Nathaniel R. Kerns was a Phillips County resident who served in the 2nd Arkansas Infantry and Dobbin's 1st Arkansas Cavalry (the reference to Crawford's 1st Arkansas Cavalry is a filing error in the Compiled Service Records).

He enlisted in Co. F, 2nd Arkansas Infantry, at Helena, Arkansas, on June 5, 1861, for twelve months; age 18. He was reported absent on sick furlough on the June 30, 1862, muster roll. As with most soldiers home on furlough at that time, he was "detained" in the Trans-Mississippi Department and ordered to Dobbin's 1st Arkansas Cavalry. He was mustered into service as a private in Co. B, 1st Arkansas Cavalry, at La Grange, Arkansas, on July 15, 1862, for three years or the war. He served with this command to the end of the war, and was paroled at Wittsburg, Arkansas, on May 25, 1865; age 23.