1st Arkansas Cavalry Regiment (Dobbin's)

The 1st Arkansas Cavalry Regiment (Dobbin's), also known as Dobbin's Arkansas Cavalry, was a Confederate cavalry regiment during the American Civil War. Formed in late 1861 and early 1862, it served primarily in the Trans-Mississippi Theater. The regiment was organized by Colonel Archibald S. Dobbin and initially composed of men from northwest Arkansas.

Dobbin's cavalry saw action in numerous engagements throughout the war, including the Battle of Pea Ridge (Elkhorn Tavern), Prairie Grove, Helena, and numerous skirmishes and raids across Arkansas, Missouri, and Louisiana. They operated under various commands, contributing to Confederate efforts to disrupt Union supply lines and maintain control of the region.

The regiment endured significant casualties during the war, due to both battle and disease. Following the Confederate surrender in 1865, the surviving members of the 1st Arkansas Cavalry Regiment (Dobbin's) were paroled. Its history is representative of the service and sacrifice of Confederate cavalry units fighting in the Western Theater.