I hesitate to jump to conclusions, but from my notes taken from The Alexander Papers it appears that Hindman had himself only recently arrived and taken command.
The only reliable troops at his disposal were a few scattered Arkansas companies and the Texas troops that were just beginning to arrive.
The Texas troops arriving included Parsons' 12th Texas Cavalry including Captain Burleson. It should be noted that in the May 19 skirmish at Whitney's Lane, a company of Parsons' rangers had joined forces with some Arkansas soldiers to attack a Federal scouting party. Some of these Arkansas troops were part of Capt Hicks' company. Hicks and his company would soon be amalgamated into Matlock's initial organization of a cavalry battalion. He would subsequently become Lt Col of Matlock's infantry regiment. Soon after Whitney's Lane, Parsons' regiment reorganized and Burleson became the Lt Col of the regiment on May 25th.
Hindman was not only desperate for troops but for officers to take command of the scattered Arkansas units. That would seem to have set the stage for Hindman detaching Burleson from Parsons' regiment to gather and organize some of these Arkansas troops.
Meanwhile, in Mississippi, Van Dorn's Army of the West was under going an army wide reorganization to comply with the Conscription Act. This displaced several Arkansas officers who were soon to return to Arkansas and offer their services to Hindman.
Among these was Matlock who had only recently [May] been put out of command as Lt Col of Churchill's 1st Arkansas Mounted Rifles.
It would appear that Hindman put Matlock immediately back in service to also help gather and organize the Arkansas troops, just as Burleson was doing.
Eventually, most of the troops organized by Burleson became part of Matlock's cavalry battalion. But, it should be noted that Burleson was kept at his job of organizing the scattered Arkansas troops into another Regiment.
These "personal" notes were taken from the Alexander Papers, from the Official Records, from the compiled service records and also from the many secondary sources on Parsons' Texas Regiment and his Texas Brigade.
May 1862-Matlock dropped as Lt Col of 1st Arkansas Mounted Rifles
5/19 Battle of Whitney’s Lane-A company of Rangers from Parsons’ 12th Texas Cavalry and some unattached Arkansas troops including Captain Hicks’ Company skirmished with a Federal scouting party. Hicks and his Company were later incorporated into Matlock’s Cavalry Battalion with Hicks subsequently becoming Lt Col of Matlock’s 32nd Arkansas.
5/25 Burleson appointed Lt Col of the 12th Texas Cavalry
5/28 Parsons given command of all the troops north of the Arkansas River, but soon replaced by Gen Rust
5/31 Hindman assumes command in TM
6/1 Hindman to Roane-detach Lt Col Burleson of Parson’s Texas Regiment w/250 men to Camp Cache on White River on east side to:
6/1 Spec Orders #1
6/3 Spec Order #3 HQs Advance of the Army of the TM Dist.-Lt Col Burleson to cover the foraging duty conducted by Capt Moseley [later in 32nd Arkansas]-who is directed to report to Burleson
6/5 [LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, Texas Dragoons.—This splendid body of Cavalry, under the command of Col Parsons, has been near the city for some few days past. Under the general order calling all the troops across the Ms, to which place their Col had gone in advance to make the necessary arrangements for their transportation to Corinth. Before, however, the second division had reached Memphis, the order was changed, and the advance corps ordered back to Little Rock. Hence, it was that Col Parsons was not present in propria persona at the fight near Searcy. This Regiment is composed of able bodied, representative men, from the best portions of Texas—men of energy, bravery and perseverance. The gallant Col Parsons is a true exponent of such men; and his re-election under the late act of Congress fully attests his popularity and the appreciation of his men. He was re-elected by acclamation, and with a shout that echoed for miles down the valley. We cheerfully accord to the Col the honor of having the best drilled Cavalry Regiment in the service—the result of patient, persevering labor on the part of their cdr, who adds to his progressive promptness and decision of character, just enough of red tape-ism to render him, in our estimation, the type of the man for the times. Under the reorganization, Col Parsons was re-elected, Col A. B. Burleson elected Lt. Col and L. L. Farrar, Major. The Lt. Col and Major under the old organization resigned, refusing a re-election. We predict a high place on the roll of fame for this body of men, and that right soon, unless the signs of the times deceive us badly.
