I see what you mean. Muster role I read men issued carbine. Some ARkansas unionists were issued firearms. However, on some other readings it is opposite where they weren't given firearms due to distrust. What is your take on this? Would it be on what part of Arkansas you were? What year it was begin, middle, end of war? Was there true loyalty to the union from the Arkansas unionists, or was it just a paycheck, food, protect family, survival,...? If so Why? What did they stand to gain? What was in it for them other than a pay check, ? What reason did they have other than survival?

I read somewhere that in north Arkansas duiring middle of war and on that the real problem was from bandits, scaliwags, looters, and the like. Could the reason some of the Ark. Unionists received firearms was to play the role of police force, inotherwords protect locals, families and property from the bandits, and the like? I'm wondering if that was a big motivator to join the Union especially in North Arkansas by 1963 ans onward. For survival, and the ability to protect their homes and families from the roaming bandits. Didnt some these regiments role were scouts?