Henry Cagle enlisted as a Arkansas Confederate in Company B 2nd Mounted Rifles, also known as the Mounted Dragoons. He enlisted July 15, 1861 fought for the Condfederates until he was wounded August 31, 1864. Henry was in the hospital at Barnesville, Georgia near Love Joy. As a result of his injury, his leg was amputated.

Henry appears on the inspection report, commanded by Brig. Gen. D.H. Reynolds, reported date, September 18, 1864. Henry Cagle was a 2nd Lieutenant.

The 2nd Regiment of Arkansas Co. B Mounted Rifles provided the firepower of an Infanty Regiment with the mobility of a Cavalry unit. Rather than possessing the advantages of each group, they attempted to combine, this multiplied the disadvantages. The 2nd mounted rifles served relatively for a brief period of time. They were transfered to the east bank of the Mississippi River in the Spring of 1862. The regiment was dismounted. It was requested to have it remounted but they continued to serve as infantry for the rest of the war.

Company B, 2nd Mounted Rifles, was made up of men from the area now known as Pottsville, Russellville, Atkins, and as far east as Point Remove. The company was composed of 86 men and commanded by Benjamin T. Embry, a successful farmer and merchant, who resided at what is now Atkins, Arkansas.

The company originally organized as Calvary and were required to furnish their own horses and accoutermants. They travelled approximately 150 miles to Osage Prairie outside of Bentonville, Arkansas where they were sworn into the Confederate Service.

Benjamin T. Embry, the original company commander, was promoted to Lt. Col. of the Regiment and 1st Lt. Peter W. Parker became Captain. The Regiment was disignated 2nd Arkansas Mounted rifles and Command was given to James McQueen McIntosh, a West Point graduate from Kentucky.

Company B 2nd Arkansas Mounted rifles had eighty-six men on the original rooster. In 1865 at the surrender of the Army of Tennessee there were only eight men remaining of the original eighty-six. Out of the Regiment that was originally composed of 1,200 men, there was only eighty-four from the original rooster.

The 2nd Arkansas Mounted Rifles had fought from the Western reaches of the Confederacy to its eastern shores. They had fought in nine states and in over thirty engagements. The 2nd Arkansas Mounted Rifles had become known as one of the finest and hardest and most reliable fighting units in the Army of Tennessee.

Henry was 49 years old when he went into the Confederate Army. On the paper work it look's to read 19 years old.

One of the decendent said that Henry only had one leg.

A story on Henry Cagle coming home from the service, said he was burning up with fever, Martha, his wife, went to get water, and when she returned, bushwackers had killed him and a young boy. Henry's daughters, Nancy and Suzie, tried to fight them off and save the boy, but were unable to do so. The young boy was either a son, or a grandson...perhaps a child of Nancy or Suzie.

You can reach me by email: Nancy Jane Balmer