John Ballard enlisted as a private in Co. C, 4th Arkansas Cavalry, U.S. Volunteers, at Fort Smith, Arkansas, on September 20, 1863; age 36, born in Tennessee; and was mustered into service at Little Rock, Arkansas, on January 28, 1864, for three years. He was placed under arrest at Little Rock on June 3, 1865; charge not stated, but probably absence without leave. The muster-out roll of the regiment, dated June 30, 1865, states that he was "absent in arrest" when the regiment was mustered out of service, consequently no discharge certificate was furnished to him, without which he was unable to apply for a pension.

This man may be the same John Ballard who previously deserted from the Confederate service as a private in Co. B, 39th Arkansas Infantry, on January 8, 1863. This company was recruited primarily in Yell County.