I am looking for information on John Smith of Batesville, Ark., born 1844 in Arkansas to Col. Robert Smith (Mex. War, and one of the founding fathers of Arkansas and one of the wealthiest citizens of Independence Co.) and wife Susan Hord McIlvaine.(Her sister married Gov. Yell.) John Smith's sister Annie D. Smith married Aug. 11, 1864, Col. Jeemiah Cravens of the 6th MO.

I found this:
Loyalties Divided: Civil War Years 1862-1865 Batesville, Arkansas, The Journal of Young Mary Adelia Byers, edited by Samuel R. Phillips, self-published, Grass Valley, CA., Page 44 -June 14, 1863
“I was scrubbing the floor when here came John Smith. Sarah went out and I had to come in, made room for him on the porch. I did not mind him much; he has been he so often. He only stayed a few minutes, said “Good-bye,” and left for Newton’s Regiment, of which he is adjutant.”

I saw your old post in which Newton mentions in his report in the OR the bravery of John Smith. You also said in the post that the records for this command could be found in the 8th Cav. I checked Fold 3 and found only a few records of a John F. Smith of Co. F., 8th Cav. whose record sounds like they could belong to John Smith of Batesville. Right area for enlistment for Independence Co., right age - 20, a lieutenant who was for a number of months in command of the company. Paroled at Jacksonport in '65. I have a picture of a cavalryman in uniform holding a saber,wearing a pistol also, labeled Mr. Smith, New Orleans, La. which could fit the physical description of John F. Smith - 6 ft. dark hair and youthful.

On the other hand, the John Smith I am looking for is named John McIlvaine Smith, but for everything I can find from census to remarks about him he went by "John Smith." Some genealogies include a "W" as an additional initial. I have several love letters from him to a girlfriend in Batesville. Also, a picture which could fit the physical description of John F. Smith One is signed John Mc Smith. Did he survive the war. I see a Major John Smith listed in some of the material on the 8th, but I didn't find his CSR. Might this be him? Or do you think the John F. Smith that I found in Co. F is the right one? I can tell records are sparse.

I know that John Smith is a nightmare name, but any help will be appreciated.

Sue Moore