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→‎Battles: I removed the reference to Tunnel Hill, this was a part of the Battle of Missionary Ridge. Arkansans like to point out that they defended the only part of the Confederate line at Missionary Ridge that did not colaspe!
→‎Organization: changed order of commanders, added references, added information on the militia
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The regimental staff at the time of organization of the 7th Arkansas were:<ref>Col. John M. Harrell, "Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States", Military History: Volume 10.2, Arkansas Clement Anselm Evans, Ed., Page 301, Accessed 21 July 2011, http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2001.05.0254%3Achapter%3D11%3Apage%3D3013</ref>
The regimental staff at the time of organization of the 7th Arkansas were:<ref>Col. John M. Harrell, "Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States", Military History: Volume 10.2, Arkansas Clement Anselm Evans, Ed., Page 301, Accessed 21 July 2011, http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2001.05.0254%3Achapter%3D11%3Apage%3D3013</ref>
* Colonel Robert G. Shaver, formerly Colonel of the 60th Arkansas Militia Regiment, of Lawrence County.<ref> Kie Oldham Papers, Arkansas History Commission, One Capitol Mall, Little Rock Arkansas, Box 2, Items 134a, See Also, Arkansas Military Department Records, List of Commissioned Officers of the Militia 1827–1862, Arkansas History Commission, Microfilm Roll 00000038-8, Page 518</ref>
* Col. Robert G. Shaver,
* Lt. Col. William R. Cain,
* William R. Cain,
* Maj. James T. Martin.
* James T. Martin.
* John M. Dean, Adjutant,
* John M. Dean, Adjutant,
* H.C. Tunsell, Quartermaster,
* H.C. Tunsell, Quartermaster,
Line 61: Line 61:
* Dr. Hoadley, Assistant Surgeon<ref name="oocities.org"/>
* Dr. Hoadley, Assistant Surgeon<ref name="oocities.org"/>


The company officers at the time of organization were:<ref>Howerton, Bryan R. "Re: Shaver's 7TH ARKANSAS INFANTRY REGIMENT CSA", Arkansas in the Civil War Message Board, Posted , Accessed 24 April 2012, http://history-sites.com/cgi-bin/bbs53x/arcwmb/webbbs_config.pl?noframes;read=24391</ref>
The company officers at the time of organization were:
* Company A, of Randolph County, commanded by Captain Joseph C. Martin,

* Company B, the "Glaize Rifles," of Jackson County, commanded by Captain George E. Orme,<ref>Howerton, Bryan, R. "COMPANY B 7TH ARKANSAS INFANTRY REGIMENT CSA". Edward Gerdes Civil War Home Page. Retrieved March 15, 2011. http://www.couchgenweb.com/civilwar/shaversb.htm. </ref> This unit was orgionally organized as a volunteer militia company in the 34th Arkansas Militia Regiment, Jackson County, on December 28, 1860.<ref>Arkansas Military Department Records, List of Commissioned Officers in State Militia 1827–1862, Microfilm Roll 00000038-8, Page </ref>
* Company A, Captain John C. McCauley, of White County;
* Company B, Captain George B. Orme, "Glaize Rifles," of Jackson County;
* Company , , ,
* Company D, the "Dick Johnson Guards", of Lawrence county, commanded by Captain Carney C. Straughan,<ref>Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Western Arkansas, Goodspeed Publishers, 1891, Accessed March 2, 2011, http://www.couchgenweb.com/arkansas/conway/bios-w-y.htm</ref> This unit was orgionally organized as a volunteer militia company in the 60th Arkansas Militia Regiment, Lawrence County, on 17 June 1861.<ref>Arkansas Military Department Records, List of Commissioned Officers of the Militia 1827–1862, Arkansas History Commission, Microfilm Roll 00000038-8, Page 510</ref>
* 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 , , of County
* Company E, Captain Michael V. Shaver, of Fulton County;
* Company , Captain . ,
* Company G, of Independence County, commanded by Captain Ganum Brightwell,
* Company F, Captain (Rev.) John H. Dye, the "Pike Guards", of Independence County;
* Company G, Captain Carney C. Straughan, of Lawrence County;
* Company , Captain . ,
* Company I, of Fulton county, commanded by Captain Michael V. Shaver,
* Company H, Captain James F. Archer<sup><nowiki>*</nowiki></sup> of Marion County;
* Company K, the “Arkansas Guards’’ of White county, Captain John C. McCauley.<ref>Arkansas Military Department Records, List of Commissioned Officers in State Militia 1827–1862, Microfilm Roll 00000038-8, Page 349, See Also, Cluck, Damon N., "Re: Shaver's 7TH ARKANSAS INFANTRY REGIMENT CSA", Arkansas in the Civil War Message Board, Posted 24 April 2012, Accessed 24 April 2012, http://history-sites.com/cgi-bin/bbs53x/arcwmb/webbbs_config.pl?noframes;read=24083</ref> This unit was orgionally organized in September of 1860, under the command of Captain, later Brigadier General Dandridge McRea. The company participated in the siezure of the Little Rock Arsenal in February 1861 under the command of Captain McRea.
* Company I, Captain Thomas J. Mellon, of Randolph County;
* Company K, Captain Ganum Brightwell, the "Arkansas Guards", of Independence County.


