7th Arkansas Infantry Regiment
Encyclopedia
The 7th Arkansas Volunteer Infantry (1861−1865) was a Confederate Army infantry
regiment
during the American Civil War
composed of troops from northeast Arkansas
.
The regimental staff at the time of organization of the 7th Arkansas were:
The company officers at the time of organization were:
* Note: Capt. James Archer, Co. C, resigned before the company was mustered into service and was succeeded by Capt. William M. Blackburn, whose date of rank was July 26, 1861, the date of muster.
Lt. Col. Cain resigned at Camp Shaver because of failing health, and was replaced by John M. Dean as lieutenant colonel and Jack Horne as adjutant. Commissary Shaver resigned at about the same time, and John D. Sprigg replaced him.
The unit's field officers were Colonels D. A. Gillespie and Robert G. Shaver; Lieutenant Colonels W. R. Cain, John M. Dean, James Rutherford, and Peter Snyder; and Majors John A. Hill, James T. Martin, and John C. McCauley.
, General Hardee nicknamed this unit "The Bloody Seventh." The 7th Arkansas had been formed with 905 officers and men, but after the conflict at Shiloh there were only 380 present. After participating in the Kentucky Campaign, it was brigaded under Generals Liddell and Govan, Army of Tennessee.
During the Battle of Perryville
, the 7th Arkansas Infantry Regiment
took devastating casualties, leaving that regiment all but ineffective. The 6th Arkansas had also suffered heavy casualties in that same battle, so the 7th Arkansas' remaining soldiers were augmented into the 6th. The 6th and 7th Arkansas Infantry Regiments were combined December 22, 1862, and remained consolidated for the remainder of the war. The rolls of each company were, however, continued as though no consolidation had ever been made..
From December 31, 1862 through January 2, 1863 the 6th and 7th Consolidated Arkansas Infantry Regiment was heavily engaged during the Battle of Murfreesboro, loosing a total of The 6th/7th lost 29 killed and 140 wounded. The unit was engaged in the Battle of Chickamauga
and the Battle of Chattanooga
. The combined regiment had 16 disabled at the Battle of Ringgold Gap
, totalled 314 men and 265 arms in December, 1863, and sustained 66 casualties at the Battle of Atlanta
. The entire regiment was captured along with several other regiments during the Battle of Jonesboro, which was part of the Atlanta Campaign
, but were released several weeks later in a prisoner exchange.". Returning to the Army of Tennessee, they took part in the final charge of the army during the Battle of Bentonville
.
The 6th - 7th Arkansas actively took part in the following battles, skirmishes and/or campaigns:
Toward the end of the war, ten depleted Arkansas regiments, including the 7th Arkansas, were lumped together as the 1st Arkansas Consolidated Infantry, April 9, 1865.
, 5th, 6th, 7th
, 8th
, 13th
, 15th
, 19th
, and 24th
and the 3rd Confederate Infantry Regiments
were consolidated into the 1st Arkansas Consolidated Infantry
. According to the Muster rolls of the 1st Arkansas Consolidated, an attempt was made to maintain unit cohesion by allowing each of the original regiments to form one or two complete companies for the new unit. The following list indicates the regiment of origin for the companies of the 1st Arkansas Consolidated Infantry Regiment:
Organized in Smithfield, North Carolina
, the 1st Arkansas Consolidated was combat ready by April 9, 1865, the very day General Robert E. Lee
surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia
. The regiment was surrendered with the rest of the Army of Tennessee on April 26, 1865, in Durham Station, North Carolina.
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...
composed of troops from northeast 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...
.
Organization
The 7th Arkansas was mustered into State service on June 16, 1861 at Smithville in Lawrence County, Arkansas. The unit was inducted into Confederate Service in July 1861 at Camp Shaver, near Pocahontas, Arkansas.The regimental staff at the time of organization of the 7th Arkansas were:
- Col. Robert G. Shaver,
- Lt. Col. William R. Cain,
- Maj. James T. Martin.
- John M. Dean, Adjutant,
- H.C. Tunsell, Quartermaster,
- John S. Shaver, Commissary
- Dr. Bohannon, Surgeon,
- Dr. Hoadley, Assistant Surgeon
The company officers at the time of organization were:
- Company A, Captain John C. McCauley, of White County;
- Company B, Captain George B. Orme, "Glaize Rifles," of Jackson County;
- Company C, Captain James T. Martin, of Randolph County, elected major of the regiment, replaced by his brother, J.H. Martin;
- Company D, Captain D. G. Deason, of Izard County;
- Company E, Captain Michael V. Shaver, of Fulton County;
- Company F, Captain (Rev.) John H. Dye, the "Pike Guards", of Independence County;
- Company G, Captain Carney C. Straughan, of Lawrence County;
- Company H, Captain James F. Archer
* of Marion County; - Company I, Captain Thomas J. Mellon, of Randolph County;
- Company K, Captain Ganum Brightwell, the "Arkansas Guards", of Independence County.
