See the category for profiles of men of the unit.

As the only Arkansas regiment to initially sign up for the duration of the war, with all other regiments from that state signing on for a one-year enlistment, the 3rd Arkansas, or 3rd Arkansas Infantry Regiment (May, 1861 – April 12, 1865) was a CSA regiment during the American Civil War, and the most celebrated unit from that state. Formed and initially commanded by Colonel Albert Rust, and later falling under the command of Colonel Van H. Manning, the regiment was part of the Army of Northern Virginia serving under General Robert E. Lee. The regiment served for the duration of the war, from the late months of 1861 through to the Surrender at Appomattox Court House in 1865. They were the only Arkansas regiment to serve the entire war in the east, where most of the major battles were fought.^[1]

For most of its service, it was an integral part of the famous Texas Brigade, “Lee’s Grenadier Guard,” of the Army of Northern Virginia, Longstreets’s Corps, consisting of four regiments. There were three Texas regiments in the brigade—the 1st, 4th and 5th—and only one Arkansas regiment. When General Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse on April 9, 1865, only 144 men of the 3rd Arkansas remained out of the 1,353 mustered into it from the start of the war.^[1]

Contents 1 Formation 2 History 3 Resources 3.1 Company E Champagnolle Guards 4 Sources

Formation

When organized, the regiment was composed of 11 companies:^[1]

History

3rd Regiment, Arkansas Infantry assembled at Lynchburg, Virginia, in June, 1861, contained men from Ashley, Drew, Desha, Hot Spring, Union, and Dallas counties. Assigned to H R Jackson's command, the unit took part in Lee's Cheat Mountain Campaign, then moved to Winchester and served under T J Jackson. Later it was assigned to General J G Walker's, J B Robertson's, and J Gregg's command and became part of the Texas Brigade. After fighting in the Seven Days' Battles the 2nd Arkansas Battalion merged into the regiment. It went on to participate in many conflicts of the Army of Northern Virginia from the Maryland Campaign to Cold Harbor, except when it was with Longstreet at Suffolk, Chickamauga, and Knoxville. The 3rd was active in the long Petersburg siege north of the James River and later the Appomattox Campaign. In December, 1861, it totalled 756 men, and reported 15 casualties at the Greenbrier River and 182 during the Maryland Campaign. Of the 479 engaged at Gettysburg, thirty-five percent were disabled. The regiment surrendered with 15 officers and 130 men.^[2]

Resources

3rd Arkansas Infantry History & Actions

Company E Champagnolle Guards

Union county, Arkansas Third Arkansas Infantry Regiment, CSA Company E—“Champagnolle Guards” has a very comprehensive list with information regarding birth/death, pension, etc.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} 3d Arkansas Infantry Regiment (Confederate States), Wikipedia.org.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} National Park Service Soldiers and Sailors Database.