<sup><nowiki>*</nowiki></sup>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.<ref name="oocities.org"/>
<sup><nowiki>*</nowiki></sup>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.<ref name="oocities.org"/>


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.<ref name="oocities.org"/>
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.<ref name="oocities.org"/>


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.<ref name="GroupedRef2" />
The unit's field officers were Colonels [[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.<ref name="GroupedRef2" />


==Battles==
==Battles==

Revision as of 21:46, 24 April 2012

7th Arkansas Infantry (Confederate)
The Original 7th Arkansas Infantry Flag was modified to become the flag of the consolidated 6th & 7th Arkansas Infantry
Active1861 — 1865
CountryConfederate States of America
AllegianceDixie CSA
BranchInfantry
EngagementsBattle of Shiloh,[1]

Iuka-Corinth Campaign

Second Battle of Corinth

Kentucky Campaign

Battle of Perryville,

Battle of Murfreesboro,[2]

Tullahoma Campaign,

Battle of Liberty Gap,

Chattanooga Campaign,

Battle of Chickamauga,
Siege of Chattanooga,
Battle of Ringgold Gap,

Atlanta Campaign,

Battle of Rocky Face Ridge,
Battle of Resaca,
Battle of New Hope Church,
Battle of Pickett's Mill,[3]
Battle of Kennesaw Mountain,
Battle of Peachtree Creek,
Battle of Atlanta,
Siege of Atlanta,
Battle of Jonesboro,

Franklin–Nashville Campaign

Battle of Franklin,
Battle of Nashville,

Carolinas Campaign,

Battle of Bentonville,

Template:Infobox Arkansas Confederate Infantry Regiments

The 7th Arkansas Volunteer Infantry (1861−1865) was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War composed of troops from northeast Arkansas.

Organization

The 7th Arkansas was mustered into State service on June 16, 1861 at Smithville in Lawrence County, Arkansas.[4] The unit was inducted into Confederate Service in July 1861 at Camp Shaver, near Pocahontas, Arkansas.[4][5]

The regimental staff at the time of organization of the 7th Arkansas were:[6]

  • Colonel Robert G. Shaver, formerly Colonel of the 60th Arkansas Militia Regiment, of Lawrence County.[7]
  • Lieutenant Colonel William R. Cain,
  • Major James T. Martin.
  • John M. Dean, Adjutant,
  • H.C. Tunsell, Quartermaster,
  • John S. Shaver, Commissary
  • Dr. Bohannon, Surgeon,
  • Dr. Hoadley, Assistant Surgeon[8]

