I am looking for and all and all historical information I can find regarding Captain Samuel M. Todd and the Prairie Rangers, particularly in fall of 1862.

The American Civil War Research Database ( http://www.civilwardata.com ) lists two S. M. Todds:

Samuel M. Todd
Residence was not listed;
Enlisted as a Captain (date unknown).
Service "K" Co. LA 3rd Cavalry

&

Samuel M. Todd
Residence was not listed;
Enlisted as a Captain (date unknown).
"A" Co. LA 1st Battn Infantry

Both are listed with a "C" under war events, which I *believe* means captured, though I am awaiting that confirmation from the website administrators as the site has no abbreviation key readily found.

I know (or am at least pretty certain) that the former is the Samuel M. Todd in question, but have no idea if the latter might be the same Samuel M. Todd. As I understand it, the latter's battalion was out of New Orleans, and I have found records of at least one Samuel M. Todd around the city before and after the war. Provided that Orleans Todd is one person, the records indicate him to be from originally from Mobile, AL, involved with the founding of Krewe of Comus, a Mason, and a partner in an art supply and glazing business. I somehow doubt this is the same Todd of the Prairie Rangers, but I'd like to be certain.

To be more clear, I'm trying to write a fictionalized story that takes place in Oct/Nov of 1862. Believe it or not, the less documented information I have the better, but in wanting to set my story against a real historical backdrop, I don't want to stray far from the truth. In other words, I don't want to paint him as a 25 year old who shows up in Hammond if he was 40 and fighting in Tennessee at the time. If I have to I can embellish I can, but I'm hoping everything will fall into place on this. I've been looking for a group of Rebel banditti to oppose my Rebel heroes for some time. I'm hoping these are the guys.

What I'm hoping to find...

S. M. Todd info:
Age; birthplace; where he grew up; known family members; level of education; occupational and financial background. Also, is it true that he went Union around the time of the Red River campaign? Are they're any known motives?

Prairie Rangers info:
I understand they went through several incarnations: The Prairie Rangers, Todd's Independent Company and then at some point joining with Louisiana's 3rd Calvary. Is this information correct? If so, what were the dates of these transitions and where did they stand in Oct/Nov of 1862? Also, how far east/southeast did their actions sometimes (or could possibly) reach? Is there somewhere a collection horror stories associated with this group?

The only info I've found on the web thus far has been spotty at best, with little citation or even multi-site collaboration. Any help given is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Doug