Dallas Artillery (Hart’s Battery)
Second Arkansas Field Battery
 
 
 

The Dallas Artillery was organized at Dallas, Polk County, Arkansas, in the late Spring of 1861, and enlisted in Confederate service at Fayetteville on August 1, 1861, with 75 officers and men on the rolls.  The original officers included Captain William Hart, First Lieutenant J. W. Thomas, and Second Lieutenant Charles Ringer.  The battery was equipped with four 6-pounder guns.  No muster rolls for this first organization have been discovered.  From other records, it is known that Hart’s Battery served in northwest Arkansas and the Indian Territory in the Second Brigade of McCulloch’s Division during the winter of 1861-1862.  It was still assigned to the Second Brigade when it fought in the Battle of Pea Ridge (Elkhorn Tavern) in Benton County, Arkansas, March 7-8, 1862.  The Yankees captured two of the battery’s guns, along with its colors.  For reasons that are still unclear, the general commanding the Trans-Mississippi District issued General Orders No. 10, dated March 22, 1862, which censured several members of Hart’s Battery, and disbanded the battery “for shameful conduct in the presence of the enemy.”

Over the next few months, a court of inquiry was convened, which resulted in the following action:

“HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE WEST, Priceville, July 17, 1862.  General Orders No. 15.  It having been satisfactorily proven to a court of inquiry, convened for the purpose of investigating the conduct of certain men, formerly members of the artillery company known as Hart’s Battery, at the battle of Elkhorn, that those men were guilty of no misconduct on the battle-field, it is hereby ordered that they, viz, Charles E. Steele, M. M. Tice, W. D. Moore, John Kennedy, B. L. Allen, William Masterson, N. B. Milton, and James Pitkins, be, and they are hereby, relieved from the censure contained in General Orders No. 10, dated Headquarters Trans-Mississippi District, Van Buren, Ark., March 22, 1862, disbanding Hart’s Battery Light Artillery ‘for shameful conduct in the presence of the enemy’.  By order of Major-General Price:  THOMAS L. SNEAD, Assistant Adjutant-General.”

With the censure lifted, at least officially, Hart’s Battery was reconstituted on August 1, 1862, at Camp White Sulphur Springs, Arkansas.  Few of the members of the original Dallas Artillery rejoined the second organization.  The battery was augmented with a large number of unassigned recruits from depots at Monticello and Little Rock, and transfers from several Arkansas regiments, especially the 24th Arkansas Infantry.

Hart’s star-crossed battery reorganized just in time to be part of another disaster.  Assigned to Colonel Robert R. Garland’s Texas Brigade at Fort Hindman (Arkansas Post), with 83 officers and men and four guns, the battery was captured with the rest of the garrison when Confederate forces surrendered on January 11, 1863.  The surrender is still a subject of controversy today, and the Arkansas Post troops were forced to live under a cloud of suspicion; however, from all accounts, Hart’s Battery served their guns professionally and courageously during the siege.

After being exchanged in April 1863, Hart’s Battery was again reconstituted, and spent the remainder of the war in the Trans-Mississippi Army.  There are few references to Hart’s Battery during the last year of the war.  A report of the organization of the army on September 30, 1864, shows Hart’s Battery in the army siege train, manning large siege guns, presumably around Alexandria, Louisiana.  On November 19, 1864, Hart’s Battery was redesignated as the Second Arkansas Field Battery.  At this time, it was assigned to the reserve artillery battalion, equipped with four mounted guns.  No later reference has been found, nor has any record of the paroles of the men of Hart’s Battery been located.

Note:  The records of Hart’s Dallas (Arkansas) Artillery are sometimes confused with those of Good’s Dallas (Texas) Light Artillery.

The following roster is from the second organization of Hart’s Battery. (Rank shown is that at time of enlistment or transfer.)
 

Adams, David—Private.  Enlisted at Monticello, August 1, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Adams, M V—Private.  Enlisted at Little Rock, June 20, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Akins, William H—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Bailey, Charles W—Private.  Enlisted at Helena, June 2, 1862.

Baker, Benjamin—Private.  Enlisted at Napoleon, August 23, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Baker, Jonathan M—First Corporal.  Enlisted at Helena, June 2, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Bissell, Thomas—Private.  Enlisted at Napoleon, August 23, 1862.

Brewer, F M—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Brumley, Joshua—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Bussey, Henry—Second Sergeant.  Enlisted at Little Roc, June 2, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Capps, Allen D—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862.

Churchill, J J—Private.  Enlisted at Little Rock, July 23, 1862.

Cooley, A J—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Cooley, Isaac McDaniel—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862.

