Yes, Shaler was appointed by Hindman rather than elected by the men because many were conscripts who missed the volunteer deadline Hindman set...enlist by the deadline and elect your officers, don't enlist and your officers will be appointed.

Another event turned them even more against Shaler. As Hindman's army left Ft. Smith en route to Prairie Grove, Shaler went to Hindman and said it would be nothing less than murder to send his men into battle due to lack of arms or inferior arms. Hindman ordered the 27th back to Ft. Smith and the men resented it.