The 7th Arkansas Battalion was commanded by Major Franklin Desha of Independence County. Made up of six understrength companies, it was left at Corinth prior to Shiloh due to a lack of weapons and was absorbed by the 8th Arkansas regiment along with Major Kelly's 9th Arkansas Battalion in May, 1862. Does anyone have any information on the 7th other than this? I do know the 7th was very unhappy with being placed in the 8th and came close to mutiny at the time. This is not surprising considering Desha was competing with the 8th for men in July of '61 and many Independence County men chose the 8th (primarily Morgan's company) over Desha. According to Dr. L.A. Dickerson, this was due to Desha not allowing the men to elect seargents and corporals. The six Desha companies are somewhat a mystery, however until the show up in the 8th. Hoping someone can shed some light on them. I don't even believe they are listed on the Confederate monument in front of the Independence county courthouse.