12th Arkansas Infantry Battalion
Encyclopedia
The 12th Arkansas Infantry Battalion (1862-1865) was a Confederate Army infantry
battalion
during the American Civil War
. The unit was most often known as “Rapley’s Sharpshooters.”
, commanding the Confederate Army of the West
at Priceville, Mississippi, issued General Orders, No. 39, calling for the organization of a battalion of sharpshooters in each brigade of the army. “These Battalions will be made up of chosen men, all of whom must be able-bodied, active and good rifle shots and of tried courage. . . All of the officers of the Battalion will be carefully selected and thoroughly examined before being recommended to the President for promotion or appointment to the Battalion. It is desired to bring the effective strength of each Battalion up to seven hundred and fifty (750) rank and file, if possible, and no pains will be spared to make the Battalions the elite of the Army of the West. An opportunity is therefore now afforded to young men of spirit to enroll themselves in a corps which is unquestionably to become the most distinguished in our Army. It is hoped and expected that no man will offer or be accepted into this select corps who is not resolved to lead in every daring enterprise which may be undertaken. Brigade Commanders will commence enrolling the Sharpshooters at once. Every proper means will be taken to fill up the Battalions as soon as possible. The men and officers of each company will be from the same State. The Brigade ordnance officers will see that the Sharpshooters are equipped with long range guns, and if possible that the guns of each company are of uniform calibre.”
In compliance with these orders, Colonel Thomas Pleasant Dockery
, commanding the Second Brigade, ordered, on June 14, “there will at once be organized a Battalion of Skirmishers for this Brigade. These men will be detailed from the companies composing the different Regts of this Brigade in proportion to their physical ability, courage & skill as Marksmen. It is the intention to make this Battalion very efficient, therefore the officers will be selected with specially to their qualifications & will be recommended by the Inspector Genl & Brigade & Division Commanders to the President for promotion. Capt. Griff Bayne has been recommended as Capt. of Infantry, P.A.C.S. & authorized to organize a Battalion of Skirmishers in accordance with instructions above given. Commanders of Regts & Battalions will accordingly assist Capt. Bayne in selecting the required No. men from their respective commands and hold them in readiness subject to his orders.”
The quota of men from each of the regiments composing the Second Brigade was as follows:
The regimental commanders promptly provided the required number of volunteers. However, Lieutenant-Colonel Jones, of the 8th Arkansas Battalion, refused to comply. He had earlier been forced to relinquish an entire company to the 25th Arkansas Regiment, in order to bring that regiment up to its full complement of ten companies, and resented the fact that his now-understrength battalion must once again be forced to give up more men. Lieutenant Colonel Jones was promptly court-martialed on two charges—disobedience of orders and conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline—and cashiered from the army. The organization of the battalion of sharpshooters proceeded.
The 12th Arkansas Battalion (Sharpshooters) was formally organized on June 30, 1862, with four companies:
The volunteers from the 8th Arkansas Battalion were distributed among the four companies. The first commander of the sharpshooters was a Major C. L. Jackson, who assumed command on June 30 and was relieved of command on July 29. no further identify this individual or reason why he was relieved has been found. Few official records of the 12th Arkansas Battalion survive, apart from one muster roll and a few personal papers. William Field Rapley, an Arkansan serving in the Missouri State Guard
, was appointed major of the battalion on July 29, and held the command to the end of the war. From this time forward, the battalion was known as “Rapley’s Sharpshooters.”
Along with the rest of the army, the Sharpshooters finally found themselves surrounded and under siege at Vicksburg. It was here that they did what they were organized to do. Vicksburg was a sharpshooter’s paradise, and during the long months of the siege, they made life deadly for Union artillerymen and pickets with their long-range rifles. When the Vicksburg garrison finally surrendered on July 4, 1863, many of the Sharpshooters escaped rather than risk surrender to a vindictive enemy they had sniped at so successfully for so long.
The Rapley's Sharpshooters fought in the following engagements:
There are few official records of the Sharpshooters after Vicksburg. In piecing together information from secondary and indirect sources, it appears that some survivors of the Sharpshooters reorganized their battalion back in southern Arkansas, after being exchanged. The 12th Arkansas Battalion served for a short period as mounted infantry before being consolidated.
