Let me try and fill in some of the time line gaps that have been mentioned. This information comes from a review of the CSR's, Official Records, and various Volumes of Chapter II, RG 109, NARA.
Regarding the separate battalions of the2nd Ark Cavalry that have been referenced, I wonder if it is possible that this relates back to the organization of the 2nd Ark Cav from two separate battalions?
The following time line focus is on Slemons, McMurtrey and Tebbs:
10/16/62- G [S] O # 54- A of W TN, Holly Springs
I. All the Cav of this army, both regular & partisan, will report immediately to Col Jackson, who is hereby announced as chief of Cav. He will make his reports direct to the HQs of the army.
10/29/62 Holly Springs, Hqs Cav A W Tenn-Respectfully referred to the Maj Gen cdg-From the nature of the charges I consider that it requires immediate investigation and Col Slemons, the accused, has applied for a court of inquiry. W H Jackson, Col & Chief of Cav
11/14/62 Abbeville, Hqs Army of WestTenn-Respectfully referred with request that court may be ordered. Van Dorn
Notation reads: See Special Order Nov 17, 1862
11/4/62 Holly Springs-Van Dorn to Lovell cdg 1st Corps-I enclose a report from Col Slemons. Be on your guard-Send word to Tilghman to get ready to move as soon as intelligence reaches him of an advance of the enemy-Col Jackson has directed his scouts to report to Gen Tilghman on his way in-Scouts are sent toward Corinth to discover any move in that direction. If report comes of general movement, order everything packed up for moving without waiting for further instructions. Scouts will report to you also.
11/4/62 Cavy Camps-W F Slemons Col cdg to Col [blank]-A Fed soldier was found wounded near LaGrange & brought into this place today. States the army left Bolivar at 12 yesterday for Holly Springs. He had 50 rounds of ammunition on him. Their encampment …...scout sent out
[Over] 11/4/62 HQ Cav A. W. Tenn-Holly Springs-Jackson chief of cavalry –I have sent to Col Slemons cdg advance post to ascertain more definitely the truth of this report by sending out a few men of nerve and if correct to ascertain force of enemy & report it without delay.
11/6/62 Mr. Roberts’ house, One Mile from Coldwater -6.15 p. m. Jackson, Chief of Cav (Read by Gen Tilghman on the road.) to Van Dorn-I am sorry that the reports sent you by myself have not reached you. While I am in command of all the cavalry, it is impossible for me to be with all at the same time. I directed Col [J. T.] Wheeler, cdg on the Salem road, to report to you regularly, and then send the dispatch to me- Col [W. F] Slemons has been cdg on La Grange road, and to hear from both commands I took a position at Hudsonville. It is unfortunate for me that I have to deal with rather inferior officers, and by virtue of their rank have to place them in command.
I have forwarded several dispatched to you today, general, which may not have reached you. I sent my adjutant this afternoon to order Col Wheeler to discover the enemy's east position, and make them show their hands. I was going to attend to it in person, when I heard the firing on La Grange road, and turned back. The enemy occupies Lamar tonight. The force at La Grange and Junction is about 15,000 infantry and two Regts of cavalry. The force from, Corinth, which is now about Saulsbury, from all I can learn, is between 20,000 and 25,000. I think
Grenada Miss
Jany [sic] 17th 63
My Dear Mattie
this leaves me in the finest health immagionable [sic] and in as fine spirits as usual It has been raining in torents [sic] and is now Snowing beautifully There is evry [sic] indication that the Roads will be terible [sic] for the ballence [sic] of this year at least this Winter all operations by Land Will now be suspended Gun Boats will now take the Ring In all the Late Battles we have been victorious the Enemy have been fairly beaten and badly dam-aged I feel quite hopefull [sic] for the spring Campain [sic] which must in my opinion put an end to this terible [sic] Struggle
The Court Marshal in my case after sitting Two weeks I understand has found me not Guilty of the villainous charges profered [sic] against me by Brig Genl W H Jackson I have not been notified officially of the fact as it has to come through the hands of Genl Looring [sic] as soon as I am notified of that fact I shall make application to have my Reg [sic] relieved from further connection with the Gen If that request which I think is nothing more than simple justice is not granted me I shall tender my resignation as cap of the Reg [sic] and If accepted I shall go to the State of my adoption and fight for that the remainder of the War I hope however I shall not be driven to this course as the Reg [sic] would fall to peaces [sic] in a moment half the men will desert when I quit they swear when I leave they will go too my arrest and trial has tried my friends and I find I have many of the truest order all the cavalry officers seem utterly astonished at the course of Genl [sic] Jackson and seem to think It originated from jealousy on his part I denounced him before the court marshal as a villainous Coward and Scoundrel and he has not seen fit to call me to a personal account for it neither will he do so consequently I shall have no redress…
Slemons’ letters Part 3- http://www.history-sites.com/cgi-bin/bbs62x/arcwmb/webbbs_config.pl?md=read;id=24466
1/28/63 Coffeeville-Charges and specifications against Capt E L McMurtrey, Co D, 2nd Ark Cav while in command of the Regt allowed his QM to appropriate corn which had been purchased by the commissary in violation of an order from Gen Loring. All of which happened near Coffeeville, Ms on 1/26/63.
