1st Arkansas Cavalry (Union)
Encyclopedia
1st Arkansas Union Cavalry (1862–1865) was a cavalry
regiment
from the state of Arkansas
that served in the Union Army
during the American Civil War
. Although Arkansas had joined the Confederate States of America
in 1861, not all of its citizens supported secession. Arkansas formed some 48 Confederate Army infantry regiments, along with several cavalry regiments and artillery batteries
. However, citizens of that state also formed some 11 Union Army
infantry regiments, and another 6 cavalry regiments along with 2 artillery batteries.
The 1st Arkansas Cavalry was formed in Springfield, Missouri
in July, 1862. They immediately returned to Arkansas due to roaming bands of Confederate guerrillas that were harassing Union sympathizers, seeing brief skirmishes in that realm. Following the Battle of Pea Ridge
, Union forces briefly occupied parts of Northern Arkansas, but following the Union forces moving their headquarters to Independence County, Arkansas, many Union supporting families were once again left exposed, leading many of them to move north to Missouri
.
The 1st Arkansas Union Cavalry's first combat action in battle was during the Battle of Prairie Grove
, on December 7, 1862. They performed very poorly in this battle. A sudden Confederate surging attack during that battle had sent two regiments of Missouri cavalry fleeing through the ranks of the 1st Arkansas Cavalry, and with hundreds of their Union comrades fleeing, the 1st Arkansas Cavalry also fled. In the ensuing panic, several hundred Missouri and Arkansas troops streamed to the rear. Following this embarrassing performance, the regiment was assigned to garrison duty in Fayetteville, Arkansas
.
Confederate forces under the command of Brigadier General
William Lewis Cabell
attacked that garrison on April 18, 1863. Both the attacking forces and the defending forces were made up entirely of Arkansas regiments. After a three hour battle, and unable to break the Union lines, the Confederates retreated. This action was a great boost to the morale of the 1st Arkansas Union Cavalry. For the remainder of the war the regiment would serve as a counter-guerrilla force, and as escort for wagon supply trains. They were mustered out of service in August, 1865. During their service, their casualties were extremely light compared to many other units. Of the 1,765 men that served in the regiment, they'd suffered 110 killed, with another 235 dying from either disease or accident.
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...
from the state of Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
that served in the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
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...
. Although Arkansas had joined the Confederate States of America
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...
in 1861, not all of its citizens supported secession. Arkansas formed some 48 Confederate Army infantry regiments, along with several cavalry regiments and 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...
. However, citizens of that state also formed some 11 Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
infantry regiments, and another 6 cavalry regiments along with 2 artillery batteries.
The 1st Arkansas Cavalry was formed in Springfield, Missouri
Springfield, Missouri
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
in July, 1862. They immediately returned to Arkansas due to roaming bands of Confederate guerrillas that were harassing Union sympathizers, seeing brief skirmishes in that realm. Following the Battle of Pea Ridge
Battle of Pea Ridge
The Battle of Pea Ridge was a land battle of the American Civil War, fought on March 6–8, 1862, at Pea Ridge in northwest Arkansas, near Garfield. In the battle, Union forces led by Brig. Gen. Samuel R. Curtis defeated Confederate troops under Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn. The outcome of the...
, Union forces briefly occupied parts of Northern Arkansas, but following the Union forces moving their headquarters to Independence County, Arkansas, many Union supporting families were once again left exposed, leading many of them to move north to Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
.
The 1st Arkansas Union Cavalry's first combat action in battle was during the Battle of Prairie Grove
Battle of Prairie Grove
The Battle of Prairie Grove was a battle of the American Civil War fought on 7 December 1862, that resulted in a tactical stalemate but essentially secured northwest Arkansas for the Union.-Strategic situation: Union:...
, on December 7, 1862. They performed very poorly in this battle. A sudden Confederate surging attack during that battle had sent two regiments of Missouri cavalry fleeing through the ranks of the 1st Arkansas Cavalry, and with hundreds of their Union comrades fleeing, the 1st Arkansas Cavalry also fled. In the ensuing panic, several hundred Missouri and Arkansas troops streamed to the rear. Following this embarrassing performance, the regiment was assigned to garrison duty in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Fayetteville is the county seat of Washington County, and the third largest city in Arkansas. The city is centrally located within the county and is home to the University of Arkansas. Fayetteville is also deep in the Boston Mountains, a subset of The Ozarks...
.
Confederate forces under the command of Brigadier General
Brigadier General
Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
William Lewis Cabell
William Lewis Cabell
-External links:* from the published 1880, hosted by the...
attacked that garrison on April 18, 1863. Both the attacking forces and the defending forces were made up entirely of Arkansas regiments. After a three hour battle, and unable to break the Union lines, the Confederates retreated. This action was a great boost to the morale of the 1st Arkansas Union Cavalry. For the remainder of the war the regiment would serve as a counter-guerrilla force, and as escort for wagon supply trains. They were mustered out of service in August, 1865. During their service, their casualties were extremely light compared to many other units. Of the 1,765 men that served in the regiment, they'd suffered 110 killed, with another 235 dying from either disease or accident.