During the Civil War, Cleburne County was plagued by bands of bushwhackers who preyed on both military and civilian targets, while Union troops operating in the area also seized food from civilians. On March 26, 1864, guerrillas ambushed 35 men of Co. L, 3rd Arkansas Cavalry (U.S.), killing 5 and wounding 1. In March 1864, a force of 206 men of the 11th Missouri Cavalry (U.S.) scouted along the Little Red River, skirmished with guerrillas, and executed 2. On Sept. 7, 1864, 3rd Arkansas cavalrymen fought the 10th Arkansas Cavalry (C.S.) near Quitman, killing 7 and capturing 5. Several Confederate units were recruited in what became Cleburne County in 1883, which was named for Gen. Patrick Cleburne. The Quitman Rifles, Co. A, 10th Arkansas Infantry, under Capt. A.R. Witt, was formed July 15, 1861; after the regiment was captured at Port Hudson, La., in 1863, it became the 10th Arkansas Cavalry in 1864. The Quitman Sharpshooters, Co. B, 31st Arkansas Infantry, formed Oct. 30, 1861, under Capt. J.E. Martin. Capt. E.N. Floyd raised Co. H, 8th Arkansas Infantry, around Wolf Bayou. Area Unionists left to serve in U.S. regiments raised in Missouri.