Thanks Bryan! You have also helped me out by giving me the county origin of two of the 9th Battalion companies. Now I just need to track down remaining two 8th Arkansas Infantry Regiments that did not originate in Independence or Jackson County, the remaining two 9th Battalion Companies and most of Desha's Battalion. And in thanks, I'll do as you have urged and post something concerning the 8th Arkansas Infantry and Desha's battalion. Franklin Desha, a veteran of the Mexican War, was considered Independence County's leading soldier at the beginning of the war and attempted to raise a regiment. According to letters written by L.S. Dickson, the companies from Independence County which formed the core of the 8th very easily could have wound up with Desha except for two things. First of all, it seems Desha was something of a control freak and wanted to appoint all the NCO's for his regiment which the company commanders balked at and as such decided to join Patterson and the 8th at Jacksonport. This, of course, then resulted in delaying the formation of the proposed regiment which in turn led to many individuals who wanted to serve with Desha to become impatient and sign up with the 8th. Ironically, Desha's battalion was eventually absorbed into the 8th, an event not well received by his battalion and Desha resigned shortly thereafter for health reasons.