"The Confederate Stars"

History:

This company of volunteers, calling themselves the “Confederate Stars,” was organized at Monticello, Drew county, Arkansas, June 10, 1861, by Captain Thomas M. Whittington. It traveled to Lynchburg, Virginia, where it was assigned to the Third Regiment, Arkansas Volunteers, as Company C, July 1861. During its four years of service, 154 men served in Company C. Only thirteen of them remained when the company was surrendered at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. Their paroles were signed on April 12, 1865, and they were released to go home.

Arguably the most celebrated regiment fielded by Arkansas during the Civil War, the Third Regiment, Arkansas Volunteers, served in Virginia from its inception to its surrender at Appomattox Court House. The Third Arkansas was one of a handful of Arkansas regiments that maintained their organizational integrity throughout the war, and generally enjoyed competent, stable leadership. For most of its service, it was an integral part of the famous Texas Brigade, “Lee’s Grenadier Guard,” of the Army of Northern Virginia.