The Sergeant explains how it all transpired:
"Well sir, our ranks were looking
mighty thin after the first battle. The Captain suggested that some of the good folks of Arkansas might be "impressed" to
help defend their homes and firesides. The Cp'n told the 1st Sgt and he told me, the 2nd Sgt (in a rather rude way I might
add) to see if'n any of them civilians could tote a rifle. Well I gatherd me up about 15 or so of them Cane Hill folks
an commenced in to drilling. I tell you what, it was like trying to herd chickens. And trying to git 'em all to keep
in step...I swear (and I did say some words that wer'nt according to scripture) those people marched like they had THREE LEGS!
Its one...two..one. Step out with yer left foot on ONE...TWO use yer right foot. They had ANOTHER step in thar sumwheres.
I figured thet everybody could count to TWO but...
I had just a few minutes to whup'em
into shape. I was drillin em like a house a fire with "wheeling" and just marchin in a column of fours when orders came down
fer us to move out. The Captain, he figured they wasnt ready yet and how we'd be just a trippin over 'em an all, so we had
to let em go. I lost my little company of "volunteers".
2nd Sgt.Preston Ware,
3rd ARK, 1st Arkansas Battalion
