BRIGADIER GENERAL JAMES MCINTOSH Commander, McIntosh's Cavalry
Brigade Born in 1828, McIntosh, a native of Florida, was the son
of an Army Colonel killed in the Mexican War. He studied at West
Point, but was a poor student, graduating last in the Class of
1849. After graduation, he served in the cavalry on the
frontier. When war broke out, he was part of the garrison at
Fort Smith, Arkansas. He immediately resigned his commission and
joined the Confederacy where he was commissioned a Colonel. He
was given command of the 2nd Arkansas Mounted Rifles and later
command of General McCulloch's cavalry forces. Although he was
courageous and daring, McIntosh was also impulsive and reckless,
preferring to lead his men from the front instead of
concentrating on the duties of a brigade commander. When
McCulloch was killed on the first day of the battle, command of
the division was thrust upon him. He immediately advanced toward
the Union line with his former regiment, the 2nd Arkansas
Mounted Rifles. In a brief exchange