I think I can speak for everyone that frequents the Arkansas Message Board in saying "we are glad you are feeling better and wish you a speedy and complete recovery!" It occurred to me after I made my post that I hadn't seen posts from you in quite awhile. I'm thrilled that you are back and feeling better!

As usual, you amaze me. I did a google search for Ms Eno and with a little persistence found her entire book "History of Crawford County" scanned in PDF format. Chapter 15 is "Soldiers of Crawford County" and Section 4 "Soldiers of the War Between the States" begins on page 239. A link to Chapter 15 is below. (If you remove the file name HOCC_15.pdf from the below it will take you to a list for all chapters.)

http://www.argenweb.net/crawford/History_of_Crawford_County/HOCC_Chapters/HOCC_15.pdf

The person I'm researching, Levi Whitfield Thomas, is the ancestor of a couple of friends of mine and is buried here in Bartlesville, OK. Ms. Eno's book shows him several times as a private in the Frontier Guards who left Van Buren for Camp Brown in May 1861. She refers to the Rector/King/McCord regiment, formed in June 1862, exclusively as the 22nd Arkansas Infantry without mention of its other names, the 1st Ark NW Division or the 35th Ark Inf.

Apparently Levi Whitfield Thomas was a friend of the Shibley brothers who mention him many times in their letters home "Dear Parents" -- http://www.couchgenweb.com/civilwar/roster1.html -- and from whom Ms Eno obtained much information for her history.

The July 16, 1863 letter home from the Shibley brothers says "Joseph Houck, Kuykendall, Higgins were taken by the enemy. Whitfield Thomas was either killed or taken prisoner. I fear he was killed. J. B. Jackson missing, supposed to have been taken prisoner. The case of Thomas is lamented by the whole company. I will write to Mr. Thomas as soon as we stop long enough for us to have sufficient time."

Again on August 5th, " I think of writing to Mr. Thomas and give him what few particulars we have in relation to Whitfield. We have nor farther particulars as to his mournful end. We are perfectly satisfied in our own minds that he was wounded and died from the effects thereof. He was an upright honorable man, a faithful and steady friend and an agreeable messmate. His loss is mourned by our entire company."

Good news on August 19th, "You spoke in your letter of the letter Mr. Thomas had received from Whitfield. It relieved us of great anxiety as to his fate. We were nearly sure he had been killed and when word was received that he was not slain expressions of joy were heard among his old companions in arms."

Regarding his POW records, I would assume them just 'in error' except for finding the bio info in the Confederate Veteran stating he was in the 3rd Arkansas, suggesting that is the unit he most identified with and, of course, J.P King was his 1st Lt in Gratiot's and then captain and colonel in the 35th. That other POWs of his company are also recorded as being in the 3rd Arkansas may indicate this too. On the other hand, there is always the possibility that I'm dead wrong.

Ken