Mississippi: 12th Cavalry Regiment
(aka 16th Confederate Cavalry Regiment)
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Unit History
Organized in mid-1864.
Surrendered by Lt. Gen. Richard Taylor, commanding the Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana, at Meridian, Mississippi on May 4, 1865.
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Name changed to 16th Confederate Cavalry.
Colonel -- Charles G. Armistead
Lieutenant-Colonel -- Philip B. Spence
Major -- William Yerger, Jr.
This regiment was organized of Alabama and Mississippi unassigned companies after Sherman's raid to Meridian in February 1864.
In March, 1864, in preparing a brigade of cavalry for the defense of Richmond, Va., it was suggested in the War Department that Colonel Armistead "bring seven companies out of the ten recently assigned to him and Lieutenant-Colonel Hamilton," and with the three companies in the Jeff Davis Legion, form a Mississippi Regiment for Gary's Brigade. But the brigade was otherwise formed.
On May 1, Gen. S. D. Lee, at Demopolis, Ala., was notified that Gen. Gideon J. Pillow would report to him, with orders to complete a brigade, including Armistead's Regiment. Lee ordered the regiment to report to Pillow at Selma to be armed. Lee at this time moved Jackson’s Division to the prairies around Columbus.
Pillow wrote from Oxford, Ala., on June 10, "I have only the three small regiments, Armistead's, Ball's and Thomas'." The 12th Mississippi Cavalry, Armistead, was part of the command of General Pillow in his raid upon Sherman's communications June, 1864, Armistead commanding one of the cavalry brigades, including his regiment. Armistead drove in the Federal pickets at Lafayette, Ga., on June 24, and took possession of the town, except that the courthouse, jail and hotel, which were held by the Federal troops, who resisted several attacks, in which the 12th Regiment lost 12 killed and 13 wounded, Armistead being dangerously wounded, and Major Redwood killed.
During the struggle to capture the garrison, a body of Federal cavalry sent out from Chattanooga arrived and made a sudden charge that stampeded the horses and compelled a hasty retreat. General Pillow returned with his command to Blue Mountain, Ala.
On August 21, 1864, Armistead’s Regiment, Lieut.-Col. Philip B. Spence commanding; Sept. 1, return of Armistead's Cavalry, Col. Charles P. Ball commanding, headquarters Talladega, Ala. Armistead’s Regiment, present for duty 32 officers, 302 men; aggregate present and absent 750.
Listed November 20, 1864, 16th Confederate, Col. Charles G. Armistead, in Armistead's Brigade (otherwise Alabamian), in district of Central Alabama, Gen. Dan W. Adams.
In December, on receiving news of a Federal expedition from Pensacola to Pollard, Ala., Colonel Armistead moved his brigade to Bluff Springs, a march of 150 miles in fifty-four hours, and pursued the expedition on its return, between December 16-17, General McKean, commanding at Pensacola, reported that "considerable severe fighting took place at all the streams from the Little Escambia to Pine Barren Creek."
Colonel Robinson, commanding the expedition, was severely wounded, and in his troops 17 killed and 64 wounded. General Beauregard reported that our forces "acted with spirit and gallantry."
On February 18, a detachment of the regiment was assigned to Armstrong’s Brigade, in Mississippi, at the reorganization under General Chalmers.
On
March 18, portion of 12th Regiment, reporting to Colonel Wade, transferred to Dillon's Second Regiment. Forrest's headquarters, Pickensville, Ala.
On
March 10, 1865, the 16th Confederate, Lieut.-Col. Spence, in Armistead’s Brigade. near Mobile. Armistead took command of cavalry at Pollard during Federal advance frown Pensacola on March 12.
Order of War Department, March 24, 1865, the ten companies of Mississippi Cavalry under the command of Col. C. G. Armistead will constitute the 12th Regiment, Mississippi Cavalry. The regiment. commanded by Lieut.-Col. Spence, participated in the defense of Spanish Fort. east of Mobile Bay in March 1865, and served as rear guard during the evacuation of Mobile and retreat to Demopolis.
Major Cox, commanding officer of the regiment, and the battleflag were captured April 15, about 6 miles from, Tuskegee, Ala., by Private Shoef of the 3rd Ohio Cavalry.
On
April 28, Union officer reported that Colonel Spence’s Cavalry was at the State line with pickets out to Citronelle.
Field and Staff
- Commander: Charles G. Armistead (Lieutenant Colonel)
- Lieutenant Colonel: Philip B. Spence
- Major: William Yerger, Jr.
Assignments
- August-September 1864: Armistead's Cavalry Brigade, District of Central and North Alabama, Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana
- September 1864-March 1865: Armistead's Cavalry Brigade, District of Central Alabama, Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana
- March-May 1865: Armistead's Cavalry Brigade, District of Alabama, Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana
- February-May 1865: Armistead's Brigade, Chalmer's Division, Forrest's Cavalry Corps, District of Alabama, Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana
Companies & Counties of Origin
| Company | Counties Formed From | Also Known As |
| A | *Alabama | Williams’ Company Independent Cavalry |
| B | Lowndes County | Ryan’s Company |
| C | Monroe County | Morgan’s Company |
| D | *Alabama | Deupree’s Company |
| E | Holmes County | Red’s Company |
| F | Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lowndes, Monroe, Pontotoc, and Tishomingo Counties | Moore’s Company |
| G | Lowndes and Monroe Counties | Nabor’s Company |
| H | Jasper County | Isbell’s Company |
| I | Chickasaw & Lowndes Counties | Lynch's Company |
| K | Noxubee County | Lowry’s Company |
| L | Rankin County | Maxey’s Company |
| - | - | - |
Battles, Skirmishes and Engagements
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