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{{Template:Arkansas National Guard Series}}
{{Template:Arkansas National Guard Series}}
The history of the '''Arkansas State Guard and the War with Spain''' begins with the reorganization of the state militia following the end of Reconstruction. 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. During this period the Governor’s Private Secretary preformed the duties of the Adjutant General as an additional duty, and the legislature provided no appropriated funds for the state guard. Several companies existed during this period, including the Quapaw Guards and the McCarthy Guard in Little Rock. In 1897 the Arkansas State Guard was reorganized to consist of 4 infantry regiments, two artillery batteries and a cavalry squadron. In 1897, the state provided two volunteer infantry regiments for the [[Spanish-American War]]. The two Arkansas Volunteer Infantry Regiments were not deployed overseas and did not see actual combat, but did suffer numerous casualties due to disease.
The '''Arkansas State Guard and the War with Spain''' was

==Post Reconstruction==
==Post Reconstruction==
Interest in the state Militia waned following Reconstruction. Local Militia units that existed were supported with private funds. Local Militia companies, such as the McCarthy Light Guards and the Quapaw Guard in Little Rock, participated in drill and ceremony competition, with all the funding for travel, uniforms and equipment coming from private sources..<ref name="Harry 5"/>
Interest in the state Militia waned following Reconstruction. Local Militia units that existed were supported with private funds. Local Militia companies, such as the McCarthy Light Guards and the Quapaw Guard in Little Rock, participated in drill and ceremony competition, with all the funding for travel, uniforms and equipment coming from private sources..<ref name="Harry 5"/>

Revision as of 21:04, 8 November 2010

This article is part of a series on the
Arkansas National Guard
Seal of the Arkansas National Guard
Arkansas National Guard
Arkansas Army National Guard
Arkansas Territorial Militia, (1804–1836)
Arkansas Militia, 1836–1879
Arkansas State Guard, 1879–1907
Arkansas State Guard and the Spanish–American War
Arkansas National Guard 1907–1949
Arkansas Air National Guard (1946–Present)
Arkansas Army National Guard (1949–Present)
See also
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The history of the Arkansas State Guard and the War with Spain begins with the reorganization of the state militia following the end of Reconstruction. 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. During this period the Governor’s Private Secretary preformed the duties of the Adjutant General as an additional duty, and the legislature provided no appropriated funds for the state guard. Several companies existed during this period, including the Quapaw Guards and the McCarthy Guard in Little Rock. In 1897 the Arkansas State Guard was reorganized to consist of 4 infantry regiments, two artillery batteries and a cavalry squadron. In 1897, the state provided two volunteer infantry regiments for the Spanish-American War. The two Arkansas Volunteer Infantry Regiments were not deployed overseas and did not see actual combat, but did suffer numerous casualties due to disease.

Post Reconstruction

Interest in the state Militia waned following Reconstruction. Local Militia units that existed were supported with private funds. Local Militia companies, such as the McCarthy Light Guards and the Quapaw Guard in Little Rock, participated in drill and ceremony competition, with all the funding for travel, uniforms and equipment coming from private sources..[1] Pursuant to the Governor's direction the Regiments were organized as follows:[2]

The Quapaw Guard was organized in Little Rock in 1880. The unit was deployed to Perry County in the summer of 1881 for three weeks to deals with a general spirit of lawlessness, reported by the county judge. The unit won drill competitions at the state fair against units from Memphis and St. Louis. The unit's armory was located in Little Rock at the corner of Markham and Chester Streets.

The McCarthy Light Guards were organized in Little Rock in 1887, being named for the local business man who provided their uniforms, James H. McCarthy. The unit competed in several drill competitions, including the Interstate Competitive Drill at Galveston, Texas, where the unit placed third, at Atlanta in 1889 where they placed second, in Omaha in 1891 where they took second, and at Nashville Tennessee where they took first place. The unit was invited to attend the Chicago Worlds Far in 1893. The unit took fourth prize at the Interstate Competitive Drill conducted in its home town of Little Rock in 1894.[2]

Officially the state militia consisted of two regiments of infantry, one battery of artillery, one troop cavalry, and one signal unit.

