Here is some info I collected at the National Archives in Washington a
couple of years ago. Some of my friends and I were in Washington and I
had made arrangements for the files from the 1st. Mich. to be made available. We started our search throught the two large carts of boxes, but only got through the As and Bs. I haven't been back since to do the rest but maybe someday.
The 1st. Mich. has been of interest to me since I first heard of it. There is a bit of history here.
Arthur Rankin was a member of the Canadian Government at the time and he
began to organize a regiment of Lancers. They have often been referred
to as Rankins Lancers. I have (somewhere) a copy of a broadside
announcing the formation of this regiment under the name of Col. Rankin
from Essex county. Now it seems that Rankin crossed the border, got together the regiment and was later charged by the Canadian government for breach of the neutrality laws. He returned to Canada and faced his charge, the outcome of which I am not certain. At any rate, here are the names we found in Washington. (I have copies of the muster in sheets for each of these soldiers)
Arthur McKee RANKIN born Essex Canada 20 years old a Farmer enlisted Co. D. Letter tendering his resignation 26 Nov. 61as Lt. Co D.
Arthur RANKIN Col. 1st regt. US LANCERS age 50 years, enlisted Sept. 4, 61 for 3 years, not mustered, resigned Dec. 7, 61.
I also have an interesting copy of a letter sent and signed by all the members of Co. E. 1st. Mich. to Col Brodhead at Camp Ruckers Washington DC on October 14, 61. The letter says...
We the undersigned members of company E. first Michigan cavalry beilieving our captain F.W. Buckres (Backres) to be incapable of properly commanding his company and having repeatedly disgraced us by drunkenness and other conduct unbecoming both a Gentleman and a Soldier and we ernestly appeal to you a Colonel of the Regiment that he be removed and another put in his place competent of doscharging the responsible duties devolving upon him as captain of a company.”
The letter is then signed by 70 men. the interesting thing about it is that it is accompanied by a letter from F.W. BACKRES as follows...
to Col Broadhead 1st, Michigan Cav. Nov 8, 61
Sir
I have been tendered a commission by Col. Rankin in his regiment of Lancers which I am anxious to accept. I therefor, to enable me to do so hereby respectfully tender to you my resignation as Captain of company E first Michigan Cavalry to take effect from date.
There is a postscript from Broadhead accepting the resignation on Dec. 4 61.
I also have copies of the papers for an Archibald L. RANKIN born Chaleston S. Carolina age 22 years a sailor enlisting in Co. R. 1st Reg. Mich. Cav on Sept. 4, 61.
{Archibald L Rankin
Claimed Residence in Trenton
Enlist Date Enlist 23 August 1861
Place Enlist Trenton
Rank Priv
Enlist Age 22
Served Michigan Enlisted K Co. 1st Cav Reg. MI (No further record) }
I hope this info . is of help to you. please let me know.
Dave Carney
- A Allen John J { Detroit } Farmer { Pvt. Corp. } 25 {21} 07 {19} April 1863 {LOE Detroit 05 July 1865 Detroit Promoted to Full Corpl Enlisted M Co. 7th Cav Reg. MI This might not be the same John J. I entered info for. } Note 1
- A Andrews Thomas O { Detroit } Clothier { Pvt. } 18 07 August 1863 {LOE Detroit 11 July 1865 Frederick Md Transfered 10th Co. 2nd Battln Reg. RC } Note 1
- A Auger Leon Farmer { Pvt. } 26 Oct. 26, 1863 {21 December 1863} {LOE Clinton } Note 1
- A {F} Austin James Mason { Pvt. Wagoner } 21 March 3 1864 {21 August 1861} {LOE Detroit DofD Camp Russell Va. 08 February 1865 Promoted to Wagoner Transferred on 06 March 1864 from Company A to Company F } Note 1
- A {D} Austin Robert Farmer { Pvt. } 18 26 January 1864 {LOE Romeo {23 June 1865} } Note 1
- L Averhill {Averill} Charles R. { Grand Rapids } Farmer { Pvt. } 27 {28} 20 {24} Aug. 1861 {LOE Grand Rapids 26 June 1862 Detroit disch disability Last Reported Residence at Dorr Mich. } Note 1