Charged by Thomas Scott Col cdg and endorsed by Rust, Gen cdg
2/16/63 Endorsement: to be tried by the general court martial of which Lt Lampkin is judge advocate-by order Gen Pemberton
1/30/63 Col Slemons asks that the proceedings of his case be published in newspaper
[Personal note: I am so glad Bryan provided the transcription of this communication from Slemons. It was very difficult to read.]
3/4/63 Pemberton to Johnston forwarding message from Maury who wants sentence of court to cashier Lt Col Batt Jones remitted. Says he is an intelligent and useful officer.
3/4/63 G O #47/par 2 regarding Col W F Slemons
8/26/63 Detail for the court-Capt Tebbs 2nd Ark Cav S O #168/3 Dept of the West-Johnston
8/31/63 Grenada, Ms-Requisition signed by Capt McMurtrey cdg 2nd Ark Cav
SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. TRANS-MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT, No. 144 Shreveport, La., September 22, 1863.
VII. Capt’s. E. L. McMurtrey and O B. Tebbs and Lt’s H. A. Small, B. C. Marshall, G. W. Stephens, A. Cooper, and W. H. Cooper, Second Arkansas Cavalry, will at once, under the direction of the senior officer above named, proceed to the counties of Calhoun, Bradley, Ashley, Drew, Jefferson, and Dallas, to collect the absentees from said regiment, reporting to these headquarters on the completion of this duty. So soon as communication with the east of the Mississippi River is opened, these men will rejoin their brigade. By command of Lieut. Gen. E. Kirby Smith
10/21/63 Oxford, Ms-Gen Chalmers cdg cavalry in N Miss recommending to Gen Cooper the promotion of Col Slemons 2nd Ark Cav & Col McCulloch 2nd Mo Cav to be Brigadier Generals.
HEADQUARTERS CABELL'S BRIGADE, December 9, [1863]7 p. m. Brig. Gen. J. S. MARMADUKE, Commanding Cavalry Division: GENERAL: The scout I sent in the direction of Rockport returned this afternoon, having been within 6 miles of that place. Dr. Gray, whom you may probably know, living within a mile of Rockport, told the lieutenant in command of the scout that the Federals left them day before yesterday at 11 o’clock, taking the road to Tulip. They had 2,500 cavalry and eight pieces of artillery, and stated to Dr. Gray that they were going to Camden. Captain McMurtrey reported that they had no artillery. He probably saw only their advance guard. I enclose you a note received from Lieutenant Perry,* who is now on the Princeton road. About 200 Federals did come to [illegible] yesterday, fed their horses, and left at once for Tulip. Dr. Gray reports that they fed from his corn and what they did not feed they destroyed. Treated his son-in-law (Miller) in the same way-I am inclined to think they have gone to Camden, and that they will take the Pine Bluff road from there. No Federals in Rockport. If they are as strong as reported, they may attempt to get between us and the infantry. Respectfully, your obedient servant, W. L. CABELL, Brigadier-General, Commanding * Not found.
3/5/64 Demopolis-Col Slemons asks that himself and certain officers be allowed to proceed to the Trans Miss to gather up absentees-appd Gen Polk
Report of Col William A. Crawford, Arkansas Cavalry, commanding brigade, of engagement at Poison Spring HEADQUARTERS BRIGADE In the Field, April 20, 1864 MAJOR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part enacted by the troops of my brigade in the engagement with the enemy at Poison Spring on the 18th instant: A portion of my brigade, consisting of Crawford’s and Wright’s regiments and Poe’s battalion, were dismounted and placed on the right of General Cabell’s brigade as a support for Hughey’s battery. The Second Arkansas Cavalry, Captain Tebbs commanding, were placed (mounted) on the extreme right to protect the flank. Skirmishers were placed in my front, who kept up a brisk and successful fire. I remained so placed until I was ordered forward by Brigadier-General Cabell, commanding division. My command moved rapidly and steadily forward, firing volley upon volley at the fleeing foe. The Second Arkansas Cavalry charged them on horseback, and men and officers acted well, capturing two pieces of the enemy’s artillery. Captain Snell, of this regiment, deserves especial notice, and Captain Tebbs acted like a hero until he was wounded and carried from the field. My dismounted men pursued rapidly the enemy for 21 miles, shouting and huzzaing, and bringing back with them four pieces of artillery that had been captured from time enemy. All, every officer and soldier, fought like men, and deserve much credit. The casual- ties in the brigade were 1 man killed and 7 wounded. I am much indebted to Captains Warren, McFarland, McCabe, and Lieutenant Webb, of my staff, for their valuable services. They discharged well their duties and acted most gallantly. Very respectfully, W. A. CRAWFORD
About Dec 64, the 2nd Ark Cav was reduced to a Battalion and designated McMurtrey’s Battalion Ark Cav