6/5 Hindman to Col Parsons, Brownsville- send Col Burleson to Camp Cache giving him detachment of Arkansas Cavalry 250-300 strong-it was not intended to take away any part of your Regiment proper except the Lt Col. I have confidence in his judgment
6/7 Telegram from Rust to Hindman, from Searcy via Brownsville-I got here a little before 12 last night. As soon as possible I will endeavor to reduce chaos to something like order and turn a satisfactory report. Burleson is still here and I am preparing written instructions for him
6/8 Rust to Hindman, from Brownsville-A number of the Arkansas Co’s ordered to cross White River under Col. Burleson have dismounted. Shall I make up the deficit from Texas troops? We are sufficiently weak here already I ordered Col Parsons back last night. Strength between12-1300 detailed report forwarded this evening.
6/8 Hindman to Rust-send no Texas troops to E side of White River
6/9 Newton to Rust, commanding Advance-Gen Hindman directs that all companies of mounted men now on the this side of White River composed wholly or chiefly of men raised east of that river, and which it may not be practicable at once to convert into Infantry, be ordered to Camp Cache. If Col Burleson [Lt Col on detached service from 12th Texas Cavalry] has not yet gone to Camp Cache he will be ordered there, without delay, with instructions to assume immediate command of the troops at than place and to organize conscripts and volunteers properly, as mounted Inf for the war, to receive same pay as infantry, besides forage for their horses and to be dismounted whenever it is deemed expedient.
6/9 Hindman to Gen Roan commanding Ouachita district-all cos of mounted men raised on east side of White River and which it may not be practicable to at once convert to infantry to report to Lt Col Burleson at Camp Cache
6/11 Burleson to Hindman from Brownsville: I have just arrived. My command will be here at 12 tomorrow, 200 Arkansas Cavalry badly mounted and armed. I want you to let me have 250 Texans out of Col Parson’s Regiment. I received your sealed orders today dated 1st/ inst. I will obey them to the letter. If possible let me have the 250 Texans and I will cover the country between White and Mississippi Rivers as far as Helena and form a junction with Gen Rust if he moves north.
6/11 Hindman to Lt Col Burleson, Des Arc-not necessary to get any details from Parsons Regiment move forward and organize forces rapidly arrest and punish marauders
6/11 Rust to Hindman-Lt Col Burleson started with three Arkansas Co’s amounting in aggregate to 260 men this evening. I instructed him fully. I issued a proclamation to the people. Patterson says his force will be swelled to 800. Enemy certainly across White River-The last divisions retreated the night after our last attack upon them. Reliable persons from their midst represent them to be disaffected and panic stricken. Forward the ammunition you have and 20,000 rounds.
6/11 S O #15
6/11 Matlock’s service record shows he was appointed June 11, 1862 [Lt Col]
6/11 Hindman to Lt Col Burleson, Des Arc-not necessary to get any details from Parsons Regiment move forward and organize forces rapidly arrest and punish marauders-set up couriers with Col A J McNeill who will be on Crowley ridge near Madison and with Col Albert Johnson who will be in Phillips county in rear of Helena-both are raising Regiments under orders similar to your own [becomes Matlock’s] I expect much of you
6/12 Burleson at Des Arc to Hindman-Has any officer orders of later than mine to assume command of those Missouri companies east of White River. If men here at this place wish to join me shall I take them?
6/12 Army of the South West S O # [2]
6/12 HQs Army of the South West Little Rock, Gen Rust -You are aware of my difficulties as to ammunition. I appreciate fully, I think, the difficulties you encounter and those encountered by your officers, but mine are infinitely greater. Ordnance stores started to me from Grenada were, doubtless, captured by the enemy.
