Arkansas State Guard and the Spanish–American War

The history of the Arkansas State Guard and the Spanish–American War begins with the reorganization of the state militia following the end of Reconstruction. In 1879 the Arkansas Legislature had abolished the office of Adjutant General in retaliation for the use of the state militia to interfere in local political matters during reconstruction. During this period the Governor's Private Secretary performed the duties of the Adjutant General as an additional duty, and the legislature provided no appropriated funds for the state guard. Several companies existed during this period, including the Quapaw Guards and the McCarthy Guard in Little Rock. In 1897 the Arkansas State Guard was reorganized to consist of four infantry regiments, two artillery batteries and a cavalry squadron. In 1897, the state provided two volunteer infantry regiments for the Spanish–American War and although these two Arkansas Volunteer Infantry Regiments were not deployed overseas and did not see actual combat, they did suffer a number of casualties from disease.

Interest in the state militia waned following Reconstruction. Officially the state militia consisted of two regiments of infantry, one battery of artillery, one troop cavalry, and one signal unit. The Regimental headquarters of the 1st Infantry, Arkansas State Guards was located in Little Rock, but with little or no state funding, the militia units that existed were supported with private funds. Local militia companies participated in drill and ceremony competitions, with all the funding for travel, uniforms and equipment coming from private sources.

The Capital City Guards were organized in Little Rock in 1880. This company and the Quapaw Guards escorted Governor Churchill to his inauguration on January 13, 1881.

The Cherokee Guards were an African American company organized in Little Rock in 1881.

The Eagle Guards were organized in Lonoke County, in 1884.

The Faulkner Guards were organized in Faulkner County, in 1884.

The Garland Greys were a militia company organized in Jefferson County and commanded by Captain Sam Hilzheim. In 1881, Hilzheim was ordered to muster black troops into a unit to be known as the Neel Guards. Hilzheim refused to enroll the black troops, Governor Churchill had Hilzheim court-martialed. Hilzheim was convicted and sentenced to be suspended from his office for six months. Governor Churchill later revoked the suspension of Captain Hilzheim. The Neel Guards were mustered into state service in June 1881 The Garland Grey's disbanded following Hilzheim's conviction.

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