Trans-MS Cavalry Battalion

[nbforrest]

All I have found about one of my direct ancestor's service is this rather cryptic notation of the units he served in:

Co E Kidd's Scouts (AL) CSA & Co A 21 Trans-MS Bn Cav CSA

Anybody have any information on these outfits? The Alabama unit iwas maybe irregular?
The 21 Trans-MS cavalry battalion really puzzles me. What does this mean? He was from Alabama, how would he wind up in the Trans-MS?
Right now I'm trying to see if maybe the "Trans" part is an error and he really belonged to a Mississippi outfit (his brother served in a combined AL/MS outfit, so that might not be too far fetched)

Respectfully

 

[ole]

nbforrest:
If he was in a battalion designated "trans-Mississippi," it would be the first such designation I've ever seen. Perhaps it was shorthand for the 21st MS Battalion serving in the transmississippi?

In a very light look-see, Sifakis mentions no 21st Mississippi Cavalry at all, let alone transmississippi. Nor is there a "Kidd" in either the Alabama or Mississippi listings. Perhaps Kidd's Company E belonged to a larger unit and was detached from it?

Ole

 

[richard]

this may help

nbforrest:

You may wish to contact Allen Pitts on the Alabama Civil war message site. He is very knowlegeable about Mississippi and Alabama units.

hope this helps
Richard

 

[nbforrest]

Will try the Alabama site, thanks for the suggestion.

The Trans-MS designation just mystifies me.

Respectfully

 

[johan_steele]

I've been away from my notes for a few days and won't have access to them until the middle of next week so take this bit of info w/ a grain of salt... in short my memory may be all wet.

I'm pretty certain that I have seen an order of battle relating to the chasing around done by AJ Smith's foot cav in late 64 early 65. IIRC there were several "Trans-Missississippi Battalions" in the CS order of battle. As I understand it these were essentially ad hoc units thrown together from remnants of units, independent companies & conscripts. Being short lived and improvised units I would expect they might be rather hard to find info on.

When I get back home I'll see what I can find. NBForrest if you would be kind enough to PM w/ particulars it will act as a reminder and I'll see if I can dig anything up.

 

[nbforrest]

Excellent, I think you might be onto something. That makes a lot of sense because my ancestor was born in 1848, so he would have been outside the conscription age pretty much throughout the war.
Will send you that PM.
Thank you!

Respectfully