This may be Capt. John R. Swan, who commanded Co. A, 1st (Dobbin's) Arkansas Cavalry, for a time. The company was orginally known as "Corley's Spies" (Capt. Samuel Corley), later commanded by Capt. William H. Crawford, then Capt. John R. Swan. The company was recruited in Phillips County, and sometimes operated independently from the regiment.