Bradley, Michael R. They Rode with Forrest. (Gretna, Louisiana : Pelican Publishing Company, 2012), p. 36.

Thrall’s Battery/Jackson Light Artillery
Capt. George W. McCown
G. T. Hubbard
James C. Thrall
O rganized in Arkansas in 1861, the battery served east of the Mississippi River
for the entire war. McCown resigned in 1861. After being stationed in Kentucky,
the battery fought first at Shiloh. Hubbard resigned that month, and the battery
became part of the Grand Battery organized by Gen. Daniel Ruggles to bombard
the Hornet’s Nest position. Following the evacuation of Corinth, the battery
remained with the command of Ruggles and saw duty in Mississippi, helping to
repel raids on the food-producing area vital to the Confederacy.
O ne reason for this assignment may be the light weight of the battery’s
guns. Thrall’s Battery had four six-pounder bronze guns. In 1864, when
Forrest came to command the area, he always called for Morton’s Battery to
do the heavy work because, Forrest said, “the other little guns I have are of
slight use.” As part of the spoils captured from U.S. forces in Mississippi and
Tennessee in the opening months of 1864, Forrest was able to rearm Thrall’s
Battery with appropriately heavy guns.

Following the Confederate defeat at Missionary Ridge, the battery was
sent to Dalton, Georgia, but returned to Mississippi in early 1864. Under
Forrest’s command, the battery participated in the Okolona Campaign, the
West Tennessee Raid, Brices Cross Roads, Harrisburg, and the Johnsonville
Campaign. The battery was assigned to protect the Confederate supply base at
Corinth during the Nashville Campaign. In 1865, the unit was assigned to the
defenses of Mobile but was sent back to Forrest during the Selma Campaign.
The battery surrendered at Meridian, Mississippi, on May 11, 1865.
At Johnsonville, Thrall’s Battery distinguished itself by the steadiness
and accuracy of its fire. Up to this time, the nickname of the battery had
been “The Arkansas Rats.” Forrest approached the battery as it was leaving
Johnsonville and said he thought the men deserved a better name. From that
time on he was going to call them “The Arkansas Braves.” An enlisted man
in the battery replied, “General, talkin’ may be good but something to eat
would be better. We’ve been livin’ on wind for two days.” Forrest turned to
an aide and said, “Go to my headquarters wagon. You will find four boxes of
hardtack and three hams. Bring them to Thrall’s Battery and issue them to
the men.” (Wyeth, That Devil Forrest, 464-65)