The company officers at the time of organization were:[9]

  • Company A, of Randolph County, commanded by Captain Joseph C. Martin,
  • Company B, the "Glaize Rifles," of Jackson County, commanded by Captain George E. Orme,[10] This unit was orgionally organized as a volunteer militia company in the 34th Arkansas Militia Regiment, Jackson County, on December 28, 1860.[11]
  • Company C, of Marion county, commanded by Captain James Archer, [see note].
  • Company D, the "Dick Johnson Guards", of Lawrence county, commanded by Captain Carney C. Straughan,[12] This unit was orgionally organized as a volunteer militia company in the 60th Arkansas Militia Regiment, Lawrence County, on 17 June 1861.[13]
  • Company E, the "Pike Guards", of Independence County, commanded by Captain John H. Dye,
  • Company F, of Randolph county, commanded by Captain Thomas J. Mellon,
  • Company G, of Independence County, commanded by Captain Ganum Brightwell,
  • Company H, of Izard County, commanded by Captain D. G. Deason,
  • Company I, of Fulton county, commanded by Captain Michael V. Shaver,
  • Company K, the “Arkansas Guards’’ of White county, Captain John C. McCauley.[14] This unit was orgionally organized in September of 1860, under the command of Captain, later Brigadier General Dandridge McRea. The company participated in the siezure of the Little Rock Arsenal in February 1861 under the command of Captain McRea.

*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.[8]

Lieutenant Colonel 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.[8]

The unit's field officers were Colonels Robert G. Shaver and D. A. Gillespie; 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.[5]

Battles

During the Battle of Shiloh, 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.

Colonel Robert F Shaver commanded both the 7th Arkansas Infantry Regiment and the 38th Arkansas Infantry Regiment

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.[15] 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.[15]

From December 31, 1862 through January 2, 1863 the 6th and 7th Consolidated Arkansas Infantry Regiment was heavily engaged during the Battle of Murfreesboro, losing a total of 29 killed and 140 wounded.[5] The unit was engaged in the Battle of Chickamauga and the Battles for Chattanooga. The combined regiment had 16 disabled at the Battle of Ringgold Gap, totaled 314 men and 265 arms in December, 1863, and sustained 66 casualties at the Battle of Atlanta.[5] 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.[16] 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.

Battle flags

At least three flags attributed to the 6th & 7th Consolidated Infantry Regiment are known to exist.[18]

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 1863 and was probably a "parade" flag used briefly between May and June 1863, however no firm history survives regarding it.[19] 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 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 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.[19] 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.[19] 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 2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 13th, 15th, 19th, and 24th and the 3rd Confederate Infantry Regiments were consolidated into the 1st Arkansas Consolidated Infantry.[16] 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, 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.[16]

