USA > Tennessee > History of the Twentieth Tennessee regiment volunteer infantry, C.S.A > Part 9
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W. P. Rucker, Captain. Fred Claybrook, Ist Lieutenant. A. R. Pinkston, M. D., 2nd Lieutenant, John Jordan, 3rd Lieutenant, Alexander Winn, Orderly Sergeant, W. R. Haz- elwood, 2nd Sergeant, E. A. Austin, 3rd Sergeant, H. H. Haynes, 4th Sergeant, John G. Crutcher, Ist Corporal, P. G. Smithson, 2nd Corporal, A. D. A. Rucker, 3rd Corporal, Geo. D. Hughes, 4th Corporal.
This Company was sent to Camp Trousdale, and went into Camp of Instruction, and had more baggage and more negroes to wait on them than any other two Companies in the Regiment. At the organization of the Regiment this Company took posi- tion in the right wing, letter D. Capt. Rucker, at the re-organi- zation of the Army in May, 1862, at Corinth, Miss., was not re-elected, but like a true patriot and soldier, he re-enlisted as a private in the Cavalry Service, and was killed in Gen. Forrest's attack on Fort Donaldson in January, 1863. Lieut. Fred Clay- brook at the re-organization was elected Captain, and was after- (103)
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HISTORY OF THE TWENTIETH TENNESSEE REGIMENT
wards promoted to Major. A sketch of the life of this gallant officer will be found in the "Biographies." Also at the reor- ganization another worthy soldier was promoted from 2nd Cor- poral to Ist Lieutenant, viz., P. G. Smithson, who after the promotion of Claybrook to Major, became Captian of Company D, and well and faithfully did he command it until the battle of Chickamauga, when he was severely wounded in the knee and took gangrene in his wound. I was also wounded at Chicka- mauga in the right groin, and with Capt. Smithson, who never fully recovered from his wound, was sent to the Fair Grounds Hospital at Atlanta, Ga., for treatment. While lying in the hospstal side by side, with Capt. Smithson on my right, a Lieu- tenant who belonged to the 15th Arkansas, was lying to my left, badly wounded in the thigh, who also took gangrene in his wound ; how I escaped, the good Lord only knows, but I attrib- ute it to the prayers of a Christian mother. This young Lieu- tenant from Arkansas was doubly interesting, because he was born and raised in Ohio, but happened to be down in Arkansas at the outbreak of the war, and so joined the Southern Army. When gangrene attacked the wound it destroyed the femoral artery, and the surgeons ligated the artery above ; the gangrene then attacked the wound made by the surgeon's knife; the ves. sel was tied again and the dread disease attacked this poor fellow for the third time. The surgeons then advised him that if it attacked the artery again the diseased section would be so high up that they could do nothing more for him ; so if he had anything to say or do it would be well for him to do it. I lay by his side and saw the surgeon write his will, in which he gave his sword, his blanket, and what money he had to different
members of his Company, and with a calm look, as if to say, "Now I am ready." He and I lay there that night waiting for the bursting of the blood vessel, which took place about 2 o'clock in the morning, and I saw the blood of that gallant boy grad- ually ooze away until life was no more. Before the morning stars had made their appearance, I believe his soul was in heaven. Such is war! The brave and gentle Capt. P. G. Smithson survived the war, and was made Commander of the Soldier's Home at the Hermitage, where he died in 1897. He was one of nature's noblemen.
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LIEUT. PHILIP N. MATLOCK. See page 426.
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COMPANY HISTORY "D"
Company D had some magnificent soldiers in it, and acquitted itself well on every field. At the beginning of the war this Company had so much baggage, that in addition to the two wagons they were allowed, they purchased another out of their private means for their accomodation.
The roster of this Company was as follows : -
Rucker, W. P., Captain. Not re-elected at re-organization, May 8th, 1862; joined Forrest's Cavalry and killed in an attack on Fort Donaldson, January, 1863.
Claybrook, Fred, Ist Lieutenant. Elected Captain at re-or- ganization ; promoted to Major July Ist, 1862 ; killed at battle of Hoover's Gap, June 24th, 1863.