Reorganization of 1897

In January 1897 Govenor Daniel W. Jones took office and appointed Brigadier General Authur Neill as his Private Secretary and Acting Adjutant General (the position of Adjutant General had still not been re authorized by the state legislature at this time). The new Govenor and Adjutant General began a massive reorgazation of the Arkansas Sate Guard. Two additional regiments of Infantry, another troop of cavalry, and another battery of artillery were added to the organization.[1] The state was divided into two military districts, with the Arkansas River being the dividing line. Major General R.G. Shaver was commissioned and placed in overall command of the State's Forces. 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. Major General V.Y. Cook was commissioned and placed in command of the Northern District, consisting of the Second and Forth Regiments of infantry and a squadron of Cavalry.[3] The units were poorly equipped and outdated equipment.

Southern District, BG C.R. Shaer, Commanding

1st Regiment, Arkansas State Guards[4] Colonel F.B.T. Hollenberg, Station
Company A, Not yet formed
Company B, CPT James Wood Little Rock
Company C, (McCarthy Light Guards) CPT C.M. Wright Little Rock
Company D, (Fletcher Rifles) CPT R.M. Pearson Little Rock
Company E, CPT Grant White Hope
Company F, Not yet formed
Company G, Not yet formed
Company H, CPT Edward Lucas Star City
Company I, Not yet formed
Company J, Not yet formed
Company K, Not yet formed
Company L CPT R.W. Reynolds Lake Village
right}
BG Clement R. Schear, had served with the Arkansas State Guard since the Brooks Baxter War. Later accepted a commission as a Major, 1st Arkansas Volunteer Infantry.
3rd Regiment, Arkansas State Guards[5] Colonel J.F. Smith, Station
Company A, CPT W.E. Wooten Hot Springs
Company B, CPT D.P. Terry Nashville
Company C, CPT R.A. Gilliam Lockesburg
Company D, CPT C.F. Armistead Fort Smith
Company E, CPT E.K. Braley
Company F, CPT J.W. Coffman Benton
Company G, CPT Leo Krause DeQueen
Company H, CPT Wiley Wright Prescott
Company I, CPT Henry Stroup, Paris Paris
Company J, Not yet formed
Company K, Not yet formed
Company L Not yet formed

Artillery Batteries

Unit Commander Station
Battery A LT A.G. Crawford Little Rock
Battery B CPT C.E. Byers Fort Smith
Unit Commander Station
Signal Corps CPT J.F. Loughborough Little Rock

Northern District, MG V.Y. Cook, Commanding

2nd Regiment, Arkansas State Guards[6] Colonel J.B. Dent, Station
Company A, CPT S.L. Jeffers Van Buren
Company B, Not yet organized
Company C, CPT B.T. Bullion Conway
Company D, CPT P.W. Mooss Paragould
Company E, CPT J.J. Cox Marion
Company F, CPT M.M. Stuckey Newport
Company G, CPT J.C. South Moutian Home
Company H, CPT J.E. Nichols, Clarksville
Company I, CPT M.D. Moody, Judsonia
Company J, Not yet organized
Company K, Not yet organized
Company L CPT R.W. Reynolds Lake Village
MG Virgil Y. Cook, later COL, Commander, 2nd Arkansas Volunteer Infantry, Spanish American War.
4th Regiment, Arkansas State Guards[6] Colonel J.M. Phelps, Station
Company A, CPT R.H. Reed Batesville
Company B, CPT C.P.Sanders Helena
Company C, J.R. Newman Harrison
Company D, CPT G. W. Granberry Cabot
Company E, Not yet organized
Company F, CPT J.H. Yuckley Stuttgart
Company G, CPT W.J. Moss Gillett
Company H, CPT Mark Maxwell, DeWitt
Company I, CPT J.L. Long, Springdale
Company J, Not yet organized
Company K, CPT Collier Berryville
Company L Not yet organized
1st Cavalry Squadron, Arkansas State Guards Major M.C. House, Station
Troop A, 1LT J.D. Adams Panola
Troop B, CPT S.W. Murtishaw Jacksonville

The Spanish-American War

Main article: Spanish-American War

On April 25, 1898, President William McKinley called upon the State to supply two infantry regiments for the Spanish American War. None of the Regiments were in acceptable condition to deploy and only two companies were determined fit to be mustered in to service intact. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Regiments of Infantry, Arkansas State Guard, were reorganized, redesignated and mustered into Federal Service between May 14–25, 1898 at Little Rock as the 1st and 2nd Arkansas Volunteer Infantry for service in the Spanish American War.[7] Governor Jones intended that all sections of the State be represented as far as possible, so the two new Regiments were created from selected State Guard companies and from different sections of the state.[1] Pursuant to the Governor's direction the Regiments were organized as follows:[8]

