HISTORICAL NOTES:
The Arkansas 17th (Rector's) Infantry Regiment was organized at Fort Smith, Arkansas, during the fall of 1861. Many of the men were raised in Sebastian, Hempstead, Yell, and Saline counties. The 17th fought at Elkhorn Tavern, lost sixteen percent of the 109 engaged at Iuka, and reported 20 casualties at Corinth. It was then placed in Beall's Brigade, Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana, and captured at Port Hudson on July 9, 1863. After the exchange and its reorganization as mounted infantry, the unit was attached to General W. Adams, Mabry's, and Ross' Brigade, Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana. In April, 1864, it was consolidated with the 11th Arkansas Regiment and skirmished in several actions in Louisiana and Mississippi. The unit was included in the surrender on May 4, 1865.
OFFICERS:
Colonels John Griffith and Frank A. Rector, Lieutenant Colonel Josephus Dotson, and Majors B. P. Jeff and Walter H. Matheson.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Beall's Brigade, Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana
General W. Adams, Mabry's, and Ross' Brigade, Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana.
BATTLES:
Battle of Pea Ridge
Siege of Corinth
Iuka-Corinth Campaign
Battle of Iuka
Second Battle of Corinth
Siege of Port Hudson
ROSTERS:
The roster of this regiment contains the names of 943 men.
Company A – of Sebastian County, commanded by Captain Henry Kayser.
Company B – of Sebastian County, commanded by Captain E.A. Adams.
Company C – of Sebastian County, commanded by Captain Unknown. According to the unit muster rolls several men of this company were left sick in the hospital in Arkansas when the remainder moved under General Van Dorn to reinforce General Beauregard at Corinth, Mississippi in April 1862. They were ordered to rejoin their company and were en route to do so when General Thomas C. Hindman ordered them to remain in Arkansas and assigned them to Company A, 22nd Arkansas Infantry Regiment. The muster roll also indicates that approximately three fourths of the unit had previously served in Gratiot's 3rd Regiment, Arkansas State Troops.
Company D – of Washington County, commanded by Captain Unknown.
Company E – of Washington County, commanded by Captain Joseph R. Parks. This unit was organized as a volunteer militia company in Illinois Township, of Washington County, in the 32nd Regiment, Arkansas State Militia on August 22, 1861.>
Company F – of Sebastian County, commanded by Captain David Arbuckle.
Company G – of Madison County, commanded by Captain Stephen B. Enyart. Most of this company subsequently served in Company K, 22nd Arkansas Infantry Regiment.
Company H – the "Hempstead Rifles Number 2" of Hempstead County, commanded by Captain Benjamin P. Jett, Jr. This company was originally organized as a volunteer company in the 8th Regiment, Arkansas State Militia. The unit was mustered into the 3rd Regiment, Arkansas State Troops and participated in the Battle of Wilson's Creek. After the 3rd Regiment was disbanded, the unit returned to Hempstead county and reorganized.
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HISTORICAL NOTES:
Historical Sketch And Roster - Arkansas Volumes
