Thomas J. McMichael, Trooper,
1st Louisiana Cavalry Regiment, CSA

Thomas J. McMichael was born in Clio, Livingston Parish, Louisiana on May 31, 1839, to George McMichael, III and Eliza Louisiana Davidson. George McMichael, III was the descendant of George McMichael, Sr., of Scotland. Thomas had a twin sister, Martha Jane that died in 1845. He also had an older sister, Mary Serena McMichael, born June 7, 1835 and she married William Joseph Sharp, I, in Livingston Parish.

At the age of 21, Thomas enlisted in Captain C.W. Keep's Grosse Tete Rangers, Louisiana Militia. Shortly thereafter, Colonel John S. Scott was recruiting for a cavalry regiment and Capt. Keep offered the services of the Grosse Tete Rangers to him. The company was accepted and designated Company A-Ed Moore Rangers, in honor of the business man that financed the company.

The company was mustered in at Camp Schlatre, in Plaquemine, Iberville Parish, on August 26, 1861 and began their training there. The company was mustered into Confederate service along with the other 9 companies and designated the 1st Louisiana Regiment of Cavalry.

Co. A, Ed Moore Rangers were nicknamed the "Rattlers" due in part to the rattlesnake rattlers that each trooper had attached to their hats and partially due to the fact these men meant business when in a fight and was proven over and over throughout the war.

https://ehistory.osu.edu/exhibitions/Regimental/louisiana/confederate/1stLouisiana/tjmbio