The military annals of Tennessee. Confederate. First series: embracing a review of military operations, with regimental histories and memorial rolls, V.2, Part 36

Author: Lindsley, John Berrien, 1822-1897. ed. cn
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Nashville, J. M. Lindsley & co.
Number of Pages: 964


USA > Tennessee > The military annals of Tennessee. Confederate. First series: embracing a review of military operations, with regimental histories and memorial rolls, V.2 > Part 36


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716


MILITARY ANNALS OF TENNESSEE.


of the Confederacy. In like manner wagon-trains and prisoners were captured at Nolensville and Shannon's Cross-roads.


On the night of the 30th of December the extreme circuit of the Federal army had been made. But little rest was taken on this night, as none had been on the night before. On the morning of the 31st, before day, Wheeler hastened to Bragg's left, where the day was spent in skirmishing, and with some casualties to the command. The cavalry was again sent to the Federal rear, again striking Rosecrans's army near La Vergne, capturing many prisoners and destroying wagons and stores. . Dr. Patterson, a prominent citizen of Davidson county, was killed, and Maj. Clarence Prentice was badly wounded. There were other casualties to the Confederates on this raid. The cavalry, after inflicting all the damage possi- ble to the rear of the Federal army, returned to the front, near Murfreesboro, where the two armies were still engaged, and participated in the fighting of Jan- uary 2d. No rest or sleep was afforded the cavalry from Monday to Saturday. On Saturday night Bragg's army fell back from Murfreesboro toward Shelbyville, the cavalry covering the retreat. Men and horses were completely exhausted. The battalion, with a large part of the other Confederate cavalry, was sent toward Manchester, Tenn., to recruit and picket.


On the Sth of January, 1863, Gen. Wheeler took the main part of his command, including Holman's battalion, and started for the Cumberland River below Nash- ville to harass the enemy and interrupt his communications. The disabled horses were sent to Lincoln county to be recruited. On reaching the Cumberland River a detachment of the cavalry, including the battalion, captured a number of pris- oners, three transports, and one gun-boat, commanded by Lieut. Van Dorn, a rel- ative of the Confederate General Earl Van Dorn. Gen. Wheeler at once with- drew all of his command to other points, except the battalion, the First Alabama Cavalry, commanded by Maj .. - Hodgson, and one piece of light artillery. The command was given Maj. Holman with instructions to harass the enemy as much as possible by impeding the navigation of the Cumberland, by destroying boats and stores, and capturing prisoners. Learning that the Federals had a large collection of commissary and other stores a few miles above and on the north side of the Cumberland River at Ashland, the county-seat of Cheatham county, it was determined to destroy them at all hazards. The stores were guarded by a hundred or more of Federal cavalry. There was no way to cross the river but by fording and swimming it. Maj. Holman called for volunteers to go with him on this expedition. Forty men out of the two commands, including Maj. Hodgson, promptly responded. The crossing of the river was perilous, but all reached the opposite shore in safety. Dashing into the village of Ashland at full speed, the Federals, supposing this squad of Confederates to be the advance of a large com- mand, fled from the place in disorder. After several hours hard work, during which time the rain poured down in torrents, this little squad destroyed by burn- ing and throwing into the river a very large quantity of stores, which would have been duly appreciated by the stinted Confederates if it had been possible to get them across the river. The river was rising, and on recrossing it late in the even- ing several of the men were carried down the stream by the strong current, and were almost drowned. It grew cold rapidly, and the rain turned into sheet and snow. The men were thoroughly wet. All suffered, and many of them came near freezing to death. After traveling several miles in the darkness and snow,


717


REGIMENTAL HISTORIES AND MEMORIAL ROLLS.


the command was forced to camp and build fires. The remainder of the night was spent in hovering over the fires and drying wet clothing.


About the 17th of January the battalion destroyed the steam-boat "Mary Crane," heavily laden with stores, one item being seventy-five barrels of parched coffee. The "boys in gray" were truly grieved to see this genuine coffee licked up by the devouring flames. Two or three days later another gun-boat was crippled by the small piece of artillery which accompanied the battalion. A number of engagements were had, the enemy turning on the command in many instances the artillery of several gun-boats, which kept watch and guarded the river. During the three weeks the battalion patrolled the Cumberland from the vicinity of Nash- ville to a point below Clarksville. A number of prisoners were captured. There was no way to take care of them-the battalion having enough to do to take care of itself --- and it was deemed advisable to turn them loose on taking "the oath to bear true faith and allegiance to the Confederate States of America," etc. The prison- ers were not slow in availing themselves of this opportunity to show their alle- giance to the Confederacy; indeed, they seemed glad to be able to "return the compliment," and, while some doubts were at the time entertained as to whether the "boys in blue" would strictly observe this iron-clad oath, it is proper to state that not a single instance of its violation was ever reported to those head-quarters.


About the Ist of February, 1863, Maj. Holman received orders from Gen. Wheeler to join him on his route to Dover, Tenn., on the Cumberland River. Through Capt. Rivers and other reliable scouts sent from the battalion informa- tion of the Federal force at Dover had been obtained, and was promptly communi- cated to Gens. Wheeler and Forrest. Dover was reached on the evening of the 3d of February, after a hard march over bad roads through the cold. The garri- son was attacked by the combined forces of Wheeler and Forrest, first on horse- back and then on foot. The battalion occupied a position near the extreme right, and lost in the action twenty-five men-nine killed and sixteen wounded. Among the killed were Lieut. A. S. Chapman and private Hill Roy, of Capt. Martin's company, and Lieut. Henry Collins, of Capt. Gordon's company. Private Roy was at the time acting as Orderly for Maj. Holman, and fell in the charge within a few feet of the Federal breastworks. The men of the entire command acted with great gallantry in the charge upon the enemy's works. Maj. Holman was severely wounded, being shot through the thigh, and was wholly disabled from the service for about four months. 1


· When the battalion first went into service it was badly armed and equipped. Double-barrel shot-guns-the most of them of inferior quality -- for the most part constituted the armament. There were a few smooth-bore muskets, and scarcely a long-range gun in the command. Now nearly every man was armed with an improved long-range gun and good equipments taken from the enemy in battle.


On the 20th of February, 1863, the battalion, against the wishes of every man composing it, was taken to form a part of the Eleventh Tennessee Cavalry, and from that time till the close of the war its history is identified with the history of that regiment.


718


MILITARY ANNALS OF TENNESSEE.


BATTALION ROSTERS. HOLMAN'S BATTALION (PARTISAN RANGERS).


The roster of Holman's Battalion (partisan rangers) at the date of organization, Oct. 15, 1802, was as follows :


FIELD AND STAFF.


Holman, D. W., Major commanding.


Bond, John P., Lieutenant and Adjutant.


Core, Jesse D., Surgeon.


Allen, Junius, Assistant Quartermaster.


Burney, A. M., Assistant Commissary. Williamson, C. S., Quartermaster Sergeant. Johnson. J. Clint, Commissary Sergeant. Brown, R. Pitts, Ordnance Sergeant.


MARTIN'S COMPANY.


Martin, Jacob T .. Captain.


Banks, Thomas, First Lieutenant.


Chaney, David S., Second Lieutenant.


Chapman, A. S., Junior Second Lieutenant.


Critz, John M., First Sergeant.


Chaney, W. T., Second Sergeant.


Critz, Thomas L., Third Sergeant. Shaw, Wm. A., Fourth Sergeant. Lea, A. J., First Corporal.


Witt, James H., Second Corporal. Parish, Frank, Third Corporal. Aller, Thomas, Fourth Corporal.


GORDON'S COMPANY.


Gordon, Andrew R., Captain.