6/13 Burleson from Cotton Plant to Hindman-I am organizing my command as rapidly as possible. I am having success so far. I will have some seven or eight companies in a day or two. Capt. Pointer has resigned and I wish to know if I shall divide the companies to make two of them. There will be men enough to do it. The people here are all in for the fight save a few and I will start them up – certain. Answer this soon as I am anxious to go forward this evening to Camp Cache.
6/15 Matlock’s Cavalry Bn org & Hindman apptd Matlock as Lt Col
6/16 Burleson at Cotton Plant to Hindman-I have eight companies in camp, one on the way and others organizing. Can I receive over ten in this regiment?
6/16 Hindman to Col Burleson, Cotton Plant-when your Regiment is competed accept other Co’s and form them into a Bn under command for present of Sr Capt. Report when your org is complete
6/17 Hindman to Burleson, Cotton Plant-keep the Missourians who are with you
6/17 McNeill at Madison to Hindman-If you will order Capt. Allen back to report to me I can arm his company immediately. Please order my two Missouri Companies at Camp Cache to report to me here and in three days. I can execute any command you may give me. I am getting on finely.
6/18 Hindman to Major McNeill, Madison-the 2 Co’s of Missourians belong to Burleson but you can attach any you find in your district-attack enemy supply trains coming down from Ironton to Batesville
6/18 Burleson “East of White River” to Hindman –I have your dispatch before me and in reply I will say that I am not scared at all but I am in a close place, and I will tell you General I am going to do best I can to stop them but I believe that my force will be surrounded in less than five days, if I stay here on this side of White River.
6/19 Hindman to Burleson, Cotton Plant-The officer who is so much disturbed as your dispatch shows is insecure about his position the danger of being surrounded-you have my permission to turn over the command to Lt Col Matlock and return to your own Regiment
6/19 Hindman to Lt Col Matlock-Col Burleson is hereby relieved from command of troops east of White River and will report to Rust. Lt Col Matlock will assume the command lately Burleson’s, who will give him all instructions from here and from Gen Rust
6/19 Hindman to Col Matlock, cdg, etc- The General has just read, for the first time, a printed address of Lt Col A. B. Burleson, to “the people east of White River,” in which all persons within the ages of conscription, are ordered to report to him for duty by the 20th Inst., under penalty-In case of failure of being dealt with as “enemies and traitors.”
6/19 Matlock at Camp Cache to Hindman-Your dispatch of today assigning this command to me has been received. Col Burleson has obeyed and I am in command.
6/20 Burleson to Hindman-I received your dispatch and have turned over the command to Col. Matlock with 858 men organized and by night I would have had 1000.
6/21 Hindman to Matlock-I have just received your dispatch of yesterday stating that you would move to the river this morning. Also asking whether you should throw out your entire force upon the river, whether you should cross your train to this side of the river, whether you should stop burning cotton etc. etc.
11/7/62 Matlock submits his resignation saying he has been unable to perform the duties of commanding the regiment for over half the time since he assumed command and still at times being unable to discharge those duties as becomes a soldier & officer.
-save our gunboat
-assume command of the Missouri troops under Capt Ponder & other & all mounted men in service or not
-take conscripts and enroll men
-cut enemy communications
II. Lt. Col. Burleson will upon his arrival at Camp Cache under orders given him assume command of the Mo troops under Capt. Ponder and others and all other mounted men between the White and Ms Rivers, and will also take all persons within those limits liable to conscription and use them to assist him in the execution of sealed orders given him, allowing them to act with his command temporarily as cavalry if they furnish their own horses. He will enroll all men thus taken as conscripts and make report to these HQs showing their names and places of residence that they may be assigned in due time to the proper infantry companies.
There are several hundred convalescent & unarmed men at Austin with horses, wagons & teams to which they are hauling forage & subsistence – 30 miles at a point too when there is no grazing. We have no blanks – Co, Regimental, or Brigade. Is it possible to have some forwarded? I will make the most of my means and the surrounding circumstances.
