Company D Fourth Arkansas Cavalry
 United States Army
Military Research
Montgomery Co. ARGenWeb Project

The Fourth Arkansas Union Cavalry was organized at Little Rock, AR, December 1863. Primary recruitment places were Pulaski, Yell and Sebastian Counties in Arkansas. Service was in central Arkansas and the Camden campaign. Enlistments between 1,203 and 1,464. 

Attached to Post of Little Rock, AR, 7th Army Corps, Department of Arkansas, to May, 1864
3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 7th Army Corps, Department of AR, to Sept., 1864
2nd Brigade, Cavalry Division, 7th Army Corps, to Feb., 1865
Unassigned, 7th Army Corps, to March, 1865
Cavalry Brigade, Little Rock, AR, 7th Corps, to June, 1865

Lafayette Gregg (1825-1891) was b. in AL and moved to Fayetteville in 1849. He studied law and opened his own practice. He served as Colonel of the Fourth Arkansas Cavalry (Union) during the Civil War and was honorable discharge on June 30, 1865. He helped rebuild northwest Arkansas. He was an Arkansas Supreme Court Justice  1868-1874. Wrote the legislative bill that located the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1871. He founded the Bank of Fayetteville. 

Spring of 1862.  A Confederate home guard unit was operating along the Little Rock  - Mount Ida road and soon Southern recruiting officers started rounding up men between the ages of sixteen and forty-five from along the Blakely, Moccasin and Blocker creeks in the northwestern part of Montgomery County, Arkansas for induction into the Southern Army, men who sympathized with the North. They were taken to the southern part of the state and at a given time, this group deserted under the guidance of Mike Blocker, a member of the group who had some knowledge of the land. They worked their way through swamps, cane brakes and back country until they finally reached home. 

Meantime, a movement was started in the northern part of the state for Union sympathizers to organize into troops and resist. Contact had been made with men of like feelings in northern Montgomery County and the area from Cedar Glades and east and north through the Blakely sector. A Federalist camp was established on the headwaters of Blocker Creek, east of Pilot Knob of Blue Ouachita Mountain. Some of the Unionists names were: Fisher, Kinsey, Bledsoe, Caldwell, Vaughn, Muse, Blocker, Speer, Breshears, Phillips, Kizziar, and Irons. Most of these are allied families. When there numbers increased to thirty they decided to move north through the mountain trails and establish contact with a group of Federalists in the vicinity south of Dardanelle. This was a group of irregulars cooperated with the efforts of the regular Union troops in moving down the Arkansas River to combat units of Southern Army of the Confederacy moving up from Yell and Montgomery Counties. About three days after joining ranks with the regular forces, the men from Blakely participated in a skirmish north of Plainview. As Union irregulars they were forced to operate on their own initiative most of the time. A number of skirmishes were fought from Dardanelle south to Cedar Glades. 

When Little Rock was taken by the Union in September 1863, the Federalist dominated all Arkansas north and east of the Arkansas River.  The Confederates controlled all that was west and south of the Arkansas River. The area between the Arkansas and Ouachita Rivers was No Man's Land. Dangerous country.  Most of the men from central Arkansas were formally inducted into the 4th Arkansas Calvary Volunteers US under Colonel Lafayette Gregg. Others were in 3rd AR USA under Colonel Abraham Ryon. Lieutenant Spiva was placed on a recruiting detail for the new Fourth AR Vol. Cav. and during December and January 1864 went from farm to farm in Montgomery County encouraging men to enlist. There was a skirmish at Cedar Glades 1 March 1864. Reference: 'Montgomery County: Our Heritage'. Vol. 1. page 340. "They Can't Go Home" pg 24-25.

A military tragedy at Cedar Glades - Publication The Record (Garland County Historical Society) 8:59- 1967
Illustration map, Battle Of Cedar Glades, Civil War--Montgomery County

There wasn't a "battle" at Cedar Glades, but there was a terrible incident that took place there on March 1, 1864. Dyer classified this incident as a skirmish, though it appears to have been more of a raid against the families of members of the Union 4th Arkansas Cavalry, which recruited pretty heavily in the area --  The rolls of the 4th Arkansas Cavalry, U.S. Volunteers, list three men who were "killed in a skirmish near Cedar Glade on March 1st."
LITTLE ROCK, ARK., March 16, 1864.
Col. C. C. Andrews, Commanding Post.