Pinkston, A.R., 2nd Lieutenant. Assigned to duty as Acting Assistant Surgeon, Sept. 9th, 1861 ; captured at the battle of Fishing Creek and never returned.
Jordan, John, 3rd Lieutenant. Promoted to 2nd Lieutenant Sept. 9th, 1861 ; was not re-elected at re-organization ; health failed and died before the close of the war.
Winn, Alexander, Orderly Sergeant. Appointed Adjutant of 20th Tenn. Vol. Infantry Regiment, June 6th, 1861 ; after- wards promoted to Quartermaster, and killed near Cassville, Ga., in 1864.
Hazelwood, W. R., 2nd Sergeant. Promoted to Ist Sergeant, June 6th, 1861 ; not re-elected ; wounded at battle of Nashville, 1864; P. O., Verona, Texas.
Austin, E. A., 3rd Sergeant. Promoted to 2nd Sergeant, June 6th, 1861 ; died at home, December, 1861.
Haynes, H. H., 4th Sergeant. Wounded and captured at battle of Fishing Creek, and not re-elected, May 8th, 1862.
Crutcher, J. G., Ist Corporal. Promoted to 3rd Sergeant, June 6th, 1861 ; killed at the battle of Shiloh, April 6th, 1862.
Smithson, P. G., 2nd Corporal. Promoted to Ist Lieutenant at re-organization, May 8th, 1862 ; promoted to Captain, July Ist, 1862 ; badly wounded at the battle of Chickamauga; after the war was elected Commander of Tennessee Confederate Sol- dier's Home, and died there in 1897.
Rucker, A. D. A., 3rd Corporal. Elected 3rd Lieutenant, Sept. 9th, 1861 ; wounded at the battle of Shiloh, April 6th, 1862; not re-elected ; dead.
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HISTORY OF THE TWENTIETH TENNESSEE REGIMENT
Hughes, Geo. D., 4th Corporal. Not re-elected at re-organi- zation ; dead.
Andrews, W. M. Promoted to Corporal, Nov. 3rd, 1863 ; lives in Kentucky.
Andrews, J. G. Captured at battle of Missionary Ridge ; died in Rock Island Prison.
Allen, W. D. Elected 3rd Corporal, May 8th, 1862.
Alston, J. J. P. O. Culleoka, Tenn.
Alston, R. T. Paroled at close of war ; dead.
Beech, J. T. Wounded at battle of Murfreesboro; lives in Texas.
Beech, R. T. P. O. Arrington, Tenn.
Buchanan, J. P. Killed at battle of Hoover's Gap, June 24th, 1863.
Buchanan, C. Wounded at the battle of Murfreesboro ; cap- tured at Missionary Ridge ; P. O., Arrington, Tenn.
Bugg, J. V. Furnished substitute ; dead.
Crutcher, H. L. Discharged, August, 1861.
Crutcher, W. A. P. Wounded at Hoover's Gap.
Crenshaw, C. A. Wounded at Fishing Creek ; discharged, August, 1862.
Couch, T. P. Died at Mill Springs, Ky., December, 1861.
Caruthers,
Corbett, W. J. Died February, 1863.
Chapman, W. P. Wounded at Shiloh.
Covington, W. D. Discharged on surgeon's "Certificate of Disability" in 1862, then joined Cavalry, serving until the close of the war.
Covington, M. L. Killed at Hoover's Gap, June 22nd, 1863. Christman, G. W. L. Killed at Franklin, Nov. 30th, 1864.
Cook, W. A. Wounded at Shiloh, April 7th, 1862 ; P, O., Callender, Tenn.
Demonbreun, J. T. Discharged, Sept., 1861.
Edwards, P. D. Elected 3rd Lieutenant, May, 1862 ; pro- moted to 2nd Lieutenant, August, 1862.
Edwards, S. F. Wounded at the battle of Murfreesboro.
Freeman, J. W. Elected 3rd Lieutenant, August, 1862 ; dead Freeman, J. T. Dead.
