The 142nd Field Artillery Regiment ("Second Arkansas") is a United States Army field artillery regiment currently represented in the Arkansas Army National Guard by the 1st Battalion, 142nd Field Artillery, headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas; 2nd Battalion, 142nd Field Artillery, headquartered at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. The regiment was created in 1917 from the former 2nd Arkansas Infantry. The 142nd Field Artillery shipped to France during World War I but did not see combat before the cessation of hostilities. The regiment was activated for World War II, but its battalions were redesignated as separate battalions, 1–142nd became the 936th Field Artillery Battalion, the 2–142nd became the 937th Field Artillery Battalion. The battalion's served throughout the European Theater of Operations. The battalions were activated again for the Korean War and served throughout the war. Following the Korean War, the separate battalions resumed their former designations of 1–142nd FA and 2–142nd FA. The 142nd Field Artillery Brigade, including both battalions, was activated for Operation Desert Storm. Elements of the 142nd Fires Brigade have been activated for service in Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The 142nd Fires Brigade was instrumental in support and recovery operations located in New Orleans, Louisiana after hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the Gulf Coast.
Origins
In the winter of 1892, the Arkansas State Guard conducted its first annual encampment. An encampment was also conducted in the summer of 1893 at Hot Springs. The favorable publicity for these militia encampments led to efforts to improve the organization of the Guard probably resulted in the organization of new military companies:. As Arkansas State Guard grew in the number of companies, and plans were made to divide the state into two regiments shortly after the summer encampment of 1893. The division was not made until 16 January 1894. The dividing line was the thirty-fifth parallel of latitude. The 1st Regiment, Arkansas State Guards, command by Col. F. B. T. Hohenburg, comprised the southern part of the state and a new 2nd Regiment, ASG was formed to include the northern part of the state. Companies in the 2nd Regiment (the northern division) were located at Van Buren, Magazine, Conway, Paragould, Marion, Newport, Fort Smith, Clarksville, Rector and Yellville.
Lancelot Minor, a Newport attorney who had been active in support of the Newport militia company, was appointed Colonel of the 2nd Regiment, Arkansas State Guard. Lieutenant W. R. Samples of the United States Army was assigned to the Arkansas State Guard during the period of reorganization. Lieutenant Samples wrote to Lancelot Minor, 3 January 1893:
Lieutenant Samples then wrote Governor William M. Fishback, on 5 January 1894:
On 15 January, Lieutenant Samples wrote Col. Minor:
In discussing the appointment, the Arkansas Gazette described Col. Minor as "one of the best fellows and best-known lawyers in the State". On 23 January, the Gazette reported: "Col. Minor, of Newport, detailed as Colonel of the Second Regiment of Arkansas State Guard, has assumed command and directs that all company commanders make out and forward to him at once a complete roster of their companies, stating time and place of drills." Colonel Minor appointed Lieutenant Rush H. Davis, of Company F, to serve as adjutant for the regiment, and John Frank Caldwell of Newport (and a Confederate veteran), was appointed regimental quartermaster with the rank of 2nd Regiment. On 24 March 1894, Rev. R. B. Willis, of Newport was named chaplain of the Second Regiment. In May 1894, Lieutenant George A. Hillhouse, of Newport, was appointed Major.
In early March 1894 companies began receiving complete uniforms, blankets, and Rifles. Colonel Minor and his official staff were also supplied with appropriate uniforms, including a saber, belt and shoulder straps for the colonel.
Reorganization of 1897
In January 1897, Governor Daniel W. Jones took office and appointed Brigadier General Arthur Neill as his Private Secretary and Acting Adjutant General (the position of Adjutant General had still not been reauthorized by the state legislature at this time). The new Governor and Adjutant General began a massive reorganization of the Arkansas State Guard. Two additional regiments of Infantry, another troop of cavalry, and another battery of artillery were added to the organization. The state was divided into two military districts, with the Arkansas River being the dividing line. Major General R.G. Shaver was commissioned and placed in overall command of the State's Forces. Brigadier General C. R. Shaer was commissioned and placed in command of the Southern District, which included the 1st and 2nd Infantry Regiments, two batteries of artillery and a signal company.Neill, BG Authur, Report of the Adjutant General of the Arkansas State Guard, 1897–1900, Thompson Lithograph and Printing Company, Little Rock, Arkansas, 1900, page 5 The units were poorly equipped and outdated equipment.
