Full Unit History
1st MINNESOTA VOLUNTEER CAVALRY
Organized: Fall, 1862
Mustered In: 10/1/1862
Mustered Out: 12/1/1863
Regimental History
REGIMENTAL HISTORY:
The 1st was a one year cavalry regiment. It was composed of twelve companies made up, largely, of men who had lost wives, children or relatives in the Sioux massacre the previous August and September. That being the case, the focus of the 1st was not on Johnny Reb, but Native American Indians. As soon as they were organized, three one hundred-man (100) were sent to what was then America’s western frontier to perform guard and patrol duties.
In the spring of 1863 nine companies were assembled for the campaign of the Missouri (River). The other three companies remained on patrol.
The battle of Big Mound (7/24/1863 Dakota Territory (DT)) saw the 1st lead the attack. It fought its way up a steep hill, put the Indians to flight and followed them for fifteen (15) miles.
Next came the battle of Dead Buffalo Lake (7/1863 DT). After that clash the 1st was at Stony Lake (7/28/1863) when the Indians attacked in great force. Again, the hostiles were defeated in this third and last battle, of the Missouri River Campaign.
The 1st reached the Missouri River on 7/29/1863 then returned to Ft. Abercrombie, DT. During the same period several companies were sent to Ft. Ridgley, DT. The battalion was then ordered to Ft. Ripley, MN.
All companies of the 1st were mustered out of service during the fall and winter of 1863-’64.
REGIMENTAL LOSSES:
Officers Killed Or Mortally Wounded: 2; Officers Died Of Disease, Accidents, Etc.: 0; Enlisted Men Killed Or Mortally Wounded: 4; Enlisted Men Died Of Disease, Accidents, Etc.: 32.
Soldier History
SOLDIER:
Residence: Inf. Not Avail. Age: 34.10 yrs.
Enlisted/Enrolled: 10/1/1862 Stearns County, MN Rank: Farrier*
Mustered In: 10/16/1862
Mustered Out: 11/4/1863
Highest Rank: Farrier
Rank At Discharge: Farrier
Family History
PERSONAL/FAMILY HISTORY:
Hugh Biggerstaff was born 12/22/1827. His place of birth was Pittsburg, PA.
Fathering Hugh was John Biggerstaff. His mother was Sara (nee Campbell) Biggerstaff.
In 1862 Hugh enlisted in the U.S. Army as a horse-care specialist. His enlistment was for one year.
On 9/3/1865.in Cold Springs Sherburne County, MN Hugh married. His bride was Margaret Amelia Wheeler (b. ca. 1841).
During their years together Hugh and Margaret produced at least eight children: Florence Lera .Jane Biggerstaff (b. 3/3/1867), Charles Henry Augustine Biggerstaff (b. 5/31/1868), Thoe “Thomas” Wendel Shepherd Biggerstaff (b. 10/22/1870), LeAnna”Lo” A.M. Biggerstaff (b. 12/7/1874), Aurora A. M. Biggerstaff (b. 12/7/1874), William Hugh Samuel. Biggerstaff (b. 4/8/1877), Ida Buckley Biggerstaff (b. ca. 1888) and Francis Kidd Biggerstaff (b. ca. 1892).
12/24/1879. Near Acton Pembina County, ND Hugh was caught in a snowstorm. This resulted in his feet being frozen.
The U.S. Census for 1880 tallied the Biggerstaffs in Pembina, Dakota Territory. At that time Hugh listed his occupation as “farmer.”
By 3/16/1895 Hugh and family were in Washington State. That was when and where he applied for a U.S. Government disability pension based on his days of Civil War soldiering. In the pension application Hugh stated that he had resided in St. Paul and St. Cloud, MN, Pittsburg, PA and North Dakota. Since the year 1891 he has lived in the Marietta region of Whatcom County, WA.
Margaret died on 1/3/1916. She was/is buried in Whatcom County’s Woodlawn Cemetery which is located near the community of Ferndale.
Newspaper Notice (in part) of Margaret Biggerstaff’s Death:
Mrs. Margaret Biggerstaff, aged 75 years, passed away at the family home at Marietta, Monday, January, 3 after an illness of only a few days. Mrs. Biggerstaff, with her family, had resided at the place of (her) death for twenty-four years. She is survived by her husband, five daughters and three sons.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 5, from the home at Marietta, with Rev. H.L. Townsend, pastor of the South Bellingham Methodist church, officiating. Interment will be made in Woodlawn cemetery.
Hugh died on 10/30/1923. He was/is buried at Woodlawn with Margaret.
Newspaper Notice (in part):
Hugh Biggerstaff, aged 88 years, a Civil war veteran and resident of this county for the past thirty-five years, passed away at a local hospital Tuesday afternoon October 30, after a very short illness. Mr. Biggerstaff resided at Marietta at the time of his last illness and was one of the pioneers of this county.
Besides many friends, he leaves to mourn his passing three sons and five daughters. The remains are in the care of the O.R. Hollingsworth funeral home where funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon November 1 at 2 o’clock with the Rev. D.M. McPhail of the First Baptist church officiating. Interment will be made in the family plot in Woodlawn cemetery.
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*A farrier is an equine (horse) hoof care specialist. A farrier combines the skills of a veterinarian with those of a blacksmith. Tasks include the trimming, balancing and shoeing hooves.
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NOTE: The preceding courtesy of the Whatcom Genealogical Society. See our Links page for information on how to obtain a copy of the DVD Civil War Veterans in Whatcom County (including June 2014 update) from which much of the above was adapted.
Posted: 3/25/2024
Updated: