Immediately after the battle of Pea Ridge, General Van Dorn authorized Col. J. J. Clarkson to raise six mounted companies to operate on the western frontier. The six companies mustered at Fort Smith on May 1, 1862. Colonel Clarkson and others of his command were captured on July 3, 1862, on Grand River in the Cherokee Nation. One company deserted, and the other five were divided into eight companies in November 1862, dismounted, and merged into Colonel Clark's 9th Missouri Infantry. Then in September 1863 the four Arkansas companies were detached to form Buster's battalion, September 20, 1863; dismounted, June 11, 1864; with no further record. Taking into account the reorganizations these companies went through, their makeup remained essentially constant.

There are no rosters of the battalion itself, but the men appear on the rosters of the 9th Missouri Infantry.

Co. I, 9th Missouri, became Co. A, Buster's Battalion.
Co. G, 9th Missouri, became Co. B, Buster's Battalion.
Co. E, 9th Missouri, became Co. C, Buster's Battalion.
Co. D, 9th Missouri, became Co. D, Buster's Battalion.