Edward Hamill was most likely from Independence County. He enlisted in Captain Winfield S. Smalley's in 1861 at age 19 and was elected 3rd Sgt. Smalley's company became the original company I, 8th Arkansas. Company I suffered several casualties at Shiloh from friendly fire.
After Shiloh, Company I was consolidated with Company D to form a new Company B. Hamill was evidently elected 2nd Lt. at this time. He was one of those captured with the rest of Govan's brigade at Jonesboro, Ga. For some reason, he and the others in the company captured at Jonesboro are listed as paroled rather than exchanged. That is the last I have on him at this time. If I get a chance, I'll look him up in the 1860 Census.