SIR: The undersigned, citizens of Montgomery County, Ark., and members of Company L, Fourth Arkansas Cavalry, would respectfully urge the necessity of sending cavalry into our county for the relief of our families and friends. Deeds of cruelty and barbarity that would shame Indians are of daily occurrence. On the 1st instant the wife of Mr. James Dosier was shot through the shoulders, and her child (one year old) shot through the arms.

On the same day Dr. Brown, of Cedar Glades, was shot down, mortally wounded, and his brains then blown out. William Gray (citizen) was shot in a brutal and cowardly manner on same day. The plundering of houses, breaking and burning of cotton cards, wheels, &c., belonging to Union citizens is of common occurrence. The petitioners respectfully ask that a force of cavalry (say 100) be sent into the above county, forage, mills, &c., being abundant. It is suggested that as our company is not armed, guides be selected from it for the troops sent, should any be ordered.

Respectfully, yours, &c.,
OLIVER ADAIR, AND 85 OTHERS,
Citizens of Montgomery County.

Co. D 4th Arkansas Cavalry Regiment, USA

Martin, Thomas L. Pvt - Enl 11 Feb 1864 at Little Rock, AR. Age 39, ht 5ft 10in, farmer, born in Giles Co, TN. Deserted 22 Oct 1864 at Little Rock, AR. Returned 8 Nov 1864. Released from arrest and restored to duty without loss of pay 28 Feb 1865. Lost horse 1 March 1864 at Martins Mills, Montgomery Co, AR, captured by rebels. (Buried in National Cemetery, Ft Smith, AR.)

Edge, John Pvt - Enl 14 Jan 1864 at Cedar Glades, AR. Age 26, ht 5ft 7in, farmer, born in Madison Co, AL. Killed in action 1 March 1864 near Cedar Glades, AR.

Golden, Claiborne Pvt - Enl 2 Feb 1864 at Cedar Glades, AR. Age 18, ht 5ft 8in, farmer, born in Fulton Co, GA. Died 16 May 1864 of wounds received in action near Cedar Glades, AR 1 March 1864.

Ritter, John D. Pvt - Enl 14 Jan 1864 at Cedar Glades, AR. Age 38, ht 5ft 8in, farmer, born in Moore Co, NC. Killed in a skirmish near Cedar Glades, AR 1 March 1864.

Otago Witness, 18 April 1863, Page 7
A refugee from Arkansas states that three hundred jayhawkers, who defy the rebel conscript law are in the mountains of Clark county, while a thousand more were in Montgomery, openly defying the Rebels. They have been supplied with powder and lead by one of their number formerly engaged in the Rebel ordnance service.

Service: Duty at Little Rock, Arkansas, until June, 1865.
Skirmish on Saline River, Arkansas, February 15, 1864.
Cedar Glade, Arkansas, March 1, 1864.
Scout to Benton, Arkansas, March 27-31, 1864.
Mt. Elba, Arkansas, March 30, 1864.
Camden, Arkansas, April 15, 1864.
Dardanelle, Arkansas, May 15-17, 1864.
Operations in Arkansas against guerrillas, July 1-31, 1864.
Near Benton, Arkansas, July 6, 1864.
Montgomery County, Arkansas, July 11, 1864.
Caddo Gap, Arkansas, July 12, 1864.
Fair's Mills and Bayou des Arc, Arkansas, July 14, 1864.
Saline River, Arkansas, July 16, 1864.
Scout to Benton, Arkansas, September 6-7, 1864.
Reconnaissance toward Monticello and Mt. Elba, Arkansas, October 4-11, 1864.
Reconnaissance to Princeton, Arkansas, October 19-23, 1864.
Skirmish on Hurricane Creek, Arkansas, October 23, 1864.
Scout from DeValls Bluff to Searcy and Clinton, Arkansas, November 9-15, 1864.
Expedition from Little Rock to Fort Smith, Arkansas, September 25-October 13, 1864.
Skirmishes at Clarksville, Arkansas, September 28 and October 9, 1864.
White Oak Creek, Arkansas, September 29, 1864.
Scout from Little Rock to the Saline River, Arkansas, April 26-29, 1865.
Scout from Little Rock to Bayou Metoe and Little Bayou, Arkansas, May 6-11, 1865.
Mustered out, June 30, 1865.  Reference: CWSS