- B Bachman Silas {S.} Blacksmith { Farrier } 29 31 Mar. 1861 {01 March 1863} {LOE Detroit 19 July 1865 St. Louis Mo disch at Marine Hospl Sub for David Chase drafted 2/10/63 frome Clyde St. Clair County } Note 1
- B {D to G} Bassett Joseph { Windsor Canada West } Miller { Pvt. Bugler } 23 {25} 21 {12} August 1861 {LOE Unknown 10 March 1866 Salt Lake City UT Promoted to Full Bugler Transferred on 17 November 1865 from Company D to Company G Re-enlisted at Washington Dc } Note 1
- B {I} Beach Latham Farmer { Pvt. } 31 17 December 1863 {LOE Clinton 24 July 1865 Fort Leavenworth Ks Note 1
- C Bechtel Daniel W { Ontonagon Co. } Saddler { Pvt. Saddler Sgt. } 22 08 August 1861 {LOE Detroit 04 October 1862 Washington Dc Promoted to Full Saddler Sergt } Note 1
- B {I to L} Bein Peter Laborer { Pvt. } 18 16 December 1863 {LOE Detroit 10 March 1866 Salt Lake City UT Transferred on 17 November 1865 from Company I to Company L } Note 1
- B Beveridge James Saddler 18 20 Oct. 1863 Note 1
- H Bickford Andrew { Canada } Farmer { Pvt. } 25 15 {12} August 1861 {LOE Detroit } Note 1
- A Bierd David { 06 February 1845 East Saginaw } Laborer { Pvt. 1st. Sgt. } 19 27 May 1863 {LOE East Saginaw 10 March 1866 Salt Lake City UT Promoted to Full Corpl on 15 March 1864 (Estimated day) Promoted to Full Sergt on 15 May 1864 (Estimated day) Promoted to Full 1st Sergt on 15 April 1865 Last Reported Residence at Carrolton Mich. } Note 1
- B {C} Bishop Louis {Lewis} { Hamtramck } Farmer { Corp. } 18 02 October 1863 {LOE Detroit deserted } Note 1
- B {E} Bland John W. {William} { Lapeer } Farmer { Pvt. } 24 {20} 20 August 1861 {LOE Lapeer 20 November 1865 New York Transfered E Co. 21st Reg. RC } Note 1
- ? Boyce Adam { } Born in Canada Blacksmith 22 30 Jan. 1864 Note 1
- A Boyce Sylvester { } Born in Canada Farmer { Pvt. } 23 16 February 1865 {LOE Benton AWOL 15 July 1865 (Estimated day of AWOL) } Note 1
- B Bradley Jacob { Marquette } Born in Canada Sawyer { Pvt. } 25 {28} 23 August 1861 {LOE Houghton 22 August 1864 } Note 1
- F to M Brandon John {A} Shoemaker { Pvt. } 22 04 April 1865 {LOE Pontiac 30 June 1866 Detroit Transferred on 17 November 1865 from Company F to Company M } Note 1
- M {C} Brocklesy {Brockelsby} John Laborer { Pvt. } 23 24 Oct. 1863 {LOE Brownstown 25 March 1866 Fort Bridger UT Transferred on 17 November 1865from Company C to Company M } Note 1
- K Burch John J Mason { Pvt. Sgt. } 24 {34} 26 November 1863 {LOE Franklin Tenn. 28 June 1865 Promoted to Full Sergt } Note 1
- {G Gibbeau -or- Gibbons John, Canada West Pvt. 25 22 February 1863 LOE Marathon Substitute for John Robertson drafted 02/22/63.}
- {H Gordon Alexander Canada Pvt. Corp. 30 17 September 1861 LOE Detroit KIA Winchester Va. 19 September 1864 Promoted to Full Corp.}
- {H Grant Alexander Canada Pvt. 38 19 August 1861 LOE Port Huron Mich. deserted at Detroit MI on 16 September 1861.}
- {H McIlhardy Samuel London Canada West Corp. 30 24 August 1861 LOE Port Austin 15 February 1864 Washington Dc disch disability}
- {H Nestor John Canada Blacksmith 34 19 August 1861 LOE Port Huron Mich. deserted deserted at Detroit MI on 16 September 1861}
- D Rankin Arthur {M} McKee { Essex Canada } Farmer { 1st Lt. } 20 07 September 1861 {LOE Detroit 26 {28} November 1861 } Resigned to help form the 1st Mich Lancers Note 1
- HQ Rankin Arthur { Essex Canada } member of the Canadian Government { Col. Col. } 50 04 September 1861 {LOE Detroit 07 December 1861 Resigned He returned to Canada and faced charges for breach of the neutrality laws. } Note 1
Note 1: All these names where submited by Dave Carney. All Information between { } was added by me Pvt. Church
AG = AGE
D/O/B= DATE OF BIRTH
D/O/E= DATE OF ENLISTMENT
D/O/D= DATE OF DEATH (Month/Day/Year)
N.B. = NEW BRUNSWICK CANADA
CMH = Congressional Medal of Honor
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