, 18th Arkansas Infantry Regiment
, 23rd Arkansas Infantry Regiment
and the 8th Arkansas Infantry Battalion
to form the 2nd Arkansas Consolidated Infantry Regiment
was surrendered along with the rest of the Department of the Trans Mississippi by General Kirby Smith on May 26, 1865 at Marshall, Texas. It is known that Major Rapley and his adjutant were paroled at Shreveport, Louisiana, in June 1865.
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. The unit was most often known as “Rapley’s Sharpshooters.”
Organization
On June 11, 1862, Major General Earl Van DornEarl Van Dorn
Earl Van Dorn was a career United States Army officer, fighting with distinction during the Mexican-American War and against several tribes of Native Americans...
, commanding the Confederate Army of the West
Army of the West
The Army of the West was a military force within the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War that the was part of the Trans-Mississippi Department and was composed primarily of members of the old Missouri State Guard...
at Priceville, Mississippi, issued General Orders, No. 39, calling for the organization of a battalion of sharpshooters in each brigade of the army. “These Battalions will be made up of chosen men, all of whom must be able-bodied, active and good rifle shots and of tried courage. . . All of the officers of the Battalion will be carefully selected and thoroughly examined before being recommended to the President for promotion or appointment to the Battalion. It is desired to bring the effective strength of each Battalion up to seven hundred and fifty (750) rank and file, if possible, and no pains will be spared to make the Battalions the elite of the Army of the West. An opportunity is therefore now afforded to young men of spirit to enroll themselves in a corps which is unquestionably to become the most distinguished in our Army. It is hoped and expected that no man will offer or be accepted into this select corps who is not resolved to lead in every daring enterprise which may be undertaken. Brigade Commanders will commence enrolling the Sharpshooters at once. Every proper means will be taken to fill up the Battalions as soon as possible. The men and officers of each company will be from the same State. The Brigade ordnance officers will see that the Sharpshooters are equipped with long range guns, and if possible that the guns of each company are of uniform calibre.”
In compliance with these orders, Colonel Thomas Pleasant Dockery
Thomas Pleasant Dockery
Thomas Pleasant Dockery was a brigadier general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.-Early life:...
, commanding the Second Brigade, ordered, on June 14, “there will at once be organized a Battalion of Skirmishers for this Brigade. These men will be detailed from the companies composing the different Regts of this Brigade in proportion to their physical ability, courage & skill as Marksmen. It is the intention to make this Battalion very efficient, therefore the officers will be selected with specially to their qualifications & will be recommended by the Inspector Genl & Brigade & Division Commanders to the President for promotion. Capt. Griff Bayne has been recommended as Capt. of Infantry, P.A.C.S. & authorized to organize a Battalion of Skirmishers in accordance with instructions above given. Commanders of Regts & Battalions will accordingly assist Capt. Bayne in selecting the required No. men from their respective commands and hold them in readiness subject to his orders.”
The quota of men from each of the regiments composing the Second Brigade was as follows:
-
- 8th Arkansas Infantry Battalion8th Arkansas Infantry BattalionThe 8th Arkansas Infantry Battalion was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War. The unit was sometimes referred to in contemporary sources as “First Arkansas Battalion” and “2nd Arkansas Battalion.”...
, Lieutenant-Colonel Batt L. Jones, 29 men. - 18th Arkansas Infantry Regiment18th Arkansas Infantry RegimentThe 18th Arkansas Infantry was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War. This unit is also known as 18th Arkansas Infantry. There was another regiment designated as the 18th Arkansas...
, Colonel David W. Carroll, 43 men. - 19th Arkansas Infantry Regiment, Colonel Thomas Pleasant DockeryThomas Pleasant DockeryThomas Pleasant Dockery was a brigadier general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.-Early life:...
, 40 men. - 20th Arkansas Infantry Regiment20th Arkansas Infantry RegimentThe 20th Arkansas Infantry was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War. The unit was also known as the 22nd Arkansas Infantry.-Organization:...
, Colonel Henry Poston Johnson, 38 men. - 21st Arkansas Infantry Regiment21st Arkansas Infantry RegimentThe 21st Arkansas Infantry was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War.-Organization:21st Infantry Regiment was organized on May 15, 1862 by consolidating four companies of McCarver's 14th and six companies of Lemoyne's 17th Arkansas Regiments, to form the 21st ...
, Colonel Jordan Edgar Cravens, 50 men.
