8th Arkansas Infantry Regiment
Encyclopedia
The 8th Arkansas Infantry (1861−1865) was a Confederate Army infantry
regiment
during the American Civil War
from the state of Arkansas
.
. The unit was inducted into Confederate Service on September 10, 1861. The unit was origionally composed of units from the following counties:
The orgional regimental officers of the 8th Arkansas were:
In May 1862 the Confederate Army underwent an army-wide reorganization due to the passage of the Conscription Act by the Confederate Congress in April 1962. All twelve-month regiments had to re-muster and enlist for two years or the duration of the war; a new election of officers was ordered; and men who were exempted from service by age or other reasons under the Conscription Act were allowed to take a discharge and go home. Officers who did not choose to stand for re-election were also offered a discharge. The reorganization was accomplished among all the Arkansas regiments in and around Corinth, Mississippi, following the Battle of Shiloh.
The origional members of the 8th Arkansas regiment were consolidated into five companies and united with the 7th and 9th Arkansas Infantry Battalions. The reorganized regiment was composed of the following companies:
Upon reorganization, John H. Kelly was elected Colonel; Wilson, Lieutenant Colonel, and Capt. G. F. Baucum, Major. Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson resigned, and Anderson Watkins was elected Major. Upon the promotion of Colonel Kelly to brigadier-general, Baucum became Colonel, and Anderson Watkins, Lieutenant Colonel.
The regiment took part in the battle of Murfreesboro, as part of Liddell's brigade, and captured two stand of colors, which were taken by Private James Riddle, of Company C, and Corpral N. A. Horn, of Company E. Colonel Kelly was wounded the second day and borne off the field, and Lieutenant Colonel G. F. Baucum assumed command of the regiment. Lieuts. T. H. Beard, S. B. Cole, Colvin Ead and H. J. McCurdy, of the Eighth, were killed. The regiment was in the battles of Chattanooga, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Ringgold Gap (consolidated with the 19th Arkansas Infantry Regiment, under Lieutenant Colonel Alexander T. Hawthorn, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Peachtree Creek, Ezra Church and Atlanta or Decatur Road. The 8th Arkansas was assigned to Major General Patrick Cleburne
's division. Its casualties were 29 killed and 124 wounded at Murfreesboro, and 14 killed, 92 wounded, and 65 missing at Chickamauga. The 8th/19th lost 16 men at Ringgold Gap, totalled 363 men and 265 arms in December, 1863, and had 97 disabled at the Battle of Atlanta.
The 8th Arkansas would be credited with participation in the following battles:
The 1st Arkansas, was lumped together with the 2nd
, 5th, 6th, 7th
, 8th, 15th, 19th and 24th Arkansas Infantry Regiment
s and the 3rd Confederate Infantry Regiment as the 1st Arkansas Consolidated Infantry
on April 9, 1865. On April 26, 1865 the 1st Arkansas Consolidated Infantry Regiment was present with the Army of Tennessee when it surrendered in Greensboro, 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...
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...
.
Organization
The unit was enrolled in state service on July 13, 1861 at Camp Price near Jacksonport, ArkansasJacksonport, Arkansas
Jacksonport is a town in Jackson County, Arkansas, United States, along the White River at its confluence with the Black River. The population was 235 at the 2000 census.- History :Jacksonport was once an important steamboat stop on the White River...
. The unit was inducted into Confederate Service on September 10, 1861. The unit was origionally composed of units from the following counties:
- Company A— of Jackson County, commanded by Captain Robert Anthony
- Company B— of Jackson County, commanded by Captain James H. Wilson
- Company C— of Independence County, commanded by Captain George W. McCauley
- Company D— of Independence County, commanded by Captain Thomas J. Morgan
- Company E— of Independence County, commanded by Captain Justus F. Tracy
- Company F— of White County, commanded by Captain A. T. Jones
- Company G— of Jackson County, commanded by Captain William H. Gray
- Company H— of Independence County [that portion now encompassed by Cleburne County], commanded by Captain Enoch N. Floyd
- Company I— of Jackson County, commanded by Captain Winfield S. Smalley
- Company K— of Randolph County, commanded by Captain James P. Wright
The orgional regimental officers of the 8th Arkansas were:
- Colonel William K. Patterson,
- Lieutenant Colonel Henry M. Couch,
- Major John A. Price
- Sergeant Major T. H. Hubbard.
