Arkansas Union Civil War Genealogical Sources
Union Veterans in Arkansas Fought to Maintain United States
Nov 10, 2009
Today many people tend to think that everyone in the Southern states supported Secession, but that was not the case. Arkansas, like many other Southern states, was home not only to Confederate supporters, but a significant number of Unionists, especially in the northern parts of the state. In the western areas, too, quite a few people supported the Union cause and were unwilling to see the country divided.
Union Army Recruitment
The Union army actively recruited everywhere they were in control, and Arkansas was no exception. In the northwest corner of the state, natives of the hill country included a large number of Unionists. Many headed to the north and joined Missouri units before the Arkansas units were activated in 1862.
Recruitment in Arkansas throughout the war was hampered by bad judgment, miscommunications, and various decrees from the U.S. War Department. By the war’s end, however, Arkansas had furnished two batteries of artillery, four regiments, and one extra company of cavalry, as well as four regiments, one battalion, and one company of infantry, for a total of about 8,800 white troops fighting for the Union cause. African-Americans were also well represented, with at least 5,500 soldiers serving in the United States Colored Troops (USCT). Since several of the units were reorganized during the war, it’s hard to state concrete numbers, but units included one battery of light artillery and at least five regiments of infantry.
In addition, countless others, both black and white Arkansans, served in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Indiana, and Illinois regiments, and many others served in pro-Union state and local militia units.
Finding Civil War Records for Union Soldiers in Arkansas
Several excellent sources, both online and in print, can help the genealogist trace Arkansas soldiers who fought for the Union. While census records are always valuable, and the Civil War Soldier and Sailor Records are great for basic information, several state resources can also help locate Civil War veterans.
The Arkansas History CommissionThe Arkansas History Commission in Little Rock collects and makes available material on the Civil War pertaining to the Union troops, as well as those who served on the Confederate side. Union records include:
- Index to Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers who Served in Organizations from Arkansas
- Index to U. S. Civil War Pension Records, Arkansas
- Letters Received by the Secretary of the Navy from Squadron Commanders, Mississippi Squadron, 1861-1865
- History of Arkansas Union Civil War Units 1-4th Cavalry & 1-4th Infantry (also Alabama & Arizona Units)
- Union Service Records, Arkansas
- Index to Arkansas Union Service Records (Herndon's)
- General Index to U. S. Military Pensions, 1861-1934
- Index to Black Civil War Soldiers, U. S. C. T.
- Service Records of U. S. Colored Troops, Arkansas
- 1890 Special Census Schedules, Civil War Union Veterans & Their Widows: Kentucky-Wyoming
Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission
This website, which came online in 2008, was designed to help commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. It will continue to add content, even as it publicizes events planned between 2011 and 2015, which correspond to the war years of 1861-1865. The site includes the following sections:
- Arkansas Civil War Sites: links to battlefields, museums, and historic sites, and lists of units that served in Arkansas
- Events: sesquicentennial events, exhibits, and reenactments
- Research and Education: Civil War timeline, bibliography, lesson plans, and links to repositories with Arkansas Civil War materials
- Links: extensive list of excellent Civil War-related sites
- Photos: gallery of historic photos, images of artifacts, and photographs of reenactments
Organizations such as the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War encourage genealogists to research their Arkansas ancestors who wore Blue, rather than Gray, during this trying time.
Sources:
Lincoln’s Loyalists: Union Soldiers from the Confederacy, by Richard Nelson Current.
Genealogical Resources of the Civil War Era, by William Dollarhide
Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission website
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