The unit was mustered into Confederate Service in July 1861 at Springfield in Conway County. Its members were drawn from the counties of Cleburne, Van Buren, Conway, and Perry.[2] The unit comprised the following volunteer companies:[3]
Company A – "Quitman Rifles" – commanded by Captain A. R. Witt.[1]
Company B – "Ready Rifles" – from Conway County.[citation needed]
Company C – "Choctaw Riflemen" – from Van Buren County.[citation needed]
Company D – "White County Volunteers" – from White County.[citation needed]
Company E – "Conway Invincibles" – of Conway County.[citation needed]
Company F – "Muddy Bayou Heroes" – of Conway County.[citation needed]
Company G – "Red River Riflemen" – Captain John B. Miller.[citation needed]
Company H – "Perry County Mountaineers" – from Perry County.[citation needed]
Company I – "Conway Tigers" – of Conway County.[citation needed]
Company K – "Springfield Sharpshooters" – of Conway County.[citation needed]
The unit's first commander was Colonel T. D. Merrick, a former Major General of the Arkansas Militia.[4]
Battles
The regiment moved to Union City, Tennessee, where 150 men died from the effects of measles. Later it was involved in the conflicts at Shiloh and Baton Rouge, and in October, 1862, contained 249 effectives. Attached to Buford's and Beall's Brigade, Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana, the 10th was part of the garrison that surrendered at Port Hudson on July 9, 1863. After being exchanged, the men returned to Arkansas and were reorganized as the 10th or Witt's Cavalry Regiment.[2]
The 10th Arkansas Infantry fought in the following engagements:
Battle of Mine Creek, Little Osage River, Marias des Cygnes, Kansas – October 25, 1864.
Skirmish near Lewisburg, Arkansas - Feb. 12, 1865.
Surrender
The 10th Arkansas surrendered with the garrison of Port Houston, Louisiana on July 9, 1863. After being exchanged, the men returned to Arkansas and were reorganized as the 10th or Witt's Cavalry Regiment. The unit then skirmished in Arkansas and on May 28, 1865, requested from the Federals terms under which it could surrender.[2]
^The War Almost Started in Little Rock, Seizing the U.S. Arsenal at Little Rock, The Capitol Guard, Company A, 6th Arkansas Volunteer Infantry, Accessed, 31 October 2010,