[2] Some of these companies appear to have been involved in the Battle of Shiloh as independent units, prior to being assigned to the Second Arkansas Cavalry Battalion, but few details are available.

[7]Upon the organization of the battalion, Major William D. Barnett, a 36-year-old physician from Bradley County, Arkansas, was assigned as the commanding officer.

The only other member of the battalion field and staff who can be identified was Assistant Surgeon Thomas W. Hurley, a 26-year-old physician from Calhoun County, Arkansas.

The other field officers were:[2] Company commanders were:[2] The 2nd Arkansas Cavalry Regiment, under Colonel William Ferguson Slemons, would establish an impressive record under General Nathan Bedford Forrest.

[11] The unit served in the Army of the West and the Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana, and took an active part in the Battles of Iuka, Corinth, and Hatchie Bridge.

[12] On the retreat from Corinth to Tupelo, Mississippi, the 2nd Arkansas Cavalry served as part of the rear guard of the army, under General John C. Breckinridge.

Walt Greenfield [7]On July 3, 1862, it was ordered with Clayton's 2nd Alabama Cavalry against the Federals at Booneville, MS, who were completely routed.

In the campaigns of Price and Pemberton in early 1863 defending the approaches to Vicksburg, the 2nd Arkansas was in continuous active service, opposing Federal thrusts at Iuka, Colliersville, Salem, the Yazoo Pass, at Charleston, Austin, and near Commerce, Mississippi and along the Coldwater River.

The Court Marshal has passed upon my offenses some weeks since, but I am still denied the privileges of a freeman and the rights and respect of an officer won on many a hard fought battlefield.

Yet for doing that which every officer in the service has repeatedly done I am deprived of my sword and the privilege of ending the most galling —— of since the invader in this —— crisis of our struggle when every moment is —— with the fate of our infant Confederacy.

But for the gratification of a wife and many friends who anxious await the final result of the wanton attempt to crush me, I most earnestly ask that the proceeding of the court be published.

If I am to be returned to command of my men it is of the first importance to me, to them and to the country as many of them stung by the injustice done me in the premises are leaving and going to the State of Arks.

General Jackson, not content with his invidious attempt to crush me, has, while I was powerless, distressed my regiment by detaching the finest companies, two of which have been sent south to conscript for Mississippi.

Hoping, General, that in this I violate none of the military or civic morals, I am, with sentiments of high regard, your obedient servant,

On August 4, 1863, Colonel Slemon's wrote to his wife regarding the condition on his command saying, nearly half of my men are sick now and the prospect very [?]

that the other half will run off soon they some where caught the infection from the people here Col Withers has tendered his resignation says he cant soldier on this side the River [think] he is whiped [sic] he puts it upon the grounds of his family.

If my men keep running away they will soon all be gone the weather is exceedingly warm and many of the men are sick Jackson and Tillman are both sick also Garison has been and still sick in the country Bilious fever he has authority to go home and rase [sic] a company will start as soon as he is able to travel The President has issued his proclamation pardoning all deserters who return to units in 20 days after his order is published in This State also returning all who are in prison convicted of Desertion this county full of them doing all kind of Devilment.HEADQUARTERS FIFTH MILITARY DISTRICT,

[13]An again on August 25, 1863, Colonel Slemons wrote, My Reg [sic] is well nigh broken up I suppose Withers is the cause of it from what I can hear It is possible that I will get a transfer for the [?]

[Colonel B. S. EWELL, Assistant Adjutant-General:] SIR: As the result of my recent tour of inspection I have the honor to submit the following report:....

Chalmers' cavalry command on Tallahatchie, extending as far east as Rocky Ford, consists of First [Seventh] Tennessee, Second Missouri, Willis' (Texas) battalion, and Second Arkansas, numbering, all told, not to exceed 600 effective men, the regiments being much reduced; one, the Second Arkansas, having but 40 enlisted men.

Gen. J. S. MARMADUKE, Commanding Cavalry Division: GENERAL: The scout I sent in the direction of Rockport returned this afternoon, having been within 6 miles of that place.

Dr. Gray, whom you may probably know, living within a mile of Rockport, told the lieutenant in command of the scout that the Federals left them day before yesterday at 11 o'clock, taking the road to Tulip.

Colonel W. F. Slemons, Second Arkansas Cavalry, is relieved from duty with this command, and will turn over his brigade to the senior officer present and report to Major General N. B. Forrest for orders.

[17] Colonel Slemons was still requesting a return to Arkansas from Alabama in March 1864: 3/5/64 Demopolis-Col Slemons asks that himself and certain officers be allowed to proceed to the Trans Miss to gather up absentees-appd Gen Polk While Colonel Slemons himself was still east of the Mississippi River, members of the 2nd Arkansas Cavalry who had reformed west of the river fought in Cabell's, Gano's, and Dockery's brigades in the Camden Expedition including the battles of Mount Elba, Poison Spring, Marks' Mills, and Jenkins' Ferry.

The 2nd Ark Cav, Capt Tebbs cdg, were placed (mounted) on the extreme right to protect the flank.

The 2nd Ark Cav charged them on horseback, and men and officers acted well, capturing two pieces of the enemy's artillery.

There is plenty of beef-cattle near Arkansas Post, on the prairie.During the Summer of 1864, the now reconsolidated regiment was recruited up to strength with ten companies.

[18] The regiment then served with Price's Army on the raid to the Missouri River in September and October 1864, and engaged in the battles of Pilot Knob, Independence, West Point, and Marais des Cygnes, in Kansas.

[21]A remnant of Slemon's Bgde under Crawford of probably 300 and probably that number of Cabell's under Monroe reported for duty at Champagnolle during Jan 1865.

[1][19][20] On March 8, 1865, Union scouts reported that Slemons' Brigade was in south Arkansas watching the Washita (Ouachita) River.