You're lucky that your ancestor served in a regiment for which a regimental history has been written. Most Arkansas regiments have no written legacies at all. About all that's known about them is what a handful of modern-day researchers have managed to pull together from old records and microfilms.

The 6th Arkansas was one of our State's premier regiments. For much of its existence, it was consolidated with its sister regiment, the 7th Arkansas (the "Bloody Seventh") -- known as the 6th & 7th Arkansas Infantry -- because both units had sustained such severe casualties at Shiloh and Murfreesboro that they were combat-ineffective as separate regiments. A couple of my ancestors served in the 7th Arkansas. The companies that comprised the 6th Arkansas were mostly from larger towns, and comprised the best families and upper crust of those towns. The 7th Arkansas was from northern Arkansas -- country cousins, if you will -- mostly hillbillies and farmers. Together, the consolidated 6th & 7th Arkansas made an awesome regiment. Cal Collier did a good job of capturing the spirit of the old 6th Arkansas (and 6th & 7th Consolidated) in his book. Enjoy!