1. Dandridge McRae was an American lawyer, court official, and Inspector General of Arkansas State Troops, as well as a brigadier general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.
21 Facts About Dandridge McRae
1. 2.
Dandridge McRae served in several key battles that helped secure Arkansas for the Confederacy, prolonging the war in the Western Theater.
3.
Dandridge McRae graduated in 1849 from South Carolina College, where he was a member of the Euphradian Society and the Corps of Cadets.
4.
Dandridge McRae was admitted to the bar and served as clerk of the county and circuit courts for six years.
5.
Dandridge McRae led this company as part of the militia forces that seized the Federal Arsenal at Little Rock in early February 1861.
6.
Dandridge McRae had been appointed by Governor Henry Massey Rector to serve as the inspector general of the new Arkansas State Troops.
7.
Dandridge McRae was first sent to Camp Rector at Hopefield, to begin the mustering in of troops.
8.
Dandridge McRae was next dispatched to Northwest Arkansas to assist Brigadier General Nicholas Bartlett Pearce in the mustering of Arkansas State Troops in the Western Division of the Provisional Army of Arkansas.
9.
Dandridge McRae was elected as lieutenant colonel in command of the 3rd Arkansas Infantry Battalion on 15 July 1861.
10.
Dandridge McRae led his battalion in action at the Battle of Wilson's Creek, Missouri, on 10 August 1861 and was commended for his coolness under fire and his leadership of his soldiers.
11.
In December 1861 Colonel Dandridge McRae's battalion was augmented with additional volunteer infantry companies and reorganized into the 15th Arkansas Infantry Regiment, and he was promoted to colonel.
12.
The regiment was transferred to Missouri under the command of the Army of the West, but, shortly after the transfer, Colonel Dandridge McRae was granted a transfer back to his adopted state to take command of the then forming 28th Arkansas Infantry Regiment.
13.
Dandridge McRae took part in the Battle of Pea Ridge in March 1862 and received commendations from his commander, Earl Van Dorn.
14.
Dandridge McRae remained in Arkansas while most troops were moved eastward across the Mississippi River and participated in operations there.
15.
On 29 December 1864 a court of inquiry found that Brigadier General McRae was not guilty of any misconduct before the enemy, by order of General E Kirby Smith.
16.
Dandridge McRae then led his brigade in battles in northern Arkansas and in Missouri later that year until he resigned his commission.
17.
Dandridge McRae took shelter with a friend in neighboring Woodruff County, while Frolich fled to Canada.
18.
In 1881, Dandridge McRae was elected as the deputy secretary of state, serving under Secretary of State Jacob Frolich.
19.
Dandridge McRae focused his post-war activities on promoting the commercial interests of the State of Arkansas.
20.
Dandridge McRae was a delegate to various commercial expositions and served as president of the bureau of information for Arkansas.
21.
Dandridge McRae died on April 23,1899, at Searcy, Arkansas, where he is buried.