Flemming, R. J. Elected 2nd Sergeant, June, 1863 ; lost leg at Resaca, 1864; dead.
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COMPANY HISTORY "D"
Gee, J. L. Elected Ist Sergeant, May, 1862 ; wounded at the battles of Murfreesboro and Shiloh.
Gee, A. B. Mortally wounded at Chickamauga, Sept. 19th, 1863, and died Oct. 17, 1863.
Gray, R. D. Captured at Missionary Ridge.
Hatcher, W. E. Discharged, July, 1862.
Hatcher, J. W. Discharged, July, 1862.
Hill, W. W. Died, July, 1861.
Hill, A. G. Captured at Fishing Creek ; promoted to Sharp- shooter ; P. O., Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Holland, J. J. Discharged, July, 1862 ; P. O., Armo, Tenn. Hampton, Cary. Discharged, Nov., 1861.
Hyde, Isaac W. Wounded at Fishing Creek; promoted to Color Bearer ; wounded again at Chickamauga ; paroled at sur- render ; dead.
Hyde, H. H. Dead.
Haley, J. W. Living at Okalona, Miss.
Heathcock, J. W. Captured at Missionary Ridge; P. O. Triune, Tenn.
Heathcock, L. L. Captured at Missionary Ridge; died in Rock Island Prison.
Heathcock. M. L. Dead.
Hinson, J. H.
Henley, A. C.
Hull, L. J. Promoted to Sergeant; killed at Chickamauga.
Jordan, J. W. Killed at Murfreesboro.
Jordan, M. C. Wounded at Kennesaw Mountain ; lives in Missouri.
Jordan, R. A. Wounded and captured at the battle of Fish- ing Creek ; promoted to 3rd Sergeant, 1863 ; captured at Mis- sionary Ridge ; dead.
Jordan, J. M. Discharged; P. O., Nashville, Tenn.
Jones, G. L. Killed by Yankees while at home.
Jones, Wm. Transferred.
Jones, D. J. Transferred.
Jones, J. C. Died in Hospital at Lagrange, Ga. Jacobs, J. Discharged, 1861.
Jobe, D. S. Transferred to Coleman's Scouts ; captured near Nolensville, 1863, and murdered in most brutal manner by Federals.
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HISTORY OF THE TWENTIETH TENNESSEE REGIMENT
Knott, J. W. P. Killed at battle of Murfreesboro.
Knott, J. W. Discharged, July, 1863; P. O., Harpeth, Tenn. Kennard, N. C. Discharged, 1861 ; P. O., Triune, Tenn. Kennard, G. G.
Lynch, A. J.
Lanier, W. O. P. O., Lebanon, Tenn.
Lanier, Robt. Wounded at Shiloh ; discharged.
Levine, Mike. Transferred to 10th Tennessee Regiment ; killed at Raymond, Miss., 1863.
Merritt, Wm. Died at Knoxville, 1861.
Moody, Jonas.
McDougal, W. H. Captured at Fishing Creek ; wounded at Murfreesboro and captured ; P. O., Louisville, Ky.
Mason, J. G.
Martin, J. Captured at Fishing Creek ; transferred.
Mathews, R. M.
Marshall, J. R. Captured at Missionary Ridge.
Murrey, G. H. Missing ; supposed to have been killed at Shiloh.
Moxley, Chesly. Died in Hospital at Holly Springs, 1862.
Moss, H. K. Transferred to Company B, 20th Tennessee Regiment ; P. O., Lewisburg, Tenn.
Marks, J. H. Promoted to Hospital Steward ; subsequently assigned to duty as Acting Assistant Surgeon.
May, Wm. Promoted to Commissary Sergeant.
McCall, J. B. P. O., Waxahachie, Texas.
McCall, R. F. P. O., Lynnville, Tenn.
Neal, R. D. Discharged.
Oglevie, W. H. Wounded at Shiloh; transferred to 45th Tennessee Regiment ; P. O., Allisonia, Tenn.
Owen, W. G. Transferred to Surgical Department.
