Thank you, George. I have a follow-on question. How were companies raised, and how precise should we consider the enlistment dates that come down to us today? I read somewhere that most of the original records of the 22nd/20th Arkansas and other regiments were lost after Second Corinth and were re-constructed from memory later. I notice, for example, that the men of four companies, A, B, D, and E, are all shown as having enlisted at Washington, AR on 1 March 1862. Should we assume all those hundreds of men actually came together and signed-up on a single day, or did they perhaps enroll during February and then all appeared on the 1 March regimental muster roll?

I ask this because, looking at the recorded enlistment dates and mustering locations of the various companies of the original 22nd in relation to Elkhorn Tavern, only three, C, G, and I, would seem to have been able to arrive there before the engagement began if they departed on their recorded enlistment dates. Assuming they marched about 20 miles per day, the four Washington companies just mentioned would have had to have departed Washington on about 21 February to have joined Van Dorn’s forces as described by Shea and Hess in their book. Should we assume that the 22nd really had as few as three companies at Elkhorn, (ie, would it have been ordered there in that condition?), or is it more likely that it would have assembled most of its companies and the records are just not that clear or precise?

I realize there may be no objective answers to these questions- the records just say what they say- but I would appreciate any thoughts anyone might have on this. Thanks again!