I will do that gladly. I knew there was a depository of Desha's papers somewhere, but never expected anything like this. I ran across this index doing a web search for franklin desha civil war and was absolutely stunned when I saw folders 16-20. There was the whole history of the 7th battalion up to being absorbed into the 8th. I can't wait to my eyes on it. Even the index has raised questions I can't wait to see answered such as why McCarver was giving Desha orders.
One note I find interesting. The Independence County Chronicle printed some letters written by Dr. L.A. Dickerson who originally planned to join Desha, but grew tired of waiting and joined the 8th as regimental surgeon. In some of the letters, he refers to "Cullins" who is believed to John W. Cullins. What I find interesting is in John Cullins we see some of the dynamics of raising a company and becoming an officer in an Arkansas regiment. At first, Desha is raising a company, but is waiting around for authorisation to raise a regiment. "Cullins" apparently is the first Lieutenant of this fledgling company. The company is in danger of melting away as Desha waits and Dickerson believes the company will "go under" at which point "Cullins" will gather as many as he can and head for Fayetteville and McCullough. A month later, Captain Thomas Morgan, Company D, 8th Arkansas is urging Cullins to join him at Jacksonport with 10-15 recruits assuring him he will almost certainly be elected 2nd Lieutenant. Cullin instead sticks with Desha, is elected Captain of Company D, 7th Arkansas Battalion, left out at during the reorganization and winds up a lieutentant in Company A, 5th Arkansas. Just an interesting sidelight.