Arkansas 12th Infantry Regiment

HISTORICAL NOTES:
The Arkansas 12th Infantry Regiment was organized during the summer of 1861 by E. W. Gantt. Many of the men were recruited in Dallas County. It served in the Western Department, and later at Beall's Brigade, Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana. The 12th had the unfortunate distinction of being captured in three engagements: Fort Donelson, Island No. 10, and Port Hudson. After being exchanged at Fort Donelson, the men were almost immediately exchanged and the regiment was reogranized. But after the fight at Island No. 10, many of its members refused to return to the comamnd and its ranks were filled with about 500 new recruits. Following the capitulation of Port Hudson, the men were exchanged, but the officers were sent to Johnson's Island. No attempt was made to reorganize the regiment. OFFICERS:
Colonels Edward W. Gantt and T. J. Reid, Jr., Lieutenant Colonels W.D.S. Cook and E.C. Jordan, and Major J. S. Walker ASSIGNMENTS:
served in the Western Department, and later at Beall's Brigade, Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana. BATTLES:

Fort Donelson

Island Number Ten

Port Hudson

ROSTERS: The roster of this regiment contains the names of 1146 men.

Company A – Commanded by Captain J.M. Ruffin, organized in Clark County, Arkansas. 24 men from this company would eventually be enlisted in Company E, 33rd Arkansas Infantry Regiment.

Company B – the "Arkansas Toothpicks" – commanded by Captain G.A. Hale, organized in Clark County, Arkansas. 23 men from this company were enlisted in Company H, 33rd Arkansas Infantry regiment.

Company C – the "Ouachita Guard", commanded by Captain H.W.L. Johnson, organized in Ouachita County, Arkansas. This company was originally organized as a volunteer company, under the command of Captain Joseph R. White in the 39th Regiment, Arkansas State Militia, Ouachita County on June 3, 1861. in the summer of 1862, some of the absentees from this company were enlisted in company F, 33rd Arkansas Infantry Regiment.

Company D – the "Holly Springs Targeteers" – commanded by Captain E. Chandler, organized in Dallas County, Arkansas. This company was originally organized as a volunteer company, in the 46th Regiment, Arkansas State Militia, Dallas County, on May 30, 1861. Virtually all of this company escaped capture at Island No. 10 and was reassigned a Company F, 6th Arkansas Infantry until the regiment was reformed.

Company E – the "Hot Springs Rifles" – commanded by Captain Thomas Glasgow, organized in Hot Spring County, Arkansas.

Company F – the "Jackson Minute-Men" – commanded by Captain J.C. Brewer, organized in Jackson Township of Dallas County, Arkansas.

Company G – the "Southern Flag Company" – commanded by Captain B. Abernithy, organized in Sevier County, Arkansas. This unit was originally organized as a volunteer company of the 37th Regiment, Arkansas State Militia.

Company H – the "Red River Mounted Riflemen" Commanded by Captain A.C. Lovett, organized in Sevier County, Arkansas.This unit was originally organized as a volunteer company of the 37th Regiment, Arkansas State Militia. Several men from this company escaped capture and were re-enlisted in Company H, 33rd Arkansas Infantry Regiment.

Company I – Commanded by Captain Mathew Archer, organized in Dallas County, Arkansas.

Company K – the "Southern Defenders" – commanded by Captain Josh B. Davis, organized in Hempstead County, Arkansas. Several men from this company were enlisted in Company F, 24th Arkansas Infantry in the summer of 1862.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
REFERENCES: REF: Wikipedia
Crute - Units of the Confederate States Army
Sifakis - Compendium of the Confederate Armies