The 33rd Arkansas Infantry (1861–1865) was a Confederate Army infantry regiment during the American Civil War. The unit served in the Department of the Trans-Mississippi from its formation in the summer of 1862 until the surrender in May 1865.
Organization
The 33rd Arkansas was created from existing companies by Special Order Number 28, issued by Major General Thomas C. Hindman on July 11, 1862:
These companies were ordered to Camp White Sulphur Springs in mid July 1862 in two battalions which were organized there as the 33rd Arkansas. These two battalions arrived a week or so apart at Sulphur Springs, one in early July and the other after July 15. At one point the regiment included 11 companies. Once the 33rd Arkansas was assembled as a regiment at White Sulphur Springs, it was entered into a camp of instruction under Colonel Robert G. Shaver. The regiment remained at Camp White Sulphur Springs until October 4, 1862, when it was ordered north as part of a brigade commanded by Colonel Shavers. When finally mustered into confederate service the regiment was composed of volunteer companies from the following counties:
Company A, Commanded by Captain Rufus E Arnold, organized in Columbia County, Arkansas, on May 14, 1862. Company B, Commanded by Captain Dee Newton, organized in Ouachita County, Arkansas, on June 17, 1862. Company C, Commanded by Captain John A. Goodgame, organized in Dallas County, Arkansas, on June 17, 1862. Company D, Commanded by Captain Oliver H. Overstreet, organized in Ouachita County, Arkansas, on June 14, 1862. Company E, Commanded by Captain Geraldus Williams, organized in Clark County, Arkansas, on June 14, 1862. (Composed partly of former members of other organizations, principally, Company A, 12th Arkansas Infantry Regiment and, Company H, 23rd Arkansas Infantry Regiment) Company F, Commanded by Captain John A. Ansley, organized in Ouachita County, Arkansas, on June 18, 1862. (Composed partly of absentees from the 12th and 15th Arkansas Infantry Regiment (Johnson's)) Company G, Commanded by Captain Wiley M. Mitchell, organized in Columbia County, Arkansas, on June 19, 1862. Company H, Commanded by Captain Thomas M. East, organized in Clark County, Arkansas, on May 18, 1862. (Composed of many reenlisted men from other organizations, principally 12th Arkansas Infantry Regiment) Company I, Commanded by Captain Francis J. Erwin, organized in Montgomery County, Arkansas, on June 24, 1862. (Seven of this unit reported as former members of the 4th Arkansas Infantry Regiment) Company K, Commanded by Captain William B. Langford, organized in Ouachita County, Arkansas, on June 23, 1862.
The regimental officers at the formation of the regiment were:
Colonel Hiram L. Grinsted, Appointed July 11, 1862, at the age of 36, was born in Kentucky. Lieutenant Colonel Henry W. McMillan, Appointed July 11, 1862, at the age of 30, born in North Carolina. Major William T. Steele, Age 29, born in Tennessee. Surgeon D. S. Williams, Age 27, born in NC. Appointed July 18, 1862. Asst Surgeon, Junius N. Bragg, was appointed August 16, 1861, at age 26, and was born in North Carolina. Sergeant Major James E. Lide, who enlisted on June 17, 1862, at Camden, AR. He was an escaped POW from the 11th Arkansas Infantry Regiment. Appointed Sgt Major July 10, 1863.
African Americans in Confederate Ranks
The 33rd Arkansas is one of the few regiments that included the names of African American servants and slaves on its muster rolls. While it was not uncommon for slaves and servants to accompany their masters to war, some even serving on the battlefield, it was uncommon for them to actually be carried on the unit's muster rolls. The following African Americans are included on the 33rd Arkansas Infantry Regiment's Muster rolls:
Battles
Prairie Grove Campaign
The 33rd Arkansas was assigned to Colonel Robert G. Shaver's 2nd Brigade of Daniel M. Frost's 3rd Division of Major General Thomas C. Hindman's 1st Corps of the Army of the Trans-Mississippi for the Battle of Prairie Grove on December 7, 1862. The other regiments in the brigade were the 27th, 38th, and Adams' Arkansas Infantry Regiments. According to Colonel Robert G. Shaver's report on the Battle of Prairie Grove, the 38th was ordered to support Colonel Dandridge McRae's Brigade during the fight at Prairie Grove.