HISTORICAL NOTES:
The Mississippi 1st U.S. Mounted Rifles was organized at Memphis, Tenn., March, 1864. By the time of the First Mississippi’s fourth expedition, it had around 350 enlisted men and fourteen officers in its ranks, with many having been in the battalion since earlier in the year and many new recruits added to the ranks. During its first year, the Mississippi had over 600 men sign up for duty. Also during this time 11 men had been captured, 9 were in prison, over 160 had deserted, 54 had died, 16 were discharged and 5 were still missing in action. Though the battalion had seen its share of action, it still did not have much respect from the higher command.
OFFICERS: ASSIGNMENTS:
Attached to District of Memphis, Tenn., 16th Army Corps, Dept. Tennessee, to June, 1864. 1st Brigade, Cavalry Division, District of West Tennessee, to July, 1864. 1st Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, District West Tennessee, to December, 1864. 1st Brigade, Cavalry Division, District West Tennessee, to June, 1865.
SERVICE:
Duty in the Defenses of Memphis, Tenn., till August, 1864. Expedition from Memphis to Grand Gulf, Miss., July 7-24. Near Bolivar July 6. Port Gibson July 14. Grand Gulf July 16. Smith's Expedition to Oxford, Miss., August 1-31. Tallahatchie River August 7-9. Hurricane Creek August 9. Oxford August 9 and 11. Hurricane Creek August 13-14 and 19. At Memphis and in District of West Tennessee, till December. Grierson's Expedition from Memphis against le & Ohio Railroad December 21, 1864, to January 5, 1865. Verona December 25, 1864. Okolona December 27. Egypt Station December 28. Franklin and Lexington January 2, 1865. Mechanicsburg January 3. The Ponds January 4. Moved from Vicksburg to Memphis and duty there till June, 1865. Expedition from Memphis into Southeast Arkansas and Northeast Louisiana January 26-February 11. Mustered out June 26, 1865.
Rosters:
The roster of this unit contains the names of 902 men.
Bibliography for Research:
HISTORICAL NOTES: