Damon

The "Southern Guards" militia company from Jefferson county was the second infantry comapny of the 24th Arkansas militia regiment. Both the "Southern Guards" and the "Jefferson Guards" (the other militia infantry company of the 24th Arkansas Militia were comprized of the county officials, Social elites, important personages, and sons of planters. Judge Du Bocage was at the top level of Jefferson County Society.

Judge Du Bocage was not in my opinion a expert in military tactics and was unsuited for high command. His election to Lt. Colonel was more to do with political association with T.C. Hindman and personal popularity than military skills. His resignation seemed to be more because of this and the fact that the 2nd Arkansas was being sent out of the state of Arkansas that caused Judge Du Bocage to resign and return to Pine Bluff and his law practice.

Later in the war he moved to Texas as did many of the local politicians and returned to Pine Bluff afterwards to build a two story greek revival home at 4th and Mulberry streets in Pine Bluff in 1866, which has been restored and still stands today available to be used for private functions. We use to have Christmas partys in it when it was owned by the Jaycee's.

It is my understanding that Judge Du Bocage resigned his commission before his regiment left the state. If that is true then Govan would have been in Command of the 2nd Arkansas east of the Mississippi.