of infantry, another troop of cavalry, and another battery of artillery were added to the organization. The state was divided into two military districts, with the Arkansas River being the dividing line. Major General Robert G. Shaver was commissioned and placed in overall command of the state's forces. Brigadier General C. R. Shaer was commissioned and placed in command of the Southern District, which included the 1st and 2nd Infantry Regiments, two batteries of artillery and a signal company. Major General V.Y. Cook was commissioned and placed in command of the Northern District, consisting of the 2nd and 4th Regiments of Infantry and a squadron of Cavalry. The units were poorly equipped and had outdated equipment. Southern District, Brigadier General C.R. Schaer, Commanding Artillery Batteries Northern District, Major General V.Y. Cook, Commanding The Spanish–American War On April 25, 1898, President William McKinley called upon the state to supply two infantry regiments for the Spanish–American War. None of the regiments were in condition to deploy and only two companies were judged fit to be mustered into service immediately. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Regiments of Infantry, Arkansas State Guard, were reorganized and were mustered into federal service between May 14–25, 1898 at Little Rock as the 1st and 2nd Arkansas Volunteer Infantry for service in the Spanish–American War. Governor Jones intended that all sections of the Arkansas be represented as much as possible, so the two new regiments were created from selected State Guard companies from different sections of the state. Pursuant to the Governor's direction the Regiments were organized as follows: 1st Arkansas Volunteer Infantry 2nd Arkansas Volunteer Infantry The newly formed Arkansas Volunteer Infantry Regiments did not see combat during the Spanish–American War, due its brevity. In May 1898, the 1st Arkansas, commanded by Colonel Elias Chandler, along with the 2nd Arkansas, had moved to Camp George H. Thomas at Chickamauga Park, Georgia. Both regiments were still undergoing training there when the war effectively ended with the fall of Cuba and the signing of an armistice in early August. The 1st Arkansas Volunteer Infantry mustered out of federal service on October 25, 1899, at Little Rock, Arkansas. However, the 2nd Regiment continued in service until February 25, 1899, when the men were finally mustered out at Anniston, Alabama. Even though the regiments saw no fighting, their deployment was not without fatalities. Fifty-four Arkansas Soldiers died of disease or