The Army of Arkansas was created on July 27, 1863, with Major General Frederick Steele in command.

[1] The army was created in the wake of the Union victories at Vicksburg and Helena, both of which occurred on July 4, 1863, resulting in the complete consolidation of federal control of the Mississippi River and the opportunity to seize Little Rock and begin pacification efforts to return Arkansas to the Union.

At Little Rock the army consisted of three divisions under John W. Davidson, Adolph Englemann and Samuel A.

[2] Steele was replaced as commander of the army on December 22, 1864, by Major General Joseph J. Reynolds.

Reynolds commanded the army during Price's Missouri Raid but his troops actively involved in the Union pursuit.