FIRST MISSISSIPPI "MINUTE MEN" INFANTRY REGIMENT

 

        This unit was organized during the spring of 1862, originally at Grenada, but later recruiting from Copiah County, the town of Raymond, Hinds County, city of Jackson, Madison County, Rankin County, Rankin City, Madison City and Attala County.

 

        As with almost all other Confederate Army units it was known by a variety of alternate designations derived from the names of its commanding officer:

 

        Benjamin King's Infantry

        J. Lawhorn's Infantry

        B.F. Sutton's Infantry

 

        The regiment served attached to the Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana throughout its career. Only one higher command assignment has been located for the unit:

 

            May 31, 1863 - First Brigade, Minute Men, Second Military District, Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana.

 

        Nothing has been found in either official or unofficial sources to prove that the First Mississippi "Minute Men" Infantry ever took part in any engagement of any kind during its career.

 

        A part of its name was the term "State Troops," which leads one to believe that this was some type of Militia unit or "Home Guard" comprised of men too old or infirm to perform in a regular combat unit. Although it was a regiment, that is, it contained ten companies, it was a small organization, never numbering more than 250 officers and enlisted men.

 

        In August, 1862 the regiment was encamped at Camp Bruce in Warren County; and in September, 1862 it was at Camp Milldale. After forming at Jackson, the state capitol, in mid-May, 1863, the regiment marched to Yazoo City, about 40 miles to the northwest. There it assisted in guarding the approaches to that place while Union forces under Grant and Sherman were keeping Vicksburg under seige. Shortly before the regiment's term of service expired it was moved to Brandon, in Rankin County. An unofficial report states that the unit was assigned the task of attempting to gather up individuals who had been cut off or deserted from their commands during the Union operations against Vicksburg and Jackson, and assisting them to rejoin their units.

 

        The First Mississippi Minute Men Infantry was officially released from service prior to November 1, 1863. At least some of its members saw subsequent service in other Mississippi State organizations.

 

            STAFF

 

    Colonel - Benjamin King

    Lieutenant Colonel - L. Lawhorn

    Major - B. F. Sutton

    Adjutant - Thaddeus C. Watson

    Quartermaster - John Dunning, Joel H. Norton

    Chaplain - Corydon Chamberlain

    Surgeons - William C. Hicks, Charles B. Galloway, W. D. Dunlap

 

    COMPANY A

    "Copiah County Minute Men", organized May 24, 1862.

        Captain - George W. Ellis

        Lieutenants - John Dunning, Henry Hall, V. A. Hilburn

        Sergeant - John Coleman Hood } Ancestors of

        Private - Jesse Fox Hood           

        Enrolled, 53

 

    COMPANY B

    "Copiah Guards", organized May 26, 1862.

        Captain - Wiley J. Butler

        Lieutenants - William H. Crawford, Isaiah P. Rembert, Elbert L. Fairchilds

        Enrolled, 60

 

    COMPANY C

    "Raymond Company", organized May 29, 1862.

        Captain - N. H. Bradley

        Lieutenants - W. L. Hemphill, H. T. T. DuPree, G. W. Gibbs

        Enrolled, 77

 

    COMPANY D

    Men of Hinds County.

        Captains - A. L. Brown, T. M. Griffin

        Second Lieutenants - C. W. Montgomery, T. M. Griffin

 

    COMPANY E

    "Jackson Company", organized 29 May, 1862.

        Captains - James N. Daniel, John McAulis

        Lieutenants - John McAulis, R. L. Burney, Joseph H. Young

        Enrolled, 67

 

    COMPANY F

    Men of Madison County, organized June 2, 1862.

        Captains - James W. Evans, W. C. Hamilton

        Lieutenants - John T. Crayton, John W. Suber, Daniel H. Gilmore Enrolled, 57

 

    COMPANY G

    Men of Rankin County.

        Captains - A. H. Lamar, E. A. Ward

        Lieutenants - G. W. Rains, E. A. Ward, C. W. Bryant Enrolled, 46

 

    COMPANY H

        Captain - J. A. Henning

 

    COMPANY I

    Men of Rankin County.

        Captains - B. F. Sutton, E. A. Enochs

        Lieutenants - E. A. Enochs, S. M. Laird, Aaron Price

        Privates - Martin L. Boone } My great-great-grand uncles.

                        Allan D. Boone  } He died in the C.S.A. Hosp. at Vaiden, MS, 27 March 1863.

        Enrolled, 54

 

    COMPANY K

    Men of Madison City.

        Captains - L. Lawhorn, James L. Meek

        Lieutenants - T. J. Alsworth, Jerry Wilson, Robert Williams

        Enrolled, 48

 

    COMPANY L

    "Davis Guards", of Attala County, organized July 14, 1862

        Captain - David Love

        Lieutenants - W. F. Woods, A.B. Reeves, J. H. Weeks

 

    Music: "I'm A Good Ol' Rebel"

    Sources:

    Veterans Records, General Reference Branch, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, DC.

    History of the 1st Mississippi Minute Men Infantry, The Harold B. Simpson Confederate Research Center, Hill College,

    Hillsboro, TX.

    Military History of Mississippi, 1803-1898, pp.501-502, Dunbar S. Rowland.

 

 

 

                               

 

 

 

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