CompaniesNeill, BG Authur, Report of the Adjutant General of the Arkansas State Guard, 1897–1900, Thompson Lithograph and Printing Company, Little Rock, Arkansas, 1900, page 14 Commanders Station Company A, CPT S.L. Jeffers Van Buren Company B, Not yet organized Company C, CPT B.T. Bullion Conway Company D, CPT P.W. Mooss Paragould Company E, CPT J.J. Cox Marion Company F, CPT M.M. Stuckey Newport Company G, CPT J.C. South Mountain Home Company H, CPT J.E. Nichols, Clarksville Company I, CPT M.D. Moody, Judsonia Company J, Not yet organized Company K, Not yet organized Company L CPT R.W. Reynolds Lake Village
The Spanish–American War
On 25 April 1898, President William McKinley called upon the State to supply two infantry regiments for the Spanish–American War. None of the regiments were in acceptable condition to deploy, and only two companies were determined fit to be mustered into service intact. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Regiments of Infantry, Arkansas State Guard, were reorganized, redesignated and mustered into Federal Service between 14 and 25 May 1898, at Little Rock as the 1st and 2nd Arkansas Volunteer Infantry for service in the Spanish–American War.The Encyclopedia of Arkansas, "Spanish American War". Retrieved 27 January 2010. Governor Jones intended that all sections of the State be represented as far as possible, so the two new regiments were created from selected State Guard companies and from different sections of the state. Pursuant to the Governor's direction the 2nd Arkansas Volunteer Infantry was organized as follows:
2nd Arkansas Volunteer Infantry
Company Former Organization Station A Company C, 1st Regiment, ASG (McCarthy Light Guards) Little Rock B Company A, 4th Regiment, ASG, V.Y. Cook Rifles, Batesville C Company G, 4th Regiment, ASG Walnut Ridge D Company D, 2nd Regiment, ASG ? E Company D, 1st Regiment, ASG (Fletcher Rifles) Little Rock F Company F, 2nd Regiment, ASG (Hurley Rifles) ? G Company D, 4th Regiment, ASG (Cabot Guards) Cabot H Company I, 1st Regiment, ASG Forrest City I Companies F, G, and H, 4th Regiment, ASG Stuttgart (Co F), Gillett (Co G) and Dewitt (Co H) K Company A, 4th Regiment, ASG (Clendenin Rifles) Harrison L Company C, 2nd Regiment, ASG Conway M Company ?, 4th Regiment, ASG (Highland Sharpshooters) Melbourne (with volunteers from Mountain Home)
The newly formed Arkansas Volunteer Infantry Regiments did not see combat during the Spanish–American War. The 2nd Arkansas, now under the command of COL V.Y. Cook, moved to Camp George H. Thomas at Chickamauga Park, Georgia in May 1898. The two Arkansas Volunteer Infantry Regiments were still there participating in basic training when the war effectively ended with the fall of Cuba and the signing of an armistice in early August. The 1st Arkansas Volunteer Infantry mustered out of federal service on 25 October 1899 at Little Rock, Arkansas.Lineage and Honors Certificate, 153rd Infantry, signed John W. Mountcastel, Brigadier General, United States Army, Chief Military History The 2nd Regiment continued in service until 25 February 1899, when they were mustered out at Anniston, Alabama. While the units saw no actual fighting, the deployment did have its casualties. Fifty-four Arkansas Soldiers died of disease or accident during the mobilization.
Reorganization following the Spanish American War Pursuant to an April 1899 Act of the Legislature of the State Arkansas, the 2nd Arkansas Infantry reorganized and was stationed as follows:
Regiment Unit Station Commander 2nd Regiment Headquarters Augusta COL J.B. Dent Company A, Van Buren CPT S.L. Jeffers Company B, Not recorded Not recorded Company C, Conway CPT B. T. Bullion Company D, Paragould CPT P.W. Moos Company E, Marion CPT J.J. Cox Company F, Newport CPT M.M. Stuckey Company G, Mountain Home CPT J.C. Smith Company H, Clarksville CPT J.E. Nichols Company I, Judsonia CPT M.D. Moody Company K, Not Recorded Not Recorded Company L, Not Recorded CPT R.W. Reynolds
The State Guard becomes the National Guard The Militia Act of 1903 (32 Stat. 775), also known as the Dick Act, organized the various state militias into the present National Guard system. The act was passed in response to the demonstrated weaknesses in the militia, and in the entire U.S. military in the Spanish–American War of 1898.
U.S. Senator Charles W. F. Dick, a Major General in the Ohio National Guard and the chair of the Committee on the Militia,. Retrieved 13 September 2009 sponsored the 1903 Act towards the end of the 57th U.S. Congress. Under this legislation, passed 21 January 1903, the organized militia of the states were given federal funding and required to conform to Regular Army organization within five years. The act also required National Guard units to attend twenty four drills and five days annual training a year, and, for the first time, provided for pay for annual training. In return for the increased federal funding which the act made available, militia units were subject to inspection by Regular Army officers, and had to meet certain standards.
In Arkansas, re-organization of the Arkansas State Guard actually began in 1901 under Governor Jeff Davis. Major General W.M. Maynes, in a biannual report dated 31 December 1906 provided an overview of the status of the Arkansas Militia. The Militia was subdivided by statute into parts, (1) the State Guard, or active organize militia: and (2) the Reserve Militia. The State Guard, or regularly enlisted, organized and uniformed militia, was at a total strength of 1,274 personnel. The Federal Government appropriated $35,956.86 for the support of the Arkansas State Guard in that year, and the Adjutant General asked the General Assembly for a matching appropriation of one-half the Federal appropriation.
Geographic reorganization In 1909, a change was made in the organization of the Arkansas National Guard. For several years, the state had been organized with the 1st Infantry being stationed north of the Arkansas River and the 2nd Infantry stationed south of the river. The Adjutant General, General Green determined that the building of railroads and highways had made this stationing plan inefficient and issued General Order No 35 which reorganized the regiments and battalions and changed the letter designations of some of the companies. The regiments were re-stationed so that the 1st Infantry was situated in the eastern part of the state, with its principal "concentration point" being Little Rock, and the 2nd Infantry was stationed in the western part of the state with its "concentration point" at Fort Smith.