Gregg, Lafayette Colonel / Colonel
Moore, Horace L.  Lieutenant Colonel 
Hand,  George H. Capt. / Capt. See Ill. Cav.
Fryrear, Aaron B. Ass't Surgeon / Ass't Surgeon
Jordan, Charles T.  First Lieutenant /Regimental Quartermaster 

Reference: Index to compiled Service Records for Volunteer Union Soldiers of Arkansas. 
Microfilm M-383 Rolls 1,2, 3, & roll 4 M-383  T - Z . Clayton Library, Houston, TX. 

Rank on enrollment and discharge. 141 names. Co. D.

Abbot		Stephen	 		Pvt Pvt  Age 18, born in Tippah Co, MS. Co. D. 
Adair		Oliver*			Pvt Pvt	 Enl 26 Dec 1863 at Little Rock, AR. Age 26. Co D.
Ambler		William P		Pvt Pvt  Co. D.
Andrews		Porter I 		2Lt 1Lt (Andrus) Co. F, D & Co. B also see 36 Iowa Inf.
Baker		Nelson			2Lt 1Lt  Co. D & Co. I
Barentine	Alexander 		Pvt Pvt (Barintine) Co. D
Barentine	Eligah			Pvt Pvt (Barintine) Co. D
Barentine	George W  		Pvt Crp (Barintine)
Bates		Christopher C*		Pvt Pvt
Bates		James A			Pvt Pvt
Bentley		Francis M		Pvt Pvt
Beshears	Mathew   		Pvt Pvt (Brashears)
Biddie		James Henry* 		Pvt Crp (Biddy)	
Blakely		James H			Pvt Pvt (Blakley)	
Blakely		John J*			Pvt Pvt
Blocker		James W**		Pvt Pvt
Blocker		Mike M**		Pvt Crp
Bostick		Francis A		Pvt Pvt
Bostick		William B		2Lt 2Lt
Bradley		William R*		Pvt Pvt
Brady		Riply			Sgt Pvt
Brown		William*  		Pvt Pvt
Buntin		William 		Pvt Pvt (Bunton)
Burnett		Isaac	F		Pvt Pvt
Burnett		William T		Pvt Pvt
Burrow		Eli B			Pvt Sgt
Campbell	Jarret M		Pvt Pvt
Carley		Jesse			Pvt Pvt (Curley, Jessie)
Carpenter	George W		Pvt Crp	Co. B & Co. D
Carpenter	John			Pvt Pvt
Chapman		George R*		Pvt Crp
Chitwood	Ezekiel 		Pvt Pvt
Cranford	Wesley J 		Pvt Pvt	(original filed under Crawford, Wiley I)
Demmy		John P 			Crp Pvt (original filed under Denny)
Dowdy		Green			Pvt Pvt (Dowdy)(Dowdie)
Earnest		James T			Pvt Crp
Echols		Augustus		Pvt Pvt  Co. D, H & M
Echols		John A			Pvt ---
Edge		John* 			Pvt Pvt
Eldridge	David (or Daniels) F. H	Pvt Pvt
Epperson	Peyton M		Pvt ---
Farr		James H			Pvt ___
Fisher		Elisha			Pvt Pvt
Fisher		Joseph* (Josiah)	Pvt Pvt
Fisher		Nicholas		Pvt Pvt
Forrister	Scott			Pvt ___
Fulton		Winfred			Pvt Pvt
Fulton		Daniel			Pvt Pvt
Glidwell	Robert			Pvt Pvt	(original filed under Glidewell)
Godwin		Joseph			Pvt Pvt
Golden		Claiborne (Clayburn)	Pvt Pvt 	
Golden		Turner W		Pvt Sgt
Golden		William			Pvt Pvt
Graves		Allison (Alson)		Pvt Pvt
Graves		Gilliam			Pvt Pvt
Hall		Josiah D (Joseph)	Pvt Pvt	 Co D, F & G.
Hulsey		Benjamin F		Pvt Pvt (Halsey)
Haptenstall 	Joseph N		Pvt Pvt
Haskins		William W or N		Pvt Pvt
Harrall		Albert			Pvt Sgt Major  Co D, F & G (original filed under Harrell) also see 29 Ill and 3 ARK Cav.
