“Quitman Sharpshooters”
This company, the “Quitman Sharpshooters”,
was organized at Quitman, Arkansas, on October 30, 1861, Captain Jesse
E. Martin commanding. When McCray’s Battalion was organized on January
25, 1862, the Quitman Sharpshooters was assigned as Company B. The
company retained this designation when McCray’s Battalion was reorganized
as the 31st Arkansas Infantry on May 27, 1862. A total of 85 men
are known to have served with Company B. Nearly a third of them died
of disease during the war; and only three of them were still with the colors
at the surrender in April 1865. One member, Sergeant J. Greene Read,
was posthumously awarded the Confederate equivalent of the Medal of Honor
for his heroism at the Battle of Chickamauga.
Alexander, J C
Third Sergeant—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas,
December 21, 1861; age 22; elected second lieutenant, May 27, 1862; absent
on detached service in Arkansas since August 26, 1862; promoted first lieutenant,
February 19, 1863; failed to report, dropped from the rolls, June 11, 1863.
Bartlett, Martin V
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, April
3, 1862; age 18; died of disease, March 29, 1863.
Bean, Jesse
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, April
3, 1862; age 21; appointed fourth corporal, August 4, 1862; promoted third
corporal, November 1, 1862; promoted second corporal, February 10, 1863;
deserted, August 7, 1863.
Blackwood, George W
First Sergeant—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas,
December 25, 1861; age 24; died of disease, July 18, 1862.
Bradford, Thomas
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, December
27, 1861; age 17; died of disease, August 10, 1862.
Brown, Alexander
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, March
8, 1862; age 16; absent sick since June 1862; dropped from the rolls, February
29, 1864.
Brown, N E
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, February
27, 1862; age 22; died of disease, August 10, 1862.
Brown, William H
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, December
27, 1861; age 19; deserted, August 7, 1863; took oath of allegiance at
Little Rock, Arkansas, February 11, 1865.
Cargile, J L
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, March
3, 1862; age 31; absent sick since April 18, 1863; present, August 31,
1863; killed in action near Atlanta, Georgia, July 28, 1864.
Chamberlain, Berry
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, October
30, 1861; age 28; appointed second corporal, May 27, 1862; promoted first
corporal, November 1, 1862; reduced to private, February 10, 1863; absent
on detached duty since January 29, 1864; returned from detail, February
6, 1864; transferred to Co. G, 1st Arkansas Mounted Rifles, April 9, 1865;
surrendered at Greensboro, North Carolina, April 26, 1862.
Chance, John
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, February
20, 1862; age 20; present through February 29, 1864; absent sick, August
31, 1864.
Clayton, Elias L
Fourth Sergeant—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas,
October 30, 1861; age 25; promoted second sergeant, August 31, 1862; promoted
first sergeant, October 28, 1862; deserted, August 30, 1863; enlisted in
Co. E, 8th Arkansas Cavalry, in Conway county, Arkansas, January 15, 1864;
appointed sergeant.
Crouch, Thomas
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, January
16, 1862; age 19; absent sick since June 1862; dropped from the rolls,
February 29, 1864.
Daugherty, Davis G
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, December
21, 1861; age 23; appointed sergeant-major; elected captain, May 27, 1862;
elected major, February 10, 1863; illegally elected, reduced to captain;
resigned, August 31, 1863.
Dickerson, James
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, December
20, 1861; age 17; died of disease, August 15, 1862.
Dickerson, L D
Third Sergeant—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas,
December 27, 1861; age 28; died of disease, May 27, 1862.
Dodd, Asa
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, October
30, 1861; age 16; left sick in Arkansas, April 15, 1862; dropped from the
rolls.
Duncan, King M
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, December
25, 1861; age 20; present through August 31, 1863; transferred to Co. G,
1st Arkansas Mounted Rifles, April 9, 1865; surrendered at Greensboro,
North Carolina, April 26, 1862.
Dungan, George W
First Lieutenant—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas,
October 30, 1861; age 33; appointed adjutant; not reelected at the reorganization
and discharged, May 27, 1862.
Eason, Joseph
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, November
9, 1861; age 20; left sick in Arkansas, April 15, 1862; dropped from the
rolls.
