The 6th Battalion Arkansas Cavalry was organized in August 1861 at Pocahontas, Arkansas, originally composed of four Arkansas companies and two Louisiana companies, which were consolidated about April 20, 1862, into two Arkansas companies and one Louisiana company. In May 1862, the battalion was consolidated with the 2nd Battalion Arkansas Cavalry and formed the 2nd Regiment Arkansas Cavalry, pursuant to Special Orders No. 60, Headquarters, Corinth, Mississippi, May 15, 1862. The Field and Staff Officers were: Companies: On May 15, 1862, this battalion was consolidated with the 2nd Arkansas Cavalry Battalion at Corinth, Mississippi, to form the 2nd Arkansas Cavalry Regiment. The companies of the former 6th Battalion became Companies A-C and the companies of the former 2nd Battalion became Companies D-E-F-G-H of the 2nd Regiment. On August 18, 1862, the chronically-understrength Company F was consolidated into Company E, and Companies G and H were redesignated as Companies F and G, respectively.
Battles
During its brief existence, the 6th Battalion was assigned to Hardee's Division of the Confederate Central Army of Kentucky, and fought in the battles of Brownsville, Kentucky, November 20, 1861; Rowlett's Station, Kentucky, December 17, 1861; and Shiloh, Tennessee, April 6–7, 1862. As part of the 2nd Arkansas Cavalry Regiment, under Colonel William Ferguson Slemons, the former 6th Battalion troops would go on to establish an impressive record under General Nathan Bedford Forrest. The unit served in the Army of the West and the Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana, and took an active part in the Battles of Iuka, Corinth, and Hatchie Bridge. In 1864, the regiment was transferred to the Trans-Mississippi Army and participated in fought in Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas. The regiment was assigned to W.A. Crawford's, J.C. Wright's, and W.F. Slemon's Brigade in the Trans-Mississippi Department. After fighting at the Battle of Poison Spring, the regiment participated in Price's Missouri Expedition.
Surrender
The 2nd Arkansas Cavalry Regiment was captured at the Battle of Mine Creek on October 25, 1864, and apparently was never exchanged or reformed.
