The Arkansas in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Z.T. Webb
In Response To: Re: Z.T. Webb ()

Not so much misreading, as misinterpreting.

The 35th Arkansas Infantry was one that Ed Gerdes posted, not me. His notation was meant to advise that Company H included many men who had previously served in the 15th Arkansas Militia, not that the company had a direct unit-to-unit connection with the militia. The notation is admittedly ambiguous, but Ed was interested more in posting rosters, than in providing narratives. I posted my regiments much differently. If you'll look further down on the Gerdes webpage, you'll see my research on the 15th Arkansas Militia. This, in part, is what I posted as a preface to the company rosters -- quite a bit different from Ed's brief notes --

Like most states, Arkansas had, on paper at least, a state militia organization in the years preceding the Civil War. All able-bodied male citizens were expected to be members of the militia, providing their own weapons and clothing. Ammunition (powder and lead) was supposed to be provided by the State, as were rations and compensation for traveling expenses. The militia in each county was to be organized as a regiment, with each township in the county furnishing an individual company. Technically, the militia was supposed to muster annually, generally in February or March (so as not to interfere with the planting and harvesting of crops), for inspection and drill. In many counties, there is no evidence that the required annual musters ever took place. In other counties, the annual militia muster was considered a grand social occasion. The townspeople and the ladies would bring lunches and gather to watch the regiments go through their drills.

* * * *

The outbreak of the war essentially made the militia organization irrelevant. Most men of military age quickly enlisted in volunteer companies, leaving only the older men and boys to provide manpower for the militia. Even the primary purpose of the militia was taken over by home guard and local defense companies. However, one last muster of at least some of the old militia regiments was held, on schedule, in February and March of 1862. Muster rolls for a half-dozen or so of these regiments survive.

The 15th Regiment Arkansas Militia—the Pope County Militia—held its last muster on March 10-11, 1862, location not stated. The regimental officers were Colonel John L. Williamson; Lieutenant-Colonel George M. P. Williamson; and Major E. M. Roach. Shortly after this muster, most of its members enlisted in the 35th Arkansas Infantry Regiment, CSA.

The following rosters are taken from the March 1862 muster roll of the Pope County Militia.

Company A—Captain Zephaniah T. Webb
Company B—Captain William S. Booker
Company C—Captain H. A. Maddox
Company D—Captain B. F. Wilson
Company E—Captain James R. Sinclair
Company F—Captain Adam L. Furr
Company G—Captain James S. Linzy
Company H—Captain Archibald D. Napier
Company I—Captain Elisha W. Dodson

My thinking was that, while the rosters are the most important thing, it is necessary to put them into context; so I like to include an historical sketch of the regiment. Ed didn't think it was that important, so he just included brief notations.

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