"Raised at Helena, Arkansas in the spring of 1861 at the expense and under the command of Col. Thomas C. Hindman, former Arkansas congressional representative from Helena. Hindman resigned his Congressional seat upon Arkansas's secession from the Union, and returned home to recruit volunteers for the Confederate army, soon forming a full regiment of which he was elected Colonel.

J.W. Bocage was elected as Lt. Col.; J.W. Scaife as major. Charles E. Patterson was appointed adjutant; Dr. Ralph Horner as surgeon; and Rev. Samuel Cowley as chaplain. Company commanders were: Co. A, Cpt. C.A. Bridewell; Co. B, Cpt. Thomas Quinlan; Co. C, Cpt. E. Warfield; Co. D, Cpt. E.G. Brashear; Co. E, Cpt. Anderson; Co. F, Cpt. (later Colonel and Brigadier General) Daniel C. Govan; Co. G, Cpt. B.B. Taliaferro, Co. H, Cpt. R.F. Harvey, and Co. I, Cpt. C.D. Ross.

Hindman was disappointed in being unable to acquire arms for his regiment at first, and asked for orders to march. These were not issued as promptly as he desired. He believed that through political influences in Richmond he was being slighted. He adopted heroic (and draconian) measures -- he seized steamers laden with heavy cargoes of sugar going up the river to Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, and confiscating their freight, purchased such arms as he could and embarked his command for Memphis. While thus delayed, other organizations joined him - Lt. Col. John S. Marmaduke's battalion of eight companies, which he later renamed the 3rd Confederate Infantry; three companies of cavalry under Major C.W. Phifer, and Captain Swett's Mississippi battery of four guns. This combined force, known temporarily as "Hindman's Legion", was ultimately ordered to assemble with the other Arkansas troops assembling at Pocahontas, where they were mustered into Confederate service by companies between May 26 and June 26, 1861 and assigned to Hardee's Division. Moved through Pittman's Ferry to Kentucky where Hardee's Division became the Army of Central Kentucky, and Col. Hindman was reassigned to brigade command. Engaged at Rowlett's Station, KY on 12/17/1861. Assigned to Hindman's (later Liddell's) brigade, Army of Mississippi in March, 1862 where it participated in the Battle of Shiloh on Apr. 6-7 and in the Corinth Campaign from April through June of that year. The units of the 11th Arkansas Infantry who were not captured at Island No. 10 served with the 2nd as an extra Company "E" from May until September, 1862. Participated in battles of Richmond and Perryville, KY in August and October of 1862, respectively. In December, 1862, reassigned to Cleburne's Division where it fought in the battles of Stones River (Dec. 31, 1862-Jan 3, 1863), Tullahoma Campaign in June, 1863; Liberty Gap (June 24-26, 1863), Chickamauga (Sep 19-20, 1863); Siege of Chattanooga (Sep.-Nov. 1863); Battle of Chattanooga, Ringgold Gap, Dalton, Resaca, the Atlanta Campaign, New Hope Church, Kennesaw Mountain, Atlanta, and the siege of Atlanta. Consolidated with the 15th Arkansas Infantry in the spring of 1864. Regiment and colors were captured at Jonesboro, Georgia on Sept. 1, 1864, and exchanged approximately 1 month later. Rejoined Cleburne's Division for Hood's Tennessee Campaign where it fought at Spring Hill, Franklin, and Nashville. Engaged in the Carolinas Campaign in early 1865, and at the last battle of the Army of Tennessee at Bentonville on March 19-21, 1865. Survivors were consolidated along with those of the 1st, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 13th, 15th, 19th (Dawson's) and 24th Arkansas Infantry and the 3rd Confederate Regiment (formerly Marmaduke's 18th Arkansas Infantry) to form the 1st Infantry Regiment (Consolidated) at Smithfield, NC on April 9th, 1865. Surrendered two weeks later with LTG Joe Johnston's Army of Tennessee near Durham, North Carolina.

Officers: Col Thomas C. Hindman. Field Officers: LTC Joseph W. Bocage, Maj. (later Lt. Col.) Eldrige G. Brasher, Lt. Col. (later Col. and BG) Daniel C. Govan, Maj. Reuben F. Harvey, Maj. A.T. Meek, Maj. later Lt. Col and Col.) James W. Scaife, and Maj. (later Lt. Col. and Col.) Elisha Warfield."

2nd Arkansas Regiment information courtesy of: Arkansas Confederate Infantry Regiments

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This site is an ongoing research project, so will be continuously updated with new information as it becomes available.