- Surgeon Lycurgus A. Dickson
- Chaplain John H. Mann,
- Adjutant Henry J. McCurdy,
- Quartermaster Elbert L. Watson,
Battles
The unit moved east of the Mississippi River and lost heavily at the Battle of Shiloh. It took part in that engagement, under command of Colonel Patterson, and lost heavily both days. Lieut. Thomas Bateman was killed, and Lieutenants Perryman, Cates, Harris and Richardson were wounded. Major Kelly, who commanded four companies, A, B, C and D, 122 men, of whom 62 were killed or wounded. On April 26, 1862, the entire regiment totalled 272 men.In May 1862 the Confederate Army underwent an army-wide reorganization due to the passage of the Conscription Act by the Confederate Congress in April 1962. All twelve-month regiments had to re-muster and enlist for two years or the duration of the war; a new election of officers was ordered; and men who were exempted from service by age or other reasons under the Conscription Act were allowed to take a discharge and go home. Officers who did not choose to stand for re-election were also offered a discharge. The reorganization was accomplished among all the Arkansas regiments in and around Corinth, Mississippi, following the Battle of Shiloh.
The origional members of the 8th Arkansas regiment were consolidated into five companies and united with the 7th and 9th Arkansas Infantry Battalions. The reorganized regiment was composed of the following companies:
- Company A —orgionally Compaies B & K of the 8th Arkansas Infantry Regtiment from Jackson county,
- Company B —origionaly Compaies D & I of the 8th Arkansas Infantry Regtiment from Jackson county,
- Company C —origionaly Compaies E & H of the 8th Arkansas Infantry Regtiment from Independence county,
- Company D —origionaly Compaies C & F of the 8th Arkansas Infantry Regtiment, from Independence and White counties,
- Company E —origionaly Compaies A & G of the 8th Arkansas Infantry Regtiment from Independence county,
- Company F —origionaly Compaies B & C of the 9th Arkansas Infantry Battalion, which were also (origionally Companies B & E, of the (McCarver's) 14th Arkansas Infantry Regiment14th Arkansas Infantry Regiment (McCarver's)The 14th Arkansas Infantry was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War. The unit is also known as the 9th Arkansas Infantry regiment and the 18th Arkansas Infantry Battalion. There were two Arkansas units designated the 14th Arkansas. The other 14th Arkansas regiment...
) - Company G —origionaly Compaies A & D. of the 9th Arkansas Infantry Battalion, Jackson county (orig Cos. A & H, of the (McCarver's) 14th Arkansas Infantry Regiment14th Arkansas Infantry Regiment (McCarver's)The 14th Arkansas Infantry was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War. The unit is also known as the 9th Arkansas Infantry regiment and the 18th Arkansas Infantry Battalion. There were two Arkansas units designated the 14th Arkansas. The other 14th Arkansas regiment...
) - Company H —origionaly Compaies B & C, of the 7th Arkansas Infantry Battalion, from Independence county,
- Company I —origionaly Compaies D & F, of the 7th Arkansas Infantry Battalion, from Jackson county,
- Company K —origionaly Compaies A & E, of the 7th Arkansas Infantry Battalion,
Upon reorganization, John H. Kelly was elected Colonel; Wilson, Lieutenant Colonel, and Capt. G. F. Baucum, Major. Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson resigned, and Anderson Watkins was elected Major. Upon the promotion of Colonel Kelly to brigadier-general, Baucum became Colonel, and Anderson Watkins, Lieutenant Colonel.
The regiment took part in the battle of Murfreesboro, as part of Liddell's brigade, and captured two stand of colors, which were taken by Private James Riddle, of Company C, and Corpral N. A. Horn, of Company E. Colonel Kelly was wounded the second day and borne off the field, and Lieutenant Colonel G. F. Baucum assumed command of the regiment. Lieuts. T. H. Beard, S. B. Cole, Colvin Ead and H. J. McCurdy, of the Eighth, were killed. The regiment was in the battles of Chattanooga, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Ringgold Gap (consolidated with the 19th Arkansas Infantry Regiment, under Lieutenant Colonel Alexander T. Hawthorn, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Peachtree Creek, Ezra Church and Atlanta or Decatur Road. The 8th Arkansas was assigned to Major General Patrick 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....
's division. Its casualties were 29 killed and 124 wounded at Murfreesboro, and 14 killed, 92 wounded, and 65 missing at Chickamauga. The 8th/19th lost 16 men at Ringgold Gap, totalled 363 men and 265 arms in December, 1863, and had 97 disabled at the Battle of Atlanta.
The 8th Arkansas would be credited with participation in the following battles:
- 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...
, Tennessee, April 6–7, 1862. - 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:...
, April to June 1862. - 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...
, Kentucky, October 8, 1862. - Battle of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, December 31, 1862 to January 3, 1863.
- Tullahoma CampaignTullahoma CampaignThe Tullahoma Campaign or Middle Tennessee Campaign was fought between June 24 and July 3, 1863, during the American Civil War. The Union Army of the Cumberland, commanded by Maj. Gen. William S...
, June 1863. - Battle of Liberty Gap, Tennessee, June 24–26, 1863.
- 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...
, Georgia, September 19–20, 1863. - Siege of ChattanoogaBattle of ChattanoogaThere 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...
