In 1861, Samuel Newitt Wood, a member of the Kansas Legislature from Chase Co. enlisted in a company of Kansas Rangers. On June 6, 1861 he was elected Captain of this company and commissioned on the following day by Gov. Charles Robinson.

On June 19th, Wood and the other officers in this company wrote letters to Gov. Robinson expressing their desire to have O. A. Bassett appointed as Major of the 1st Squadron of Cavalry.

On June 21st, Simon Cameron, Secretary of War replied to a letter of S. N. Wood sent the 12th which states:
"This Department has consented to accept five regiments from Kansas, and cannot agree to receive any additional forces from that State. Your company, therefore, can only be made available as a part of one of the regiments already authorized."

In consequence, the Kansas Rangers were mustered as Company "I," 2nd Kansas Infantry (3 months volunteers).

Afterward, Capt. Wood wrote the following letter:

Camp Wyman Near Rolla Mo. Sept. 21st / 61
Major Gen. J.C. Fremont

My Dear Sir
My Company "Kansas Rangers" were mustered into U.S. Service at Kansas City Mo June 20th / 61 we were one of three Cavalry Companies accepted for 3 years on Condition that we furnish our own Horses and Government Equiping us,, My men many of them paid from 100 to $125 apeice for Horses for this purpose.. about the Last of August we went to St. Louis.. and I got and order to return here to be attached to Major Wrights Battalion which was done Sept 4th 1861. An order Comes now for a Survey and appraisment of the Horses of the Battalion I Submitted mine to the Survey Horses that my men bought at from $100 to $125 .. two to three months ago for the Service are appraised at from $60 to $80 .. my men are not willing to sell on these terms,, and as we were mustered on Conditions only to furnish our own horses,, I can hardly think they order intended to apply to my Company,, and I now very respectfully ask to be exempt from it.. and that my Company be allowed to furnish their own horses as they agreed when they entered.

I have the Honor to be
Your obt Srvt.
S.N. Wood Capt. Co. B
Fremont Battalion

Can anyone tell me what became of the other two companies of cavalry mentioned in S. N. Wood's accounts?

Any data regarding the 1st Cavalry Squadron or O. A. Bassett?

What was the origin of the name "Kansas Rangers" and did Jennison's 7th KS Cav. or Gen. Lane's Brigade use the same name?

Any help would be appreciated.
Scott Carson