8th Arkansas Infantry Regiment (also known as the "Eighth Arkansas") was an infantry formation in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. It served throughout the war in the western theater, seeing action in the Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia campaigns. Following its depletion in numbers the regiment was consolidated several times with other Arkansas regiments, finally merging in 1865 into the 1st Arkansas Consolidated Infantry Regiment.
Formation The unit was enrolled in state service on July 13, 1861, at Camp Price near Jacksonport, Arkansas.Col. John M. Harrell, "Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States", Military History: Volume 10.2, Arkansas Clement Anselm Evans, Ed., Page 303, Accessed 21 July 2011, http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2001.05.0254%3Achapter%3D11%3Apage%3D303 The unit was inducted into Confederate Service on September 10, 1861. The unit was originally composed of units from the following counties:Howerton, Bryan, "Re: 8th Arkansas, before consolidation", Arkansas in the Civil War Message Board, Posted 22 November 2011, Accessed 23 November 2011, http://history-sites.com/cgi-bin/bbs53x/arcwmb/webbbs_config.pl?noframes;read=25097
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. This unit was originally organized on June 8, 1861, as a volunteer militia company in the 59th Regiment, Arkansas State Militia.Arkansas Military Department Records, List of Commissioned Officers of the Militia 1827–1862, Arkansas History Commission, Microfilm Roll 00000038-8, Page 129 Company E, the "Independence Guards", of Independence County, commanded by Captain Justus F. Tracy. This unit was originally organized on February 15, 1861, as a volunteer militia company in the 59th Regiment, Arkansas State Militia. Company F, the "West Point Rifles", of White County, commanded by Captain A. T. Jones. This unit, also "West Point Rangers" was originally organized on May 29, 1861, as a volunteer militia company in the 65th Regiment, Arkansas State Militia under the command of Captain Joseph F. Hathaway.Arkansas Military Department Records, List of Commissioned Officers of the Militia 1827–1862, Arkansas History Commission, Microfilm Roll 00000038-8, Page 575 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 original regimental officers of the 8th Arkansas were:Gerdes, Edward G., "FIELD OFFICERS AND STAFF 8TH ARKANSAS INFANTRY REGIMENT CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA", Edward G. Gerdes Civil War Page, Accessed 22 November 2011, http://www.couchgenweb.com/civilwar/8thinf&s.htmlHempstead, Fay, "A Pictorial History of Arkansas" St. Louis and New York, N. D. Thompson publishing company, 1890, Call number: 9197481, Page 398, Accessed 22 November 2011, https://archive.org/stream/pictorialhistory00hemp#page/398/mode/2up
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.
The regiment was armed with weapons which the state confiscated when the Federal Arsenal at Little Rock was seized by Arkansas State Militia troops in February 1861. Disposition of the weapons found in the Arsenal is somewhat sketchy, but from various records it can be surmised that the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th Arkansas Infantry Regiments, mustered in June, 1861, were issued M1816/M1822 .69 caliber flintlocks. They retained these weapons until April, 1862 when they were able to exchange them for better weapons scavenged from the battlefield at Shiloh.Ezell, Tom, "Re: Van Dorn- Army of the Southwest", Arkansas in the Civil War Message Board, Posted 17 December 2001, Accessed 11 June 2012,
History Battles The 8th Arkansas saw no action in the coming months, only taking part in a small raid into Missouri with General Hardee's Command. By October 1861, the regiment, along with the rest of General Hardee's division had been sent to Columbus, Kentucky, to become the Army of Central Kentucky.United States. War Dept. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 7., Book, 1882; digital images, (http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth154610/m1/858/?q=Army of Mississippi : accessed June 27, 2012), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, http://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries, Denton, Texas. After the losses of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson in February 1862, Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston withdrew his forces into western Tennessee, northern Mississippi, and Alabama to reorganize. and then retreated through western Tennessee to northern Mississippi. On March 29, 1862, the Army of Central Kentucky was merged into the Army of Mississippi in preparation for the Battle of Shiloh.
The 8th Arkansas was assigned to Brigadier General Sterling A. M. Wood's brigade of Major General William J. Hardee's Corps of the Army of Mississippi. When Brigadier General Woods was wounded during the battle, Colonel Patterson assumed command of the brigade. The regiment suffered heavy casualties on both days of the battle. Lieutenant Thomas Bateman was killed, and Lieutenants Perryman, Cates, Harris and Richardson were wounded. On April 26, 1862, the entire regiment totaled 272 men. In his after action report regarding the Battle of Shiloh, Colonel Patterson commented:No. 217. -- Report of Col. W. K. Patterson, Eighth Arkansas Infantry. HDQRS. EIGHTH REGIMENT ARKANSAS VOLUNTEERS, Near Corinth, Miss., April 9, 1862. Arkansas in the Civil War Message Board, Posted 15 March 2006, Accessed 7 January 2012, http://history-sites.com/mb/cw/arcwmb/archive_index.cgi?noframes;read=12053
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 1862. 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.
On May 7, 1862, the original members of the 8th Arkansas 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 — Originally Companies B & K of the 8th Arkansas Infantry Regiment from Jackson county. Company B — Originally Companies D & I of the 8th Arkansas Infantry Regiment from Jackson county. Company C — Originally Companies E & H of the 8th Arkansas Infantry Regiment from Independence county. Company D — Originally Companies C & F of the 8th Arkansas Infantry Regiment, from Independence and White counties. Company E — Originally Companies A & G of the 8th Arkansas Infantry Regiment from Independence county. Company F — Originally Companies B & C of the 9th Arkansas Infantry Battalion, which were also (originally Companies B & E, of the (McCarver's) 14th Arkansas Infantry Regiment). Company G — Originally Companies A & D. of the 9th Arkansas Infantry Battalion, Izard and Jackson county (originally Companies A & H, of the (McCarver's) 14th Arkansas Infantry Regiment) Company H — Originally Companies B & C, of the 7th Arkansas Infantry Battalion, from Independence county. Company I — Originally Companies D & F, of the 7th Arkansas Infantry Battalion, from Jackson county. Company K — Originally Companies 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, of Cleburne's Division,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/m1/670/?q=5th Arkansas : accessed June 29, 2012), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, http://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries, Denton, Texas. and captured two stand of colors, which were taken by Private James Riddle, of Company C, and Corporal 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. Lieutenants T. H. Beard, S. B. Cole, Colvin Ead and H. J. McCurdy, of the Eighth, were killed. Its casualties were 29 killed and 124 wounded at Murfreesboro.
By the time of the Chickamauga Campaign in September 1863, Colonel Daniel C. Govan had assumed command of Liddell's Brigade.United States. War Dept. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 30, In Four Parts. Part 1, Reports., Book, 1890; digital images, (http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth152978/m1/242/?q=Govan : accessed June 29, 2012), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, http://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries, Denton, Texas. The 8th Arkansas would continue to serve in Govan's Brigade until the end of the war. Its casualties were 14 killed, 92 wounded, and 65 missing at Chickamauga.
Due to the casualties suffered at Chickamauga, the regiment was consolidated with the 19th Arkansas for the Chattanooga campaign The regiment was in the battles of Missionary Ridge, Ringgold Gap under Lieutenant Colonel Augustus S. Hutchison of the 19th Arkansas. The 8th/19th Arkansas lost 16 men at Ringgold Gap, totaled 363 men and 265 arms in December, 1863.
When General Joseph E. Johnston assumed command of the Army of Tennessee to oppose General Sherman's Atlanta campaign, Govan's Brigade was reorganized but the 8th and 19th regmained consolidated. The 8th/19th Arkansas participated in the battles of Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain, Peachtree Creek, Ezra Church and Atlanta It sustained 32 killed (including Lt. Colonel Anderson Watkins), 33 wounded (including Colonel Baucum and Lt. Colonel Hutchison), and 32 missing at Atlanta, and fielded 181 effectives on July 23.O.R. Series I Volume XXXVIII Part 1 pages 737, accessed via https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924077722993&view=1up&seq=742&skin=2021&q1=Govan The regiment and it colors were captured, along with much of Govan's Brigade at the Battle of Jonesboro, Georgia, on Sept. 1, 1864. Due to a special cartel between Union General Sherman and Confederate General John B. Hood, the unit was quickly paroled and exchanged for Union prisoner held at Andersonville Prison. The regiment re-entered service approximately a month later.