6th Arkansas Cavalry Battalion
Encyclopedia
The 6th Arkansas Cavalry Battalion (1861–1862) was a Confederate Army cavalry
battalion
during the American Civil War
.
The Field and Staff Officers were:
Phifer, Charles W—Major.
White, David G—Major.
McNeill, Archibald J—Major (promoted from Co D).
Randall, James D—Assistant Quartermaster (appointed from Co. E).
Wallace, Robert N—Surgeon (appointed from Co. C).
Scott, S S—Acting Surgeon.
Johnson, John M—Acting Surgeon.
Petty, E D—Hospital Steward (appointed from Co. A).
Companies:
On May 15, 1862, this battalion was consolidated with the 2nd Arkansas Cavalry Battalion (Major Major William D. Barnett) at Corinth, Mississippi, to form the 2nd Arkansas Cavalry Regiment. The companies of the former 6th Battalion became Companies A-C and the companies of the former 2nd Battalion became Companies D-E-F-G-H of the 2nd Regiment. On August 18, 1862, the chronically-understrength Company F (formerly Co. E, Second Battalion) was consolidated into Company E (formerly C, Second Battalion), and Companies G and H were redesignated as Companies F and G, respectively.
. The unit served in the Army of the West and the Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana, and took an active part in the Battles of Iuka, Corinth, and Hatchie Bridge. In 1864, the regiment was transferred to the Trans-Mississippi Army and participated in fought in Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas. The regiment was assigned to W.A. Crawford's, J.C. Wright's, and W.F. Slemon's Brigade in the Trans-Mississippi Department. After fighting at the Battle of Poison Spring
, the regiment participated in Price's Missouri Expedition.
on October 25, 1864, and apparently was never exchanged or reformed.
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...
battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a 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
The 6th Battalion Arkansas Cavalry (also sometimes known as the 1st, Phifer’s, White’s and McNeill’s Battalion) was organized in August 1861 at Pocahontas, Arkansas, originally composed of four Arkansas companies and two Louisiana companies, which were consolidated about April 20, 1862, into two Arkansas companies and one Louisiana company. In May 1862, the battalion was consolidated with the 2nd (Barnett’s) Battalion Arkansas Cavalry and formed the 2nd (Slemons’) Regiment Arkansas Cavalry, pursuant to Special Orders No. 60, Headquarters, Corinth, Mississippi, May 15, 1862.The Field and Staff Officers were:
Phifer, Charles W—Major.
White, David G—Major.
McNeill, Archibald J—Major (promoted from Co D).
Randall, James D—Assistant Quartermaster (appointed from Co. E).
Wallace, Robert N—Surgeon (appointed from Co. C).
Scott, S S—Acting Surgeon.
Johnson, John M—Acting Surgeon.
Petty, E D—Hospital Steward (appointed from Co. A).
Companies:
- Company A —The Monticello Cavalry of Drew County, Arkansas. The Monticello Cavalry was organized at Monticello, Arkansas, composed mostly men from Drew County. The company enlisted in Confederate service at Little Rock on August 1, 1861, and was assigned to the 6th Battalion Arkansas Cavalry as Company A. On April 20, 1862, the Monticello Cavalry was consolidated with Company B, the Drew Light Horse, also of Drew County; and on May 15, 1862, the consolidated Drew County cavalry troop became Company B, 2nd Regiment Arkansas Cavalry.
- Company B —The Drew Light Horse of Drew County, Arkansas. The Drew Light Horse was organized at Monticello, Arkansas, composed mostly men from Drew County. The company enlisted in Confederate service at Little Rock on August 11, 1861, and was assigned to the 6th Battalion Arkansas Cavalry as Company B. On April 20, 1862, the Drew Light Horse was consolidated with Company A, the Monticello Cavalry, also of Drew County; and on May 15, 1862, the consolidated Drew County cavalry troop became Company B, 2nd Regiment Arkansas Cavalry.
- Company C —The Crittenden Rangers of Crittenden County, Arkansas. The Crittenden Rangers was organized at Marion, Arkansas, in April 1861, composed mostly men from Crittenden County. The company enlisted in State service at Marion on June 3, 1861; and enlisted in Confederate service at Pocahontas, Arkansas, on July 29, 1861, and was assigned to the 6th Battalion Arkansas Cavalry as Company C. On April 20, 1862, twenty-five men of the Crittenden Rangers were transferred to the Helena Artillery, and the remainder of the company was consolidated with Company E, the Border Rangers of White County; and on May 15, 1862, the consolidated Rangers troop became Company A, 2nd Regiment Arkansas Cavalry. In January 1863, the company was transferred to the 3rd Arkansas Cavalry as Company E.
