The regiment was composed of 11 previously independent mounted companies organized mostly in the northeast and north central parts of the state, as follows:
Co. A—Van Buren county; enlisted June 24, 1862, at Clinton, Arkansas.
Co. B—Jefferson county; enlisted February 10, 1863, at Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
Co. C—Independence county; enlisted January 10, 1863, at Pleasant Plains, Arkansas.
Co. D—Lawrence county; enlisted November 1, 1862, at Evening Shade, Arkansas.
Co. E—Conway county; enlisted December 24, 1862, in Conway county, Arkansas.
Co. F—Independence county; enlisted January 9, 1863, at Hess Ferry, Arkansas.
Co. G—Fulton county; enlisted December 12, 1862, in Fulton county, Arkansas.
Co. H—Izard county; enlisted December 15, 1862, in Izard county, Arkansas.
Co. I—Randolph county; enlisted March 16, 1863, at Camp Wilson, Arkansas.
Co. K—Van Buren county; enlisted March 4, 1863, at Clinton, Arkansas.
Co. L—Jackson county; enlisted December 26, 1862, at Kenyon, Arkansas.
Col. Robert C. Newton was the first regimental commander, succeeded in December 1863 by Col. Thomas J. Morgan, formerly captain of Co. C.
The regiment fought in numerous battles and skirmishes, including Helena, Brownsville, Reed's Bridge, Bayou Fourche, and Pine Bluff, the Camden campaign, and Price's Missouri campaign, among others. The regiment was included in the general surrender of the Trans-Mississippi Army on May 26, 1865. Most of the men were paroled at Jacksonport on June 5, 1865.
Here's Colonel Newton's after-action report of the battle of Helena:
Camp at Gist’s, Phillips County, Ark.,
July 8, 1863.
Capt. J. C. Alexander, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Walker’s Division, &c.
Captain—I have the honor, in obedience to your instructions of to-day, to submit the following report of the part taken by my regiment in the attack on Helena on the 4th instant:
I reached Mrs. Mooney’s and halted there about 12 p.m. on 3d instant. About an hour before day on the morning of the 4th, in obedience to an order from the brigadier-general commanding, I resumed the march, taking the Sterling road toward Helena, moving in rear of Colonel Dobbin’s regiment. Arriving at the spring about 1 mile from town, the brigade was halted by General Walker. We remained there until the firing commenced to our right, when I was ordered up to a point near the blockade of felled timber, there to await orders.
About 7 o’clock I received an order to send 30 sharpshooters to the support of those from Colonel Dobbin’s regiment, who were deployed to our front beyond the blockade, and to the left of the skirmishers from General Marmaduke’s command. I detailed the required number from the different companies, selecting men with long-range guns as far as practicable, placed them under command of Lieutenant Barnes, of Co. A, and carried them forward to the left of Dobbin’s skirmishers, and beyond the lagoon which, starting from near the base of the levee on the north side of Helena, runs eastward to Porter’s Lake, where they were soon engaged with the enemy, and did good service.
At 7.30, by order of General Walker, I detached Companies B and G, under command of Captain Portis, of the former, and deployed them as skirmishers to support Barnes’ sharpshooters, and resist a small force of Federal cavalry which was reported to be threatening our extreme left. About 8 o’clock Portis reported to me that the enemy had re-enforced in his front; that he was being pressed and needed two more companies. I immediately communicated the information to General Walker, and by his direction instructed Portis to observe the enemy closely, skirmish with him, and, if too heavily pressed, fall back slowly, advising me from time to time of what was transpiring.
About this time I received an order to send forward another company to support Dobbin’s skirmishers, which I obeyed by sending Captain Rollow’s company (E), under command of Lieutenant Garner.
Learning that the enemy had made several attempts to force Portis back and gain possession of the west bank of Porter’s Lake—which would enable him, by means of his sharpshooters, to annoy the men at our battery posted on the hill in front of the blockade, and perhaps finally force us from the hill altogether—I went in person to where Portis was, to learn the true condition of affairs and ascertain what, if anything, could be done. I found that Portis with his small force had made a gallant resistance, and had thus far foiled the enemy in his several attempts to occupy the western or inner bank of Porter’s Lake; but that he nevertheless had lost some ground and had but little more to lose. I seemed it important, therefore, not only to regain what had been lost, but to drive the enemy beyond the levee and into town, if possible, with my small force. There not being time left me to previously communicate with General Walker, I ordered up Companies C and F without first notifying him. The latter I deployed as skirmishers and advanced to the front. They were soon engaged. I moved Co. C forward across the lagoon before mentioned, and, pushing the skirmishers to the front vigorously, ordered a charge. The enemy fled precipitately. We pursued him about 300 yards. Finding that he was rallying his men in his rifle-pits, which were situated to the left of the levee and near the river bank, I deployed my whole force then with me as skirmishers, posted them as best I could, and left them under command of Captain Portis, with instructions to hold the ground we had thus gained until he should receive other orders from me. I started to the headquarters of the brigadier-general commanding to get permission to use my whole regiment for the purpose of dislodging the enemy, or, failing in that, confining him to his rifle-pits and thus prevent him from annoying our left. Arriving there, I learned that our troops were withdrawing, and, by General Walker’s direction, retired my command to the point where the mountain road, leading from the spring on the Sterling road to the Grant’s Mill road, diverges from the Sterling road, and there disposed my force so as to cover the withdrawal of our troops. When the rear of Dobbin’s regiment had passed, I moved back on the mountain road, as directed, and thence upon Grant’s Mill road.
I inclose herewith a list of casualties.
The officers and men engaged behaved in admirable style. Captains Portis and Bryant, commanding skirmishers, did their duty well. Lieutenant Barnes, who, with his 30 sharpshooters, was almost constantly engaged, here, as everywhere else that I have ever placed him, was prompt and faithful, and displayed great courage. Lieutenant Smith, adjutant of the regiment, brave to a fault, and seeking rather than avoiding danger, rendered much valuable service. And as were the officers, so were the private soldiers whom they led. Fearless of danger, each seemed intent solely on doing his duty well.
I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. C. NEWTON,
Colonel, Commanding.