Per Frank's suggestion, I'm starting a new thread on Southern Unionism, and in particular the 2nd Arkansas Cavalry (US). The unit started organizing in Helena in July 1862. Following its capture by the Union army during the summer of 1862, Helena became an important rendezvous for Unionist Arkansans seeking protection.

The 2nd Arkansas Cavalry's early history is a bit convoluted and muddy, but here is a brief description....About the middle of July 1862, Colonel W. James Morgan of Missouri opened a recruiting office on Main Street in Helena. He had been given permission by the War Department to organize a regiment to be known as the 1st Arkansas Mounted Rangers (later 2nd Arkansas Cavalry). Before long, there were three companies composed of nearly 400 men.

Unfortunately, many of the men became ill while in Helena. Further compounding this was the attitude displayed by Union commanders there. Given that the men were Southerners, they were not only looked down upon and treated with disdain, but they were also suspect in many eyes. Consequently, they were given little in the way of arms or equipment. To a large extent, they were virtually ignored. One 2nd Arkansas officer went so far as to equate Federal officials' perceived negligence toward the men to murder. Many of the troopers who were well enough to report for duty spent their time attending the sick, burying the dead, or on fatigue duty.

“Having no equipment suited to our arm of the service, we could make but little or no progress in drill. Neither officers nor men could be much improved, therefore our time was passed off in a manner useless to ourselves and country.” Another soldier groused that they were only “web-footed cavalry, fit only to pack oats to feed horses for others to ride.”

In May 1863, two of the companies were transferred to St. Louis. Because they had lost so many men, the two companies were shortly thereafter consolidated into one. While this was happening, the third company (C) was stationed at Pilot Knob, Missouri. Many of the recruits in this company were Arkansas refugees who had fled the state.

Fast forwarding (and I'm skipping a lot), a new rendezvous for the regiment was established at Springfield, Missouri during the summer of 1863. John E. Phelps, a native of Springfield and a lieutenant in the 3rd U.S. Cavalry, was made the recruiting commissioner for the regiment. He was eventually appointed the unit's colonel. During the summer and fall, hundreds of more men joined the regiment. Many were Arkansas refugees who had made their way into southwest Missouri. Hundreds more came from the Arkansas River Valley and points further south in the Ouachitas. Interestingly, there were also a handful of Texans, Choctaws, and Chickasaws in the regiment too. Most, if not all, of these enlisted at Fort Smith.

Now back to Franks's question about Lt. Shepherd, who had been murdered at his home in Marianna for refusing to take an oath to the Confederacy, I do not know where he is buried. I suspect that since he was killed at home, he is likely buried in the area. I have not, however, investigated this.

As for other Unionists in the area, yes, there were some. They were definitely a minority, but Unionists could be found throughout eastern Arkansas as well as the rest of the state. Of course, for obvious reasons, they were compelled to keep a low profile. There's no telling how many people were shot, hung, or simply disappeared because they supported Old Glory.