Sherry, the "Saline Rifle Rangers" was organized in Saline County on May 6, 1861, then traveled to Little Rock and went into camp there. The company was assigned to a battalion under command of Col. Solon Borland, and was mustered into State service for 90 days on July 16, 1861. The battalion departed Little Rock for Pocahontas, where, on July 26, 1861, it was reorganized as the 1st Regiment Arkansas Mounted Volunteers. On July 29, 1861, the regiment was mustered into Confederate service for twelve months. This is the "official" date of enlistment of the men. It was stationed at Camp Borland, near Pocahontas, at this time. The regiment remained in northeast Arkansas until April 1862, when it was ordered to Corinth, Mississippi. The regiment was redesignated as the 3rd Arkansas Cavalry on or about January 15, 1862.

All discharges between July 1861 and May 1862 were based on medical reasons. After May 1862 the discharges were made under the provisions of the Conscript Act and other army regulations.