Glynda, you're right on the money. Rufus Ford was one of several members of the 2nd Arkansas Mounted Rifles who was too sick to accompany the regiment when it was ordered east of the Mississippi, was left behind to recuperate, and ended up serving in regiments back here in Arkansas. In the case of Rufus Ford (and others), he hooked up with Gordon's/Thomson's 4th Arkansas Cavalry.

After two rounds of Confederate commanders pulling troops out of Arkansas and sending them to the East, the District of Arkansas began detaining men from those regiments, who happened to be in Arkansas on leave or on detached duty, and attaching them to regiments operating in Arkansas.