Correction to the first post. I have since learned it was not a CSA record, rather this A 2 Ark Cav was in fact, Union. I have also since learned that most of southern Arkansas was in need of slave labor for the cotton therefore they were backing the Confederacy for the rights to own slaves. While Northern Arkansas did not need slaves, nor most families in North Arkansas did not even own slaves so they really could care less about the war as they would not gain either way.

I think the reason so many in the north joined Union had more to do with survival than which side they chose. The union had gained control of northern arkansas early in the war. So to get needed supplies, food, and protection of their farms and families against the invading bandits, scalliwags and whatnots it seemed most logical to side with those in control at the time. However stories told then made it hard to know what side anyone was really on up in north arkansas.

This is true mostly as a whole wherever you lived. If you lived in the south you generally sided with the CSA because they were in control, and if you lived in the north you generally sided with Union because they had control there.