Dandridge McRae

Dandridge McRae (October 10, 1829 – April 23, 1899) 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. He served in several key battles that helped secure Arkansas for the Confederacy, prolonging the war in the Western Theater.

Biography Dandridge McRae was born in Baldwin County, Alabama, the son of Margaret (Bracy) and D. R. W. McRae. He graduated in 1849 from South Carolina College, where he was a member of the Euphradian Society and the Corps of Cadets. McRae moved to Searcy in White County, Arkansas. He was admitted to the bar and served as clerk of the county and circuit courts for six years.

McRae in "Arkansas Guards" officer uniform. He was elected captain of White County's antebellum militia company in September 1860.

McRae began his military service in Arkansas on September 12, 1860, when he was elected captain of the "Arkansas Guards", an element of the 21st Regiment of the Arkansas militia, headquartered in White County.

McRae was elected as lieutenant colonel in command of the 3rd Arkansas Infantry Battalion on 15 July 1861.

McRae took part in the Battle of Pea Ridge in March 1862 and received commendations from his commander, Earl Van Dorn. McRae remained in Arkansas while most troops were moved eastward across the Mississippi River and participated in operations there. On November 5, 1862, he was commissioned as a brigadier general.

During the Camden Expedition of the 1864 Red River Campaign, McRae's brigade formed part of the force under General Sterling Price. They participated in the Battle of Marks' Mills and the Battle of Jenkins' Ferry, forcing the Union forces out of southern Arkansas and back to Little Rock. McRae then led his brigade in battles in northern Arkansas and in Missouri later that year until he resigned his commission. Both Frolich and McRae were part of a group of men indicted for the 1868 murder of Albert Parker, an agent of Gov. Powell Clayton sent to investigate KKK activity in White County. Though the charges were ultimately dropped, both men fled Searcy upon warrants being issued for their arrest. McRae took shelter with a friend in neighboring Woodruff County, while Frolich fled to Canada. In 1881, McRae was elected as the deputy secretary of state, serving under Secretary of State Jacob Frolich. He focused his post-war activities on promoting the commercial interests of the State of Arkansas. He was a delegate to various commercial expositions and served as president of the bureau of information for Arkansas.

After suffering a stroke in 1897, McRae began to decline physically. He died on April 23, 1899, at Searcy, Arkansas, where he is buried.