About Us

McNeill’s Rangers is a group of living historians established for the purpose of challenging ourselves and our horses in accurately portraying Confederate cavalry/Partisan Rangers of Capt. John Hanson McNeill (1815-1864), and honoring all mounted forces, both Federal and Confederate, who fought in the American Civil War.

We strive to present a proper historical interpretation and equip and train ourselves as an authentic, disciplined mounted force of primarily Confederate Partisan Rangers, but we also don blue as the need arises. We ride in mid-19th century military formations and execute commands on the move. Horses taking the field should be accustomed to loud noises and sudden movements.

We are a family-friendly organization of students and teachers of American Civil War history; our members represent a variety of backgrounds and interests. Each new recruit is paired with a mentor/advisor who will provide guidance in attaining appropriate equipment, clothing, weapons, and tack, and also instruct the recruit in proper camp etiquette.

Our troops have been used as consultants, extras, and for minor speaking roles in various TV and movie productions including Sight & Sound’s first theatrical film, “I Heard The Bells” (2022), the History Channel's “The Food That Built America” (S1, 2019), and Robert Redford’s docu-drama “The American West” for the AMC Channel (2016).