The 1st Arkansas Cavalry Regiment, colloquially known as Dobbins' Arkansas Cavalry Regiment, was a cavalry formation of the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War commanded by Colonel Archibald S. Dobbins. Organization The nucleus of what became Dobbins' regiment was Maj. Francis Marion Chrisman's battalion of four companies, organized on September 28, 1862. Chrisman's battalion was assigned to Parson's Cavalry Brigade, 1st Corps, Trans-Mississippi Department, from September to December 1862; after which it was reported as an unattached command in the District of Arkansas until about January 1863, when it was increased to a regiment and designated as the 1st (Dobbins') Regiment Arkansas Cavalry. The additional companies which were joined with Chrisman's four companies were five "partisan ranger" companies and one "spy" company. "Corley's Spies" (which became Company A, Capt. Samuel Corley commanding) was not a group of secret agents; rather, they were expert scouts who knew the bayous, forests, roads and trails of eastern Arkansas like the back of their hands. They were skilled at moving around undetected by the Yankees. I once found some correspondence regarding the resignation of Corley's first lieutenant, which revealed that "Corley's Spies" had served briefly in the Indian Territory in Albert Pike's command. When the regiment was organized, Captain Corley was promoted to major. Samuel Corley was one of those larger-than-life characters whose daring exploits would make a great book and movie. He was a preacher who talked about Christian love and forgiveness on Sunday, and fought Yankees like the devil during the week. He was killed in action at Fourche Bayou (Battle of Little Rock) on September 10, 1863. The component companies (and original captains) of Dobbins' regiment were as follows: Company A – Capt. Samuel Corley, of Phillips County. Formerly known as Corley's Company, Chrisman's Battalion: Company B – Capt. Rufus D. Anderson of Phillips County. Formerly known as Anderson's Company. Company C – Capt. James H. McGehee of St. Francis County. Formerly known as McGhees Company, Company D – Capt. George W. Rutherford of Independence County. Formerly known as Rutherford's Company. Company E – Capt. Morgan M. Bateman of Jackson County. Also known as Bateman's Company. Company F – Capt. Robert C. Nall of St. Francis County. Company G – Capt. James F. Barton of Crittenden County. Also known as Barton's Company. Company H – Capt. William R. Coody of Woodruff County. Company I – Capt. John T. West