3rd Battalion Mississippi State Cavalry Reserves (Peyton’s/Cooper’s),
aka Peyton’s Battalion Cavalry
(from Dunbar Rowland’s "Military History of Mississippi, 1803-1898"; company listing courtesy of H. Grady Howell’s "For Dixie Land, I’ll Take My Stand’)
Company A -- Pierce’s Company (raised in Lawrence County, MS)
Company A [sic] -- Cooper’s Company, aka Clark Rebels (raised in Rankin & Simpson Counties, MS)
Little’s Company (raised in Copiah County, MS) [no company letter designation]
Yerger’s Company (raised in Copiah County, MS) [no company letter designation]
Major -- E.A. Peyton. Adjutant -- A.B. Watts.
Note regarding Cooper’s Company, aka Clark Rebels: Enrolled, 56; all but two exempt by age. "This company was raised by Captain Cooper and with three others formed a battalion of four companies, commanded by Major D. G. Cooper, for the last year and a half of the war for Southern independence. When Captain Cooper was promoted, Lieut. R. H. Cooper succeeded to command of this company (A), Third Mississippi Battalion, on duty on the Big Black. Major Cooper entered the service as a private in Bob Smith's company from Jackson and went to Florida, obtained authority to raise a company, joined the Sixth Regiment, served two years, was appointed Adjutant-General on staff of General Lovell, commanding post at Brandon, and when relieved raised this company and was put in command of Third Mississippi Battalion." (Note on roll). Also noted on roll, "was formerly commanded by Peyton, latterly by Cooper."
August 1, 1864, Cavalry Battalion State troops, Maj. E. A. Peyton attached to Wood's Brigade, Wirt Adams' Cavalry. Also called Mississippi Reserves.
They were enlisted for two years of the war. Discharged March 15, 1865.
Do you have an ancestor in this unit? If so, contact the Mississippi Department of Archives and History for his service record. Then contact us for a membership application.
