5th Arkansas Infantry Regiment - Organization

Organization

This regiment was organized for one year in state service at Gainesville, Greene County, Arkansas, on June 28, 1861 and was transferred to Confederate service on July 27, 1861 at Pocahontas, Arkansas. It was reorganized for the war at Corinth, Mississippi on May 12, 1862. The field officers were David C. Cross, Lucius Featherston, Peter V. Green, and J. E. Murray; Lieutenant Colonels E. A. Howell and B. F. Sweeney; and Majors T. W. Ellsberry and Riddick Pope. The regiment would spend the duration of the war in the service of the Confederate Army of Tennessee, fighting in the western theater. The unit was composed of volunteer companies from the following counties:

• Company A, Commanded by Captain S.L. Miller, organized at Pineville, Poinsett County, Arkansas on 15 July 1861.
• Company B, the "Walker Grays", Commanded by Captain Lawrence R. Frisk, organized at Wittsburg, Arkansas on June 12, 1861.
• Company C, the "Sweeney Riflemen", also known as the "Bevering Riflemen" Commanded by Captain Henry C. Fisher, organized at Warren, Arkansas on May 14, 1862. This company had originally been organized on January 26, 1861 as a volunteer company in the 27th Regiment, Arkansas State Militia, under the command of Captain Benjamin F. Sweeney.
• Company D, Commanded by Captain W.G. Bohaning, organized at Wittsburg, Arkansas on July 13, 1861.
• Company E, the "Gainesville Guards", Commanded by Captain W.C. Rayburn, organized at Gainesville, Arkansas on June 26, 1861. This company had originally been organized on as a volunteer company in the 27th Regiment, Arkansas State Militia, under the command of Captain Captain Flavius S. White.
• Company F, the "Harrisburg Riflemen", Commanded by Captain G.F. Smith, organized at Wittsburg, Arkansas on June 12, 1861. This company had originally been organized on as a volunteer company in the 14th Regiment, Arkansas State Militia, under the command of Captain G.F. Smith.
• Company G, the "Brownsville Rifles", commanded by Captain R.S. Gantt, organized at Brownsville, Arkansas on May 31, 1861.
• Company H, commanded by Captain John L. Kuykendoll, organized at Gainesville, Arkansas on September 28, 1861.
• Company I, the "Austin Rifles", Commanded by Captain B.H. Cozart, organized at Brownsville, Arkansas on June 14, 1861.
• Company K, the "Arkansas Toothpicks", commanded by Captain Augustus B. Washington, organized at Wittsburg, Arkansas on June 13, 1861.
• Unlettered Company, Commanded by Captain Poindexter Dunn.

A letter from a member of the Brownsville Rifles to the Des Arc Citizen described the outcome of the election for regimental officers:

IN CAMP NEAR GAINSVILLE, ARK.,

July 6, 1861.

EDITOR CITIZEN:

Nothing of interest transpired on our trip from Des Arc to Pocahontas. The latter place we found to be a hill-side town, distinguished mainly for high prices and mean whiskey. We may here remark that it is an absolute outrage, and one for which the public indignation should be severe, for merchants to raise the prices of goods simply because they are needed by the soldiers. We know of several instances of this kind but shall not now particularize.

The two companies from Prairie left Pocahontas on 24 June, and arrived at Gainesville on the evening of the 26th after a most fatiguing march of more than two days. The route, for a great portion of the way, was through Cache river bottom, and the mud and water made the trip one long to be remembered.

The election for regimental officers for this, the 5th Regiment of Arkansas Volunteers, transpired on Friday the 28th ult., and resulted as follows: Col. D. C. Cross; Lieut. Col. B. F. Sweeny; and Major Pope. The election of Col. Cross caused dissatisfaction among some of the companies who preferred the elevation of another gentleman to that position. Believing that they sincerely regret their course in the premises we forbear mentioning their names. The Col. elect has not yet arrived and we are consequently enabled to judge him only by report. His high position in life, and the testimonials of his friends induce the conclusion that the selection has been a high one.

Lieut. Col. Sweeney is a gentleman of commanding personal appearance, and is eminently qualified for the position to which he is elected. In the absence of the Colonel he has taken charge of the Regiment.

The two companies from your county have had some sickness in their ranks, but no case, however, of a serious nature. The men generally are cheerful and contented, and perform their duties, even when severe, with the utmost alacrity. The Regiment will probably remain here for some time yet, and friends desirous of writing to members of our company may direct to Gainesville.

Enclosed you will find an accurate roll of the officers and members of the “Brownsville Rifle Guards” which you will be kind enough to insert.

Yours,

PRAIRIE

The regiment was armed with weapons which the state confiscated when the Federal Arsenal at Little Rock was seized by Arkansas State Militia troops in February 1861. Disposition of the weapons found in the Arsenal is somewhat sketchy, but from various records it can be surmised that the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th Arkansas Infantry Regiments, mustered in June, 1861, were issued M1816/M1822 .69 caliber flintlocks. They retained these weapons until April, 1862 when they were able to exchange them for better weapons scavenged from the battlefield at Shiloh.