The unit was intended to be mounted, but General Thomas Hindman soon ordered it dismounted, along with three other new cavalry regiments.

Initially, the regiment was poorly equipped; however, they were eventually supplied with modern Springfield rifle-muskets that had been captured at the First Battle of Bull Run, Virginia, and transported west.

[16] In the Spring of 1863 the men was issued standard Columbus Depot uniforms, generally made from light-grey jean material with an eight button single breasted frock coat having dark blue trim on its straight stand-up collar and straight cuffs.

The regiment's commissioned officers were mostly men of means before to the war, and it is assumed they would have indulged themselves at the many commercial uniform outfitters.

The 36th Arkansas's microfilm records include many Quartermaster receipts showing the officers purchased gold braid, coats, silk sashes, white cotton shirts, and large brimmed hats.

[17] On November 5, 1862, Colonel McRae was promoted to brigadier general and Major John Edward Glenn, who was also a veteran of the Battle of Wilson's Creek, was elected regimental commander.

General Hindman described the regiment's actions during the Battle of Prairie Grove December 7, 1862:[19] Fagan's Arkansas brigade, part of McRae's brigade, and the Missourians, under Shelby, delivered a terrific fire from their shot-guns, rifles, and muskets, and charged the enemy furiously.

[20]The 28th Arkansas delivered a devastating volley on the Union regiments from Wisconsin and Iowa, forcing them to withdraw.

[21] McRae's Brigade then charged down the hill sending the surviving Union infantry fleeing to the protection of their artillery which, in turn, fired double canister into the advancing Confederates.

The Union infantry charged back up the high ground two more times, resulting in both the 26th Indiana and the 37th Illinois effectively being rendered combat ineffective.

[21] In spite of its success on the first day of battle, a lack of ammunition led General Hindman to order a retreat during the night.

On July 2, Price's Division, including McRea's Brigade with the 36th Arkansas rendezvoused with Brigadier General Fagan's forces at Lick Creek, west of Helena, and the next morning Generals Holmes, Price, Walker, Fagan, and Marmaduke met in the Allen Polk farmhouse five miles west of Helena to discuss plans for the attack the following day.

Price's troops, with his brigades commanded by Brigadier Generals Dandridge McRae and Mosby M. Parsons were to advance by way of the Little Rock Road and attack Battery C atop Graveyard Hill, while Fagan's brigade was to attack Battery D atop Hindman Hill.

When Price's forces finally regrouped and began their attack, they stormed Graveyard Hill under fire from Batteries B, C, and D. Against Parsons' and McRae's assault, the 33rd Missouri infantry defending Battery C were ordered to spike their guns and retreat, and Graveyard Hill fell to the Confederate advance.

[25] Brigadier General McRae described the efforts of the 36th Infantry in his report as follows:[26] Major Davie, gallantly leading his men, fell shot through the thigh in front of the fort.

Colonels Glenn and Gause, and Lieutenant-Colonels Rogan and Hicks, deserve special mention for the cool and daring manner in which they led their men.

[26] The 36th Arkansas lost 27 soldiers killed, 89 captured and 122 wounded during the Battle of Helena, of which the regiment was only able to evacuate 36.

Of the 150 soldiers that the 36th Arkansas' muster rolls report as deserters, the vast majority of these men left the ranks during the weeks that followed their failed assault at Helena.

The regiment began to experience a great amount of general unrest which was demonstrated by increasing desertions and poor morale as the summer continued.

Major General Price was ordered to leave the city after a failed attempt to plead with the citizens to defend their town.

[31] They were headed south to Shreveport, Louisiana, in order to assist in countering Union General Nathaniel Banks' advance along the Red River.

The unit played a limited role in the Battle of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, as part of the reserve brigade.

Colonel Gause described what happened next:[31] This was done in good order, slowly retiring and returning the enemy's fire at every step for about a quarter of a mile, when, being no longer able to protect myself against the rapid movement of the enemy on my left flank, I was compelled to fall back hastily and in some confusion.

[32] By the last week of June 1864 the regiment was ordered to report to the garrison commander of the fort defending Camden, Arkansas, to bolster the defensive works of the city.

On 11 May 1865 as the work on the town defenses continued, the regiment lost its last three soldiers, all from Company C, captured by Federal cavalry as they were on picket duty.