Pettus, J. A. Wounded at Fishing Creek, Murfreesboro, and Franklin ; P. O., Nolensville, Tenn.
Pettus, A. J. P. O., Kirkland, Tenn.
Pettus, W. G. P. O., Nashville, Tenn.
Pinkston, W. J. Wounded at Murfreesboro ; lives in Texas. Pinkston, J. W. Wounded at Murfreesboro; lives in Arkansas.
Pinkston, B. B. Wounded and captured at Nashville; dead.
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COMPANY HISTORY "D"
Pinkston, E. T. Mortally wounded at Shiloh, and died in Hospital.
Pate, F. G. Wounded at Murfreesboro ; lives in Texas.
Parks, B. F.
Parks, W. V. Paroled at close of war.
Pritchett, J.
Pennington, C. Discharged, 1861.
Rucker, John. Discharged ; dead.
Rea, C. S. At the battle of Murfreesboro on Friday, 1863, Rea, single handed, captured a sink hole full of Yankees.
Redmond, T. J .. Captured at Fishing Creek ; promoted to Sergeant Major, May, 1863 ; died since the war.
Robinson, R. A. Paroled at close of war.
Robertson, B. P. P. O., Antioch, Tenn.
Rogers, W. W.
Russell, Champ.
Smithson, J. H. P. O, Bethpage, Tenn.
Smithson, John. Discharged.
Smithson, J. P. Discharged, 1861.
Smithson, B. F. Elected Sergeant ; wounded at Murfrees- boro ; lives at Peytonville, Tenn.
Stanfield, M. G. Paroled at close of war ; P. O., Franklin, Tenn.
Simmons, J. E. Dead.
Scruggs, T. S. Dead.
Smith, J. M. Promoted to Color Bearer : killed at battle of Murfreesboro.
Tucker, J. H. Killed at Murfreesboro.
Tippett, J. W. P. Captured at Fishing Creek : P. O., Greene- ville, Texas.
Taylor, B. H. Transferred to 24th Tennessee Regiment ; killed at battle of Franklin.
Tisdale, D. M. Elected 2nd Lieutenant at re-organization ; promoted to Ist Lieutenant, July, 1862 ; wounded at Murfrees- boro, and captured at the battle of Nashville ; dead.
Walton, J. P. P. O., New Boston, Texas.
Walton, J. L. Captured at Fishing Creek; P. O., Nolens- ville, Tenn.
Woods, D. T. J. Captured at Fishing Creek ; died at John- son's Island.
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HISTORY OF THE TWENTIETH TENNESSEE REGIMENT
White, Tom. Discharged.
White, Robt. Discharged.
Wall, S. V. Transferred ; P. O., Honey Grove, Texas.
Watson, J. P. P. O., College Grove, Tenn.
Wilson, T. J. Captured at Missionary Ridge ; P. O., Alli- sonia, Tenn.
Yeargin, B. A. Killed at the battle of Hoover's Gap, June 24th, 1863.
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COMPANY " E "
BY RALPH J. NEAL.
Company E, of the twentieth Tennessee Volunteer Infantry, was raised in the spring of 1861, in the vicinity of Smyrna, Rutherford County, and was considred a Rutherford County Company, although it had several members from the adjoining counties of Williamson and Davidson. This Company came from one of the best sections of the country and its members from some of the best families in the State.
Company E at its organization elected that young and courtly gentleman, John S. Gooch, as their Captain and at once boarded the cars at Smyrna, the nearest depot, and was taken to Camp Trousdale before they were sworn into service.
Its organization was as follows :-
Captain J. S. Gooch, who was severely wounded at Fishing Creek, Kentucky, made Lieutenant Colonel at re-organization, resigned at Vicksburg; lives now on his farm near Smyrna, Rutherford County Tennessee.
First Lieutenant S. M. Weekley, served one year and then retired ; living on his farm near Smyrna, Rutherford County, Tennessee.
Second Lieutenant Dr. A. A. East served one year,. then transfered to Cavalry, wounded at Shiloh, died since the war.