Eason, William
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, November
9, 1861; age 27; wounded at Richmond, Kentucky, August 30, 1862; died at
Richmond, Kentucky, October 10, 1862.
Edwards, Thomas
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, March
1, 1862; age 28; left sick in Arkansas, April 15, 1862; dropped from the
rolls; enlisted in Co. L, 8th Arkansas Cavalry, in Van Buren county, Arkansas,
December 15, 1862; wounded at Fourche Bayou, Arkansas, September 10, 1863;
deserted near Benton, Arkansas, September 19, 1863.
Emery, P L
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, December
22, 1861; age 22; died of disease, May 25, 1862.
Folks, John S
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, December
27, 1861; age 18; absent on furlough for thirty days since August 5, 1864.
Folks, William M
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, February
23, 1862; age 21; appointed sergeant; absent sick in hospital, August 31,
1864.
Gadberry, W J
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, January
4, 1862; age 18; died of disease, May 22, 1862.
Goff, Marion
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, December
25, 1861; age 20; died of disease, May 21, 1862.
Gray, Alfred W
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, December
25, 1861; age 37; appointed third corporal, May 27, 1862; promoted second
corporal, November 1, 1862; promoted first corporal, February 10, 1863;
in arrest, June 30, 1863; present, August 31, 1863; killed in action at
Chickamauga, Georgia, September 20, 1863.
Grisham, William M
First Corporal—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas,
October 30, 1861; age 23; promoted fourth sergeant, November 1, 1862; died
of disease, May 18, 1863.
Grimes, William F
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, January
2, 1862; age 17; wounded at Richmond, Kentucky, August 30, 1862; captured
at Richmond, Kentucky, October 30, 1862; sent to Louisville, Kentucky;
exchanged at Vicksburg, Mississippi, November 29, 1862; absent sick in
hospital, October 31, 1863; absent without leave since February 2, 1864;
reported in Ocmulgee Hospital, Macon, Georgia, with gunshot wound in right
leg, November 9, 1864; paroled at Monroe, Louisiana, June 14, 1865.
Hall, J J
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, February
1, 1862; age 25; detailed as teamster, July 1863; absent on detached duty
at government shoe shop since August 4, 1863; absent on detached duty in
quartermaster department at Columbus, Georgia, since April 21, 1864.
Hamby, Joel J
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, February
16, 1862; age 28; appointed chaplain; discharged for disability at Corinth,
Mississippi, April 4, 1862.
Hembree, W W
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, January
16, 1862; age 24; died of disease, August 10, 1862.
Henley, Joshua Lewis
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, October
30, 1861; age 26; detailed in Douglas’ Texas Battery since August 1, 1862;
returned from detail, October 31, 1862; deserted, July 17, 1863; enlisted
in Co. I, 3rd Arkansas (Union) Cavalry, at Lewisburg, Arkansas, July 4,
1863.
Hensley, William J
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, January
20, 1862; age 20; absent on sick furlough to Arkansas since November 8,
1862; absent without leave since April 8, 1863; dropped from the rolls,
April 30, 1863;.
Hodges, John W
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, December
30, 1861; age 27; appointed first sergeant, July 31, 1862; detailed as
teamster, October 30, 1862; reduced to private, November 1, 1862; deserted,
August 30, 1863; reportedly died in 1865.
Holsonback, James H
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, December
30, 1861; age 17; died of disease, August 10, 1862.
Holsonback, John R
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, December
30, 1861; age 19; died of disease, May 1, 1862.
Hooten, Reuben W
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, December
30, 1861; age 17; present through August 31, 1864; captured near Nashville,
Tennessee, December 16, 1864; sent to Camp Douglas, Illinois, December
24, 1864; enlisted in 5th U.S. Volunteer Infantry, April 15, 1865.
Hopson, George W
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, January
2, 1862; age 24; left sick and reported deserted in Kentucky, October 20,
1862; captured and exchanged at Vicksburg, Mississippi, November 15, 1862.
Huie, Thomas C
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, January
29, 1862; age 22; appointed first sergeant; discharged at Georgetown, Kentucky,
October 10, 1862; enlisted in Co. K, 8th Arkansas Cavalry, at Clinton,
Arkansas, March 4, 1863; discharged.
