1st Arkansas Infantry Regiment (Union)

1st Regiment Arkansas Volunteer Infantry
Flag of the United States, 1865–1867
Active	March 25, 1863–August 10, 1865
Country	United States
Allegiance	Union
Branch	Infantry
Size	Regiment
Engagements	American Civil War
Disbanded	August 10, 1865

The 1st Regiment Arkansas Volunteer Infantry (1863–1865) was an infantry regiment 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. Arkansas formed some 48 infantry regiments to serve in the Confederate Army, but also formed another 11 regiments that served in the Union Army.

Because it was utterly impossible to form a Union unit in Arkansas in the first two years of the war, most Union supporters traveled elsewhere to join. However, by 1863 Union forces were knocking at the door of Arkansas, and many Arkansans still loyal to the Union flocked to them to join. As early as the summer of 1862 bands of Union men similar to that relieved by Captain Parker had, in various potions of western Arkansas, consorted together, and, though compelled oppression and violence to leave their homes, were accustomed to take refuge among the hills and in the woods, and no extent of persecution succeeded in driving them from the State. Commonly known as "Mountain Feds," they were true to the Union under the most discouraging circumstances, and from time to time gave valuable assistance to the organized forces operating in various portions of the State. Many of them entered various Arkansas regiments, including the 1st Arkansas Infantry.

In November, 1862, Major General Schofield, then commanding the "Army of the Frontier," gave authority to Dr. James M. Johnson, of Huntsville, Madison County, Arkansas, to raise infantry troops from the State. This authority initially included only one regiment. Early in the war Dr. Johnson displayed Union sentiments, and by April, 1862 he was no longer able to remain at home in safety. He left Huntsville with future Arkansas Governor Isaac Murphy and traveled to the outpost of the Army of the Southwest at Keutsville, Missouri. He promptly reported to General Curtis, then in command and was placed on Curtis staff as a volunteer aid. Subsequently, he rendered services to Generals Schofield, Totten, and Herron, and accompanied the "Army of the Frontier,' on its march into northwestern Arkansas, in October 1862, under the command of General Schofield. Returning with this army to Elkhorn Tavern, he received the authority to raise the 1st Arkansas and marched with the army in the campaign that terminted in the Battle of Prairie Grove. Following the battle, he opened a recruiting office at Fayetteville for the 1st Arkansas infantry volunteers. Recruiting proceeded and on the 25th day of March, 1863, the regiment was organized and Dr. Johnson was enlisted into the service as its colonel. The 1st Arkansas Infantry was organized at Fayetteville, Ark., and mustered in March 25, 1863.