Third Lieutenant Harvey Ralston, made Captain at re-organi- zation and resigned at Vicksburg, Mississippi, died since the war.
First Sergeant Lucian Weakley, wounded at Chickamauga and died from effects of same.
Second Sergeant M. M. Sanders, wounded in many battles, was made Second Lieutenant at re-organization, afterwards pro- moted to First Lieutenant and served as such to the close of the war, and now lives in Texas.
Third Seargent Buck Hunter, served for a time, then hired a substitute and returned home. Died of cholera soon afterwards.
Fourth Sergeant Gid. Smart, served faithfully one year and was honorably discharged.
(III)
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HISTORY OF THE TWENTIETH TENNESSEE REGIMENT
First Corporal, Geo. Edmondson, died in early part of the war.
Second Corporal J. W. Peyton, was made Third Lieutenant at re-organization, afterwards promoted to Second Lieutenant and was killed at Chickamauga.
Third Corporal S. J. Buchanan, served one year and was dis- charged under age, lives at present in Nashville.
Fourth Corporal W. T. Ridley, was made First Lieutenant at the re-organization, promoted to Captain at Vicksburg, Miss and served as such to close of the war. Was wounded at Shiloh, Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge, died at Franklin, Tennessee September 21, 1902.
Adcock, Tom. was killed since the war by falling tree.
Batey, W. W. was wounded at Chickamauga and Nashville, was made Sergeant soon after Shiloh battle. Captured at Nashville and remained prisoner till last of February 1865, was exchanged and sent to Richmond March 11th, 1865. Remained in hospital there until evacuation, then went to Danville Virginia, and was furloughed from there April 9th, 1865 and was paroled at Kings- ton, Georgia, May 12th, 1865. Lives at Tunnel Hill, Georgia.
Brothers, W. E. was made Sergeant at re-organization, Third Lieutenant at Murfreesboro, 1862, afterward promoted to Second Lieutenant, and served as such to close of the war, was wounded at Shiloh and Nashville. Lives at Wichita Falls, Texas.
Brewer, Elisha. Lives in Davidson County, Tennessee.
Bond, Nathaniel. Was discharged over age at the expiration of one year. Died since the war.
Crosthwaite, Frank. Was made First Lieutenant at Vicks- burg and was killed at Murfreesboro.
Crosthwaite, Sheldon. Killed at Fishing Creek.
Cowan, S. M. Color Guard. Dead.
Collins, Tom. Died since the war.
Collins, Eb. Lives in Davidson County, Tennessee:
Carter, W. J. Was discharged under age, afterwards joined Cavalry and served to end of war. Dead.
Covington, T. L. . Lives in Wilson County, Tennessee.
Covington, Jos. Lives in Arkansas.
Crutcher, J. W. Was killed at Shiloh.
Corder, J. A. Died since the war.
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LT .- COL. JNO. S. GOOCH.
See page 399.
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LT .- COL. JNO. S. GOOCHI. (While in the army.)
See page 399.
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COMPANY HISTORY "E"
Davis, Geo. W. Captured at Missionary Ridge and died in prison.
Davis, Marion. Killed at Hoover's Gap.
Davis, Henry. Killed at Murfreesboro.
Edwards, T. K. P. Was discharged under age.
Espey, J. C. Was wounded at Shiloh, died since the war.
Eaks, G. D. Became demented and died since the war.
Elden, B. F. Lives in Arkansas.
Elden, Geo. Wounded at Murfreesboro and died.
Ferris, Jos. Lives at Mount View, Tennessee.
Fergus, Archer. Died early in the war from effects of measles.
Griggs, Tom. Was killed at Fishing Creek.
Griggs, Wiley. Was killed at Kennesaw Mountains.
Hartman, Wm. Lives near Cane Ridge, Tennessee.
Hartman, Jack. Lives near Lavergne.
Holland, O. C. Was captured at Missionary Ridge. Died since the war in Texas.
Harris, Newt. Lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
Hamilton, W. A. Was transfered to Cavalry service at Dalton, Georgia, and served to end of war, lives near Lavergne Tennessee.