Lt. Col. Cain resigned at Camp Shaver because of failing health, and was replaced by John M. Dean as lieutenant colonel and Jack Horne as adjutant. Commissary Shaver resigned at about the same time, and John D. Sprigg replaced him.
The unit's field officers were Colonels D. A. Gillespie and Robert G. Shaver; Lieutenant Colonels W. R. Cain, John M. Dean, James Rutherford, and Peter Snyder; and Majors John A. Hill, James T. Martin, and John C. McCauley.
Battles
During the Battle of ShilohBattle 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...
, General Hardee nicknamed this unit "The Bloody Seventh." The 7th Arkansas had been formed with 905 officers and men, but after the conflict at Shiloh there were only 380 present. After participating in the Kentucky Campaign, it was brigaded under Generals Liddell and Govan, Army of Tennessee.
During the Battle of Perryville
Battle of Perryville
The Battle of Perryville, also known as the Battle of Chaplin Hills, was fought on October 8, 1862, in the Chaplin Hills west of Perryville, Kentucky, as the culmination of the Confederate Heartland Offensive during the American Civil War. Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg's Army of Mississippi won a...
, the 7th Arkansas Infantry Regiment
7th Arkansas Infantry Regiment
The 7th Arkansas Volunteer Infantry was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War composed of troops from northeast Arkansas.-Organization:...
took devastating casualties, leaving that regiment all but ineffective. The 6th Arkansas had also suffered heavy casualties in that same battle, so the 7th Arkansas' remaining soldiers were augmented into the 6th. The 6th and 7th Arkansas Infantry Regiments were combined December 22, 1862, and remained consolidated for the remainder of the war. The rolls of each company were, however, continued as though no consolidation had ever been made..
From December 31, 1862 through January 2, 1863 the 6th and 7th Consolidated Arkansas Infantry Regiment was heavily engaged during the Battle of Murfreesboro, loosing a total of The 6th/7th lost 29 killed and 140 wounded. The unit was engaged in 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...
and 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...
. The combined regiment had 16 disabled at the Battle of Ringgold Gap
Battle of Ringgold Gap
The Battle of Ringgold Gap was fought November 27, 1863, in northwest Georgia during the American Civil War. The Confederate victory by Maj. Gen...
, totalled 314 men and 265 arms in December, 1863, and sustained 66 casualties at the Battle of Atlanta
Battle of Atlanta
The Battle of Atlanta was a battle of the Atlanta Campaign fought during the American Civil War on July 22, 1864, just southeast of Atlanta, Georgia. Continuing their summer campaign to seize the important rail and supply center of Atlanta, Union forces commanded by William T. Sherman overwhelmed...
. The entire regiment was captured along with several other regiments during the Battle of Jonesboro, which was part of 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...
, but were released several weeks later in a prisoner exchange.". Returning to the Army of Tennessee, they took part in the final charge of the army during the Battle of Bentonville
Battle of Bentonville
At 3 p.m., Confederate infantry from the Army of Tennessee launched an attack and drove the Union left flank back in confusion, nearly capturing Carlin in the process and overrunning the XIV Corps field hospital. Confederates under Maj. Gen. D.H. Hill filled the vacuum left by the retreating...
.
The 6th - 7th Arkansas actively took part in the following battles, skirmishes and/or campaigns:
- Hickman and Columbus, KY (occupation)
- Battle of ShilohBattle of ShilohThe 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...
- Siege of CorinthSiege of CorinthThe Siege of Corinth was an American Civil War battle fought from April 29 to May 30, 1862, in Corinth, Mississippi.-Background:...
, MS - Battle of PerryvilleBattle of PerryvilleThe Battle of Perryville, also known as the Battle of Chaplin Hills, was fought on October 8, 1862, in the Chaplin Hills west of Perryville, Kentucky, as the culmination of the Confederate Heartland Offensive during the American Civil War. Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg's Army of Mississippi won a...