Hulsey, Bruce
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, February
20, 1862; age 19; discharged for disability at Loudon, Tennessee, October
12, 1862; enlisted in Co. A, 8th Arkansas Cavalry, at Clinton, Arkansas;
paroled at Jacksonport, Arkansas, June 5, 1865.
Hunt, Thomas B
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, December
27, 1861; age 17; appointed fourth corporal, February 10, 1863; absent
sick since May 20, 1863; died of disease, July 8, 1863.
Jackson, J H
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, January
2, 1862; age 18; absent sick, April 30, 1863; absent detailed on provost
guard at Rome, Georgia, August 30, 1863; absent sick since December 2,
1863; absent sick, August 31, 1864.
Johnson, James F
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, December
25, 1861; age 25; appointed captain, January 2, 1862; elected lieutenant-colonel,
April 16, 1862; election declared illegal; promoted lieutenant-colonel,
May 27, 1862; absent on detached service in Arkansas since November 17,
1862; absent without leave since January 18, 1863; relieved by consolidation,
October 25, 1863.
Johnson, P B
Third Corporal—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas,
October 30, 1861; age 35; died of disease, May 10, 1862.
Jordan, William M
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, January
2, 1862; age 21; detailed in 1st Arkansas Light Artillery since November
11, 1862; deserted and took oath of allegiance at Chattanooga, Tennessee,
October 28, 1864.
King, David R
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, November
11, 1861; age 23; left sick in Arkansas, April 15, 1862; dropped from the
rolls.
Lambert, William L
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, November
3, 1861; age 24; left sick in Kentucky, October 10, 1862; absent without
leave in Arkansas, February 28, 1863; dropped from the rolls; paroled at
Wittsburg, Arkansas, May 25, 1865.
Lawler, James T
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, February
16, 1862; age 28; appointed first sergeant, June 15, 1862; appointed second
lieutenant, July 14, 1862; absent on detached service since November 17,
1862; absent without leave since January 13, 1863; dropped from the rolls,
April 6, 1863; enlisted in Co. L, 8th Arkansas Cavalry; appointed second
lieutenant; promoted first lieutenant.
Lay, David Hardin
Third Lieutenant—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas,
October 30, 1861; age 24; elected first lieutenant, May 27, 1862; promoted
captain, February 19, 1863; absent on detached service since August 26,
1863; paroled at Jacksonport, Arkansas, June 5, 1865.
Lay, John Martin
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, December
21, 1861; age 19; appointed quartermaster-sergeant; discharged for disabililty,
July 30, 1862; enlisted in Co. E, 8th Arkansas Cavalry, in Conway county,
Arkansas, March 1, 1863; elected captain, Co. I, 47th Arkansas Mounted
Infantry, in Van Buren county, Arkansas, 1863; paroled at Jacksonport,
Arkansas, June 5, 1865.
Lee, John
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, March
9, 1862; age 23; died of disease, July 29, 1862.
Linn, Francis K
Second Lieutenant—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas,
October 30, 1861; age 37; not reelected and discharged, May 27, 1862.
Loving, William
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, December
25, 1861; age 18; absent sick in hospital, August 31, 1862; discharged
for disability, October 12, 1862.
McClachey, Isaac
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, January
22, 1862; age 25; discharged, March 1, 1862.
McNutt, James R
Third Lieutenant—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas,
October 30, 1861; age 33; left sick in Arkansas, April 15, 1862; dropped
from the rolls.
McNutt, William P
Fourth Corporal—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas,
October 30, 1861; age 18; left sick in Arknasas, April 15, 1862; dropped
from the rolls; enlisted in Co. E, 8th Arkansas Cavalry, in Conway county,
Arkansas, January 15, 1864.
Martin, J E
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, October
30, 1861; age 23; discharged, December 21, 1861; enlisted in Co. A, 8th
Arkansas Cavalry, at Clinton, Arkansas, June 24, 1862; appointed sergeant;
deserted on the retreat from Little Rock, Arkansas, September 12, 1863.
Martin, Jesse E
Captain—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, October
30, 1861; absent sick since June 4, 1862.
Neal, James R
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, October
30, 1861; age 22; left sick in Arkansas, April 15, 1862; dropped from the
rolls.
Null, John J
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, January
19, 1862; age 17; died of disease, May 17, 1863.