Hill, J. R. Dead.
Hunter, Tom. Dead.
Hedgepath, Elisha. Liviug in Wilson County.
Humfelt, Geo. Was killed at Murfreesboro.
Irvin, A. J. Was made First Sergeant, afterwards Third Lieutenant, and killed on 22nd of July 1864, near Atlanta, Ga.
Ingle, James. Was wounded at Hoover's Gap, afterwards lost sight of.
Jones, Tom. Died since the war.
Jones, Dick. Died since the war.
Jamison, S. M. Died since the war.
Jamison, Tom. Dead.
Latimer, P. S. Wounded at Murfreesboro and Chikamauga, was made Sergeant while we were in Mississippi, lives in Sheffield, Alabama.
Lintner, Jno. Served through the war, after several years residence in Tennessee, returned to his home in Pennsylvania.
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HISTORY OF THE TWENTIETH TENNESSEE REGIMENT
Lewis, Tom. Lives in Williamson County, Tennessee.
Martin, W. D. Was made Corporal, wounded at Shiloh and Franklin, died in 1902 at his residence in Rutherford County.
Mason, M. S. Wounded severely at Chickamauga, died in a few days.
Montgomery, J. B. Lives near Lavergne, Tennessee
Mclaughlin, Wm. Was not an enlisted man, but served with Company E until killed at Shiloh.
Mullins, J. V. Lives near Lavergne, Tennessee.
Mullins, James. Sickened and died early in war.
McMennamy, Luke. Was killed by cars early in 1861.
Mason, Jno. B. Whereabouts unknown.
Neal, G. A. Was wounded severely at Chickamauga and afterwards retired from service on account of disability from wounds, lives in Tresevant Tennessee.
Neal, W. P. Wounded at Murfreesboro, lives near Lavergne, Tennessee.
Neal, Ralph J. Was wounded at Fishing Creek, Kennesaw Mountain, Atlanta, and three times slightly at Franklin, now lives near Couchville, Tennessee, surrendered at Greensboro, North Carolina.
Noe, Acquilla. Died since war of cancer.
Neblett, Jno. In Confederate Soldiers Home, Tennessee.
Perry, Henry. At last account was in West Tennessee.
Robertson, Jack. Died in 1903.
Robertson, James. Lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
Robertson, Andrew .· Lives in Meridian, California.
Ridley J. K. P. Was left in Tennessee in Hoods raid and. got with cavalry and served till surrender at Gainsville, Alabama.
Ridley, Geo. Sickened and died early in the war.
Sloan, R. D. Dead.
Swain, B. F. Was made Corporal at Murfreesboro, com- mitted suicide by taking ground glass since the war.
Stanfield, S. W. Wounded at Fishing Creek and made prisoner, exchanged at Vicksburg, Mississippi in 1862, dead.
Shelton, J. P. Severely wounded at Shiloh, transfered to Cavalry service afterwards, and was made Lieutenant, lives in Indian Territory near Durant.
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COMPANY HISTORY "E"
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Sanders, L. N. Was made Corporal early in the war, served as acting assistant Surgeon until discharged in 1862.
Sanders, Jno. A. Was wounded at Murfreesboro and died from effects of wound.
Sanders, Jno. P. Was severely wounded at Fishing Creek and was retired from service.
Sanders, Mortimer. Sickened and died early in the war.
Sanders, W. B. Was made First Sergeant while in Missis- sippi, lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
Sanders, Garrett. Died early in the war.
Sparrow, Alfred. Was transferred to Artillery early in the war,.
Tucker, W. G. Killed at Shiloh.
Tucker, Jack. Discharged under age.
Tune, Henry. Sickened and died early in the war.
Towns, Hubbard. Died at Mill Springs, Kentucky 1862.
Vardell W. A. Wounded and left for dead at Shiloh, but was. exchanged at Vicksburg, Mississippi, was transferred to Cavalry, and still lives somewhere in Robertson County Tennessee.