- 8th Arkansas Infantry Battalion
The regimental commanders promptly provided the required number of volunteers. However, Lieutenant-Colonel Jones, of the 8th Arkansas Battalion, refused to comply. He had earlier been forced to relinquish an entire company to the 25th Arkansas Regiment, in order to bring that regiment up to its full complement of ten companies, and resented the fact that his now-understrength battalion must once again be forced to give up more men. Lieutenant Colonel Jones was promptly court-martialed on two charges—disobedience of orders and conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline—and cashiered from the army. The organization of the battalion of sharpshooters proceeded.
The 12th Arkansas Battalion (Sharpshooters) was formally organized on June 30, 1862, with four companies:
-
- Company A (composed of volunteers from the 18th Arkansas Regiment),
- Company B (composed of volunteers from the 21st Arkansas Regiment),
- Company C (composed of volunteers from the 20th Arkansas Regiment) and
- Company D (composed of volunteers from the 19th Arkansas Regiment).
The volunteers from the 8th Arkansas Battalion were distributed among the four companies. The first commander of the sharpshooters was a Major C. L. Jackson, who assumed command on June 30 and was relieved of command on July 29. no further identify this individual or reason why he was relieved has been found. Few official records of the 12th Arkansas Battalion survive, apart from one muster roll and a few personal papers. William Field Rapley, an Arkansan serving in the Missouri State Guard
Missouri State Guard
The Missouri State Guard was a state militia organized in the state of Missouri during the early days of the American Civil War. While not initially a formal part of the Confederate States Army, the State Guard fought alongside Confederate troops and, at times, under regular Confederate...
, was appointed major of the battalion on July 29, and held the command to the end of the war. From this time forward, the battalion was known as “Rapley’s Sharpshooters.”
Battles
Rapley’s Sharpshooters underwent rigorous training, quite unusual for a typical Confederate unit, and became an efficient, professional, and deadly force. They needed to be, for they soon began a furious year of combat, unequaled in the Army of the West. The Sharpshooters were the army’s “fire brigade,” specializing in rear-guard actions, holding off superior Union forces while the Confederate army tried to maneuver through Mississippi. They were tenacious fighters and suffered correspondingly heavy casualties at Corinth, Hatchie Bridge, Big Black River and Port Gibson. The 12th Battalion reported 72 casualties following the engagements at Corinth and Hatchie Bridge.Along with the rest of the army, the Sharpshooters finally found themselves surrounded and under siege at Vicksburg. It was here that they did what they were organized to do. Vicksburg was a sharpshooter’s paradise, and during the long months of the siege, they made life deadly for Union artillerymen and pickets with their long-range rifles. When the Vicksburg garrison finally surrendered on July 4, 1863, many of the Sharpshooters escaped rather than risk surrender to a vindictive enemy they had sniped at so successfully for so long.
The Rapley's Sharpshooters fought in the following engagements:
- Battle of CorinthBattle of CorinthThe Battle of Corinth may refer to a Roman battle, or to one of two American Civil War Battles:* The Battle of Corinth * The Siege of Corinth, Mississippi , also known as the First Battle of Corinth, during the American Civil War* The Second Battle of Corinth...
October 3-4, 1862 - Steele's Bayou ExpeditionSteele's Bayou ExpeditionThe Steele's Bayou Expedition was a joint operation of Major General Ulysses S. Grant's Army of the Tennessee and Rear Admiral David D. Porter's Mississippi River Squadron, conducted as a part of the Vicksburg Campaign of the American Civil War. Its aim was to move Union forces from the...
March 14-27, 1863 - Battle of Rolling Fork March 20, 1863
- Battle of Grand GulfBattle of Grand GulfThe Battle of Grand Gulf was fought on April 29, 1863, during the American Civil War. In the Vicksburg Campaign of Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, Union naval forces under Rear Adm. David D. Porter led seven ironclads in an attack on the Confederate fortifications and batteries at Grand Gulf, downriver...
April 29, 1863 - Vicksburg CampaignVicksburg CampaignThe Vicksburg Campaign was a series of maneuvers and battles in the Western Theater of the American Civil War directed against Vicksburg, Mississippi, a fortress city that dominated the last Confederate-controlled section of the Mississippi River. The Union Army of the Tennessee under Maj. Gen....
