It has always struck me as strange that with the exception of the 2nd Ark Cav and the 3 rd Ark Cav all the rest served in Trans Miss. Initially 1st and 2nd Mounted Rifles went east but we're dismounted immediately and remained that way. I know in early 62 when Van Dorn went east CS forces did not want Cav but Inf and a lot were dismounted prior to battle of Corinth. 3rd Ark was remounted afterwards. Appears many of the TM cavalrymen were either parolees, deserters or discharged from east of the Miss River or they were those too young in 61-62 or were older men who finally joined when conscription arrived in 62. Seems our best cavalry were those east. By far I feel Monroe's Regt was probably the best west of the river.