rolls to the Confederate War Department, he was informed that McCarver's regiment would instead be designated as the 14th Arkansas Regiment. It is unclear why the Confederate War Department assigned this designation to McCarver's regiment. Correspondence exists between Arkansas Governor Henry Rector and Confederate Secretary of War Walker, in which Mitchell's regiment is clearly identified as the 14th Arkansas. In a letter dated August 22, 1861, Governor Rector wrote, "The Fourteenth Regiment of Arkansas is at Yellville. We understand that General Hardee does not wish to receive it." So the War Department was clearly informed of the existence of a 14th Arkansas Regiment; yet they still assigned that designation to McCarver's regiment four months later. The unit was originally composed of volunteer companies from the following counties: Company A – The "Izard Volunteers" – Commanded by Captain Lindsey S. Williams, organized at Pocahontas, Arkansas, on September 1, 1861. Company B – Commanded by Captain Thomas N. Smith, organized at Pocahontas, Arkansas, on September 24, 1861. Company C – Commanded by Captain Enoch O. Wolf. Company D – Commanded by Captain Christopher C. Elkins, organized in Izard Co, Arkansas, on August 27, 1861. Company E – Commanded by Captain Hugh A. Barnett, organized at Pocahontas, Arkansas, on September 23, 1861. Company F – Commanded by Captain William G. Matheney, organized at Pocahontas, Arkansas, on September 23, 1861. Company G – Commanded by Captain Samuel J. Herndon, organized at Pocahontas, Arkansas, on August 31, 1861. Company H – Commanded by Captain, organized at Pocahontas, Arkansas, on September 23, 1861. Company I – Commanded by Captain Adison H. Nunn, organized at Pocahontas, Arkansas, on October 24, 1861. Company K – Commanded by Captain Thomas G. Shinpock, organized at Pitman's Ferry, Arkansas, on December 18, 1861. Prior to being assigned to the 14th, this company had served as Company D, 1st Battalion, 2nd Arkansas 30 Day Volunteer Regiment. The company had originally been organized as a volunteer company in the 25th Regiment, Arkansas State Militia, from Lawrence (Modern Woodruff) County. McCarver's regiment had barely received its designation when it was placed in danger of losing it. Brigadier General William J. Hardee made a decision to detach four of the regiment's best armed and equipped companies (Companies A, B, E & H) and designate them as the 9th Arkansas Infantry Battalion, and place them under the command of Major John H. Kelly. It was Brigadier