He is indeed "interesting but slippery character." He was one of those larger-than-life characters that we have come to associate with 19th century explorers. That was certainly a unique aspect of that period of time. I'd like to believe that he served in the 6th Arkansas, but proving it beyond a reasonable doubt may not be possible. If he did serve, he had to have enlisted under a different name (his third), but as far as I know he left no clues as to what name he might have used. There has been some speculation that he enlisted under the name William Henry Stanley; but if that is the case, why would he also lie about his age? Indeed, why conceal his identity at all? He was the foster son of a prominent Arkansas County planter. By his own account, he became well known in the local community and ran with other well-to-do young men, many of whom subsequently enlisted in the Dixie Grays. Why then would Henry Morton Stanley enlist under an assumed name and age? Fascinating character.