1st Battery , Arkansas Light Artillery The 1st Arkansas Light Artillery Battery ( 1863 – 1865 ) was a artillery battery that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War . Although Arkansas joined the Confederate States of America in 1861 , not all of its citizens supported secession . Organization . In January 1863 , Denton D . Stark , then Adjutant of the 1st Regiment Arkansas Volunteer Cavalry ( Union ) , received authority to raise the first battery of Arkansas light artillery . By April 1 , 1863 , the battery was full but was not mustered into the service until August 31 , 1863 . The men were principally residents of Benton , Washington , Madison , Crawford , Sebastian . , Franklin , Johnson , and Sevier counties . The battery was stationed at Fayetteville , Arkansas , January to April , 1863 . The battery moved to Springfield , Missouri , April 25 – May 4 , and duty there till September 21 . Expedition from Springfield into Arkansas and Indian Terroritory September 7 – 19 . Near Enterprise , Missouri , September 15 . The battery moved to Fayetteville , Arkansas , September 21 , and duty there till March , 1864 . It was attached to District of Southwest Missouri , Department Missouri , until March , 1864 . 2nd Brigade , District of the Frontier , 7th Army Corps , Department of Arkansas , to January , 1865 . Artillery , 3rd Division , 7th Army Corps , to February , 1865 . 1st Brigade , 3rd Division , 7th Army Corps , to August , 1865 . Service . From May 4 to September 21 , 1863 , the battery was stationed at Springfield , Missouri , receiving while there guns and equipment . In September , Lieutenant Robert Thompson , with one section of the battery , participated in an expedition under the command of Colonel M . Larue Harrison , through southwestern Missouri and northwestern Arkansas , in pursuit of Colonel Coffee ' s command , then raiding in that section of country , and preceded thence to Fayetteville , Arkansas . The remaining two sections of the battery , under command of Captain Stark , left Springfield , Missouri , September 21 , 1863 , for Fayetteville , marching at first , however , as far north as Greenfield , Missouri , under Colonel H1 Harrison , who was then in pursuit of General Shelby . ' Moving then to Fayetteville , one section of the battery took part , about October 20 , in a skirmish with the enemy , under Colonel Brooks , at Cross Timbers , Missouri . The battery remained at Fayetteville until March 19 , 1864 , when , by order of Brigadier General Thayer , it marched to Fort Smith . On the 23d of March it joined the expedition to Camden , forming a part of Colonel Adams ’ s brigade . It was present in the skirmish at Moscow , on or about the 13th day of April , with four guns in action , and relieved the 2d Indiana battery , under a severe fire front the enemy ' s artillery . Leaving Camden with the retreating force under General Steels , April 28 , it reached Little Rock Stay 3 , 1864 , and moved thence with the frontier division of the Army of Arkansas to Fort Smith . In October - , 1864 , one section of the battery , under Lieutenant Mayes , was sent with other troops in pursuit of Colonel Gano , who had captured a supply train between Fort Scott and Fort Smith , making a forced march to Cabin Creek , north of Fort Gibson , where they came up with the enemy retreating , but he escaped . The battery occupied Fort No . 2 , at Fort Smith , until the 30th day of August , 1865 , when it was mustered out of the service . Actions at Cross Timbers , Missouri , October 15 and 20 , 1863 . Moved to Fort Smith , Arkansas , March 19 , 1864 . Steele ' s Expedition to Camden March 23 – May 3 . Prairie D ' Ann April 9 – 13 . Van Buren April 12 . Camden April 15 . Poison Springs April 18 . Jenkins ' Ferry , Saline River , April 30 . March to Fort Smith May 3 – 16 . Action at Prior Creek September 18 , 1864 . Garrison duty there and at Fort Gibson till August , 1865 . Mustered out of service . Mustered out August 30 , 1865 .