Civil War Military Units from Minnesota: Brackett's Battalion of Cavalry

In October and November of 1861 three companies of cavalry, known as the First, Second and Third Companies of Minnesota Light Cavalry were recruited at Fort Snelling.  In December they reported to Benton Barracks near St. Louis, Missouri where they combined with four companies from Iowa, three from Nebraska and two from Missouri to make a regiment of cavalry known at "Curtis' Horse" .  This regiment was commanded by a regular army officer, Col. W. W. Lowe.  The new regiment's Major was Alfred B. Brackett, promoted from command of one of the Minnesota companies.  Curtis Horse was assigned to General Grant's command and took part in the capture of Fort Donelson, the Shiloh and Corinth campaign and fighting against Confederate raiders in Tennessee and Mississippi.  In the summer of 1862 the name of the regiment was changed to the 5th Iowa Cavalry, much to the chagrin of the Minnesotans.  They continued to serve in Tennessee as part of the Army of the Cumberland, guarding communications and supply lines against Confederate raiders.  The Minnesota Companies reenlisted in January 1864, and after lobbying by Senator Ramsey and Major Brackett the War Department reassigned them to their own battalion under Brackett's command, thereafter known as "Brackett's Battalion".  They were soon sent to the frontier and became part of Gen. Sully's expedition against the Dakota. Brackett's Battalion continued serving on the frontier until June of 1866, making the three companies the longest serving units from Minnesota.