I would add another possible reason for the problems at the 14th's reorganization. From what I have gathered from my research on the 8th Arkansas, all the Arkansas regiments were extremely unhappy over Van Dorn being brought east and Arkansas being left undefended. My understanding is there was much discussion in the 8th over whether Arkansas had been betrayed by the Confederacy. Of course, the 8th had its own problems with Desha's battalion claiming being incorporated into the 8th violated their enlistments. It doesn't surprise me if some of the 14th later signed on with Shaler in defense of Arkansas.