1st Arkansas Infantry Regiment

Confederate Regiments & Batteries * Arkansas

1861
April The 1st Arkansas Infantry Regiment began to come together at Little Rock from existing militia companies and moved to Lynchburg, Virginia.

  • Company A – “The El Dorado Sentinels” – Union County, Captain Asa Morgan
  • Company B – “The Clark County Volunteers” – Clark County, Captain James C. Monroe
  • Company C – “The Camden Knights” – Ouachita County, Captain Crenshaw
  • Company D – “The Clan McGregor” – Jefferson County, Captain Donelson McGregor
  • Company E – “The Saline Guards” – Saline County, Captain James F. Fagan.
  • Company F – “The Ettomon Guards” – Pulaski County, Captain William F. Martin
  • Company G – “The Jackson Guards” – Jackson County, Captain A. C. Pickett
  • Company H – “The Crockett Rifles” – Arkansas County, Captain Robert H. Crockett (a son of Davy Crockett)
  • Company I – “The Monticello Guards” – Drew County, Captain James Jackson
  • Company K – “The DeWitt Guards” – Arkansas County, Captain D. B. Quertermous
May 6 Arkansas seceded from the Union. The regiment was officially organized and field officers were elected:

  • Captain James F. Fagan of Company E was promoted to Colonel.
  • Captain James C. Monroe of Company B was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.
  • Major John Baker Thompson was appointed Major.

William A. Crawford was promoted to Captain of Company E.
Charles Stark was promoted to Captain of Company B.
May 19 Mustered 905 men into Confederate service at Lynchburg, Virginia. First Lieutenant J M Boswell was promoted to Captain of Company K.
June Moved to Evansport and assigned to Holmes’ Brigade.
Unsuccessful attempt to capture the Federal gunboat USS Pocahontas by Captain William Martin.
July 20 Transferred to Beauregard’s Army of the Potomac at Manassas. Arrived at Camp Wigfall, J. J. Wilcoxen’s farm.
July 21

Battle of Manassas (Bull Run)

The regiment was in reserve and suffered no casualties.
July Assigned to Walker’s Brigade, Department of Fredericksburg.
1862
January 21 William H. Martin was promoted to lieutenant colonel.
February The regiment was transferred to the Western Theater. Those who reenlisted were given a $50 bonus and a furlough home.
March 15 The regiment was ordered to rendezvous in Memphis and assigned to Gibson’s Brigade, Ruggles’ Division, 2nd Corps of the Army of Mississippi. .
April 6-7

Battle of Shiloh

The regiment brought 800 men to the field, and lost 364 casualties in the Hornet’s Nest. Lieutenant Colonel John B. Thompson was killed.
April The regiment reorganized and received replacements.
June 11 Colonel Fagan was promoted to brigadier general.
July 25 John Colquitt was commissioned colonel.
August – October

Kentucky Campaign
October 8

Battle of Perryville
December Assigned to Polk’s Brigade, Cleburne’s Division
December 31-
January 3

Battle of Murfreesboro

The regiment lost 11 men killed and 90 wounded. Lieutenant Colonel McGregor was mortally wounded and captured.
1863
February Stinson Little was promoted to major.
June

Tullahoma Campaign
September 19-20
Battle of Chickamauga

The regiment brought 430 men to the field and lost 45% casualties.
September-November

Siege of Chattanooga
November 23-25

Battle of Chattanooga
December The regiment mustered 302 men
1864
May-September

Atlanta Campaign
May 25-26

New Hope Church
June 27

Kennesaw Mountain

The regiment was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel William P. Martin, who famously called a truce in the middle of the fight so that Federal troops could retrieve their wounded who were in danger of burning to dearh from a brushfire.
July 22

Battle of Atlanta

The regiment lost 15 men killed, 67 wounded, and 3 missing.
Spring Consolidated with the 15th Arkansas Infantry
September 1

 Jonesboro, Georgia

The regiment and its colors were captured.
November The regiment was exchanged and rejoined Cleburne’s Division for Hood’s Tennessee Campaign
November 29

Spring Hill
November 30

Battle of Franklin
December 15-16

Battle of Nashville
1865
January1-April 26

Carolinas Campaign
March 19-21

Battle of Bentonville
April 9th Survivors were consolidated along with those of the 2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 13th, 19th (Dawson’s) and 24th Arkansas Infantry and the 3rd Confederate Regiment (formerly Marmaduke’s 18th Arkansas Infantry) to form the 1st Infantry Regiment (Consolidated) at Smithfield, NC
April 23

Durham

Surrendered with Johnston’s Army of Tennessee