Many Texas Cavalry units were dismounted in Arkansas during the spring and summer of 1862. They were dismounted because the troopers were needed to serve as infantry and the horses to serve in other capacities. After the Battle of Pea Ridge, March 6-8, 1862, Gen. Earl Van Dorn moved almost the whole Confederate Army east of the Mississippi River. It is estimated that Arkansas had less than 1000 regular confederate soldiers to defend the state, and its greatest need was Infantry.