The 36th Arkansas Infantry Regiment (1862–1865) was a Confederate Army regiment during the American Civil War. Originally known as McRea's Emergency Regiment, had been organized as the 28th Arkansas Infantry Regiment. After the Battle of Prairie Grove, the regiment was reorganized and designated the 36th Arkansas Infantry Regiment. The regiment is also referred to as the 2nd Trans-Mississippi Infantry Regiment, Glenn's Regiment, and Davie's Regiment.
Organization
The 36th Arkansas Infantry Regiment was organized on June 26, 1862, as the 28th Arkansas Infantry Regiment, under the command of Colonel Dandridge McRae. The unit was intended to be mounted, but General Thomas Hindman soon ordered it dismounted, along with three other new cavalry regiments. The 36th Infantry would serve in the brigades of Generals McRae, L. C. Gause, and Roane in the Trans-Mississippi Department. The field officers were Colonels McRea, James M. Davie and John E. Glenn, Lieutenant Colonels W. S. Hanna and Walter C. Robinson, and Major Joseph F. Hathaway. The unit was composed of volunteer companies from the following counties:
Company A, of White County, commanded by Captain James M. Davie. This company contained several former members of the 21st Arkansas Militia Regiment) Company B, of White County, commanded by Captain Robert Query. This company contained several former members of the 21st Arkansas Militia Regiment) Company C, of Prairie County, commanded by Captain Walter C. Robinson Company D, of Van Buren County, commanded by Captain R.L. Norman. Company E, of White County, commanded by Captain George W. Lewis. This company contained several former members of the 21st Arkansas Militia Regiment) Company F, of Conway County, commanded by Captain John W. Duncan. Company G, of Pulaski County, commanded by Captain B.C. Neale. This company included several men from other regiments who had been hospitalized at Little Rock. Company H, of White County, commanded by Joseph F. Hathaway. Company I, of Conway County, commanded by Captain Isaac H. Johnson. Company K, of Pulaski County, commanded by Captain Hugh A. McDonald.
Uniforms and Equipment
The 28th Arkansas Infantry mustered by companies and conducted its initial training near Fort Smith, Arkansas, on what the locals called the Mazzard Prairie. Initially, the regiment was poorly equipped; however, they were eventually supplied with modern Springfield rifle-muskets that had been captured at the First Battle of Bull Run, Virginia, and transported west. The regiment gained a reputation as some of the most disciplined and martial looking then training on Mazzard Prairie. In the Spring of 1863 the men was issued standard Columbus Depot uniforms, generally made from light-grey jean material with an eight button single breasted frock coat having dark blue trim on its straight stand-up collar and straight cuffs. They also were issued one pair of matching trousers and a simple black felt hat. The regiment's commissioned officers were mostly men of means before to the war, and it is assumed they would have indulged themselves at the many commercial uniform outfitters. The 36th Arkansas's microfilm records include many Quartermaster receipts showing the officers purchased gold braid, coats, silk sashes, white cotton shirts, and large brimmed hats.
Service
Prairie Grove Campaign
On November 5, 1862, Colonel McRae was promoted to brigadier general and Major John Edward Glenn, who was also a veteran of the Battle of Wilson's Creek, was elected regimental commander. During the Prairie Grove campaign, the 28th Arkansas Infantry was brigaded with the 26th, 32nd, and 30th Arkansas and Marshalls Arkansas Battery. On December 3, 1862, the regiment had a strength of 1042 officers and soldiers. General McRae commanded the brigade, which was assigned to Shoup's Division in Major General Thomas C. Hindman's 1st Corps of the Army of the Trans-Mississippi. The 28th Arkansas saw its first combat on November 28, 1862, at the Battle of Cane Hill. General Hindman described the regiment's actions during the Battle of Prairie Grove December 7, 1862: