Recently a local historical research group here in Lauderdale County, MS came across an account of Captain WL Nichols, captain Co. C 31st Ark. killing James W. Mahan in August, 1863. The 31st was part of the army collected to relieve the siege of Vicksburg but so deleted by desertion it was consolidated into 2 companies, mounted and detached to track down deserters in east central Miss.

The 31st was from NC Ark., from Conway north to the Missouri line, an area under Yankee control. Muster rolls of this period show constant entries of "Run off and gone back to Arkansas" by men concerned about their families.

Captain Nichols service record contain a voucher signed by him in Meridian Aug.23, 1863 for rations for 18 men for 16 days "detached, hunting deserters". Apparently Capt. Nichols and his detachment came upon Mahan working his garden in the Suqualena community about 12 miles west of Meridian and when they attempted to arrest him, he protested that he was not a deserter and had never been in the army. During the altercation Mahan was shot and killed by Capt. Nichols.

Also in Nichols service record is a letter from WF Alford, sheriff of Lauderdale County requesting the release of Capt. Nichols to civil authorities to be tried for murder. The muster roll for Sept. 1863 show him Absent Under Arrest. He was evidently released for he was present on the Dec. roll but the Jan,. 1864 roll show he deserted Jan.6, 1864. apparently "Run Off and Gone Back to Arkansas"
for there is no more record for him

The 31st and 4th Ark. battalion were consolidated into the 4th Arkansas in Sept, 1863 and ceased to exist.