Garrett, John A., Third Sergeant.


McClure, George E., First Lieutenant.


Inman, David A., Fourth Sergeant.


Collins, Henry, Second Lieutenant.


Dabney, George W., First Corporal.


Collins, Robert J., Junior Second Lieutenant.


Lewis, Lee, First Sergeant.


Gordon, Robert, Second Sergeant.


SWAIM'S COMPANY.


Swaim, Moses M., Captain.


Ferguson, James, First Lieutenant.


Swaim, James, Second Lieutenant.


Nevils, John M., Junior Second Lieutenant. Nevils, Watt, First Sergeant. Wilson, Robert, Second Sergeant.


Names of the other non-commissioned officers not remembered.


RIVERS'S COMPANY.


Rivers, James. Captain.


Baugh,. Wm. H., First Lieutenant.


McNairy, Robert, Second Lieutenant.


Zucarillo, Joseph, Second Lientenant.


Į Brown, R. Pitts, First Sergeant. Wells, W. T., Second Sergeant. Frazier, Robert, Third Sergeant.


DOUGLASS'S BATTALION (PARTISAN RANGERS). FIELD AND STAFF.


Douglass, D. C, Major commanding.


Garrett, W. R., Lieutenant and Adjutant.


Allen, John D., Captain and Assistant Quarter- master.


[ Schell, H. A., Surgeon. Boude, Rev. H. B., Chaplain. Cantrell, Chas., Quartermaster Sergeant.


HARVEY'S COMPANY.


Harvey, -, Captain. I Long, -, First Lieutenant.


This company was transferred, soon after the battle of Murfreesboro, to a Kentucky regi- ment PERKINS'S COMPANY.


Perkins, Thos. F., Captain. Sawyers. Willis, First Sergeant.


Bostick, John C., First Lieutenant. Inman, Reuben, Second Sergeant.


Clouston, Richard, Second Lieutenant. Perkins, W. C., Third Sergeant.


Kirby, Malachi. Junior Second Lieutenant.


ḷCannon, N. C., Fourth Sergeant.


CARTER'S COMPANY. Carter, Nathan. Captain.


This company was transferred to McCann's battalion.


MeMillon, Gus. II., Second Corporal. Rothrock, George W., Third Corporal. Oliver, Wm. W., Fourth Corporal.


719


REGIMENTAL HISTORIES AND MEMORIAL ROLLS.


MILLER'S COMPANY.


Miller, Thomas C. H., Captain. Braden, W. W., First Lieutenant.


-


Hamilton, E. G., Second Lieutenant. Rainey, E. F., Junior Second Lieutenant.


BREWSTER'S COMPANY.


Ward, James, Second Lieutenant.


LYTLE'S COMPANY.


| Marable, N. P., Junior Second Lieutenant. Fisher, E. M., First Sergeant ..


Coffee, Chatham C., Captain. Lowry, J. J., First Lieutenant. -


COFFEE'S COMPANY. Bruce, Robert, Second Lieutenant. Durley, W. H., Junior Second Lieutenant.


ELEVENTH TENNESSEE CAVALRY. The roster of the Eleventh Tennessee Cavalry, as organized Feb. 20, 1863, was as follows :


FIELD AND STAFF.


Edmonson. James H., Colonel commanding. In June, 1863, Col. Edmonson resigned, and Lieut .- col. L. W. Holman was promoted Col- onel, and commanded the regiment till its surrender. Holman, D. W., Lieutenant-colonel.


Martin, Jacob T., Captain and acting Major.


Garrett, W. K., First Lieutenant and Adjutant. Promoted to the Captaincy of Co. B in Feb- ruary, 1865, and Robert Miller was appointed Adjutant. Core, Jesse I)., Surgeon.


Anderson, W. H., Assistant Surgeon.


Gurley, O. G., Captain and Assistant Quarter- master.