Haukins		James			Pvt Pvt (original filed under Hawkins)
Haukins		Wright			Pvt Pvt	(original filed under Hawkins)
Herron		Carter			Pvt Pvt
Herron		Jonathan*		Pvt Pvt
Hughs		William A		Pvt Blacksmith  Co. D & F (Hews) 
Hibarger	Andrew J		Pvt Pvt (Hiberger)
Hill		John L			Pvt Pvt
Huddleston	David I			Pvt Pvt	(Huddelston)(Hudleston)
Irons		Jonathan*		Pvt Pvt
Irons		William*		Pvt Crp
Jackson		Thomas			Pvt Pvt
Johnson		Willis			Pvt Pvt
Kelley		Henry*			Pvt Pvt (original filed under Kelly)
Kenkrick	James J* 		Pvt Pvt (original filed under Kindrick)
Kensey		Benjamin*		Pvt Pvt	(original filed under Kinsey)
Kesiah		James H			Pvt Pvt	(Kesuah)
Kymes		Charles R		Pvt Com. Sgt
Lamb		Columbus		Pvt Pvt
Lamb		Franklin A		Pvt Pvt
Lamb		Reuben*			Pvt Pvt
Lewis		Barnett			Pvt Pvt
Martin		Nathaniel		Pvt Pvt
Martin		Thomas L		Pvt Pvt		
Mathews		William			Pvt Pvt (Mashews) (Matthis)	
McCoy	 	Thomas J		Pvt Pvt
McKinney	John			Pvt Bugler (McKenney)	
Miller		Jepitha			Pvt Crp
Miller		John A			Pvt Pvt
Mimms		Jaspher	(Wm J)		Pvt Pvt (Mims)
Mimms		Terril M (Newton)	Pvt Sgt (Mims)
Mirrill		John W		         	(Merrill)
Nelson		Samuel	H		Pvt Pvt
Newton		John			Pvt Sgt
Norton		Julius	H		Cpt Cpt
Parham		John*			Pvt Pvt
Pettijohn	George W		Pvt Pvt (original filed under Pettyjohn)
Phillips	John F*			Pvt Pvt
Phillips	Jacariah or Johannah*	Pvt Crp
Powers		John			Pvt Pvt
Priddy		John L or John D	Pvt Pvt
Quinn		Hugh			2Lt Capt Co. D & C see also 2 Kan. Cav.
Rolls		Thomas			Pvt Pvt (Ralls)(Rawls)
Ralph		James*			Pvt Crp
Rapley		Manson M 		Pvt Pvt (Ripley)
Reed		William D		Pvt Pvt
Ritter		Malcom S		Pvt Pvt	
Ritter		Thomas H		Pvt Com. Sergt. "Fauds"
Robbins		David			Pvt Pvt (Robin)
Sanders		Jesse			Pvt Pvt
Sanders		John M			Pvt Pvt
Shirly		James W			Pvt Pvt (Sherly)
Shipp		Emmerson*		Pvt Pvt
Smith		James A			Pvt Pvt
Smith		Ralph			Pvt Crp
Spears		John			Pvt Pvt (Spear)
Spears		Nathan M*		Pvt Pvt (Spear)(Mason Speer)
Spiva		Jonas B			1Lt 1Lt
Stapp		John D 			Pvt Pvt
Strand		John S			Pvt Pvt (original filed under Stroud)
Tidwell		John			Pvt Pvt
Tomelson	Hardy C			Pvt Sgt (Tumlinson)(Tumilson)(Tumbison)
Tucker		Joseph			Pvt Pvt 
Vanderslice	Jacob			Pvt Sgt (Vandershice)
Vanlash		Jacob 			Pvt Sgt
Vansickle	Miles W			Pvt Pvt (Vansickles)  
Vought		Benjamin B  		Pvt Pvt  
Vought		John B 			Pvt Pvt  
Wages		William T		Pvt Pvt
Wallace, Jr.	Drew A  		Pvt Pvt 
Wallace, Sr.	Drew A			Pvt Pvt 
Welliver	Nathaniel W 		1Lt Cpt
Wells		John J			Pvt Quartermaster Sergeant  
White		George W		Pvt
White		Jefferson C		Pvt Pvt  
Whitten		Thomas			2Lt 1Lt (Whitton) Co. D, I & F 
Williams	John 			Pvt Pvt  
Wilson		James D			Pvt Pvt  
Woolsey		William I		Pvt Pvt 
Wright		John D. 		Pvt Pvt 