1st Arkansas Volunteer Infantry

COL Elias Chandler, Commander, 1st Arkansas Volunteer Infantry
Company Former Organization Station
A Company A, 3rd Regiment, Arkansas State Guard (ASG) Hot Springs
B Company, E, 3rd Regiment, ASG (Jefferson Fensibles) Pine Bluff
C Battery B, ASG Fort Smith
D Company D, 3rd Regiment, ASG Fort Smith
E Co E, 1st Regiment, ASG and Co G, 3rd Regiment, ASG Hope (Co E) and Dequeen (CO G)
F Company I, 4th Regiment, ASG Springdale
G Company B, 4th Regiment, ASG (Helena Light Guards) Helena
H New Unit Organized for the War
I Company A, 1st Regiment, ASG Van Buren
K Company I, 3rd Regiment, ASG Paris
L Company L, 1st Regiment, ASG, (Chicot Rifles) Lake Village
M (Greene Rifles) New Unit Organized for the War

2nd Arkansas Volunteer Infantry

Members of the 2nd Arkansas Infantry resting in front of a tent
Company Former Organization Station
A Company C, 1st Regiment, ASG (McCarthy Light Guards) Little Rock
B Company A, 4th Regiment, ASG, V.Y. Cook Rifles, Batesville
C Company G, 4th Regiment, ASG Walnut Ridge
D Company D, 2nd Regiment, ASG ?
E Company D, 1st Regiment, ASG (Fletcher Rifles) Little Rock
F Company F, 2nd Regiment, ASG (Hurley Rifles) ?
G Company D, 4th Regiment, ASG (Cabot Guards) Cabot
H Company I, 1st Regiment, ASG Forrest City
I Companies F, G, and H, 4th Regiment, ASG Stuttgart (Co F), Gillett (Co G) and Dewitt (Co H)
K Company A, 4th Regiment, ASG (Clendenin Rifles) Harrison
L Company C, 2nd Regiment, ASG Conway
M Company ?, 4th Regiment, ASG (Highland Sharpshooters) Melbourne (with volunteers from Mounain Home)

The newly formed Arkansas Volunteer Infantry Regiments did not see combat during the Spanish American War. The 1st Arkansas, commanded by Colonel Elias Chandler, along with the 2nd Arkansas, moved to Camp George H. Thomas at Chickamauga Park, Georgia in May 1898.[9] The two Arkansas Volunteer Infantry Regiments were still there participating in basic training when the war effectively ended with the fall of Cuba and the signing of an armistice in early August.[1] The 1st Arkansas Volunteer Infantry mustered out of Federal Service on October 25, 1899 at Little Rock, Arkansas.[10] The 2nd Regiment continued in service until February 25, 1899, when they were mustered out at Anniston Alabama. While the units saw no actual fighting, the deployment did have its casualties. Fifty-four Arkansas Soldiers died of disease or accident during the mobilization.

References

  1. ^ a b c d Harry, Smith (December 21, 1962). "Arkansas Army and Air National Guard, a History and Record of Events, 1820-1962". Little Rock, Arkansas: Arkansas Military Department: 5. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. ^ a b "The Arkansas National Guard Museum, McCarthy Light Guards". Retrieved February 15, 2010.
  3. ^ Neill, BG Authur, Report of the Adjutant General of the Arkansas State Guard, 1897-1900, Thompson Lithougraph and Printing Company, Little Rock, Arkansas, 1900, page 5
  4. ^ Neill, BG Authur, Report of the Adjutant General of the Arkansas State Guard, 1897-1900, Thompson Lithougraph and Printing Company, Little Rock, Arkansas, 1900, page 15
  5. ^ Neill, BG Authur, Report of the Adjutant General of the Arkansas State Guard, 1897-1900, Thompson Lithougraph and Printing Company, Little Rock, Arkansas, 1900, page 16
  6. ^ a b Neill, BG Authur, Report of the Adjutant General of the Arkansas State Guard, 1897-1900, Thompson Lithougraph and Printing Company, Little Rock, Arkansas, 1900, page 14
  7. ^ The Encyclopedia of Arkansas, Spanish American War, Retrieved January 27, 2010 http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=4856
  8. ^ "The Arkansas National Guard Museum, Spanish-American War". Retrieved February 15, 2010.
  9. ^ "Spanish–American War". The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  10. ^ Lineage and Honors Certificate, 153rd Infantry, signed John W. Mountcastel, Brigadier General, United States Army, Chief Military History
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