Williamson's Arkansas Infantry Battalion

Organization

The battalion was organized in March 1862 by Colonel John L. Williamson, apparently immediately following the final muster of the 15th Arkansas Militia Regiment. Williamson had also commanded the 15th Arkansas Militia Regiment from Pope County. Three companies for this battalion were recruited from Pope County, including several former 15th Militia Regiment members. It was apparently intended to be recruited to a full regiment, but was still recruiting and organizing when it was swept up by General Earl Van Dorn when he transferred his army to Mississippi following the Battle of Pea Ridge. The battalion was formally organized at Camp Churchill Clark, near Corinth, Mississippi, on May 8, 1862. However, it was decided to disband the battalion instead, so the election of officers was invalidated and the battalion formally broken up on May 25, 1862. The battalion was composed of companies from the following counties:

Company A—Franklin County (enlisted at Ozark, Arkansas, February 8, 1862) Company B—Franklin County (enlisted at Ozark, Arkansas, February 15, 1862) Company C—Pope County (enlisted in Pope County, Arkansas, February 15, 1862) Company D—Pope County (enlisted at Russellville, Arkansas, February 13, 1862) Company E—Pope County (enlisted at Dover, Arkansas, February 22, 1862) Company F—Yell County (enlisted at Bata’s Mill, Arkansas, February 28, 1862) Company G—Yell County (enlisted at Dardanelle, Arkansas, February 28, 1862) Company H—Conway County (enlisted at Portland, Arkansas, March 1, 1862).

The component companies were distributed among other Arkansas battalions and regiments as follows:

Companies A and B became Company 2nd I and K of the 21st (McCrae's) Arkansas Infantry Regiment Companies C and D became Companies G and F, of the 1st Brook's Arkansas Cavalry Battalion Companies E, F and H became Companies E, K and I of the 3rd Arkansas Cavalry Regiment Company G became Company K of the 31st Arkansas Infantry Regiment.