23rd Arkansas Infantry Regiment

The 23rd Arkansas Infantry Regiment was organized at Memphis, Tennessee, on April 25, 1862, when Lieutenant-Colonel Charles W. Adams's infantry battalion of five companies was reinforced by the addition of the two companies of Major Simon P. Hughes.s infantry battalion, and Captain Mitchell A. Adair's independent company. All companies were enlisted for twelve months' service. • Colonel Charles W. Adams, of Helena. • Lieutenant-Col. Simon P. Hughes, of Clarendon. • Major J. S. Robinson, of Chicot County. The commanders of companies were: == Service ==

The 23rd Arkansas, which was initially identified in Confederate reports as Adams Arkansas Battalion, was initially assigned to Brigadier General Darney H. Maury's Brigade of Major General Samuel Jones' Division of the Army of the West, Major General Earl Van Dorn commanding. Late April and early May 1862 the Confederate Army underwent an army-wide reorganization due to the passage of the Conscription Act by the Confederate Congress in April 1962. All twelve-month regiments had to re-muster and enlist for three years or the duration of the war; a new election of officers was ordered; and men who were exempted from service by age or other reasons under the Conscription Act were allowed to take a discharge and go home. Officers who did not choose to stand for re-election were also offered a discharge. The 23rd Arkansas Infantry Regiment was reorganized "for 3 years or the war" on May 27, 1862, at Camp Priceville, near Tupelo, Mississippi at which time Capt Thomas L. Westmoreland's independent company was added, bringing the regiment up to full strength. The regiment reorganized again, pursuant to orders from General Maury, at Saltillo, Mississippi, on September 10, 1862, when the understrength 12th and 14th Arkansas Infantry Regiments were field-consolidated with the 23rd Arkansas Regiment. When the regiment was reorganized the following field officers were elected: Logan's consolidated regiment consisted of the 11th and the Griffith's 17th Arkansas. The Johnson's 15th Arkansas was assigned to Crockett's consolidated regiment instead of the 17th. The regiment endured the forty-eight-day siege, and was surrendered to General Nathaniel P. Banks on July 9, 1863. Following the surrender the officers were sent as prisoners to Johnson's Island Military Prison. The enlisted personnel of the 23rd Arkansas were paroled and returned to Arkansas. After being officially exchanged in the spring of 1864 the unit was converted to mounted infantry and took an active part in Price's Missouri Expedition. When the unit was paroled and exchanged back to Arkansas following its surrender at Port Hudson, a new Company H, from Craighead County, was added to replace the Clark County company, which did not rejoin the regiment after being exchanged. Campaign Credit The unit is credited with participation in the following campaigns and battles: • Iuka-Corinth Campaign, April–June 1862. • Battle of Corinth, October 3–4, 1862. • Siege of Port Hudson, May–July 1863. • Price's Missouri Raid, Arkansas-Missouri-Kansas, September–October, 1864. • Battle of Fort Davidson, Missouri, September 27, 1864. • Fourth Battle of Boonville, Missouri, October 11, 1864. • Battle of Glasgow, Missouri, October 15, 1864. • Battle of Sedalia, Missouri, October 15, 1864. • Second Battle of Lexington, Missouri, October 19, 1864. • Battle of Little Blue River, Missouri, October 21, 1864. • Second Battle of Independence, Missouri, October 21–22, 1864. • Battle of Byram's Ford, Missouri, October 22–23, 1864. • Battle of Westport, Missouri, October 23, 1864. • Battle of Marais des Cygnes, Linn County, Kansas, October 25, 1864. • Battle of Mine Creek, Missouri, October 25, 1864. • Battle of Marmiton River, Missouri, October 25, 1864. • Second Battle of Newtonia, Missouri, October 28, 1864. == Surrender ==

Brigadier General M. Jeff Thompson, Commander of the Military Sub-District of Northeast Arkansas and Southeast Missouri, to which the regiment was assigned at the close of the war, surrendered his command at Chalk Bluff, Arkansas on May 11, 1865, and agreed to have his men assemble at Wittsburg and Jacksonport, Arkansas to lay down their arms and receive their paroles. Thompson's command was widely dispersed throughout northeast Arkansas, more for reasons of available forage than anything else. Most members of the 23rd Arkansas surrendered and were paroled at Wittsburg on May 25, 1865. == See also ==