Lowndes Alabama Rangers, aka Fagg's Rangers, later Co. H., Wood's Regiment, Alabama Cavalry, Lowndes, Alabama http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/lowndes/military/civilwar/faggsrangers.txt ==================================================================== USGENWEB PROJECT NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Project Archives to store this file permanently for free access. This file is copyrighted and contributed by: Carolyn Golowka ==================================================================== January 2002 Lowndes Alabama Rangers, CSA Contributed by Jean Till Styles In September 1861, the Lowndes Alabama Rangers, a cavalry troop recruited by M. J. Fagg, was mustered into service in the Confederate States Army. The unit subsequently became Company H. in Wood's Regiment Confederate Cavalry. The following is a transcription of the information regarding this unit found in the "Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Alabama"," The National Archives, National Archives and Records Service, General Services Administration, Washington, 1960, Roll 501, "Allen's Co. through Capt. Fagg's Co., Lowndes Rangers, Volunteers" and the "Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations Raised Directly by the Confederate Government," The National Archives, National Archives and Records Service, General Services Administration, Washington, 1960, Roll 40, "Wood's Regiment, Confederate Cavalry, A-Ca." NOTE: See information added by Carolyn Golowka at the end of the file that gives some information on some members of this unit. I. CAPT. FAGG'S CO., LOWNDES RANGERS, VOLUNTEERS Fagg's Co., Ala. Cav. "Lowndes Ala. Rangers" Sub Co. "H" Wood's (formerly Wirt Adams') Regt. Confed. Cav. Which see Fagg, M. J.-C Bowie, M. B.-1 Moorer, M.C.-2 Carr, G.W.L.-2 Captions and Records of Events folder has only one card, the Company Muster-in Roll: Caption of Roll "Muster roll of Capt. M. J. Fagg's Company in the __________ Regiment (__________Brigade) of Alabama Volunteers commanded by Col. __________ called into the service of the Confederate States in the Provisional Army under the Provisions of the Act of Congress passed on February 25th, 1861, by Hon. L. P. Walker, Sec. Of War, from the 7th day of September 1861 (date of this muster) for a term of 12 months unless sooner discharged." Certificate of Mustering Officer "I certify on honor that I have carefully examined the men whose names are borne on this roll, their horses, and equipments, and have accepted them into the service of the Confederate States for the term of twelve months from this 7th day of September 1861. Jos. Wagner Mustering Officer Date 7th Sept. 1861, Station Montgomery, Ala ROSTER OF FAGG'S CO., ALA. CAV. "LOWNDES ALA. RANGERS" Averhart, J. P. Bender, J. B. Berry, C. G. Bolton, C. L. Bowie, M. B. (1LT) Brogan, A. J. Bruner, P. A. Bundrume, John Burnson, J. A. Carr, G. W. L. (Jr. 2nd Lieut.) Casey, J. C. Casey, J. N. Centerfit, F. A. Cline, J. T. Collins, E. W. Crawford, J. D. Crenshaw, W. R. (Sgt.) Crow, J. A. Davidson, E. L. Davis, M. P. Dean, B. F. (1st Corp.) Dismukes, B. J. Doule, T. M. Drummond, C. H. Edwards, B. W. Ellis, W. T. (Cpl.) Fagg, M. J. (Capt.) Garner, Willis Garrett, E. A. Glenn, J. N. Gordon, A. K. Gordon, D. A. (1st Sgt.) Grant, L. A. Graves, T. W. Hanna, J. H. Hare, J. C. (farrier) Haygood, G. H. (Corp.) Hensley, C. J. Hobby, G. S. Hobby, S. B. Holley, Henry Holloway, William Huggins, J. S. Jackson, A. (Corp.) Jackson, A. D. Jackson, J. H. King, E. M. Leach, A. F. Leslie, J. E. (blacksmith) Little, E. E. Louis, W. H. Luchon, Louis May. J. H. (Bugler) May, S. P. Maynard, J. L. McCaw, J. B. McDonald, J. D. (Sergeant) McDonald, William McFarlan, W. L. Middlebrook, J. E. Miller, P. L. Mooney, John C. Moorer, M. C. (2LT) O'Bryan, Luke