Col Robert G. Shaver was a well known figure in the history of Arkansas during the War for Southern Independence. He first commanded as Colonel of the 7th Arkansas Infantry and by the time of the Battle of Shiloh had been moved to higher command of a brigade of Arkansas Infantry in that Battle. He was wounded during that Battle and returned to Arkansas to recover and was placed in command of a Camp of Instruction for new soldiers at Pine Bluff during the summer of 1862. He then was given command of the 27th Arkansas and later a brigade of Infantry which included the 38th Arkansas. He founght the rest of the War in the state of Arkansas. He was active in affairs after the War and in later years was the toast of the town traveling the state to Veterans reunions and such.