ARKANSAS

On the eve of the American Civil War, the state of Arkansas possessed a total population of about 435,000, of which 324,000 were white. Just over 111,000 slaves lived and Arkansas and only 144 free blacks. The state seceded on May 6, 1861, and during the war, was placed in the Trans-Mississippi River Theater of operations. The biggest events during the Civil War were the Battle of Pea Ridge, March 6-8, 1862; and the Battle of Prairie Grove, December 7, 1862; Arkansas was readmitted to the Union in 1868.

For Confederate service, Arkansas raised over 30 infantry regiments and battalion; over 15 cavalry regiments and battalions, and 6 artillery batteries and battalions. For service in the Union, 10 Infantry regiments were raise, several of African descent; 4 cavalry regiments; and 2 artillery batteries, one of African descent.

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