, September to November 1863. - Battle of Missionary RidgeBattle of Missionary RidgeThe Battle of Missionary Ridge was fought November 25, 1863, as part of the Chattanooga Campaign of the American Civil War. Following the Union victory in the Battle of Lookout Mountain on November 24, Union forces under Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant assaulted Missionary Ridge and defeated the...
, Tennessee, November 25, 1863. - Battle of Ringgold GapBattle of Ringgold GapThe Battle of Ringgold Gap was fought November 27, 1863, in northwest Georgia during the American Civil War. The Confederate victory by Maj. Gen...
, Georgia, November 27, 1863. - 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...
, May to September 1864. - Battle of DaltonBattle of DaltonAt least three conflicts during the American Civil War are sometimes known as Battle of Dalton:*First Battle of Dalton, fought between February 22 and February 27, 1864, in Whitfield County, Georgia...
, Georgia, May 5–11, 1864. - 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...
, Georgia, May 14–15, 1864. - Battle of New Hope ChurchBattle of New Hope ChurchThe Battle of New Hope Church was fought May 25–26, 1864, between the Union force of Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman and the Confederate Army of Tennessee under Gen. Joseph E. Johnston during the Atlanta Campaign of the American Civil War...
, Georgia, May 25 - June 4, 1864. - Battle of Kennesaw MountainBattle of Kennesaw MountainThe Battle of Kennesaw Mountain was fought on June 27, 1864, during the Atlanta Campaign of the American Civil War. It was the most significant frontal assault launched by Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman against the Confederate Army of Tennessee under Gen. Joseph E...
, Georgia, June 27, 1864. - Battle of Peachtree CreekBattle of Peachtree CreekThe Battle of Peachtree Creek was fought in Georgia on July 20, 1864, as part of the Atlanta Campaign in the American Civil War. It was the first major attack by Lt. Gen. John B. Hood since taking command of the Confederate Army of Tennessee. The attack was against Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman's...
, Georgia, July 20, 1864. - Siege of Atlanta, Georgia, July 22, 1864.
- Battle of Jonesboro, Georgia, August 31 to September 1, 1864.
- 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...
, Tennessee, November 29, 1864. - Battle of FranklinBattle of Franklin IIThe Battle of Franklin was fought on November 30, 1864, at Franklin, Tennessee, as part of the Franklin-Nashville Campaign of the American Civil War. It was one of the worst disasters of the war for the Confederate States Army. Confederate Lt. Gen. John Bell Hood's Army of Tennessee conducted...
, Tennessee, November 30, 1864. - 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...
, Tennessee, December 15–16, 1864. - Carolinas CampaignCarolinas CampaignThe Carolinas Campaign was the final campaign in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. In January 1865, Union Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman advanced north from Savannah, Georgia, through the Carolinas, with the intention of linking up with Union forces in Virginia. The defeat of ...
, February to April 1865. - 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...
, North Carolina, March 19–21, 1865.
Battle Flags
There are two surviving examples of the battle flags of the 8th Arkansas Infantry:| A circle of ten stars appears in this flag, elaborated by an "A" superimposed over the central and eleventh star. Presumably, the star outside the circle represents Missouri, admitted in August, 1861 by the Provisional Congress. The flag was presented to the unit raised in Jacksonport by William Patterson in the summer of 1861. Ladies of the town distinguished the flag with gold embroidered chain stitch, "March on! March on! All hearts resolved on victory or death." This flag was most likely retired when flags in the Hardee pattern were issued to the Army of Central Kentucky in early 1862. First Confederate National Flag pattern variation. Cotton, red wool, red silk fringe and gold embroidery, 21" x 39". Currently held at Old State House Museum, Little Rock Arkansas | 1st National Flag Pattern | |
| The Flag of the 8th and 19th Consolidated Arkansas Infantry Regiments. Flag is an example of the 1864 issue of Hardee flags. This was produced and decorated specifically for the combined unit, displaying battle honors of each. The poorly dyed blue field, now faded to pea green, is typical of the 1864 flags. When it was captured at Jonesboro, Georgia, on 1 September 1864, the flag was identified as that of an artillery battery. The honor of crossed cannon, as well as the unit's po sition supporting Key's Battery, caused the confused attribution. Hardee Battle flag pattern, Cleburne's Division 1864 issue.Cotton with black and white paint, 35" x 34 1/2" remaining. War Department Capture Number 206. Currently located at the Old State House Museum, Little Rock Arkanas | 2nd Pattern Hardee |
Consolidation and Surrender
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, North Carolina, on April 9, 1865.The 1st Arkansas, was lumped together with the 2nd
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, 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, 15th, 19th and 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....
s and the 3rd Confederate Infantry Regiment 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,...
on April 9, 1865. On April 26, 1865 the 1st Arkansas Consolidated Infantry Regiment was present with the Army of Tennessee when it surrendered in Greensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro, 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...
.
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...