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This Day in Arkansas History

September 12, 1862

Colonel James Fleming Fagan was promoted to brigadier general. A former Little Rock (Pulaski County) politician and U.S. marshal, he raised a company of volunteers for the First Arkansas Infantry Regiment and later transferred to the Army of the Mississippi. The Arkansas Regiment had previously participated in the Battle of First Manassas (Bull Run) and the Battle of Shiloh in Tennessee where it suffered a forty-five-percent casualty rate. Fagan was promoted to major general before he left the service at the end of the Civil War.

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Arkansas State Flag, 1923

Before the legislature approved the state flag designed by Willie K. Hocker in 1913, the layout of the blue stars was slightly modified, and the word “Arkansas” was added. In 1923, a fourth blue star, representing the state’s membership in the Confederacy, was added, and the blue stars on the white field were rearranged to the layout seen here. In 1924, the stars were once again rearranged to the modern design.

 

Before the legislature approved the state flag designed by Willie K. Hocker in 1913, the layout of the blue stars was slightly modified, and the word “Arkansas” was added. In 1923, a fourth blue star, representing the state’s membership in the Confederacy, was added, and the blue stars on the white field were rearranged to the layout seen here. In 1924, the stars were once again rearranged to the modern design.

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About the Encyclopedia

The CALS Encyclopedia of Arkansas is a free, authoritative source of information about the rich history, geography, and culture of Arkansas. It is updated regularly to ensure the people of Arkansas have an accurate and accessible resource to explore our heritage. We invite you to browse our text entries and media galleries to learn more about the people, places, events, legends, and lore of the 25th state. We are continually adding new entries, photographs, maps, videos, quizzes, lesson plans, and more, so check back frequently to see what’s new.

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