Murchison's Cavalry

[Mentalpope]

I am looking for information on the above unit, Murchison's Cavalry. The unit was formed in late 1864 around the Atlanta Campaign. My GG Grandfather, WW Pope, signed on to it. I can find no unit histories of the unit online. There is an unoffical tradition that the unit was absorbed by Joseph Wheeler's Cavalry and his "Mounted Infantry" as they sought to delay Sherman. But no proof. Any help appreciated.

 

[Mentalpope]

I am looking for information on the above unit, Murchison's Cavalry. The unit was formed in late 1864 around the Atlanta Campaign. My GG Grandfather, WW Pope, signed on to it. I can find no unit histories of the unit online. There is an unoffical tradition that the unit was absorbed by Joseph Wheeler's Cavalry and his "Mounted Infantry" as they sought to delay Sherman. But no proof. Any help appreciated.

In Bartow County, GA records found a reference to John D. Murchison from Bartow County who enlisted in "1st Georgia Cavalry of Haralson County in April 1862." There is a fragmentary note, "Detained in Georgia by General Wheeler."

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

In Bartow County, GA records found a reference to John D. Murchison from Bartow County who enlisted in "1st Georgia Cavalry of Haralson County in April 1862." There is a fragmentary note, "Detained in Georgia by General Wheeler."

https://books.google.com/books?id=A...urce=bl&ots=hnR4_LYTFF&sig=KL5AUFZjkvEQjQ704b

 

[GELongstreet]

In the ORs there is a Murchison's Provost Guard belonging to Neely's Cavalry Brigade (Chalmers Div., Forrest Cav. Corps) mentioned in May 1864. Led by a Captain D.J. Murchison though I´ve not found anything about him yet.

I think it is very probable that Murchison's Battalion, apparenty not listed as a state unit, either evolved from this or at least was commanded by this respective Murchison. However I´m still searching.

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

I am looking for information on the above unit, Murchison's Cavalry. The unit was formed in late 1864 around the Atlanta Campaign. My GG Grandfather, WW Pope, signed on to it. I can find no unit histories of the unit online. There is an unoffical tradition that the unit was absorbed by Joseph Wheeler's Cavalry and his "Mounted Infantry" as they sought to delay Sherman. But no proof. Any help appreciated.

This him ?

William Wiley Pope : Residence Haralson County GA; enlisted and mustered on 3/4/1862 into "K" Co. GA 40th Infantry. POW 7/4/1863 Vicksburg, MS. Paroled 7/6/1863 Vicksburg, MS. AWOL 10/7/1863. On 12/15/1864 he mustered into "K" Co. GA 18th Battalion Militia Cavalry. (Estimated day of enlistment. Served until surrender.) born in 1840 in Georgia.

Source :
Roster of Confederate Soldiers of Georgia 1861-1865

 

[GELongstreet]

So, here on archive.org are some microfilmed documents and a few POW rolls of men from the battalion. I´ll not post those rolls, just follow the link. There you can zoom in more if it helps you to decipher the stuff.

EDIT: Somehow the display has issues so apparently you have to open the pics manually.

 

[Mike Serpa]

<deleted>

 

[Mike Serpa]

<deleted>

 

[Mentalpope]

This him ?

William Wiley Pope : Residence Haralson County GA; enlisted and mustered on 3/4/1862 into "K" Co. GA 40th Infantry. POW 7/4/1863 Vicksburg, MS. Paroled 7/6/1863 Vicksburg, MS. AWOL 10/7/1863. On 12/15/1864 he mustered into "K" Co. GA 18th Battalion Militia Cavalry. (Estimated day of enlistment. Served until surrender.) born in 1840 in Georgia.

Source :
Roster of Confederate Soldiers of Georgia 1861-1865

Yes. "War of the Rebellion" mistakenly listed him as William "Wiley" Pope. Should be William "Wesley" Pope. Thanks.

 

[Mentalpope]

So, here on archive.org are some microfilmed documents and a few POW rolls of men from the battalion. I´ll not post those rolls, just follow the link. There you can zoom in more if it helps you to decipher the stuff.

View attachment 147658

View attachment 147644
View attachment 147645
View attachment 147646
View attachment 147647
View attachment 147648
View attachment 147649

EDIT: Somehow the display has issues so apparently you have to open the pics manually.

Thanks for this. I'll take some time to pick through these.

 

[Mentalpope]

Thanks for this. I'll take some time to pick through these.

The last card refers to members of Murchison's Cavalry(or Battalion) surrendering in Polk County, GA(probably Cedartown, GA) at war's end. That tells me that the unit maintained organization and fought till the surrender. Captain Alexander Murchison, who reportedly formed the unit, was listed in the "invalid corps" in the spring of 1864. So who was leading the unit is an open question. It seems logical to theorize that the unit fought in concert with Wheeler's Cavalry. But again, looking for confirmation.

 

[Mentalpope]

In the ORs there is a Murchison's Provost Guard belonging to Neely's Cavalry Brigade (Chalmers Div., Forrest Cav. Corps) mentioned in May 1864. Led by a Captain D.J. Murchison though I´ve not found anything about him yet.

I think it is very probable that Murchison's Battalion, apparenty not listed as a state unit, either evolved from this or at least was commanded by this respective Murchison. However I´m still searching.

 

[GELongstreet]

Murchison's Cavalry

And what is your answer supposed to mean? Because I don´t get it.

 

[Mentalpope]

Murchison's Cavalry

Murchison's Cavalry was listed as Co. K, 18th Battalion, Georgia Militia Cavalry. Enlistments of record were mostly from Spring to the end of the year in 1864. The only enlistments of record to this cavalry unit I have found were from Co. K of the 40th GA Regiment from Haralson County, GA, The Haralson Invincibles.

 

[Mentalpope]

And what is your answer supposed to mean? Because I don´t get it.

 

[Mentalpope]

At Picryl.com found orginal records of cavalry soldiers raised up by the Confederate government. All of them are recorded as members of Murchison's Cavalry, Captain Raum's Cavalry, Powers Regiment, and Wheeler's Scouts. This may support my theory that they were all working under Gen. Wheeler as "Mounted Infantry."