Vinson, Bud. Killed at Murfreesbo.
Ware, Henry. Killed by citizens in Wilson County.
White, R. H. Discharged under age. Lives in Rtherford County.
White, J. A. Died since the war.
Whitfield. T. H. Lives in Williamson County, Tennessee.
Walden, G. W. Wounded at Murfreesboro and Chickamauga, and died.
Walden, Sam. A. Wounded at Kennesaw Mountain and lives. at Rockvale, Rutherford County Tennessee.
Walden, Pat. Thought to have been murdered.
Warren, Jos. Discharged over age. Died since the war. Warren, Henry. Dead.
Worrell, Silas. Lives in West Tennessee.
Williams, Sam. Died early in the war.
Woods, Jack. Lives at Fruitland in West Tennessee.
Holloway, Hugh. Died early in the war of measles. Total Rank and File 108. .
Company E, as stated, was organized at Smyrna, Rutherford County, Tennessee in the spring of 1861, (the exact date not re -. called.) An effort was being made at both Smyrna and La-
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HISTORY OF THE TWENTIETH TENNESSEE REGIMENT
vergne to organize a Company. Finally their partial enlist- ments were united and the organization was completed at Smyrna.
After the organization we drilled nearly every day, sometimes at Smyrna and sometimes at Lavergne, but generally in Mrs. Dr. Gooch's lot on the Jefferson Pike near Smyrna, until June, 1861, when we took the cars for Camp Trousdale. There were either 48 or 49 of us that got on at Smyrna and Lavergne ; others fol- lowing on later. We left the cars at the Chattanooga Depot, marched through the city, crossed the river on the suspension bridge, then had dinner under the trees, the first military dinner we ever ate. We were near the L. & N. tracks, and after a while we boarded the cars and reached Camp Trousdale late in the night. We slept any way we could, for most of us were boys and were very tired and sleepy, and we slept as only tired boys could, and that was with all our might.
Next morning we were in camp near Capt. Joel A. Battle's Company, afterwards Company B, and Capt. Moscow Carter's Company, afterwards Company H. We were mustered in by Col. Pickett, and having only 49 men the Company was too small, so Capt. Battle lent us a few of his men to stand up with us so that the Company could be received. After we had been mustered in, Battle's men returned to their own quarters and we were in for it.
In a few days we were organized into the 20th Tennessee In- fantry. Capt. Joel A. Battle of Company B was chosen Colonel. Capt. Moscow Carter of Company H was chosen Lieutenant Colonel, and Patrick Duffy of Company K was chosen Major.
We were now given our Company letter "E," and for four long years we suffered, fought, and made history as such. Our position in the regimental line was the center of the left wing.
On the 8th of June, 1861, the state voted on "separation or no separation," and the soldiers in camp were allowed to vote. The men were formed and marched by companies to the polls and there they voted. The officers of election were citizens of that precinct and we were voting right along, when it came Jack Tucker's time to vote (he was only 14 years old), when one of the officers of election, an elderly man who perhaps . thought there ought to be a limit somewhere between the age of twenty-
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COMPANY HISTORY "E"
one and the cradle, asked Jack " How old are you young man ?" Jack promptly replied "Twenty-one years old, sir." We all laughed heartily, and the balloting proceeded.
We remained at Camp Trousdale for a number of weeks, drill- ing and having measles, many of us had the measles while there. The hospital was full and we were beginning to realize some of the inconveniences of a soldier's life. Many were fur- loughed home as soon as convalescent ; quite a number of whom were never able to do much service after the disease had left its mark on them.
Henry Tune and Archer Fergus never recovered from the effects of the measles and died early in the war.
We at first stood guard duty with sticks for guns, later on we procured a few antiquated muskets, some of which had not likely been fired since the Revolution ; but they had bayonets, and when we proudly walked our beats with real guns on our shoulders, we felt that we were indeed " heroes," but fancy the disgust of one of our young heroes when he drew rammer and dropped it into the barrel to hear it ring-instead of a ring it was a dull thud, the barrel being nearly half full of home-made soap.
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