Brian,

Gordon's (previously Carroll's and Thomson's) Arkansas Cavalry had its roots in a cavalry company organized by Charles A. Carroll for the Arkansas State Troops in 1861, prior to Wilson's Creek. It reorganized for Confederate service and became the escort company for the commanding general, later expanding to a battalion, and finally to a regiment.

Almost all but the members of Carroll's original company were conscripts from counties in western Arkansas with strong pro-Union sentiments. Many of them were reluctant Confederates, but not reluctant soldiers -- most of the deserters joined Arkansas Union regiments at their first opportunity.

Company I had "issues" as they say. The company was recruited in Scott County (where Union sentiment was strong) and originally served as Co. B, Gipson's Battalion Arkansas Mounted Rifles. When Gipson's battalion was disbanded, the company was transferred to the 4th Arkansas Cavalry as Company I. The men were resentful of the break-up of Gipson's command, their arbitrary transfer, the sterner discipline of a regular Confederate cavalry regiment (Gipson's battalion had been a fairly "loose" organization), and their deployment to areas far from home.

Despite the large number of desertions, there were enough men left to form the steady core of an outfit that was, under the circumstances, a pretty good and active regiment, with some good (and a few bad) officers. The regiment was replenished from time-to-time with details of men from infantry regiments, some of whom deserted, but many of whom appreciated the opportunity to ride instead of march.