Allen, John D., Captain and Assistant Commis- sary. Promoted Major and Assistant Com- missary, and assigned to Dibrell's brigade. Pyron, John B., Sergeant-major. Swanson, J. J., Hospital Steward. Brown, R. Pitts, Ordnance Sergeant. Williamson, C. S., Quartermaster Sergeant. Bangh, J. L., Commissary Sergeant. Johnson, J. C., Assistant Commissary Ser- geant. Jordan, John. Forage Master. Brittain, Jos., Forage Master. Rateliffe, W., Orderly.


COMPANY A. Captain, Charles McDonald. In May, 1863, this company became a part of McDonald's battalion.


COMPANY B. Captain, M. M. Swaim.


Ferguson, James, First Lieutenant. ant. and commanded the company, for the Swaim, James, Second Lieutenant. most part, from its organization.


Nevils, John M., Junior Second Lieutenant. Nevils, Watt, First Sergeant.


Lieut. Nevils was promoted First Lieuten- Wilson, Robert, Second Sergeant.


In February, 1865, Adjt. Garrett was promoted to the Captaincy of this company.


COMPANY C. Captain, Thos. C. H. Miller.


Braden, .W. W., First Lieutenant. Hamilton, Ed. G., Junior Second Lieutenant.


Rainey, E. F., Second Lieutenant. Fisher, E. M., First Sergeant.


-


COMPANY D. Captain, John Lytle.


Carney, John L., First Lieutenant.


Haley, John, Junior Second Lieutenant


Johnson, Benj., Second Lieutenant. Marable, N. P., First Sergeant.


Lient. John L. Carney was promoted Captain, and N. P. Marable and I. H. Butler were elected Lieutenants to fill vacancies.


Brewster, A. F., Captain. Rust, John M., First Lieutenant.


Lytle, John, Captain. Carney, John L., First Lieutenant. Butler, J. II., Second Lieutenant.


720


MILITARY ANNALS OF TENNESSEE.


COMPANY E. Captain, Andrew R. Gordon.


MeClure, George E., First Lieutenant.


Garrett, John A., Third Sergeant.


Anderson, Robert J., Second Lieutenant.


Inman, David A., Fourth Sergeant.


Dabney, George W., First Corporal.


McMillon, Gus. H., Second Corporal. Rothrock, George W., Third Corporal.


Oliver, Wm. W., Fourth Corporal.


Lieut. Edmonson was promoted First Lieutenant, and Robert Gordon and George Rothrock were elected Lieutenants to fill vacancies.


COMPANY F. Captain, Phil. T. Allyn.


In May, 1863, this company, commanded by Capt. W. H. Forrest, was transferred to McDon- ald's battalion.


COMPANY Q. Captain, Jacob T. Martin.


Banks, Thomas, First Lieutenant.


Chaney, D. S., Second Lieutenant.


Critz, Jolin M., Junior Second Lieutenant.


Witt, James H., Second Corporal.


Critz, Thos. L., First Sergeant.


Parrish, Frank, Third Corporal. Allen, Thomas, Fourth Corporal.


COMPANY H. Captain, Chatham Coffee.


Lowry, J. J., First Lieutenant.


| Durley, W. H., Junior Second Lieutenant.


Bruce, Robert, Second Lieutenant.


COMPANY I.


Captain, Thos. F. Perkins.


Bostick, Jolin C., First Lieutenant.


Clouston, Richard, Second Lieutenant.


Kirby, Malachi, Junior Second Lieutenant. Sawyers, Willis, First Sergeant.


Inman. Reuben, Second Sergeant. Perkins, W. C., Third Sergeant. Cannon, N. C., Fourth Sergeant.


Private Sol. Rozell was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the transfer of Lieut. Clouston to Gen. Wheeler's staff.


COMPANY K. Captain, James W. Rivers.


Baugh, W. H., First Lieutenant.


McNairy, Robert, Second Lieutenant.


