Mississippi: 24th Cavalry Battalion
(aka Moorman's Battalion)
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Unit History
Organized with six companies from Moorman's Cavalry Battalion on January 24, 1865, per S.O. #19, Adjutant and Inspector General's Office.
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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Lieutenant-Colonel -- George Moorman
Major -- Calvitt Robins
Order of War Department, January 24, 1865, the following companies, now forming what is known as Moorman's Battalion, will constitute the 24th Mississippi Battalion Cavalry:
Company A -- Captain E. A. Miller
Company B -- Captain B. Hudnall
Company C -- Captain John Wilkinson
Company D -- Captain Thomas J. Hargrave
Company E -- James P. Beesley
Company F -- Joseph W. Devenport
This battalion was formed by Major Moorman, formerly Adjutant-General on the staff of Gen. W. H. Jackson, when the latter was in command of cavalry in Mississippi. The official reports mention the battalion, Maj. Calvitt Roberts commanding, in Gen. Wirt Adams' Brigade, 1864 [sic], spring of 1864. Return of June 10, Moorman's Battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel George Moorman, in Mabry's Brigade, Wirt Adams' Cavalry. On June 30, Mississippi Battalion, Lieut.-Col. George Moorman brigaded with Wirt Adams' Regiment, under Colonel Wood.
The battalion was with Colonel Wood in the engagement at Coleman's Crossroads in Jefferson County, on July 4, 1864. A newspaper account mentions the companies of Captain Wilkinson, Hargrave and Devenport as actively engaged in the defeat of Ellet's expedition, and adds: "Moorman's Cavalry Battalion, of Wood's Brigade, is still increasing in numbers and efficiency. Whittaker's Scouts, a fine company and heretofore independent, reported to Colonel Moorman last week."
Inspection report August 1 -- "The battalion commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Moorman is composed of four companies only. He was appointed by Department Commander." Wood's Brigade was increased from the reserves in the fall of 1864. Major Roberts reported in command in September. General Gardner reported in October that he had assigned Miller's, Hudnall's and Whittaker's companies, the latter of Gillum's proposed regiment, to Moorman's Battalion, they being old and good companies, and he proposed to do the same with Moore's company.
On
November 20, return brigaded with the reserves under Colonel Denis. Part of Moorman's Battalion took part in the battle of Concord Church, near Yazoo City, December 1, 1864, after being in the field during Osband's raid from Vicksburg to Canton.
On December 30, during Grierson's raid from Memphis, Moorman's Battalion returned to Livingston from North Mississippi, but did not reach the field in time to take part in the battle of Franklin on January 2, 1865. The battalion was part of Wirt Adams' command at the close of the war.
Field and Staff
- Commander: William A. Pearcy (Lieutenant Colonel)
- Major: Calvit Roberts
Assignments
- February-April 1865: W. Adams' Brigade, Chalmers' Division, Forrest's Cavalry Corps, Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana
Companies & Counties of Origin
| Company | Counties Formed From | Also Known As |
| A | Copiah & Franklin Counties / Clarke and Wayne Counties | Capt. James P. Beesley’s Company / and Capt. E.A. Miller’s Company (also called Co. E) |
| B | Lawrence County / Claiborne and Copiah Counties | Capt. Banister Hudnall’s Independent Company / and Capt. Thomas J. Hargrove’s/Hargrave’s Company (also called Co. D) |
| C | County not specified | Capt. John Wilkinson’s Company |
| D | Claiborne County | Capt. Joseph W. Davenport’s/Devenport’s Cavalry Company (also called Co. F) |
| E | Copiah and Franklin Counties | ? |
| F | Claiborne and Copiah Counties | Capt. Joseph W. Davenport’s/Devenport’s Company of Cavalry |
| G | ? County | ? |
| H | ? County | ? |
| I | ? County | ? |
| J | ? County | ? |
| K | ? County | ? |
| L | ? County | ? |
Battles, Skirmishes and Engagements
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