Parker, T. E. Posey, W. H. (Seargent) Pulliam, James Quinn, G. W. Rahn, William Reid, R. A. Rudolph, Z. J. Schmidt, Adolph (bugler) Smith, C. H. Thompson, J. A. Varner, R. L. Walton, H. J. Ward, W. S. Wilson, S. D. Wood, J. E. Wood, S. A. Woodruff, H. A. These are the names on the individual folder for this unit. Each folder has one card, the Company Muster-in Roll, with the exception of the folders for Captain Fagg and R. A. Reid, which also contain original documents. There were 81 men in the unit. According to the information on the individual Company Muster-in Roll cards, 10 of the men were teenagers, 58 were in their twenties, 10 were in their thirties, and 3 were in their forties. T. W. Graves and G. W. Quinn, both seventeen, were the youngest members, while William McDonald, age forty seven, was the oldest. Captain Fagg's Folder contains the following letter: Nashville, Tenn. Oct. 22/61 Gen. A. S. Johnston; Sir, I have rec'd a lot of cavalry saddles from Montg'y Ala. which were not inspected-and from the inferiority of the saddles-I would be glad you [sic] would appoint some one to inspect them before we leave Nashville. On three days drill, they have ruined a goodly number of my horses backs, and I think with such saddles, the company will not be worth their forage to the Confederate government. Lieut. Bowie, who will hand you this, will I feel confident satisfy you on the insufficiency of the saddles. I am, Sir, very Respectfully, Your Obt Servt Capt. M. J. Fagg Lowndes Ala. Rangers _________________________________________________________________________________ II. CO. H. WOODS' REG'T CONF. CAVALRY Co. H. Wood's formerly Wirt Adams' Reg't, Conf. Cavalry "Lowndes Rangers" Formerly Fagg's Co., Ala. Cav. Fagg, M. J. C. R. May 26/62 McDonald, J. D. 1. Bowie, M. B. 1. C. Posey, W. H. 2. Apl. 22/64 Moorer, J. C. 2. R. May 26/62 Moorer, J. R. 2. Carr, G. W. L. 2. R. May 26/62 Dismukes, B. J. 2. Enl. Sept. 17/61 for 12 mos. Re-enl June 1/62 for war CAPTIONS AND RECORDS OF EVENTS Co. H Wood's Regiment Confederate Cavalry (1st Regiment Mississippi Cavalry.) (Wirt Adams' Regiment Cavalry.) (Confederate) (There are eight cards in this folder.) _________________________________________________________________________________ Company Muster Roll for Dec. 31., 1861 to Apr. 30, 1862, dated Apr. 30. Station of Company: Corinth, Miss. Record of Events: "During the month of January to the 13th Feby, we were at Bowling Green Ky. Scouting & Picketing. Making a trip to Green River destroying Rail Road and other property. On Feby. 13th we were engaged in transporting commissaries on Rail Road and assisted in arresting the Fire which broke out in that town. On the 14th Feby, we commenced the famous retreat from Bowling Green to Nashville a distance of 65 miles. In rout we burned some govt. Houses. In Nashville we assisted in transporting cannon by railroad-again taking up march we brought up the rear of the army to Murfreesboro and left that place on 1st March arrived at Shelbyville on 2nd inst. Remained here for 12 days hauling Pork and pressing Teams and wagons for transportating to Grenada, Miss and Atlanta Ga. Taking up line of march thence to Corinth, Miss. where we arrived on the 30th inst. From statements made it must have been tedious and dreadful. I was detailed by Genl. Hardee to go to Atlanta to superintend the storage of Pork & retd on 28th March. On 1st Apr. my company was detached to report to Col. Murry (?) as picket guard and where we remained the balance of the month on picket duty." _________________________________________________________________________________ Company Muster Roll for July & August, 1862, dated Aug. 31. Station of Company: Deer Creek _________________________________________________________________________________ Company Muster Roll for June 30 to Oct. 31, 1862, dated Oct. 31, 1862 Station of Company: Deer Creek. _________________________________________________________________________________ Company Muster Roll for Nov. 1, 1862 to Feb. 28, 1863 Station of Company: Not Stated _________________________________________________________________________________ Company Muster Roll for March & April, 1863 Station of Company: Not stated. Record of Events: "On the night of the 27th of April, 1863, the company took up line of march from Natchez, Miss in the direction of Brookhaven and on the 28th April engaged the enemy at Union Church in which a sharp skirmish ensued but by the superiority of numbers the company was compelled to give way. On the 29 & 30 followed up the enemy in the direction of Port Hudson under the comd. Of Col. Wirt Adams from there marching in the direction of Jackson, Miss. M. B. Bowie Capt., Co. "H" _________________________________________________________________________________ Company Muster Roll for May & June, 1863, Station of Company: Not Stated Record of Events: "On the night of 27 April 1863 the company took line of march from Natchez in the direction of Brookhaven Met the Enemy at Union Church and engaged them at the point afterwards. Meeting and engaging him at Rodney from thence twords Edwards Depot Vicksburg R. R. and engaged the federals near that point. And at the Battle Of Bakers Creek took an active part in the engagement. From there marched to Liverpool on Yazoo River and engaged the Enemy on the 23 of May and on the 24 of May met and engaged them at Mechanicsburg. The night of the 21st June marched in the direction of Vicksburg under the command of Lt. Co. Wood and engaged the Enemy near Bear Creek which was a hotly contested conflict but succeeded in routing them with severe loss on the part of the Enemy. The loss in the company was 2 killed. M. B. Bowie _________________________________________________________________________________ Company Muster Roll for Sept. & Oct. 1863, dated Oct. 31, 1863 Record of Events: "On the 15th October 1863 the company engaged the enemy near Brownsville, Miss. After which a sharp skirmish ensued Holding the enemy in check for more than twenty four hours and forcing him to bring up his whole force before he could further proceed. Sustained the loss of one of our brave comrades after ward falling back in the command and by the aid of the whole comd. Impeded his movement so much that he only marched ten (10) miles in three days afterwards following up his retreating columns to Big Black River. M. B. Bowie Capt. Comdg. Co . "H" _________________________________________________________________________________ Historic Roll. Not dated. Station not stated. "Farminton, Denmark, Iuka, Cornith, Hatchery Bridge, Championhill, Brownsville, Jackson, Bolton Depot, Benton, Yazoo City, Liverpool." "Skirmishes to tedius to mention." "Captured Trading Boat Lake City at Carsons Landing on Miss. River, Dec. 12, 1861, with entire crew (cargo valued at 80.000 dollars) and cargo all saved." "The respective dates will show since what Battles each one Joined. Battle Iuka fought Sept. 18, 1862 Corinth Oct. 3, and 4, 1862 Champion Hill May 16, 1863 Hatchey Bridge Oct. 5/63 Bear Creek June 22, 1863 Jackson 10 July 1863. Brownsville Oct. 15, 1863 Liverpool May 23, 1863 Bolton Depot Feb. 4 & 5, 1864 Yazoo City April 22, 1864" "Note-Company was first organized at Hayneville, Lowndes Co., Ala and Known as the Lowndes Rangers about the 1st day of Sept. 1861 and rendezvous at Montgomery on the 8th of same month. Joined Adams cavalry Regt. At Bowling Green about the 1st Oct. 1861." _________________________________________________________________________________ Additionally, on this and subsequent rolls of