Null, William N
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, January
19, 1862; age 17; absent sick in hospital since October 26, 1862; dropped
from the rolls.
Odom, John J
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, Marach
10, 1862; age 20; deserted in Kentucky, October 20, 1862; enlisted in Co.
F, 8th Arkansas Cavalry, in Independence county, Arkansas, March 15, 1863;
deserted on the road from Little Rock to Rockport, Arkansas, September
10, 1863.
Payne, J K
Private—Enlisted at Rome, Georgia, March 6,
1864; received clothing issue, September 30, 1864.
Payne, Samuel E
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, December
27, 1861; age 25; appointed second sergeant; absent with leave since December
28, 1863; sent to hospital, July 28, 1864; declared unfit for field service,
October 2, 1864.
Pearson, B T
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, December
27, 1861; age 27; dropped from the rolls for desertion, August 31, 1863.
Pearson, John D
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, January
14, 1862; age 17; absent sick since June 1, 1862; dropped from the rolls.
Phy, Bennett
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, December
30, 1861; age 22; died of disease, May 5, 1862.
Pruett, Lafayette
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, December
30, 1861; age 21; died of disease, June 1, 1862.
Pruett, Stephen
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, December
27, 1861; age 24; absent sick in hospital since April 1, 1862; died of
disease in June 1862.
Ray, John S
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, November
9, 1861; age 17; deserted, August 7, 1863; captured at Brownsville, Arkansas,
August 28, 1863; died of disease in Gratiot Street Prison Hospital, St.
Louis, Missouri, March 16, 1864.
Read, J Greene Medalof
Honor
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, February
5, 1862; age 34; appointed fourth sergeant, August 31, 1862; promoted third
sergeant; killed in action at Chickamauga, Georgia, September 20, 1863;
Medal of Honor for Battle of Chickamauga.
Reed, Henry
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, November
8, 1861; age 38; absent sick since April 1, 1863; present, February 29,
1864; took oath of allegiance at Chattanooga, Tennessee, October 25, 1864.
Ritter, James S
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, January
2, 1862; age 23; discharged at Loudon, Tennessee, October 20, 1862.
Scarlett, Austin E
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, March
12, 1862; age 17; left sick in Arkansas, April 15, 1862; dropped from the
rolls, presumed dead, August 31, 1862.
Shelton, James
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, November
8, 1861; age 17; died of disease, October 12, 1862.
Sowell, George W
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, January
6, 1862; age 17; absent sick in hospital since May 10, 1862; dropped from
the rolls.
Stewart, Samuel
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, November
9, 1861; age 30; absent sick since May 1863; captured and paroled at Yazoo
City, Mississippi, July 13, 1863; reportedly died.
Thompson, Martin Van Buren
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, December
30, 1861; age 17; killed in fall from horse, December 28, 1861.
Walley, Harrison
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, November
8, 1861; age 17; deserted, August 7, 1863; captured at Brownsville, Arkansas,
August 28, 1863; sent to Fort Delaware; died in prison, April 28, 1864.
Watson, James
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, January
16, 1862; age 19; absent sick in hospital since April 10, 1862; dropped
from the rolls.
Winfrey, George W
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, December
30, 1861; age 21; appointed fourth corporal, November 1, 1862; reduced
to private, February 10, 1863; deserted, August 7, 1863.
Wortham, James P
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, February
24, 1862; age 22; appointed fourth sergeant, April 12, 1862; reduced to
private, October 30, 1862; present through August 31, 1864; transferred
to Co. G, 1st Arkansas Mounted Rifles, April 9, 1865; surrendered at Greensboro,
North Carolina, April 26, 1862.
Wortham, William E
Private—Enlisted at Quitman, Arkansas, December
28, 1861; age 22; present through August 31, 1863; absent sick, October
31, 1863.
© 2001 by EDWARD G. GERDES all rights reserved. This information may be used by libraries and genealogical societies, however, commercial use of this information is strictly prohibited without prior permission. If copied, this copyright notice must appear with the information. This page is not associated with USGenweb or Rootsweb and the information on these pages is not to be used or copied by them.
If you have any questions or comments or if you would like to have more information about the Civil War and Pension Records of the men who served in these Companies, contact Jeri Helms Fultz or Bryan Howerton.
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