See also

References

  1. ^ Sikakis, Stewart, Compendium of the Confederate Armies, Florida and Arkansas, Facts on File, Inc., 1992, ISBN 978-0-8160-2288-5, page 84
  2. ^ United States. War Dept. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 20, In Two Parts. Part 1, Reports., Book, 1887, Page 173; digital images, (http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth154629/m1/183/?q=Arkansas%20Infantry : accessed February 17, 2012), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, http://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries, Denton, Texas.
  3. ^ Cleburne's Pickett's Mill Battle Report, O.R.– SERIES 1–VOLUME XXXVIII/3, May I-September 8, 1864. – THE ATLANTA (GEORGIA) CAMPAIGN, No. 608.–Report of Maj. Gen. Patrick R. Cleburne, C. S. Army, commanding division, of operations May 7–27, republished at Pickett's Mill Battlefield Historic Site, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Accessed 15 February 2012, http://www.gastateparks.org/item/121726?ran=612032762
  4. ^ a b Allen, Desmond Walls, The Seventh Arkansas Confederate Infantry, Arkansas Research, Conway, 1988, page 7
  5. ^ a b c d Civil War Soldiers and Sailor System, CONFEDERATE ARKANSAS TROOPS, 7th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry, accessed 13 Jan 2011, http://www.civilwar.nps.gov/cwss/regiments.cfm
  6. ^ Col. John M. Harrell, "Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States", Military History: Volume 10.2, Arkansas Clement Anselm Evans, Ed., Page 301, Accessed 21 July 2011, http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2001.05.0254%3Achapter%3D11%3Apage%3D3013
  7. ^ Kie Oldham Papers, Arkansas History Commission, One Capitol Mall, Little Rock Arkansas, Box 2, Items 134a, See Also, Arkansas Military Department Records, List of Commissioned Officers of the Militia 1827–1862, Arkansas History Commission, Microfilm Roll 00000038-8, Page 518
  8. ^ a b c Tucker, Allen J., "7th Arkansas Infantry Regiment", The Tucker Family Webpage, Accessed 15 July 2011, http://www.oocities.org/imapapatuck/7th.html
  9. ^ Howerton, Bryan R. "Re: Shaver's 7TH ARKANSAS INFANTRY REGIMENT CSA", Arkansas in the Civil War Message Board, Posted , Accessed 24 April 2012, http://history-sites.com/cgi-bin/bbs53x/arcwmb/webbbs_config.pl?noframes;read=24391
  10. ^ Howerton, Bryan, R. "COMPANY B 7TH ARKANSAS INFANTRY REGIMENT CSA". Edward Gerdes Civil War Home Page. Retrieved March 15, 2011. http://www.couchgenweb.com/civilwar/shaversb.htm.
  11. ^ Arkansas Military Department Records, List of Commissioned Officers in State Militia 1827–1862, Microfilm Roll 00000038-8, Page
  12. ^ Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Western Arkansas, Goodspeed Publishers, 1891, Accessed March 2, 2011, http://www.couchgenweb.com/arkansas/conway/bios-w-y.htm
  13. ^ Arkansas Military Department Records, List of Commissioned Officers of the Militia 1827–1862, Arkansas History Commission, Microfilm Roll 00000038-8, Page 510
  14. ^ Arkansas Military Department Records, List of Commissioned Officers in State Militia 1827–1862, Microfilm Roll 00000038-8, Page 349, See Also, Cluck, Damon N., "Re: Shaver's 7TH ARKANSAS INFANTRY REGIMENT CSA", Arkansas in the Civil War Message Board, Posted 24 April 2012, Accessed 24 April 2012, http://history-sites.com/cgi-bin/bbs53x/arcwmb/webbbs_config.pl?noframes;read=24083
  15. ^ a b National Park Service, Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System, Confederate Arkansas Troops, 6th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry, Accessed 10 January 2010, http://www.civilwar.nps.gov/cwss/regiments.cfm
  16. ^ a b c Arkansas Encyclopedia of History and Culture, 6th Arkansas Volunteer Infantry, Accessed 10 January 2010, http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?search=1&entryID=2798
  17. ^ United States. War Dept. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 20, In Two Parts. Part 1, Reports., Book, 1887; digital images, (http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth154629 : accessed February 06, 2012), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, http://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries, Denton, Texas.
  18. ^ Battle Flags of the 6th Arkansas Infantry, The Capitol Guards, Company A, 6th Arkansas Volunteer Infantry, Accessed 29 August 2011, http://web.archive.org/web/20091029033543/http://geocities.com/capitalguards/flags.html
  19. ^ a b c Madaus, Howard and Rushing, Anthony, "Battle Flags of the 6th Arkansas Infantry" The Capitol Guards, Company A, 6th Arkansas Volunteer Infantry, Accessed 10 January 2010, http://web.archive.org/web/20091029033543/http://geocities.com/capitalguards/flags.html

Bibliography

  • Allen, Desmond Walls. The Seventh Arkansas Confederate Infantry. (Conway, AR: Arkansas Research, 1988) ISBN 0-941765-28-8
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