microfilm there are individual folders for each soldier in the unit containing varying amounts of further information. Jean Till Styles _________________________________________________________________________________ The following is genealogical information on some of the soldiers named in this unit. Information is taken from census, marriage, court and cemetery records in Lowndes County. Because only initials were given on the roster, the identity of each man is a best guess and most likely correct. Compiled by Carolyn Golowka with help from the records of Miss Alice Lee, and encouragement from Jane S. Wheeler, Voncile Strickland, and Jean Till Styles. If you can help in identifying any member of this unit, please send your information to the Lowndes Co. Historical Society at 5935 County Road #4, Minter, Alabama 36761. M. J. Fagg was Marcellus J. Fagg, born about 1827 in TN, was a farmer in the 1860 US Census. He married Assenath M. Miles, daughter of Aquilla & Elizabeth Miles, on Mar. 15, 1853. They had at least three children: Minnie, John, and Lillie. John and Lillie died as toddlers and are buried in the Oakview Cemetery in Lowndesboro. M. J. eventually moved to NC. His brother, Henry C. Fagg came to Lowndes Co. and presented M.J.'s will to the court. He left the bulk of his estate to his daughter, Minnie, and his adopted daughter, Bessie May Fagg, his brother's daughter. Henry C. had married Wallace Elizabeth Jackson, daughter of William W. & Sarah E. Miles, on January 22, 1867. Sarah E. and Assenath Miles were sisters. Wallace Jackson Fagg died on Dec. 11, 1867. She may have died from childbirth and Bessie May could have been Henry and Wallace Elizabeth's daughter. J. P. Averhart was James P. Averhart, son of Phillip & H. V. Jane Moorer Averhart. His brother, named in James' will, was Patrick H. Averhart. His sister, Jane Elizabeth Averhart, was married to Oliver Hazard Perry Moorer. James enlisted on Sept. 17th, 1861. He was a private through his service and was killed on Feb. 12, 1864 in Decatur, AL. M. B. Bowie was Malachai Bonham Bowie, son of Samuel Watt & Julia Ann Rebecca Bonham Bowie. He was born about 1837 and married Theresa Brooks on August 3, 1865 in Lowndes County. They had at least the following children: Brooks, Malachi, and Julia B. Bowie. J. B. Bender was John Bruce Bender, born May 27, 1833 in GA, the son of Thomas W. and Eliza Streangth Bender. On October 25, 1855 he married Josephine Moorer, daughter of John L. S. & Roxanna Livingston Moorer. J. B. and Josephine had the following known children: John Calhoun, Orinda, Gabriel Moorer, William Henry, Jane Elizabeth, Thomas Leander S., James Darrell, George Whitefield Bender and Frances Lavender Bender. In 1860, J. B. was a wheelwright. He and Josephine are buried in the New Bethel Cemetery in Braggs. P. A. Bruner was Purvis A. Bruner, born Mar. 1, 1836, died Sept. 24, 1876. Estate records show him the son of William Bruner and his wife, Dorcas Arant. In 1860, he was an overseer for Z. J. Rudolph in Butler Co., AL. Purvis married Elizabeth Moorer Johnson on Aug. 13, 1867, in Lowndes. The marriage bond was signed by M. R. P. Moorer. She was the daughter of John Henry and Elizabeth Crum Moorer. Elizabeth, b. abt. 1835, was previously married to James T. Johnson on Oct. 2, 1851 in Lowndes. James died on Apr. 30, 1860 and is buried in New Bethel Cemetery next to their son, J. H. Johnson, b. Aug. 5, 1855, d. July 13, 1857. Elizabeth is found in the 1860 census, age 25, with daughter E. F., age 7, and son Thomas, age 3. J. C. Casey was Joseph C. Casey, son of John E. & Mary Bennett Casey. He was born abt. 1838 in AL. Joseph married Mary E. Stewart on Jan. 16, 1866 in Lowndes County. J. N. Casey is Jeremiah N. Casey, son of John E. & Mary Bennett Casey, born on August 20, 1828 