Burleson-take the Arkansas cavalry only, Darnell and Sweet should join you tonight...
Col Burleson will not be authorized to raise more than ten companies, including those that are there now, and those going there under this order; no company to exceed 100 men, rank & file, and those which exceed this number will be reorganized and reduced to the above prescribed number - he will make report of each company as it is organized.
The regiment thus formed will be commanded by Col. Burleson, temporarily, Charles H. Matlock, is ordered to report to him for duty as Lieut. Col. until further orders.
Col Burleson will subsist arm and equip his command at the expense of the Confederate States, by purchase when practicable, at the prices fixed by G O No. 4, as to articles therein specified and at reasonable prices for articles not named therein and he is authorized, if necessary, to impress what may be requested for the service but he is to appoint by written order an AQM, an Ordnance officer and Commissary & by them only must purchases and impressments be made for articles needed in their respective departments. In all cases certificates in due form must be given, approved by Col Burleson.
Col Burleson will collect all arms and ammunition from men not now in Confederate service or who do not at once swear in - all surplus arms he will have sent to this place. All extra baggage of Col Burleson’s command will be sent to the rear at once. Transportation and baggage will be regulated or prescribed by G O No. 11, a copy of which is enclosed. In no case will transportation be increased to more than the amount allowed by this order and all extra wagons will be sent to this place.
Col Burleson will have all cotton in Jackson and St. Francis counties burned without delay. Persons resisting or refusing to aid in the execution of this order or who conceal cotton and refuse to point it out will be treated as traitors. Those already giving aid and comfort to the enemy will be hanged - assistance will be afforded citizens in removing beef, corn, bacon & etc. to Des Arc, and Devall’s Bluff for use of the Confederate Army.
Burleson to go if he has not yet to that camp and take command and to organize conscripts and volunteers as well as these companies as mounted infantry- not to raise more than 10 companies including those there now-none to exceed 100 men-Regiment thus formed will be commanded by him temporarily
Charles Matlock is ordered to report to him for duty as Lt Col until further orders
-set up couriers with Col A J McNeill who will be on Crowley ridge near Madison and with Col Albert Johnson who will be in Phillips county in rear of Helena
-both are raising Regiments under orders similar to your own [becomes Matlock’s] I expect much of you
Capt. J. D. Pritchard is assigned duty as Quarter Master of Col. Burleson’s Regiment now being organized under orders from these Head Quarters, and will report to him for duty at once.
II. Lt L. C. Gause is assigned duty as Adjt. Of Colonel Burleson’s Regiment, now being organized under orders from these Head Quarters, and will report to him for duty at once.
Col Johnson’s, Col Burleson’s & Major McNeil’s commands defined by counties [named in the order]
They are to conscript roving and unattached companies wherever raised
The letter you refer to, as sent to Col Burleson was sent before you were assigned to the command. It is not intended to be in conflict with the instructions to you, as to his operations – I wish you to bear in mind that you have my full confidence and your conduct meets my entire approval as far as known.
I have ordered Gen Roan to Louisiana, and taken immediate command myself. The lack of arms keeps the Infantry here. As fast as Regiments are equipped they will be put in the field. Col Nelson will command Roan’s Brigade
[As posted by Bryan Howerton years ago] "Record of Events" of the Field and Staff, December 31, 1864 -- "Many of the Co’s composing this Regiment were in the service long before the reorganization of the Regiment. On June 15/62 was organized a Battalion and Lt. Col Matlock appointed by order Gen Hindman. Two Co’s Missouri troops were temporarily attached to the Regiment. The Co’s were then all mounted. Were dismounted July 11/62 by order of Gen Hindman." From the "Record of Events" of Co B, April 30, 1863 -- "This Co was attached to Col Matlock’s Regiment on the 16th June, having previously operated in Mo. (S.E.) and North Arkansas independently, where they successfully met the enemy at Jackson, Mo. & Chalk Bluff, Arkansas., where attached to the Regiment they were engaged in several skirmishes with Curtis in his march to Helena, Arkansas. The Co was dismounted on the 7th of July which caused a great many desertions. Was re-mounted and detached from Regiment when we were sent to Brigade commanded by Gen McBride who transferred a portion of men to Arty, Capt Browns, and the remainder to Capt Surridge’s Co. of Cavalry. I certify on honor that this Muster Roll exhibits the true statement of my Co that the Co regularly mustered into Capt Matlock’s Regiment Arkansas Cavalry and was transferred on 18th July 1862 by order of Maj. General Hindman to Brig. Gen McBride’s Brigade in which command it served until the 15th August when it consolidated in with Capt Surridge’s and transferred as Capt Surridge’s Company to Col Colton Green’s Regiment of Missouri Cavalry and was mustered into service for three years or during the war, and that my Co has never received Pay nor Bounty, only those transferred to Capt Browns Btry up to the 15th day of August 1862. JOHN R. BENNETT, Lt. Com. Co."
There are plenty of conscripts here and I am having success generally in my command.
I dispatched Lt. _____ back with seventy five men up the river this morning with orders to burn all the cotton and get all the ammunition he could find arrest all traitors and when opportunity offers to cut off and destroy the enemy and their trains.
I have two companies of Missourians who do not wish to be organized into this regiment. I want a special order in regard to them. Their objection is that they do not wish to serve in a conscript Regiment.
My men under Lt Hillsworth engaged the enemy on 6/12. Killing four and wounding seven with one prisoner. One of our men severely wounded and captured.
Plenty of forage here
I will have my regiment organized and ready to move up upon the enemy by Friday. I have some arms _____[?] need caps.
Regarding the Missouri Co’s they must swear into the CSA service unconditionally or be deprived of their arms
Their feelings will be considered when it does not conflict with public interest
attach them temp to your command if you can and make satisfactory arrangements for them if possible, or if you prefer, attach them at once to commands as you see proper-if they disobey take their arms
The enemy are above me at Jacksonport. They are at Chalk Bluff. They are at Memphis and other points on the Ms River and coming up White River. Do you see I am surrounded and the facility for crossing White River are very poor and I can shoot the gunners and pilots on that side as well as this and I could fall back to the railroad and help you to fight them there but if cut off here I can do nothing. I can cross the river with 1000 men but if I stay here I am afraid they will be surrounded and assassinated.
No authority for this communication, and no right to inflict such penalties for failing to volunteer before the 20th inst., was vested in Lt Col Burleson. His conduct is therefore disapproved - the proper penalty for failing so to volunteer, is conscription. No other is authorized, except where attempts are made to evade being taken as conscripts.
It is my earnest desire that he remain with me in a private capacity, leaving me the right to assign him any position I may see proper through the present emergency. I regard him a gentleman, a soldier, and the bravest of men. I am anxiously desirous that you grant this request.
I am proud to be relieved of the command and also proud of the success I have had over here in raising troops.
I will go to my regiment as soon as I can.
In conclusion allow me to return to you my sincere thanks for the honor you conferred in giving me the command over here on Cache, and if I can be of service to my country or the cause you are engaged in, at any time, call on Burleson.
I am very unfortunate in making myself understood. My instructions to Col Burleson were to keep a strong detachment thrown out towards Jacksonport and to have the balance ready to move to the river at a moment’s warning but not to move to the river till notified that the enemy had attacked Devall’s Bluff. All cotton to be burnt. Those instructions are still in force. I am anxious that you understand your instructions precisely as to all points. If you yet are in any doubts as to any matter whatever let me know.
You must post couriers about five miles apart between Cotton Plant and your camp so that dispatches may be carried with more promptness. Dr. Washington has not applied for a Surgeons place.
Endorsed by a surgeon that he is unable to perform his duties due to medical conditions
Hindman’s endorsement was forwarded approved with the comments that the interests of the service will be promoted by accepting his resignation. Col Matlock is not only disabled by disease but he is not otherwise suited to command a Regiment