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Fifteenth Arkansas Infantry The Fifteenth Arkansas was given the number of Cleburne's old regiment. The latter was distinguished by the addition "Confederate." It was organized at Camden, Ark., in 1861, with the following officers: Col. James Gee, Lieut.-Col. John C. Wright, Maj. P. Lynch Lee, Benjamin W. Johnson, adjutant; Company A, Captain Proctor; Company B, Capt. H. Purefoy; Company C, Capt. John C. Wright (elected lieutenant-colonel in the reorganization; L. W. Matthews was elected captain of Company C) ; Company D, Capt. Frank Jordan; Company E, Captain Ferguson; Company F, Capt. Alex. Byrne. Four of the companies were taken from the early regiment commanded by Col. Marsh Walker when he was promoted brigadier-general. Before its completion as a regiment, six companies were sent to the defense of Fort Henry on the Tennessee river, and thence were transferred to the garrison at Fort Donelson on the Cumberland, twelve or fifteen miles distant. At the assault by Grant and Foote with army and navy on Fort Donelson, they were distinguished for their valor. They manned the heavy guns until they burst or were dismounted, and then led in a sortie in the snow and sleet against the Federal trenches which were in course of construction in their front. They took the first line of works, suffering great loss, at least one-fourth of the command. Capt. Frank Jordan was among the killed, and Adjt. Ben W. Johnson among the wounded. Men and officers were made prisoners by the "unconditional surrender." The men were sent to Camp Butler, the officers to Fort Warren. Lieut. -Col. John C. Wright made his escape, and returning to Arkansas, was elected colonel of cavalry in the service under General Hindman, who was organizing the Trans-Mississippi department, and commanded Crawford's brigade at Mark's Mills. The other officers were exchanged in 1862, and the regiment was reorganized at Jackson, Miss., 1862, under Col. Ben W. Johnson, Lieut.' Col. P. L. Lee, Maj. W. E. Steward, Adjt. J. E. Baker. The captains on reorganization were: Company A, John Stevenson; Company B, Joseph Daniels; Company C, James Franklin; Company D, John Hubbard; Company E, Ed Wilson; Company F, William Walker; Company G, Albert Reed; Company H, Wilkerson; Company I, L. W. Matthews; Company K, McClung. The regiment after reorganization was sent south to Louisiana to resist Banks, and fought in many minor engagementsCross Landing, Greenfield, Plum's Store, and with the First Alabama and Thirteenth Mississippi, engaged at Keller's Lane a largely superior force of Federals, which they routed, taking many prisoners and valuable stores. The regiment was called into the fortifications of Port Hudson, when attacked by the army and navy of the United States. Captain Reed, of Company G, was killed May 29, 1863; Captain Hubbard, of Company D, was killed. Within a day or two, Captain Stevenson died from wounds received. Capt. E. Wilson died from concussion of the brain, caused by being struck with a shell. The regiment, though not serving in the wider fields of conflict, contained the finest fighting material, proved its patience, and suffered and was exposed as much as any in the service. It went into Port Hudson with 484 men, and came out with only 92. Source: Confederate Military History, vol. XIV, p. 312 Chickamagua after battle report: Report of Capt. A. T. Meek, Second Arkansas Infantry, commanding Second and Fifteenth Arkansas Infantry. HDQRS. SECOND AND FIFTEENTH ARKANSAS REGTS., October 6, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the battle of Chickamauga of September 18, 19, and 20, in which this regiment was engaged: On the morning of the 18th, we took up line of march from Rock Springs, marching in a northwesterly direction. About 10.30 a. m. our brigade was thrown in line of battle (Walthall's brigade on our right) fronting Alexander's Bridge. Our skirmishers were advanced through an open field near the above-named bridge. Walthall advanced and drove the enemy from his position. We were then withdrawn; moved by the right flank to Byram's Ford. We crossed Chickamauga, and encamped for the night. On the morning of the 19th, we were moved on (Chattanooga and La Fayette) road, where we halted until about 10. 30, when we were again thrown in line of battle, Walthall still on our right, our left unsupported. Our skirmishers were thrown out. We moved forward about 1 1/2 miles before we met the enemy, when we were ordered to charge, the Second and Fifteenth occupying the left center, the Sixth and Seventh Arkansas on the left. The enemy were driven before us in great confusion. The left of the brigade being flanked and suffering from an enfilading fire, we were ordered to fall back, leaving the left of the Second and Fifteenth unprotected. Finding we were being flanked on the left, we were ordered to fall back. During the charge we passed one or two batteries of Parrott guns, but were unable to get but two pieces off, capturing a great number of prisoners, the prisoners stating it was the first time their line ever was broken. They were the United States regulars. We fell back and reformed; rested some two hours, when we were again moved by the right flank to a position on the right of Cheatham, Walthall being on our left. Skirmishers were advanced, and we soon encountered the enemy in a very strong position. Walthall became very hotly engaged, and was compelled to fall back, leaving the left of our brigade in an enfilading fire. The Sixth and Seventh fell back, when Lieut.-Col. Harvey ordered the Second and Fifteenth to hold their position, which they did until we got orders to fall back. The regiment suffered severely in killed and wounded. We then reformed our lines, and held the position until Gen. Cleburne relieved us. We remained in this position over night. On the morning of the 20th, we moved by the right flank and took our position on the right of Gen. Breckinridge, advancing our skirmishers through a glade and open field. We re-encountered the enemy, and received a heavy fire from them. We were ordered to charge, which we did, and drove the enemy before us until our support on the left was repulsed and we were flanked. We were at this time on the west side of the Chattanooga road. The Second and Fifteenth, Eighth [Arkansas], and First Louisiana, Fifth and Thirteenth Arkansas were faced by the rear rank and marched back through the field and by the right flank to get out of an enfilading fire. The regiment was reformed, and took a position, which we kept until about 4 p. m., when we were ordered forward and our movements were conformed to the right. The brigade on our left was soon heavily engaged. After passing half a mile we were enfiladed from the left by the enemy, and were compelled to fall back under a heavy fire, and reformed and took position on the right of Gist's brigade. This is not by any means a definite report of this regiment. Yours, respectfully, A. T. MEEK, Capt., Comdg. Second and Fifteenth Arkansas. Col. D. C. GOVAN.

Source: Official Records PAGE 261-51 KY., SW. VA., TENN., MISS., N. ALA., AND N. GA. [CHAP. XLII. [Series I. Vol. 30. Part II, Reports. Serial No. 51.]

Arkansas 15th Infantry (Confederate)

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