* Twelve names names appear in the 1872 'List of Persons assessed for Taxation' in Mountain Township, Montgomery Co. AR.
*Seven of these men marched out of Mt Ida July 17th, 1861 Company F, 4th AR Infantry CSA.
*Six names, deserters, from Torbett's Co. Hardy's AR Inf. CSA.

Breashears, Mathew b. about 1824 in Lawrence Co. TN. He was the son of William A. Breashears and Annie Etheridge. He lived in the Cedar Glades, Montgomery Co. area, a farmer, and was married to Elizabeth Parker. There were eight children born to his marriage with Elizabeth Parker. Enlisted January 14, 1864, had a very short military life, died in Little Rock Hospital, Little Rock, AR March 20, 1865 while still in service of chronic diarrhea in 1865 according to his pension records. He is buried Sec. 1-428 Little Rock National Cemetery, under Brashears. His daughter Louisa Ellen married Abram F. Lamb of Montgomery Co. AR. There is a write up in Montgomery County : Our Heritage Vo1. 1 page 20 on him. Reference: A joint effort by Marjorie Southard and other Breashears genealogy buffs.

Edge, John b. in AL  at age 36, husky, blonde hair,  enlisted in US Army  4th AR Vol. Cavalry by Lt. Spiva  Jan. 14 1864. He received training and a brief furlough then joined his company for patrol duty between Benton and Murfreesboro.  Private Edge was killed in the Cedar Glades area almost within rifle shot of his farm when his company encountered a detachment of Confederates and was buried at Mt Pleasant Cemetery on Blakely Creek. His comrades in arms gave him a military funeral. Reference "They Can't Go Home" by Richter and Cline.

Blocker, Mike  * Enlisted 4 July 1862 at Cedar Glades, AR in Co H, 19th AR Infantry CSA. Joined Torbett's Company Hardy's AR Infantry Regiment CSA where he deserted 25April 1863 

Fulton, Winfrey (Winford)  b. in Walker Co. AL enlisted Jan 16 1864 at age 18 in Cedar Glades, Montgomery Co. AR. He was a private and died 14 Sept. Buried in the National Cemetery in Little Rock. Sec 7 grave 4625 in Little Rock. 

Graves, Gilliam b. 1819 Randolph Co. NC. 5'10" tall. Joined the Union Army on 14 Jan., 1864 at Cedar Glades. His daughter Elizabeth 'Betsey" Graves m. George Blocker Jr. 1857. George Blocker Jr. b. Nov 9 1834, a Union recruiting officer, returned home for a visit December 1863 about this time as did his half brother William "Bill" Gray who was in the Southern Army. George was making a pair of shoes and Bill was in the yard when a group of Jayhawkers approached. They tried to run to the woods to stand them off and draw gunfire away from the family but George was hit in the leg and Bill came to his aid and was shot. George grabbed his sword and was killed and his body thrown in the creek after the Jayhawkers took the boots. The brothers, one in blue and the other in gray were placed in a double walnut casket built by a neighbor and buried in the Mt Pleasant Cemetery by George's wife, children and neighbors who witnessed the event. Aaron Gray fought for the south until he deserted 25 April 1863 and then fought for the North and Moses, his twin brother, fought for the South.  Reference "They Can't Go Home" by Richter and Cline.  Gilliam died 1876 and was buried at Mt Pleasant Cemetery. The graves at this cemetery were relocated to Mountain Valley Cemetery Garland Co. AR in the 1952. Jayhawkers hung Moses Gray SR about 1863 on Blakely Creek..

