Bryan, Thanks for the heads-up on Mr. Noe book on Perryville. I'll have to purchase a copy.

Santa Claus was nice enough to bring me a copy of both Marmaduke's and Parson's order books. It seems from a quick scan that there were several orders issued from "Silver Lake headquarters", which was Fort Pleasant, in Parson's order book from Jan. to Apr. '63 which have naturally peeked my interests.

Marmaduke's book doesn't seem to shed too much light on his commands involvement in the Battle of Pine Bluff. I was hoping for some orders directing troop movements.

Back on the 2nd Arkansas Battalion and Sgt Meirs, I got the impression, from the way Meir's tells his story, that Lacy's Company was NOT orininally a part of the 2nd Arkansas Batt. That Lacy's Artillery Company was attached to the 2nd ARK. Batt. when it was decide by high command to make them Infantry.

Is that the way you read Meir's account of events?

Or am I reading this wrong? And that Lacy's Company was a part of the 2nd Arkansas Batt. and the whole Batt. was being assigned to handle the big guns of the fortifications at Aquia Creek?

It probably is a minor point, but I am just curious since most have the impression that originally all three companies of the 2nd Ar. Batt. were recruited in Saline, Jefferson and Union Counties at the same time as additional recruits for the 1st Arkansas Infantry.