Compiled Service Records, from MS Archives

Microfilm: M232 roll 39 (from Soldiers and Sailors system)

For the Civil War there are four names in two different Cavalry regiments: J.M. Strain, James M. Strain, James Strain and James Strane. J(ames) M. Strain in 3^rd regiment is our James Madison Strain. The other J(ames) M. Strain/Strane is only 18 and in 2^nd regiment. Have not researched one J. M. Strain name in the Infantry.

3rd Cavalry Regiment was organized during the spring of 1863 as the 3rd Mississippi State Cavalry and in October contained about 450 effectives. It was mustered into Confederate service in April 1864. Some of the men were recruited in Calhoun and Grenada counties. The regiment was attached to Chalmers', Slemons, Gholson's, and W. Adams' Brigade and fought in various conflicts in North Mississippi, Kentucky, and West Tennessee. Later it skirmished in Alabama and surrendered with the Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana. The field officers were Colonel John McGuirk, Lieutenant Colonel H.H. Barksdale, and Major Thomas W. Webb.

The J(ames) M. Strain from Company K, 3^rd Mississippi Cavalry (Confederate) has 5 cards in his compiled service record (CSR) envelope which shows his rank as a private both entering and exiting the service. (But see my discussion regarding his probable rank as Captain.) The following information comes directly from the cards in his CSR.

Cards 1-4 all state:

The 3d Regiment Mississippi Cavalry was organized June 9, 1863 as the 3d (also known as McGuirk’s) Regiment Mississipi State Cavalry. It was reorganized in April, 1864, and on May 3, 1964 was mustered into the service of the Confederate States as the 3d Regiment Mississippi Cavalry.

1) (Confederate) 3 Cav. Miss., J. M. Strain, Pvt., Co. F, 3 Reg’t Mississippi State Cav. (This Company subsequently became Company K, 3d Regiment Mississippi Cavalry.) Appears on Company Muster Roll of the organization named above for Jan & Feb 1864. Enlisted: Aug 10, 186? at Grenada by Barksdale for a period of 12 mo. Last paid by Arant?[a person’s name] to Dec 31, 186?. Marked "Present."

2) (Confederate) 3 Cav. Miss., J. M. Strain, Pvt., Co. K, 3 Reg’t Mississippi Cav. Appears on Company Muster Roll of the organization named above for "Dated May 1, 1864." Mustered into Confederate States service May 3, 1864 at Tupelo, Miss. By Capt. Warwick? Houghs? for the period of the war. He is marked as "Present."

3) (Confederate) 3 Cav. Miss., J. M. Strain, Pvt., Co. K, 3 Regiment Cavalry Mississippi State Troops. (This company subsequently became Company K, 3d Regiment Mississippi Cavalry.) Appears on Company Muster Roll of the organization named above, for "Not dated." Enlisted on May 1, 1864 at Oxford, Miss., by R. H. Turner for the period of the war. He is marked as "Present."

4) (Confederate) 3 Cav. Miss., J. M. Strain, Pvt., Co. K, 3 Reg’t Mississippi Cav. Appears on a Descriptive List of the organization named above. List dated "Not dated." Age 43; height 5 feet 10 inches; Eyes blue; hair light; complexion fair. Occupation Farmer. Enlisted by Capt. Turner on Apl 25, 1864 at Oxford. Term of enlistment: war.

5) (Confederate) Cav. Miss., James M. Strain, Pvt. Co. K, 3 Regt. Miss. Cav. Appears on a weekly Report of furloughs granted and extensions of furloughs recommended by Medical Examining Board at Grenada, Miss., for the week ending Jan 14, 1863(5?). Brigade Gholson's. Residence, Coffeeville, Miss. Length of furlough is 30 days. Disease is gunshot wound. Remarks: extension.