Damon, back in March you asked about the 7th Arkansas Bn. I've been out of circulation for awhile and just saw your posts. The 7th was the failed attempt of Franklin Desha to form a regiment. My understanding is the failure was largely the result of Desha wanting to appoint NCO's and possibly officers rather than having them elected. He then lost a couple of companies and his surgeon who grew impatient with his inability to recruit enough companies to form a regiment and joined the 8th instead. The 7th was left a Corinth during Shiloh due to a lack of equipment and then consolidated with the 8th. This move was not welcomed by at least one company, I believe it was Leggett's, which threatened to mutiny. Copies of Desha's papers from this period which are rather extensive, are at Lyon College. I will try to post some references to this information soon. I'm currently in Chattanooga researching the 8th and Govan's Brigade at Chickamauga and do not have my file on the 8th.