in SC. Jeremiah married Rebecca R. Moorer on May 4, 1854 in Lowndes County. Their know children are: Olivia R. , Josephine Anne, William Simpson, and Mary R. Casey. Jeremiah is buried in Murfreesboro, TN E. L. Davidson was Elihu Davidson, son of William P. & Isabella R. Davidson. E. L. was born November 2, 1833 and died December 4, 1861 in Bowling Green, KY in one of the battles fought by this company. There is a marker for Elihu in the Cross Roads Cemetery, Lowndes County. His brother, Joseph P., born October 11, 1831, died August 12, 1862 during the Civil War, his company not known at this time. He also has a marker in Cross Roads Cemetery. M. P. Davis may be Mathew Patton Davis, son of James L. & Elizabeth Patton Davis, born on January 18, 1843, died July 6, 1905. He married Callie L. Kolb on November 26, 1878. Callie was born on February 24, 1849, died on January 2, 1893. He married 2nd Georgia Anna Jordan on September 13, 1894. Georgia was born November 4, 1853 and died on April 23, 1921. Matthew and Georgia are buried in the Myrtlewood Cemetery. B. F. Dean was Benjamin F. Dean. He was born Jan. 17, 1830 and died Oct. 8, 1909. He married Lydia K. Moorer on April 23, 1857 in Lowndes County. Lydia was born abt. 1826 and died before May 27, 1859 when Benjamin married his 2nd wife Josephine B. Grant, daughter of Henry Peter & Mary E. Grant. Josephine was born about 1842. B. F. and Josephine had at least one daughter, Mary. B. F. married his third wife, Harriett A. Grant, sister of Jospehine, on October 26, 1865. Harriett was born in 1845 in AL, and died in 1936. Children of B. F. and Harriett were Beulah Olive, James F., Lilah, and Walter Dean. Harriett and B. F. are buried in the Steep Creek Cemetery. W. T. Ellis was Walter T. Ellis, born 1843 in GA, died in 1876. Walter was the son of Fielding L. and Elizabeth Ellis. He married Isaphena Graham Russell, daughter of Robert and Mary Ann Sims Russell, on Sept. 23, 1861. Their children were Robert Preston, Lewis, Charles Jarvis, Fanny, Elizabeth and Kitty. Walter and Isabella are buried in the Sawyer Cemetery, Lowndes County. E. A. Garrett is Ephraim Alexander Garrett, son of Silas and Mary Ernest Garrett. Ephraim was born in 1836 and died Nov. 26, 1878. He married 1st Minerva L. Young, born about 1847, daughter of George W. & Susan M. R. Smith Young, on November 11, 1869 in Lowndes County. He married 2nd Martha "Mattie" A. Leatherwood, daughter of Fountain & Eliza Ann Quinn Leatherwood, on November 26, 1876 in Lowndes County. Mattie was born about 1853 and with Ephraim had one child, Silas Ephraim Garrett, born about 1878. Ephraim is buried along with his parents and some siblings in the Mt. Willing Cemetery. A. K. Gordon is Andrew K. Gordon, born about 1834 in AL. He was the son of James H. & Nancy Carlin Gordon. Andrew married Mary Eliza Hall and they had at least 2 children: William and Nancy "Nannie" Gordon. D. A. Gordon may be David Andrew Gordon, son of Samuel & Elizabeth Gilliand Gordon. David was born about 1820 and died about 1866. He married Mary Caperton on March 25, 1858 in Lowndes County, and they had daughter, Cassie A. L. A. Grant may be Lloyd A. Grant, born about 1843, the son of Henry Peter & Mary E. Grant. Lloyd was a brother to Josephine and Henrietta Grant who married Benjamin F. Dean, described earllier. T. W. Graves may be Thomas W. Graves, son of Thomas & Dolly A. Graves. Thomas was born about 1843 in AL. J. H. Hanna was John Harvey Hanna, born about 1837 in AL. He married Sabrey Casey on November 27, 1866 in Lowndes County. She was the daughter of John E. & Mary Bennett Casey and sister to Joseph and Jeremiah Casey described earlier. Sabrey was born October 22, 1841 and died May 6, 1878. She is buried in New Bethel Cemetery, Braggs. They had at least 3 children: William