- Company D —The Brierfield Rebels of Carroll Parish, Louisiana. The Brierfield Rebels was organized at Providence, Louisiana, August 10, 1861, composed mostly men from Carroll Parish. The company enlisted in Confederate service at Memphis, Tennessee, on September 1, 1861, and was assigned to the 6th Battalion Arkansas Cavalry as Company D. On April 20, 1862, the Brierfield Rebels was consolidated with Company F, the Macon Cavalry of Madison Parish, Louisiana; and on May 15, 1862, the consolidated Louisiana cavalry troop became Company C, 2nd Regiment Arkansas Cavalry.
- Company E —The Border Rangers of White County, Arkansas. The Border Rangers was organized at Searcy, Arkansas, in April 1861, composed mostly men from White County. The company enlisted in State service at Searcy on June 5, 1861; and enlisted in Confederate service at Pitman’s Ferry, Arkansas, on July 25, 1861, and was assigned to Solon Borland’s 1st Arkansas Mounted Volunteers as Company E. In September 1861, the Border Rangers was attached to the 6th Battalion Arkansas Cavalry as Company E. On April 20, 1862, the Border Rangers was consolidated with Company C, the Crittenden Rangers of Crittenden County; and on May 15, 1862, the consolidated Rangers troop became Company A, 2nd Regiment Arkansas Cavalry. In January 1863, the company was transferred to the 3rd Arkansas Cavalry Regiment3rd Arkansas Cavalry Regiment-External links:* * * * -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 War* Arkansas Militia in the Civil War...
as Company E.
- Company F —The Macon Cavalry of Madison Parish, Louisiana. The Macon Cavalry was organized at Vicksburg, Mississippi, February 27, 1862, composed mostly men from Madison Parish, Louisiana. The company enlisted in Confederate service at Delhi, Louisiana, on March 6, 1862. Initially attached to the 28th Mississippi Cavalry, it was soon assigned to the 6th Battalion Arkansas Cavalry as Company F. On April 20, 1862, the Macon Cavalry was consolidated with Company D, the Brierfield Rebels of Carroll Parish, Louisiana; and on May 15, 1862, the consolidated Louisiana cavalry troop became Company C, 2nd Regiment Arkansas Cavalry.
On May 15, 1862, this battalion was consolidated with the 2nd Arkansas Cavalry Battalion (Major Major William D. Barnett) at Corinth, Mississippi, to form the 2nd Arkansas Cavalry Regiment. The companies of the former 6th Battalion became Companies A-C and the companies of the former 2nd Battalion became Companies D-E-F-G-H of the 2nd Regiment. On August 18, 1862, the chronically-understrength Company F (formerly Co. E, Second Battalion) was consolidated into Company E (formerly C, Second Battalion), and Companies G and H were redesignated as Companies F and G, respectively.
Battles
During its brief existence, the 6th Battalion was assigned to Hardee’s Division of the Confederate Central Army of Kentucky, and fought in the battles of Brownsville, Kentucky, November 20, 1861; Rowlett’s Station, Kentucky, December 17, 1861; and Shiloh, Tennessee, April 6–7, 1862. As part of the 2nd Arkansas Cavalry Regiment, under Colonel William Ferguson Slemons, the former 6th Battalion troops would go on to establish an impressive record under General Nathan Bedford ForrestNathan Bedford Forrest
Nathan Bedford Forrest was a lieutenant general in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. He is remembered both as a self-educated, innovative cavalry leader during the war and as a leading southern advocate in the postwar years...
. The unit served in the Army of the West and the Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana, and took an active part in the Battles of Iuka, Corinth, and Hatchie Bridge. In 1864, the regiment was transferred to the Trans-Mississippi Army and participated in fought in Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas. The regiment was assigned to W.A. Crawford's, J.C. Wright's, and W.F. Slemon's Brigade in the Trans-Mississippi Department. After fighting at the Battle of 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...
, the regiment participated in Price's Missouri Expedition.
Surrender
The 2nd Arkansas Cavalry Regiment was captured at the Battle of Mine CreekBattle of Mine Creek
The Battle of Mine Creek, also known as the Battle of the Osage, was a battle that occurred on October 25, 1864 in Kansas as part of Price's Raid during the American Civil War...
on October 25, 1864, and apparently was never exchanged or reformed.
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...