Cooper, Sylvester—Private.  Enlisted at Little Rock, August 5, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Current, W C—Private.  Enlisted at Napoleon, August 1, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Davis, Joseph Oliver—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Dean, Lewis C—Teamster.  Employed as civilian teamster; captured at Arkansas Post.

Dennis, Abijah J—Private.  Enlisted at Monticello, August 1, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Depriest, Henry—Private.  Enlisted at Helena, June 2, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Deputy, William J—Private.  Transferred from 21st Arkansas Infantry.

DeRossett, Albert—Private.  Enlisted at White Sulphur Springs, September 29, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Dorgan, Cornelius—Private.  Enlisted at Little Rock, June 11, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Douglas, James S—Private.  Enlisted in 1864.

Dowell, Benjamin F—Private.  Enlisted at Monticello, August 1, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Drake, William—Private.  Enlisted in Desha county, August 18, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

DuBose, Edwin A—Third Lieutenant.  Enlisted at White Sulphur Springs, August 15, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Durkoff, H—Private.  Enlisted at Monticello, August 1, 1862.

Echols, J M—Private.  Enlisted at Monticello, August 1, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Evans, J M—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862.

Evans, Wilson Rufus—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Fanning, Joseph A—Private.  Enlisted in 1864.

Ford, William W—Private.  Enlisted in Desha County, August 1, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Foster, J G—Sixth Sergeant.  Enlisted at Helena, June 2, 1862.

French, Benjamin F—Private.  Enlisted at Brownsville, June 14, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Gallagher, Daniel—Fourth Corporal.  Enlisted at Little Rock, June 16, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Gamble, Stephen T—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Garrett, Oliver S—Private.  Enlisted at Arkadelphia, June 18, 1862.

Garrison, M Z—Private.  Enlisted at Little Rock, August 5, 1862.

George, J D—Private.  Transferred from 19th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

George, Nelson—Bugler.  Transferred from 21st Arkansas Infantry, August 5, 1862.

Gilbert, Henry—Private.  Enlisted in 1864.

Glenn, R W—Artificer.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 15, 1862.

Gould, A J—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862.

Granelli, Frank—Private.  Enlisted at Helena, June 6, 1862.

Grant, J H—Private.  Enlisted at Little Rock in 1862.

Griffith, J J—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862.

Grye, M —Private.  Enlisted at Helena, June 2, 1862.

Guess, Elijah B—Private.  Enlisted in 1864.

Hall, John—Fourth Sergeant.  Enlisted at Devall’s Bluff, July 7, 1862.

Harlow, Belmer—Private.  Enlisted at Little Rock, July 18, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Harris, Benjamin S—Private.  Transferred from 14th Arkansas Infantry, August 15, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Harris, Jacob O—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862.

Harris, T H—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862.

Hart, William—Captain.  Enlisted at Fayetteville, August 1, 1861; captured at Arkansas Post.

Harwell, Alfred W—Private.  Enlisted in Desha County, August 1, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Hill, Daniel W—Private.  Enlisted at Little Rock, June 1862.

Hill, John M —Private.  Transferred from 4th Arkansas Infantry, August 15, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Hoagland, Abe—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862.

Hoagland, James—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862.

Hoagland, Martin Van Buren—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862.

Hodges, J H—Private.  Enlisted at Little Rock, August 5, 1862.

Hogue, James R—Private.  Enlisted at White Sulphur Springs, September 20, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Holderby, Francis Marion—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, September 29, 1862.

Holland, Thomas W—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Hudson, Gibson—Private.  Transferred from 14th Arkansas Infantry, August 15, 1862.

Hughes, Redman—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Hutchings, Hickman—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862.

Irvin, James E—Private.  Transferred from 14th Arkansas Infantry, August 15, 1862.

Jackson, F M—Third Corporal.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862.

Johnson, George W—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Kizzia, Nathan—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862.

Lessenberry, George W—Farrier.  Transferred from 18th Arkansas Infantry, August 15, 1862.

Ligon, J M—Private.  Enlisted in 1862.

Loun, Charles—Private.  Enlisted in 1862.

McClelland, J T—Private.  Enlisted in 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

McClendon, Robert A—Private.  Transferred from 19th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862.

McClung, Warren—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 24, 1862.

McDonald, Henry—Third Sergeant.  Enlisted at Little Rock, June 14, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

McGinnis, J—Private.  Enlisted at Little Rock, June 14, 1862.

McIntosh, G W—Second Lieutenant.  Enlisted June 15, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

McLendon, Frank—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Milton, N B—Private.  Enlisted at White Sulphur Springs, August 15, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Moffitt, J—Private.  Enlisted at Monticello, August 1, 1862.

Morehead, William T—Private.  Enlisted at Arkadelphia, June 7, 1862.

