Company L?

[PvtEasley]

In researching an ancestor, I found him listed in Company "L" of the 1st Indiana Cavalry. I am aware that infantry companies were designated A through K with no company J, but what of cavalry? Could this be a mis-read of Company I? Thanks.
-John Easley

[Dan Wambaugh]

Re: Company L?

John,

I'm a little rusty on my Eric Wittenberg federal cavalry reading, but I believe that cavalry regiments consisted of 12 companies, organized into three "troops" of four companies each. So companies "L" and "M" would be the next logical designation.

It's important to note that the 15th Alabama infantry had a "Company L" as well, being as they had an 11th company in their regiment.


Best,

Dan

[Micah Trent]

Re: Company L?

The 12th KY Cav. US had a company L. My great-great grandfather John Thomas Wardrip, who started off in Company C, was moved to Company L where he served as Corporal until mustard out in 1865.

[NM1859]

Re: Company L?

Gentlemen,

There is one case that I am aware of where there was a Company 'L' among the foot troops.

The State of Minnesota raised two companies to serve in the United States Sharp Shooters. Company 'A' served with the 2nd USSS. The second company, because of heavy ice on the lakes that delayed their departure, didn't arrive at Washington until April, 1862. Instead of being assigned to the 2nd Regt., the MN company was ordered to the Peninsula where it joined the 1st Regt. USSS, under the command of Col. Hiram Berdan.

Upon arrival the Minnesota company recieved the designation "L", making it the 11th company in the 1st USSS. Shortly afterward, they recieved General Orders 33 that ordered their transfer to the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry-immediately after the Fair Oaks fight.

Co. 'L' retained their unique distinction throughout their term of service with 1st Minn. Since the men had been armed with NM1859 (Berdan contract) Sharps rifles and had recieved training by Capt. Drew (Co. G, 1st USSS-KIA Glendale) they were designated as that regiment's skirmish/sharpshooter company . They missed the big 'shoot out' during the second day at Gburg having been detached early in the day as skirmishers at the Bliss Farm.

Bill Skillman
Randolf Mess, USSS

[yankeecav]

Re: Company L?

In researching an ancestor, I found him listed in Company "L" of the 1st Indiana Cavalry. I am aware that infantry companies were designated A through K with no company J, but what of cavalry? Could this be a mis-read of Company I? Thanks.
-John Easley

It likely was Company L. My 3rdgreatgrandfather was in Co. M of the 3rd Indiana Cavalry. Not certain about other states. I know that in the 3rd, the regiment was originally formed with 10 companies. Companies L and M were added to the regiment at a later time.

I would recommend finding a copy of the Indiana Adjutant General's Report and looking up the regiment in question. It will provide muster dates for each of the companies and in most cases for each of the troopers. There should be a copy at the Indiana State Library or the Indiana Historical Society.

I did find this on the NPS Soldiers/Sailors site.
STEWART'S INDEPENDENT COMPANY CAVALRY.
Organized at Terre Haute, Ind., for one year's State service April 25, 1861. Mustered in for three years service July 4, 1861. Assigned to 1st Indiana Cavalry as Company "L," August 20, 1861, but served detached from Regiment entire term. Served in Dept. of West Virginia as Escort to Gen. Rosecrans July to November, 1861. At Headquarters Dept. of Western Virginia to March, 1862; and Dept. of the Mountains to June, 1862. At Headquarters 1st Corps, Army of Virginia, to September, 1862. At Headquarters 11th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to September, 1863, and at Headquarters Army of the Potomac to May,1865. Participated in all the services of these head-quarters. Old members mustered out July 3, 1864. Veterans and Recruits mustered out May 31, 1865.

[DougCooper]

Re: Company L?

Gentlemen,

There is one case that I am aware of where there was a Company 'L' among the foot troops.

The State of Minnesota raised two companies to serve in the United States Sharp Shooters. Company 'A' served with the 2nd USSS. The second company, because of heavy ice on the lakes that delayed their departure, didn't arrive at Washington until April, 1862. Instead of being assigned to the 2nd Regt., the MN company was ordered to the Peninsula where it joined the 1st Regt. USSS, under the command of Col. Hiram Berdan.

Upon arrival the Minnesota company recieved the designation "L", making it the 11th company in the 1st USSS. Shortly afterward, they recieved General Orders 33 that ordered their transfer to the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry-immediately after the Fair Oaks fight.

Co. 'L' retained their unique distinction throughout their term of service with 1st Minn. Since the men had been armed with NM1859 (Berdan contract) Sharps rifles and had recieved training by Capt. Drew (Co. G, 1st USSS-KIA Glendale) they were designated as that regiment's skirmish/sharpshooter company . They missed the big 'shoot out' during the second day at Gburg having been detached early in the day as skirmishers at the Bliss Farm.

Bill Skillman
Randolf Mess, USSS

Here is a photo of what may be Co L, First Minnesota in a redoubt (Casey's I believe) just after Fair Oaks. The photo has always been identified as "First Minnesota Squad, Just After Fair Oaks." The men are lounging about in one of the great unposed field photographs and over a stump in the right of the photo is what looks like a Sharp's Rifle.

[Ringgold]

Re: Company L?

Yes, Cavalry, Artillery, and Heavy Artillery regiments generally consisted of 12 companies. (A through M)

[RedState]

Re: Company L?

The 14th Tennessee Infantry at the outset had 11 Companies, but 1 was disbanded in 1863.

Ken Tomlinson

Pvt.
14th Tennessee, Archer's Tennessee Brigade

[JeffLawrence]

Re: Company L?

The 6th Massachusetts Militia (90-days) of April-August of 1861 also sported a Company L; that was due to elements of the 5th MVM being attached to the regiment to bring it closer to full stength prior to leaving for DC.

As an anecdote that may be of interest to only me, during the Pratt Street Riot of 19 April, Company L. was the color platoon, under Lt Leander F. Lynde who was one of the wounded in the riots.

(Sources: Massachusetts Minute Men of '61, Old Sixth Regiment, Campaigns of the Civil War)