Quinn, Hugh  Cpl Co C., 4th AR Cav, USA  d.  12 Jul 1866    Sec 2, grave 787, National Cemetery, Little Rock, AR [Quin  buried BURIED AT: SECTION 12  SITE 5791 d. 16 June 1864]

Shirley, James Wright was b. June 10 1840 AL, arrived in Montgomery Co. with his parents by wagon train and settled on the southside of the Ouachita River, Huddleston area, at Shirley Creek. After the war he returned to the family farm and 2m. to Mary Jane "Polly" Fryar of Oden in 1867. He made and played fiddles as a hobby. Buried in the abandoned Shirley Cemetery in Dec 2 1911 beside his father and wife. Obtained a pension.

Spears, Mason joined the Union Army on 14 January 1864, serving in the 4th Arkansas Calvary Volunteers, under Col. Lafayette Gregg.  He mustered out with his regiment 30 June 1865.  Mason was born in 1843, at Cedar Glades, Arkansas, the fifth of seven children born to John Spears (1811-1871) and Elizabeth Mason (1811- 1857).  Mason died there in June of 1888, six weeks before the birth of his youngest child, Tennie. Mason married Margaret Ann Phillips, 22 July 1860.  Margaret was the daughter of Zachariah H. Phillips ( 1807-1870) and his wife Mary Pyland (1807-1850).

Spiva, Jonas B. enlisted in Co. G, Williamson's Battalion AR Infantry, at Dardanelle, AR, Feb. 28, 1862 as a private; age 49; transferred to Co. K, 31st AR Infantry, May 25, 1862; discharged for disability, November 7, 1862; enlisted in Co. D, 4th Arkansas (Union) Cavalry, at Little Rock, Arkansas, February 19, 1864; appointed first lieutenant, survived the war and collected pension. He was in his father's will, Elisha Spiva, MO in 1865 as living in AR. He filed for a homestead in Hot Springs, AR in 1882. Jonas died Dec 18, 1903 in Garland Co., AR. 

Wright, John D. b. 1845 in SC. Served in the Civil War, enlisted in Little Rock. Private, Union Co. D, 4th Regiment, Arkansas Cavalry. Per Declaration for Invalid Pension, dated Feb 21, 1891, John was living in Florence, Williamson County, Texas, when he filed for the pension. Shown as 49 years old at this time. Declaration for Pension, dated June 8, 1912, shows he is living in Carlton, Hamilton County, Texas. John D. married Mary Elizabeth Robinson. He and his family were living in Cedar Glades.  Information courtesy of Lyrita. Posted 25 August 2001

National Parks Service Civil War Soldiers Includes the history of the unit and the entire roster.

Desmond W. Allen has published a book 'Fourth Arkansas Union Cavalry'  published 1987 includes the regimental history, rank in and out, date and place of enlistment, age at enlistment, birthplace, and date and place of death (if in service). Index Names of the soldiers who served in the Fourth Arkansas Union Cavalry.

Co. L 4th Arkansas Cavalry Regiment, USA
Billingslia, Samuel A. Pvt - Enl 14 Feb 1864 at Little Rock. Age 25, born in Montgomery Co, AR.
Nicholas, Samuel Pvt - Enl 4 Jun 1864 at DeValls Bluff, AR. Age 18, ht 5ft 10in, farmer, born in Montgomery Co, AR.
Parker, John W. Pvt- Enl 20 Jan 1864 at Little Rock. Age 23, ht 5ft 8in, farmer, born in Montgomery Co, AR. Transferred to 2d MO Arty 29 May 1864.

Company D 4th Arkansas Cavalry Regiment, USA
79 men enrolled at Cedar Glades. Eight of these men were born in Montgomery Co. AR.

  Sometimes it is difficult to pinpoint which company an ancestors served during the Civil War due to the multiple occurrences of the name, the variations of surname spelling and use of initials. Instead of relying only upon a man's name try to identify him try by finding his neighbors in 1860 census and then find them in the appropriate index to compiled service records. Men generally enlisted in groups from geographic regions. All of the men will not appear in one military group, but a pattern should appear. Or maybe he rode across State boundaries and joined a company from "back home."