1st Regiment, Mississippi Partisan Rangers

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: [unknown]
Surnames/tags: US_Civil_War Mississippi

For profiles of members of the 1st Regiment, Mississippi Partisan Rangers, see the category

Originally designated and by far the best known ranger organization in Mississippi was the First Mississippi Partisan Rangers, also referred to as Falkner's Regiment. Organized in April 1862, under 37 year old Colonel William C Falkner following the enactment of the first conscription law of the Congress of the Confederacy. The act allowed for such smaller, usually mounted, organizations to operate independently and locally in support of the main armies. Ranger organizations would disrupt enemy communications and supplies, harassing the enemy without being drawn into engagements. The provision allowed for the same pay as the regular armies and any munitions of war captured from the enemy, cash money was paid under the same provision of the Secretary of War.

In at least two respects the 1st Partisan Rangers were unique among ranger units. It was the first unit recruited solely as a regiment, as others were combined from from smaller companies. Secondly, despite the name, it was not to operate as a guerilla warfare unit but instead attached and sometimes combined with regular Confederate Cavalry forces. With the lure of easy and legal plunder looming and a legitimate way of avoiding the Conscription Bureau, Ranger units sprang up all across the South. Most did more harm than good but some notables made their presence known. Most notably was Colonel John S Mosby of Virginia.

Charismatic, intelligent and ambitious Colonel Falkner recruited Tippah County Rangers with main function not to work as a guerilla warfare unit but as a regular regiment with the army. After losing the officers re-election for 2nd Mississippi Infantry, Colonel Falkner knew this could be his last chance for a Generals commission.

The First Partisan Rangers were to first muster with over 600 men in July 1862 but Federal cavalry had entered Ripley Mississippi forcing Colonel Falkner to muster his regiment into service in August near Orizaba, some six miles south of Ripley.
Regimental organization was:

Company A - Captain Wm. L. Davis (Thos. Ford after Sept. 2, 1862)

Company B - Lawson B. Hovis (H. T. Counseille after Sept. 2, 1862)

Company C - Forney Green

Company D - Philip Holcombe

Company E - J. E. Rogers (Willis N. Stansell after Sept. 2, 1862)

Company F - W. M. Garrett

Company G - John Garrett

Company H - J. M. Park

Company I - Larkin T. McKinza

Company K - William C. Gambill

The changes in captaincies after September 2nd were due to promotions to regimental offices on that date. These officers were: William C. Falkner, Colonel; Lawson B. Hovis, Lieutenant Colonel; Wm. L. Davis, Major; W. W. Bailey, Adjutant; W. D. Carter, Surgeon; W. G. McGill, Assistant Surgeon. The first muster roll, dated September 23, 1862, shows 368 present for duty and 397 aggregate present in seven companies; one company was in Tupelo and two companies were absent on a scout. The total regimental enrollment was 713; aggregate present 596, present for duty 570.

The unit was temporarily disbanded on 11/15/1862 and re-organized on 3/1/1863. It's designation was changed to the 7th Mississippi Cavalry by S.O. #169 & I.G.O. dated 7/19/1864.