C., Maggie, and Sabrey Jane. G. S. Hobby was George S. Hobby, born about 1833. He was the son of Thomas and Sarah Crook Hobby. George married Lucinda Emaline Crow Strickland, widow of William Wilson Strickland. Lucinda and George married on December 23, 1866 in Lowndes County. They had at least one daughter, Lula. In the 1870 Census, George was a farmer. A. F. Leach was Aaron F. Leach, son of Isham & Mary L. Leach, was born about 1840. J. E. Leslie was James E. Leslie, born Feb. 23, 1823 in NC. On Mar. 27, 1849, James married Elizabeth Farley, daughter of Susan C. Farley (father's name unknown). She was born Dec. 12, 1828 in AL. James and Elizabeth had at least 3 children: Robert S., Elizabeth "Lizzie" F., and William W. James was a blacksmith as stated here and in the 1860 Census. James and Elizabeth are buried in the New Bethel Cemetery, Lowndes Co. as are their children Lizzie and William W. and their spouses. E. E. Little may be Eugene Little, son of James & E. J. Little. He was born in about 1845 in AL. J. L. Maynard was John Luther Maynard, born about 1835 in SC. John was in Lowndes County in 1850 and 1860 census living with his brothers and sisters. In the marriage records, a license had been taken out by William M. Garrett on June 16, 1860 to marry Juliette W. Quinn. However, this license was returned unexecuted. A month and 10 days later Juliette, daughter of John & Frances Cumberlander Quinn, married John Luther Maynard (July 26, 1860). Juliette and John had one child, Lizzie Luther Maynard. John has a headstone and Lizzie is buried in what is known as Clyde Day's Home Cemetery, Lowndes Co., AL. John died on August 20, 1862 in Corinth, MS where a battle was fought in October of that year. J. B. McCaw was the son of John J. McCaw, a clerk of the circuit court, and his wife, Elizabeth. J. B. was born about 1842 in AL. P. S. Miller may have been Preston L. Miller, son of William & Isabella Miller. Preston L. Miller was born in about 1845 in AL. He married Louisa M. Chapman on July 22, 1858. John C(hristopher) Mooney, son of Alexander and Saphronia Electra Spencer Mooney, was born November 3, 1834. He came to Lowndes Co. with his sister, Saphronia Arabella, when she was a teacher for the Cambelites, before she married James Madison Garrett. John C. Mooney was the uncle of Belle Garrett Scarborough who has been written of in past newsletters and was an outstanding teacher in Lowndes Co. John probably married Selena E. Marshall from GA. He died July 13, 1865. G. W. Quinn was George W. Quinn, son of John & Frances Cumberlander Quinn and brother of Juliette Quinn who married J. L. Maynard, previously discussed. George was born about 1843 in AL. He married Lavina A. Miller on July 20, 1864. Lavina was a sister of Preston L. Miller, previously discussed. She died on December 11, 1865 and is buried in the Mt. Willing Cemetery, Mt. Willing, Lowndes Co. In the 1860 census is a William Rahn, age 28, born in Germany. He was a Carriage and Wagon Maker. Is he the William Rahn of the Lowndes Rangers? He is also in the 1870 census. By 1880, he had married Mary Rush and had 3 children: a daughter A. P., and sons William M. and Baby. William and Mary married on Dec. 18, 1873 in Lowndes Co., and are buried in the Brightman Cemetery, Lowndes Co. R. A. Reid was Robert Alexander Reid, Jr., son of Robert Alexander & Nancy Ellen Cook Reid. R. A. was born October 22, 1827 in Butler Co. and died in November 1864, in Boiling Green, KY during the Civil War. Z. J. Rudolph was Zebulon J. Rudulph, son of John & Eliza S. Rudulph. Z. J. was born in about 1833 in SC. H. J. Walton was a clerk in 1860 living with James G. Gilchrist. He married S. F. Gilmer on Jan. 21, 1868. She was found living with her father, John T. Gilmer in 1870 and it is assumed H. J. had died.