Mississippi: Ham's Cavalry Regiment
(aka Ham's Mississippi)
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Unit History
Organized by the increase of the 16th Cavalry Battalion, State Troops to a regiment and is designated as Ham's Cavalry Regiment on April 30, 1864.
Transferred to Confederate service on April 30, 1864.
Consolidated with the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, State Troops and Ashcraft's Cavalry Regiment and designated as Ashcraft's, Ham's, and Lowry's Cavalry Regiment on March 20, 1865.
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Colonel -- Thomas W. Ham, killed at Atlanta
Lieutenant-Colonel -- William P. Curlee
Major -- George W. Bynum
Adjutant -- George C. Summey
Surgeon -- M. W. Bynum
Quartermaster -- W. L. Williams
Chaplain -- E. C. McElzea
This regiment was formed May 3, 1864, by adding two companies to Ham's Battalion of Cavalry, transferred to the service of the Confederate States about the same date. The regiment is entitled Seventh Regiment Cavalry in the State record of commissions, but does not appear to have gained that title in the Confederate organization. It was known as Ham's Regiment.
The companies added to the battalion were Company I (Capts. William P. Curlee and L. R, Burris) and Company K (Capt. J. R. Wallis).
The regiment, with Gholson's Brigade, participated in the attacks of July 6-7, 1864, by the forces under Gen. Wirt Adams, upon the command of General Slocum, between Jackson and Clinton, Miss. Three determined attacks were made in the attempt to cut off Slocum's retreat from Jackson, which he had occupied one day, advancing from Vicksburg. In Ham's Regiment, Capt. W. L. White and Private J. N. Turner were killed and 18 wounded, including Lieut. W. J. Page, dangerously.
On July 25, the regiment was with the brigade in the lines of Atlanta, Ga., and on July 28, fighting west of Atlanta under Gen. S. D. Lee, dismounted, in Walthall’s Division, they made a desperate charge upon the breastworks in the woods, and sustained heavy losses.
Colonel Ham was mortally wounded, and died July 30. Captain Estes, of Company A, and Lieutenant Winters, commanding Company D, were killed; Lieutenant Tatum and Captains Wallis and Burns, commanding companies, were wounded; Lieut. P. B. Wood, wounded and missing; the total casualties being 4 killed and 33 wounded, several of the latter missing.
In December, 1864, General Gholson was severely wounded in command of a part of his brigade at Egypt, fighting the last of Grierson's raids. While posted ten miles south of Columbus, the brigade was consolidated as Ashcraft's Regiment, under an order of General Chalmers, made on February 18, 1865. This command, of which Curlee was Lieutenant-Colonel, was assigned to Armstrong's Brigade, which made a gallant fight against odds, in the works at Selma, Ala., on April 2, 1865.
Here a considerable number were killed, wounded or captured. General Long, whose division made the assault, reported on his side, 42 killed, 270 wounded.
The officers and men were finally paroled in May, 1865, under the capitulation of Lieut.-Gen. Richard Taylor, May 4.
Field and Staff
- Commander: Thomas W. Ham (Colonel)
- Lieutenant Colonel: William P. Curlee
- Major: George W. Bynum
Assignments
- May 1864: Gholson's Brigade, Forrest's Cavalry Corps, Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana
- May-June 1864: Gholson's Brigade, Buford's Division, Forrest's Cavalry Corps, Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana
- June-August 1864: Gholson's Brigade, W. Adams' Cavalry Division, Lee's Cavalry Corps, Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana
- February-March 1865: Armstrong's Brigade, Chalmer's Division, Forrest's Cavalry Corps, Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana
Companies & Counties of Origin
| Company | Counties Formed From | Also Known As |
| A | Tishomingo County | Tishomingo Rangers |
| B | Tishomingo County | Ham’s Company |
| C | Tishomingo County | Yates’ Company |
| D | Tishomingo County | White’s Company |
| E | Yalobusha County | McNeil’s Company |
| F | Itawamba County | Gilstrap’s Company |
| G | Itawamba and Tishomingo Counties | Mayes’ Company |
| H | Itawamba County | Ree’s Company |
| I | Noxubee County | Curlee’s Company |
| K | Itawamba County | Wallis’ Company |
| - | - | - |
| - | - | - |
Battles, Skirmishes and Engagements
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