May-July 1863 - Battle of Port GibsonBattle of Port GibsonThe Battle of Port Gibson was fought near Port Gibson, Mississippi, on May 1, 1863, between Union and Confederate forces during the Vicksburg Campaign of the American Civil War. The Union Army was led by Maj. Gen. Ulysses S...
May 1, 1863 - Battle of Champion HillBattle of Champion HillThe Battle of Champion Hill, or Bakers Creek, fought May 16, 1863, was the pivotal battle in the Vicksburg Campaign of the American Civil War. Union commander Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and the Army of the Tennessee pursued the retreating Confederate Lt. Gen. John C...
May 16, 1863 - Battle of Big Black River BridgeBattle of Big Black River BridgeThe Battle of Big Black River Bridge, or Big Black, fought May 17, 1863, was part of the Vicksburg Campaign of the American Civil War. Union commander Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and the Army of the Tennessee pursued the retreating Confederate Lt. Gen. John C...
May 17, 1863 - Vicksburg Seige May-July 1863
- Camden ExpeditionCamden ExpeditionThe Camden Expedition was a military campaign in southern and central Arkansas during the American Civil War. It involved Union forces stationed at Little Rock and Fort Smith under the command of Major General Frederick Steele...
March-May 1864 - Battle of Marks' Mill April 25, 1864
There are few official records of the Sharpshooters after Vicksburg. In piecing together information from secondary and indirect sources, it appears that some survivors of the Sharpshooters reorganized their battalion back in southern Arkansas, after being exchanged. The 12th Arkansas Battalion served for a short period as mounted infantry before being consolidated.
Consolidation and Surrender
The renants of the 12th Arkansas Infantry Battalion were eventually consolidated with survivors of the 12th Arkansas Infantry Regiment12th Arkansas Infantry Regiment
The 12th Arkansas Infantry was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War.-Organization:12th Infantry Regiment was organized July 27, 1861 by E. W. Gantt. Many of the men were recruited in Dallas County. The field officers were Colonels Edward W. Gantt and T. J. Reid, Jr.,...
, 18th Arkansas Infantry Regiment
18th Arkansas Infantry Regiment
The 18th Arkansas Infantry was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War. This unit is also known as 18th Arkansas Infantry. There was another regiment designated as the 18th Arkansas...
, 23rd Arkansas Infantry Regiment
23rd Arkansas Infantry Regiment
The 23rd Arkansas Infantry was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War.-Organization:23rd Arkansas Infantry Regiment, originally C. W. Adams' 23rd Regiment, was organized at Helena, Arkansas on April 25, 1862 by consolidating Adams' and Hughes Infantry Battalions and...
and the 8th Arkansas Infantry Battalion
8th Arkansas Infantry Battalion
The 8th Arkansas Infantry Battalion was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War. The unit was sometimes referred to in contemporary sources as “First Arkansas Battalion” and “2nd Arkansas Battalion.”...
to form the 2nd Arkansas Consolidated Infantry Regiment
2nd Arkansas Consolidated Infantry Regiment
The 2nd Arkansas Consolidated Infantry was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War. The regiment is separate from and has no connection to the 2nd Arkansas Infantry Regiment which served in the Confederate Army of Tennessee and separate from the 2nd Regiment, Arkansas...
was surrendered along with the rest of the Department of the Trans Mississippi by General Kirby Smith on May 26, 1865 at Marshall, Texas. It is known that Major Rapley and his adjutant were paroled at Shreveport, Louisiana, in June 1865.
External Links
- Edward G. Gerdes Civil War Home Page
- The Encylopedia of Arkansas History and Culture
- The War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies
- The Arkansas History Commission, State Archives, Civil War in Arkansas
See also
- List of Arkansas Civil War Confederate units
- Lists of American Civil War Regiments by State
- Confederate Units by State
- Arkansas in the American Civil WarArkansas in the American Civil WarThe state of Arkansas was a part of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War, and provided a source of troops, supplies, and military and political leaders for the fledgling country. Arkansas had become the 25th state of the United States, on June 15, 1836, entering as a...
- Arkansas Militia in the Civil WarArkansas Militia in the Civil WarThe units of the Arkansas Militia in the Civil War included militia organizations to which the current Arkansas National Guard has a connection: the militia, Home Guard, and State Troop regiments raised by the State of Arkansas. Like most of the United States, Arkansas had an organized militia...