1st Battery, Arkansas Light Artillery (African Descent)

The 1st Arkansas Light Artillery Battery (African Descent) was a artillery battery that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was composed of African American enlisted men commanded by white officers and was authorized by the Bureau of Colored Troops which was created by the United States War Department on May 22, 1863.

Organization
The battery was organized at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, on June 4, 1864. Then unit was re-designated as Battery "H", 2nd U.S. Colored Light Artillery on December 13, 1864. Mustered out on August 10, 1865.

Service
The battery was assigned to garrison duty at Pine Bluff, Ark. 7th Army Corps, Dept. of Arkansas, till December, 1864. The battery saw action at Prior Creek on September 18, 1864. The battery was involved in the Expedition to Mount Elba, Ark., and the skirmish at Saline River, January 22-February 4, 1865.

Mustered out of service
Mustered out on August 10, 1865.