Morgan, A S—Private.  Enlisted at Monticello, August 1, 1862.

Morris, N S P—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862.

Murphy, William—Private.  Enlisted at Little Rock, June 14, 1862.

Myers, William—Private.  Enlisted at Helena, June 2, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Nolan, James—Second Corporal.  Enlisted at Monticello, June 27, 1862; captured at Arkanas Post.

O’Connell, Daniel Lysette—First Lieutenant.  Enlisted at Little Rock, August 1, 1862.

Orr, John—Private.  Enlisted at Helena, June 2, 1862.

Parkham, J—Private.  Enlisted at Little Rock, August 5, 1862.

Patrick, John Osborn—Private.  Enlisted at Monticello, August 1, 1862.

Patterson, Arthur J—Private.  Enlisted at Helena, June 2, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Pitts, Gustavus G—Private.  Enlisted at Little Rock, August 5, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Pitts, J C —Private.  Enlisted at Little Rock, August 5, 1862.

Pool, Reuben H—Private.  Enlisted at Little Rock, August 5, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Porter, M H—Private.  Enlisted at Little Rock, July 23, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Pullen, H—Private.  Enlisted at Monticello, August 1, 1862.

Pursley, James M—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry; captured at Arkansas Post.

Quimby, Edwin J—Private.  Enlisted in 1864.

Rickard, D B—Private.  Enlisted at Monticello, August 1, 1862.

Rickard, J Garrett—Private.  Enlisted at Monticello, August 1, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Riggs, John L—Private.  Enlisted at Little Rock, August 5, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Riggs, Thomas—Private.  Enlisted at Little Rock, August 5, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Rinkle, John—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Robertson, Henry—Private.  Transferred from 14th Arkansas Infantry, August 15, 1862.

Robertson, Samuel—Private.  Transferred from 14th Arkansas Infantry, August 15, 1862.

Robinson, Andrew—Private.  Enlisted in 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Sanford, J H—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862.

Scott, M S—Private.  Transferred from 25th Arkansas Infantry, August 15, 1862.

Scrimshire, Andrew J—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Sharman, John T—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862.

Sharman, W H—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Shepard, Edward—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Shoemaker, Ambrose M—Private.  Enlisted at Napoleon, August 1, 1862.

Shoemaker, James J—Private.  Enlisted at Napoleon, August 1, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Sides, H —Private.  Enlisted at Helena, June 2, 1862.

Sisk, D W—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862.

Smith, J R—Private.  Transferred from 4th Missouri Cavalry, August 15, 1862.

Smith, Thomas O—Private.  Transferred from 33rd Arkansas Infantry, August 20, 1862.

Snyder, David—Private.  Transferred from Rawling’s Battalion, August 15, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Stanley, Philip—Private.  Enlisted at Monticello, August 1, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Stevens, Charles A—First Sergeant.  Enlisted at Little Rock, June 16, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Stevens, Eli A—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18,1862.

Stewart, Thomas P—Private.  Transferred from 33rd Arkansas Infantry, August 20, 1862.

Teppet, W H—Private.  Enlisted in 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Thomas, John—Private.  Enlisted at Little Rock, June 20, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Tiller, William T—Ordnance Sergeant.  Enlisted at Little Rock, June 21, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Tucker, Alexander—Private.  Enlisted at Napoleon, July 23, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Tucker, William—Private.  Enlisted at Napoleon, July 23, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Turner, O—Private.  Enlisted at White Sulphur Springs, August 1, 1862.

Tyree, Stephen J—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Walker, G—Private.  Enlisted at Monticello, August 1, 1862.

Wallace, B—Artificer.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862.

Wallace, C—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Wallace, Silas—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Wells, M N—Private.  Enlisted at Monticello, June 20, 1862.

Wells, William—Private.  Enlisted at Monticello, July 23, 1862.

White, Daniel—Private.  Enlisted in 1862.

White, Hubert—Private.  Enlisted in 1862.

White, Simon—Private.  Enlisted in 1862.

Whitely, William—Private.  Enlisted in 1864.

Wilkinson, William L—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Williams, Elijah—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862.

Williams, J—Private.  Transferred from 24th Arkansas Infantry, August 18, 1862.

Williams, N—Private.  Enlisted at Monticello, August 1, 1862.

Williams, William H—Private.  Transferred from 33rd Arkansas Infantry, August 20, 1862.

Williford, Reuben S—Private.  Enlisted in 1862; captured at Arkansas Post.

Wilson, John L—Private.  Transferred from 33rd Arkansas Infantry, August 20, 1862.

Wilson, Thomas P—Private.  Transferred from 33rd Arkansas Infantry, August 20, 1862.

Woodall, Charles J—Private.  Enlisted in 1864.

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