Arkansas 8th Infantry Regiment
HISTORICAL NOTES:
The Arkansas 8th Infantry Regiment completed its organization in July, 1861, at Jacksonport, Arkansas, with men from the central part of the state. The unit moved east of the Mississippi River and lost heavily at the Battle of Shiloh. On April 26, 1862, it totalled 272 men and in May was consolidated into five companies and united with the 7th and 9th Arkansas Infantry Battalions. It was assigned to General Liddell's and Govan's Brigade, and in November, 1863, consolidated with the 19th (Dawson's) Arkansas Regiment. After fighting at Perryville, it participated in the campaigns of the Army of Tennessee from Murfreesboro to Atlanta, was with Hood in Tennessee, and ended the war in North Carolina. Its casualties were 29 killed and 124 wounded at Murfreesboro, and 14 killed, 92 wounded, and 65 missing at Chickamauga . The 8th/19th lost 16 men at Ringgold Gap, totalled 363 men and 265 arms in December, 1863, and had 97 disabled at the Battle of Atlanta. Few surrendered on April 26, 1865.
OFFICERS:
Colonels George F. Baucum, John H. Kelly, and William K. Patterson; Lieutenant Colonels H. M. Couch, Anderson Watkins, and James H. Wilson; and Majors John A. Price and W. P. Witt.
Upon reorganization, John H. Kelly was elected colonel; Wilson, lieutenant colonel, and Capt. G. F. Baucum, major. Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson resigned, and Anderson Watkins was elected major. Upon the promotion of Colonel Kelly to brigadier-general, Baucum became colonel, and Anderson Watkins, lieutenant colonel.
BATTLES:
Battle of Shiloh
Siege of Corinth
Kentucky Campaign
Battle of Perryville
Battle of Murfreesboro
Tullahoma Campaign
Battle of Liberty Gap
Chickamauga Campaign
Battle of Chickamauga
Chattanooga Campaign
Battle of Missionary Ridge
Battle of Ringgold Gap
Atlanta Campaign
Battle of Rocky Face Ridge
Battle of Resaca
Battle of New Hope Church
Battle of Kennesaw Mountain
Battle of Pickett's Mill
Battle of Peachtree Creek
Battle of Atlanta
Siege of Atlanta
Battle of Jonesboro
Franklin–Nashville Campaign
Battle of Franklin
Battle of Nashville
Carolinas Campaign
Battle of Bentonville
ROSTERS:
The roster of this unit contains the names of 3038 men.
Company A, of Jackson County, commanded by Captain Robert Anthony.
Company B, of Jackson County, commanded by Captain James H. Wilson.
Company C, of Independence County, commanded by Captain George W. McCauley.
Company D, of Independence County, commanded by Captain Thomas J. Morgan. This unit was originally organized on June 8, 1861, as a volunteer militia company in the 59th Regiment, Arkansas State Militia.
Company E, the "Independence Guards", of Independence County, commanded by Captain Justus F. Tracy. This unit was originally organized on February 15, 1861, as a volunteer militia company in the 59th Regiment, Arkansas State Militia.
Company F, the "West Point Rifles", of White County, commanded by Captain A. T. Jones. This unit, also "West Point Rangers" was originally organized on May 29, 1861, as a volunteer militia company in the 65th Regiment, Arkansas State Militia under the command of Captain Joseph F. Hathaway.
Company G, of Jackson County, commanded by Captain William H. Gray.
Company H, of Independence County (that portion now encompassed by Cleburne County), commanded by Captain Enoch N. Floyd.
Company I, of Jackson County, commanded by Captain Winfield S. Smalley.
Company K, of Randolph County, commanded by Captain James P. Wright.
On May 7, 1862, the original members of the 8th Arkansas were consolidated into five companies and united with the 7th and 9th Arkansas Infantry Battalions. The reorganized regiment was composed of the following companies:
Company A — Originally Companies B & K of the 8th Arkansas Infantry Regiment from Jackson county.
Company B — Originally Companies D & I of the 8th Arkansas Infantry Regiment from Jackson county.
Company C — Originally Companies E & H of the 8th Arkansas Infantry Regiment from Independence county.
Company D — Originally Companies C & F of the 8th Arkansas Infantry Regiment, from Independence and White counties.
Company E — Originally Companies A & G of the 8th Arkansas Infantry Regiment from Independence county.
Company F — Originally Companies B & C of the 9th Arkansas Infantry Battalion, which were also (originally Companies B & E, of the (McCarver's) 14th Arkansas Infantry Regiment).
Company G — Originally Companies A & D. of the 9th Arkansas Infantry Battalion, Izard and Jackson county (originally Companies A & H, of the (McCarver's) 14th Arkansas Infantry Regiment)
Company H — Originally Companies B & C, of the 7th Arkansas Infantry Battalion, from Independence county.
Company I — Originally Companies D & F, of the 7th Arkansas Infantry Battalion, from Jackson county.
Company K — Originally Companies A & E, of the 7th Arkansas Infantry Battalion.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
REFERENCES: REF: Wikipedia
Crute - Units of the Confederate States Army
Sifakis - Compendium of the Confederate Armies
Upon reorganization, John H. Kelly was elected colonel; Wilson, lieutenant colonel, and Capt. G. F. Baucum, major. Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson resigned, and Anderson Watkins was elected major. Upon the promotion of Colonel Kelly to brigadier-general, Baucum became colonel, and Anderson Watkins, lieutenant colonel.
On May 7, 1862, the original members of the 8th Arkansas were consolidated into five companies and united with the 7th and 9th Arkansas Infantry Battalions. The reorganized regiment was composed of the following companies:
Crute - Units of the Confederate States Army
Sifakis - Compendium of the Confederate Armies