, KY - Battle of Stone's River, Murfreesboro, TN
- Tullahoma, TN, Campaign
- Skirmish at Manchester, TN
- Action at Alexander's Bridge, GA
- Skirmish at Pea Vine Ridge, GA
- Battle of ChickamaugaBattle of ChickamaugaThe 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...
, GA - Siege of Chattanooga, (Lookout Mountain) TN
- Assault and capture of Missionary RidgeMissionary RidgeMissionary Ridge is a geographic feature in Chattanooga, Tennessee, site of the Battle of Missionary Ridge, a battle in the American Civil War, fought on November 25, 1863. Union forces under Maj. Gens. Ulysses S. Grant, William T. Sherman, and George H...
, TN - Action at Tunnel HillTunnel HillTunnel Hill may refer to:* Tunnel Hill, Georgia, USA* Tunnel Hill, Illinois, USA* Tunnel Hill, Ohio, USA* Tunnelhill, Pennsylvania, USA* Tunnel Hill, Worcestershire, England...
, Buzzard's Roost Gap (Mill Creek) and Rocky Faced Ridge, GA - Engagements at Ringold Gap and Taylor's Ridge, GA
- Demonstration at Dalton, GA
- The Atlanta CampaignAtlanta CampaignThe 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...
- Battle of ResacaBattle of ResacaThe Battle of Resaca was part of the Atlanta Campaign of the American Civil War. The battle was waged in both Gordon and Whitfield counties, Georgia, from May 13 - 15, 1864. It ended inconclusively with the Confederate Army retreating. The engagement was fought between the Military Division of the...
, GA - Combat near Cassville, GA
- Operations along Pumpkin Vine Creek, GA
- Battles at Dallas, New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills, GA
- Operations near Marietta
- Combat at Pine Hill and Lost Mountain, GA
- Assault on Kennesaw MountainKennesaw MountainKennesaw Mountain is a high-running ridge between Marietta and Kennesaw, Georgia in the United States with a summit elevation of . It is the highest point in the core metro Atlanta area, and fifth after further-north exurban counties are considered...
, GA - Operations along Nickajack Creek and the Chattahootchie River, GA
- Battle of Peach Tree Creek, GA
- Engagement at Bald Hill (Leggett's Hill), GA
- Battle and Siege of Atlanta, GA
- Battle of Jonesboro, GA
- Engagement at Lovejoy Station, GA
- Battle of Spring HillBattle of Spring HillThe Battle of Spring Hill was fought November 29, 1864, at Spring Hill, Tennessee, as part of the Franklin-Nashville Campaign of the American Civil War. The Confederate Army of Tennessee, commanded by Lt. Gen. John Bell Hood, attacked a Union force under Maj. Gen. John M. Schofield as it...
- Battle of FranklinBattle of FranklinBattle 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...
- Battle of NashvilleBattle of NashvilleThe 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...
- Battle of Averysborough (Taylor's Hole Creek), NC
- Battle of BentonvilleBattle of BentonvilleAt 3 p.m., Confederate infantry from the Army of Tennessee launched an attack and drove the Union left flank back in confusion, nearly capturing Carlin in the process and overrunning the XIV Corps field hospital. Confederates under Maj. Gen. D.H. Hill filled the vacuum left by the retreating...
, NC
Toward the end of the war, ten depleted Arkansas regiments, including the 7th Arkansas, were lumped together as the 1st Arkansas Consolidated Infantry, April 9, 1865.
