I'm in process of reviewing, updating, and adding links to my March 2007 "Saint Johns' College of Arlansas", in which I found Gen Thompson Breckenridge Flournoy (1810KY-1861KY) creating the 1st Ark Inf Reg from which the 2nd was formed.

Flournoy had been speaker of the house during 8th legleslative session, under Gov Roane signing off on creation of St Johns' Dec 31, 1850. He was, since 1830, a large land owner in what became Desha county in 1838. He also, according to Wilipedia, was requested by Gov Henry Massie Rector (1816-1899) to create what became 1st Ark Inf Reg before the state ceded May 6th. James Fleming Fagan (1828KY-1893AR) was elected commander instead of Maj Flournoy, who was (?) then promoted to rank of Brig General.

Among the recruits were Thompson Baker Thompson (1834VA-1862TN) and his close friend William Naylor Bronaugh (1833VA-1862VA) recruited from Virginia to head up the new Masonic, St Johns' College in 1859.