Can you give me the reference for Company G, of Independence County, commanded by Captain Ganum Brightwell, being referred to as the "Arkansas Guards"? The reason I question this designation is because I think that Company K, from White County, commanded by Captain John C. McCauley was also orgionally known as the Arkansas Guards. I think this is the militia company orgionally raised by Dandridge McRea in September of 1860. I think McRea was in command of this company when he had his photo taken in his milita uniform with the letters A G, for Arkansas Guards, on his hat.

According to Arkansas Military Department Records, List of Commissioned Officers in State Militia 1827–1862, Microfilm Roll 00000038-8, Page 349, List a Volunteer Company of Light Infantry formed on 12 September 1860.

Dandridge McRae, Captian
John C. McCauley First Lieutenant
William Clayton, Second Lieutenant
Wiliam Hicks, Third Lieutenant

Then on March 15, 1861,
John C. McCauley was elected Captain of the "Ark Guards". He is listed as "Vice D. McRae, Promoted", at the same time,
W. E. Clatyon, is promoted to First Lieutenant,
Will Hicks is promoted to Second Lieutenant, and
Virgil H. Petty, was elected Third Lieutenant vice Hicks.

Then on May 17, 1861, William L. Holloway, is commissioned First Lieutenant vice William E. Clayton,
Willlima A. Yarnelle is commissioned Second Lieutenant Vice Will Hicks, and
John P. Andrews, is commissioned Thrid Lieutenant vice Virgil H. Petty.

When the unit is mustered into Confederate Service on July 26, 1861, Yarnelle and Holloway do not appear on the rolls of the 7th Arkansas, but McCauley is still the Captain and Andrews is still a third Lieutenant.

It is certianlly possible that Captain Brightwell's Company G could have also been named the Arkansas Guards, there are other instances of more than one company using the same name (e.g. the Arkansas Travellers), but not usually in the same regiment.