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Civil War Military Units from Minnesota: 1st Regiment of Mounted Rangers

1st Regiment of Mounted Rangers

1st Regiment of Mounted Rangers
Recruited in the fall of 1862 to provide mounted troops for the war against the Dakota Indians. The regiment was primarily used in Sibley's expedition into Dakota Territory in the summer and fall of 1863. They fought in a number of actions against the Dakota, notably the battle of Big Mound. The Mounted Rangers were mustered out of service in the fall of 1863. Many of them reenlisted with the Second Regiment of Cavalry.

Narrative of the First Regiment of Mounted Rangers, by Captain Eugene M. Wilson.
In Minnesota in the Civil and Indian Wars, vol. 1, p 519-524.
St. Paul, MN: Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2005.
MNHS call number: Reading Room E515.M66 2005, v.1

The Orders of Col. Samuel McPhail, 1863, Minnesota Mounted Rangers. Edited by, Donald B. Sayner.
Tucson AZ: University of Arizona, 1973.
MNHS call number: E83.863.M3 .S38
Thomas R. Stewart Memoirs, 1905, 1929
A negative photocopy, typed transcript, and newspaper copy of the memoirs of a Caledonia (Minn.) pioneer. Topics include the experiences of Stewart’s family from their arrival on the Minnesota frontier (1853) through the Dakota Conflict (1862); his military service, in the aftermath of the conflict, with Company G of the 1st Regiment of Mounted Rangers (1862-1863); and his brief reenlistment (1865) with the 23rd Illinois Veteran Infantry which arrived in Richmond (Va.) shortly after the collapse of the Confederacy.
MNHS call number: See the finding aid in the library (P1519).

Wall, Oscar Garnett, diary of the Indian expedition of 1863
Typed transcriptions of a diary (May 9-Sept. 29) kept by Wall, of the 1st Mounted Rangers, Company F, detailing his service on the Sibley Expedition, particularly miles covered daily, campsites, travel conditions, and skirmishes with the Dakota.
MNHS call number: See the finding aid in the library (M582: Wall).

Records of Company F, 1st Minnesota Mounted Rangers, 1862-1863.
General and special orders, muster roll, and a record of clothing issued for this regiment recruited for service during the Dakota Conflict. The Rangers, commanded by Colonel Samuel McPhail, accompanied General Henry H. Sibley on his punitive expedition against the Dakota in 1863.
MNHS call number: See the finding aid in the library (BG4/.M523 1st F).

Order Book, Company M, 1st Minnesota Mounted Ranger, 1862-1863
Official order book of this regiment recruited by order of the War department for service during the Dakota Conflict. The Rangers, commanded by Colonel Samuel McPhail, accompanied General Henry H. Sibley on his punitive expedition against the Dakota in 1863. Company M was mustered out of service during the following fall and winter.
MNHS call number: See the finding aid in the library (BG4/.M523 1st M).

Paul H. Rosendahl Diaries, 1860-1865
The 1862-1863 entries document Rosendahl’s service in the First Regiment of Minnesota Mounted Rangers during the Sibley punitive expedition against the Dakota. The 1864-1865 entries describe his service in the First Minnesota Regiment of Heavy Artillery during the Tennessee Campaign.
MNHS call number: Digital Finding Aid

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