Arkansas State Guard and the Spanish–American War
In 1879 the Arkansas Legislature had abolished the office of Adjutant General in retaliation for the use of the state militia to interfere in local political matters during reconstruction.
In 1897 the Arkansas State Guard was reorganized to consist of four infantry regiments, two artillery batteries and a cavalry squadron.
Officially the state militia consisted of two regiments of infantry, one battery of artillery, one troop cavalry, and one signal unit.
Local militia companies participated in drill and ceremony competitions, with all the funding for travel, uniforms and equipment coming from private sources.
[5] The Garland Greys were a militia company organized in Jefferson County and commanded by Captain Sam Hilzheim.
The Neel Guards were then mustered into state service in June 1881[4] The Garland Grey's disbanded following Hilzheim's conviction.
The company was invited to attend the Chicago Worlds Far in 1893, and took fourth prize at the Interstate Competitive Drill in its home town of Little Rock in 1894.
[9] When Helzheim refused to enroll black men, Governor Churchill had Helzeim court martialed.
Upon reaching Little Rock, Captain Thomas found that the only military organizations in existence at that time in the state were at the local level.
The captains of the companies will report by letter to the colonel commanding the regiment of the exact condition of arms, amount of instruction, uniforms, and number of men available for active service and the average attendance at all the drills.
The company received its financial support from a committee of local businessmen, including Lancelot Minor, a Newport attorney and civic leader.
Eugene B. Douglass, for many years an officer of tue Chickasaw Guards, a militia company in Memphis Tennessee was elected Captain.
The company officers were:[12] Brigadier General George Presley Taylor, of Forrest City, was appointed commander of the Arkansas State Guard in 1894.
Companies in the 2nd Regiment (the northern division) were located at Van Buren, Magazine, Conway, Paragould, Marion, Newport, Fort Smith, Clarksville, Rector and Yellville.
[12] Lieutenant Samples wrote to Lancelot Minor, January 3, 1893: For some time I have postponed writing you to inquire if you will accept appointment as Colonel of the 2nd Regt.
[12]Lieutenant Samples then wrote Governor William M. Fishback, on January 5, 1894: With your approval I shall recommend for Colonel Hon.
[12]On January 15, Lieutenant Samples wrote Col. Minor: I have the honor to inform you that the Governor has today in accordance with the wishes of the officers of the 2d Regt.
'I Gustave Jones had brought the request of the Hurley Rifles to disband to Little Rock, and M. L. Davis, the acting adjutant general, announced that Company F, Newport, and three other companies of the Second Regiment (Van Buren, Judsonia and Rector) had been disbanded at their own request.
Brigadier General C. R. Shaer was commissioned and placed in command of the Southern District, which included the 1st and 2nd Infantry Regiments, two batteries of artillery and a signal company.
Cook was commissioned and placed in command of the Northern District, consisting of the 2nd and 4th Regiments of Infantry and a squadron of Cavalry.
[1] Artillery Batteries On April 25, 1898, President William McKinley called upon the state to supply two infantry regiments for the Spanish–American War.
[21] Both regiments were still undergoing training there when the war effectively ended with the fall of Cuba and the signing of an armistice in early August.
The realization that the system of state funded and organized militia units had failed to provide the nation with a rapidly deployable army at a time when the United States was becoming an international power led to legislative provisions focused upon establishing a more reliable, standardized and federally funded reserve component.
[8] During an outbreak of "Yellow Fever" from August through October 1905 the Arkansas State Guard was activated to enforce a quarantine.
