arkansas Infantry Regiment was organized at White Sulphur Springs, Arkansas on June 6, 1862. The field officers were Colonel E. E. Portlock, Jr.; Lieutenant Colonels W. R....
and the 3rd Confederate Infantry Regiment
18th (Marmaduke's) Arkansas Infantry Regiment
The 18th Arkansas Infantry was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War. The unit is also identified as the 1st Arkansas Infantry Battalion and the 3rd Confederate Infantry Regiment...
were lumped together as the 1st Arkansas Consolidated Infantry
1st Arkansas Consolidated Infantry
The 1st Arkansas Consolidated Infantry was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War.-Organization:The remnants of ten depleted Arkansas regiments, along with one mostly-Arkansas regiment, in the Army of Tennessee were consolidated into a single regiment at Smithfield,...
. The survivors of the 15th Arkansas made up into a single understrength company, "Company H" of the new 1st Arkansas Consolidated Infantry
1st Arkansas Consolidated Infantry
The 1st Arkansas Consolidated Infantry was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War.-Organization:The remnants of ten depleted Arkansas regiments, along with one mostly-Arkansas regiment, in the Army of Tennessee were consolidated into a single regiment at Smithfield,...
.
Surrender
This regiment surrendered with the Army of Tennessee at Greensboro, North CarolinaGreensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the third-largest city by population in North Carolina and the largest city in Guilford County and the surrounding Piedmont Triad metropolitan region. According to the 2010 U.S...
on April 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...
External links
- Battle of Chattanooga, Order of Battle
- Confederate Medal of Honor
- The War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies
- Edward G. Gerdes Civil War Home Page
- Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture
- The Arkansas History Commission, State Archives, Civil War in Arkansas