Ambrose M. Shoemaker's service goes back even earlier. He enlisted at Monticello on September 19, 1861, in a company which, along with some other Arkansas companies, was assigned to the 40th Tennessee Infantry. Ambrose's company was assigned as Company D.

Also in this company were Andrew J., James H., and James J. Shoemaker.

The 40th Tennessee was captured at Island No. 10 on April 8, 1862; however, all the Shoemaker's were absent on sick furlough at the time, and so avoided capture.

There is no further record of Andrew J. or James H.; however, Ambrose M. and James J. later enlisted in Hart's Arkansas Battery. James J. was captured at Arkansas Post. Ambrose M. was not present (probably on furlough) so he again avoided capture, and later enlisted in Co. A, 37th Arkansas Infantry, along with Asbury Shoemaker. Ambrose's run of luck finally ended when he and Asbury were captured at Helena on July 4, 1863, and held as prisoners of war until March 1865.