I have now gone through the Stirman Battalion records and none exist before January 1863. The Unit histories are the same. Stirman's Regiment sharpshooters is lined through and Stirman's Battalion Arkansas Cavalry is entered. The Names of Company Commanders and Battalion and Regiment go back to 61 and 62. Only the individual records are missing. It would help if I could find Brook's battalion which was the name up to May 1862, when Stirman was elected. The two Texas units that were attached have records from September 1861 through 1865. Murphy or Catterson's Company B/27th Texas Cavalry, which became Company H of Stirman's Regiment/Battalion has records up till its transfer on 4 June 1862 but they are then missing till January, when they start again.
Brook's battalion had 7 companies, 6 which were mustered in 1861 and one which was mustered in 1862. Where has it gone. Stirman was elected Battalion Commander in May 1862. No records. Lieutenant Colonel Bridges who was the company commander of I/6th Texas Cavalry then Deputy of Stirman's Regiment has records up till his death in 1864 leading companies not associated with Stirman or 1/6th or H/9th. These companies were given to him by Stephen D. Lee. The records that do exist for Stirman's Bn in 1863 are jumbled up and difficult to read. Being captured twice as a unit does not help.

Does anyone know of any independent writings on this subject?