Battle Flags
At least three (3) flags attributed to the 6th & 7th Consolidated Infantry Regiment are known to exist.| A Confederate 2nd national flag of the combined 6th & 7th Arkansas Infantry. (Mentioned in The Battle Flags of the Confederate Army of Tennessee, p. 98) -- currently in the Missouri State archives in Columbia, Missouri. When examined in 1978, it consisted of a 40 1/2" x 76 1/2" white bunting field with a red canton bearing an unedged 3 1/2" wide St. Andrew's cross bearing thirteen white cotton stars, those on the arms 3 1/2" across their points, the center 5" across its points, applied to the reverse and cut away on the obverse (reverse side accordingly 1/2" larger in diameter.) The white field bears the following inscriptions: (upper- in outline scrolls) "6th and 7th/ARK/REG'T" (middle) "God & Our Country"; (lower) "SHILOH. PERRYVILLE. MURFREESBORO.", all in red painted lettering. This flag dates no earlier than May of 1863 and was probably a "parade" flag used briefly between May and June of 1863, however no firm history survives regarding it. | 2nd National Flag Pattern | |
| This is a 2nd pattern Hardee battle flag, originally of the 7th Arkansas, but modified for the combined 6th & 7th Arkansas; 30" x 37 1/4"; captured at Jonesboro, Georgia on 1 September 1864 by Private Henry B. Mattingly, 10th Kentucky Infantry; War Department capture no. 531. This flag bears the embroidered battle honor "SHILOH" in the center of the elliptical disc, over embroidered "Down with the Tyrant", and with "7TH ARK." above it in paint, with "6TH &" added in front of it, both in black. Similarly, three battle honors, "PERRYVILLE." "MURFREESBORO." and "CHICKAMAUGA" painted in black on the white border. Also painted in white on blue field, "LIBERTY GAP", "RINGGOLD GAP", and "TUNNEL HILL, Tenn." This is the flag that the combined 6th and 7th Arkansas carried from their consolidation in November, 1862 until its loss in September of 1864. This flag was captured, along with the regiment, when Govan's Arkansas Brigade was overrun and captured by a Federal charge on their position at Jonesboro, Georgia on September 1, 1864. Private Henry B. Mattingly of Co. B, 10th Kentucky Infantry (U.S.) won the Medal of Honor Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her... for the capture of this flag. This flag is in the collection of the Old State House Museum in Little Rock, Arkansas. Dimensions: 28.5" x 37.5"; blue wool bunting, white cotton, silk embroidery, with blue, black, and white painted letters. |
2nd pattern Hardee | |
| This is a small (23 1/2" x 28 1/8") flag, most likely a camp color or flag marker, in the form of the 2nd pattern Hardee battle flag, with the Arkansas coat-of-arms painted on the elliptical disc and the designation "6TH and 7TH ARK. REG." painted on the upper border in black. It was acquired in 1976 by the National Park Service, and is on display at the Stone's River National Battlefield visitor's center in Murfreesboro, TN. Dimensions: 28" x 38"; blue wool bunting, white cotton, with black painted letters. | 2nd pattern Hardee |
Final Consolidation and Surrender
By the close of the war many of the Arkansas regiments assigned to the Army of Tennessee had suffered heavy casualties, so the 2nd2nd 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, 6th, 7th
7th Arkansas Infantry Regiment
The 7th Arkansas Volunteer Infantry was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War composed of troops from northeast Arkansas.-Organization:...
, 8th
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
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,...
, 15th
15th Arkansas Infantry Regiment (Josey's)
The 15th Arkansas Volunteer Infantry was a Confederate Army infantry regiment that served during the American Civil War. The unit was originally formed from previously existing militia units and designated as the 1st Regiment, Arkansas State Troops. After being transferred from state service to...
, 19th
19th Arkansas Infantry Regiment (Dockery's)
The 19th Arkansas Infantry was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War. There were two other Arkansas units which were designated as the 19th Arkansas...
, and 24th
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 Regiments
18th Arkansas Infantry Regiment
The 18th Arkansas Infantry was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War. This unit is also known as 18th Arkansas Infantry. There was another regiment designated as the 18th Arkansas...
were consolidated into 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,...
. According to the Muster rolls of the 1st Arkansas Consolidated, an attempt was made to maintain unit cohesion by allowing each of the original regiments to form one or two complete companies for the new unit. The following list indicates the regiment of origin for the companies of the 1st Arkansas Consolidated Infantry Regiment:
- Company A--1st Arkansas Infantry.
- Company B-2nd Arkansas Infantry.
- Company C--5th Arkansas Infantry.
- Company D--6th and 7th Arkansas Infantry.
- Company E-- 8th Arkansas Infantry.
- Company F--24th Arkansas Infantry.
- Company G--13th Arkansas Infantry.
- Company H--15th (Josey's) Arkansas Infantry.
- Company I--19th (Dawsons's) Arkansas Infantry.
- Company K--3rd Confederate Infantry.
Organized in Smithfield, North Carolina
Smithfield, North Carolina
Smithfield is a town in Johnston County, North Carolina, United States. In 2008, the estimated population was 12,965. It is the county seat of Johnston County...
, the 1st Arkansas Consolidated was combat ready by April 9, 1865, the very day General Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee
Robert Edward Lee was a career military officer who is best known for having commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War....
surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia
Army of Northern Virginia
The Army of Northern Virginia was the primary military force of the Confederate States of America in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War, as well as the primary command structure of the Department of Northern Virginia. It was most often arrayed against the Union Army of the Potomac...
. The regiment was surrendered with the rest of the Army of Tennessee on April 26, 1865, in Durham Station, North Carolina.
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...