The Arkansas in the Civil War Message Board

Reginald H. Thompson-7th Kentucky-13th Ark-Desha b

For several years I have been researching a group of Desha County men. In 1861 they were part of the Militia. Sometime around October and November 1861, They became Co K, 7th Kentucky Mounted Infantry. ( some say there was not a 7th mounted, only a 7th Infantry.) In early April, 1862 during the consolidation of various state troops, they became Co E, 13th Ark Infantry. The original Captain of this company was R.C. Flournoy. At some point ( I am not sure when) Reginald Heber Thompson became Captain and remained so, until the summer of 1863 when the 2nd,5th,13th and 15th Ark. were combined.

Head Quarters Liddell Brigade
Cleburne Division Army of Tennessee
August 15th 1863

The undersigned officers of the 13th and 15th Arkansas Regiments having been released from duty by the recent temporary consolidation of our regiments with the 2nd and 5th Arkansas Regiments and being anxious to go to some field action where our services may be immediately in furthering the cause of our country beg leave most respectively to submit the following plans for obstructing the navigation of the Mississippi River by the enemy.

We propose to organize all the officers made supernumary by the recent temoprary consolidation of this Brigade provisionally into a volunteer company under command of Col J.E. Josey to rendezvous at some point on the Mississippi River above Helena, Ark. We propose to recruit and organize companies to be supplied with officers from our application until we shall have organized one or more Battalions. This recruiting service, however, not to interfere with the immediate active operations of the company or companies already formed. These companies, as they are formed, to act indepently of each other and at different points on the river, but to be subject to the orders of one commanding officer so as to secure active co-operation.

We propose to rendezvous above Helena, Ark. for the reason that portion of the state being regarded by the enemy as within there lines is but slightly guarded, and for the additional reasons that the Conscript law has never been enforced in that portion of the state, and it contains, in consequence, more able-bodied men than almost any portion of the Confederacy.

In order to accomplish this organization more speedily, we ask authority:
1st To enforce the Conscription law in that portion of the state of Arkansas, occupied by or to be within the lines of the enemy.
2nd To draw upon the Quarter Master and Commissary departments of the Trans-Mississippi department for such stores as our Muster Rolls require. Also an order of the General commanding the Trans-Mississippi department for such arms and ammunition as we might stand in need of.

J.E. Josey, Col. 15th Ark. regt.
R.A. Duncan, Lt. Col. 13th Ark. Regt.
C.H. Carlton Major 15th Ark. Regt.
Reg H. Thompson Capt 13th Ark. Regt.

To
His Excellency
Jefferson Davis
President Confederate States

The answer came from J.F. Seldon, Secretary of War; "These officers may be authorized to report to General E.K. Smith for assignment to duty according to his judgement."

The officers did not transfer at this point and remained with the AOT.

Now,flash forward to May, 1864

Letter from Captain Thompson,C.S. Army, to Commander Prichett, U.S. Navy, commanding Union forces , Big Island Desha County, Arkansas regarding exchange of prisioners.

Red Fork Bayou, May 3rd, 1864
Sir: This will be presented to you by First Lieutenant James M. Arnold*, of my command, who is authorized to propose to you an exchange of prisioners. I have in my possession one commisioned officer and 10 men, members of the 77th Ohio Regiment. One of these, Lieutenant Arnold is authorized to exchange for William Sain**, a private of my command, captured by your forces on the 30th ultimo.
I have been informed that you have threatened to take no prisioners of my command. I hope for the honor of what was once our common country that I have been mis-informed. I conceive it to be my duty, however, under the circumstances, to inform you that my command has been regularly organized under the laws of the Confederate States, and is operating here by the direct authority of General E. Kirby Smith, commanding Trans-Mississippi Department; and that I shall not hesitate to proceed to any extremity in retaliation upon the prisioners who are now or who may hereafter fall into my hands for the protection of the men under my command.
I have the honor to be,sir, with due respect, your obedient servant.
Reg H. Thompson
Captain, Commanding Confederate Forces, Desha County.

*Arnold was 2nd Lt, when Co K 7th Ken. was formed
** William Sain was a private in Co K, 7th Ken. He was not exchanged, and was sent to Camp Chase - released March 10th, 1865 to remain in Ohio for duration of war. After his release he returned to Desha County, Arkansas and entered into a business with William Harris operating a store located at the mouth of Cypress Creek where the creek joined the Mississippi River. He died at age 57 and is buried in the Sain Family Cemetary, located on Amos Bayou in Desha County.

Headquaters Marmaduke's Brigade
May 13, 1864

Maj. H. Ewing
Assitant Adjutant-General
Major; The brigade is now encamped on Bayou Bartholomew at the crossing of Monticello and Gaine's Landing road. there are 15,000 or more bushels of corn accessible to our trains in the neighborhood, the farthest lot being 3 miles distance. The water is the only objection to this camp, but it will do pretty well as long the weather stays cool. Nothing is heard from the enemy. No report from the scout above Monticello. A scout has been ordered to Gaine's Landing. A citizen named Wilson, forrmerly of Bolivar Co. Mississippi, has 4 wagons, with 19 bales of cotton, which he desires to sell to the enemy for supplies.He has a permit to sell from Captain Reg H. Thompson; commanding battalion, who professes to be acting under orders from district headquarters. I have stopped the wagons and will not allow him to proceed unless you so order. Do you know of anything of Captain Thompson? It is rumored that he is a guerilla and entirely irresponsible. A steam mill is convenient to the camp, and it is thought an abundance of good beef can be procured.
I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant.
W.L. Jeffers.*
Later this month, Marmaduke's Brigade marched to the Mississippi River and seriously harrassed Union boats between Cypress Bend and Sunnyside Landing.

August 4, 1864, Reginald H. Thompson became Lt.Col of Carlton's Arkansas Cav.

The point of posting all this is I am looking for any information on Thompson and his men, especially the time period when he and his men left the AOT and formed a battalion in Desha County, Arkansas. Other than researching personal data on individual men, I seem to have come to a dead end with my research of these men. Any information or any known resource's of information on these men would be greatly appreciated.

Chuck Lee

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