Zucarillo, Jos., Junior Second Lieutenant.


Brown, R. Pitts, First Sergeant. Wells, W. T., Second Sergeant. Frazier, Robert, Third Sergeant.


COMPANY L. Captain, A. F. Brewster.


Bramlitt, -- , First Lieutenant. Rust, John M., Junior Second Lieutenant.


Drake, R., Second Lieutenant.


Lieut. Rust was promoted to the Captaincy, and commanded the company, for the most part, during the war. J. B. Wood was elected to fill the place of Lieut. R. Drake.


TWELFTH TENNESSEE CAVALRY. BY J. U. GREEN, COVINGTON, TENN.


I CANNOT give any thing like a correct, exact account of the Twelfth Cavalry, for I am dependent on my recollection alone. I have not the scratch of- a pen to help, and can only give general information.


Having served in the Seventh Cavalry Regiment, commanded by Col. Jackson,


Edmonson, James M., Junior Second Lieuten- ant. McConnell, J. W., First Sergeant.


Gordon, Robert, Second Sergeant.


Chaney, W. T. Second Sergeant.


Shaw, W. A., Third Sergeant.


Lea, A. J., First Corporal.


721


REGIMENTAL HISTORIES AND MEMORIAL ROLLS.


in 1862 I went to Tipton county to raise a new company. I soon succeeded, and meeting with the Rev. A. Burrow, with a Colonel's commission in his pocket to raise and equip a regiment of partisan rangers, I joined with him and Capt. Reu- ben Burrow. We then had about two hundred men. About this time Gen. Van Dorn made a raid into West Tennessee, and hearing of Burrow, ordered him to burn certain bridges between Jackson and Humboldt, which were strongly guard- ed. We obeyed the order with our raw recruits, drove the enemy off and burned the bridges; but alas! we lost our Colonel, who was shot dead while leading a charge. Capt. Burrow and myself returned to Tipton and Shelby, and there found Col. R. V. Richardson, with a commission and one or two companies. We joined him, and during the winter of 1862-3 organized the First Tennessee Partisan Rangers, consisting of Capts. Green, Burrow, Murry, Daley, Hicks, Bell, and MeSpadden's companies, about four hundred men, with Richardson, Colonel; J. U. Green, Lieutenant-colonel; - Benson, Major; and Alex. Loving, Adjutant. Soon after we were surprised and stampeded by Grierson. We got together in a short time, and Grierson's command was sent again to drive us out. The two regiments camped within two miles of each other, neither knowing of the other being so near. During that night Sol. Cocke and I went in search of the enemy, and soon found them. Returning, we reported the fact, and before day we surprised and cut them up very badly, and drove them out. In a few weeks all the cavalry from Memphis, Jackson, and Fort Pillow came after us from every direction. Knowing that we could not withstand such a force-Col. Richardson being wound- ed in the night attack, and Maj. Benson killed-after consultation with the officers, I disbanded the command. Next day I was captured, and kept a prisoner in St. Louis two months; was sent with others to Norfolk, Va., and thence started for Fort Delaware, on board the steamer "Maple Leaf." Not liking the idea of going back to prison, we knocked down the guard, seized the steamer, and ran her ashore near Cape Henry light-house. We escaped thence into Dismal Swamp-ninety- three of us, all officers. For ten days we were hunted by four regiments of Fed- eral cavalry, but by God's help we got safely through to Richmond. I at once repaired to West Tennessee, where I found Col. Richardson and the regiment. We then went south to Mississippi, just at the time Gen. Forrest took command, and were consolidated into what became the Twelfth Tennessee Cavalry, following Gen. Forrest to the close of the war, participating in most of the hard fighting and hard marching for which Gen. Forrest was famous.


At a battle fought at Wyatt's Ferry the writer was promoted to be Colonel, "for gallantry on the field," as stated in the order read to the command.


At the reorganization Richardson was made Brigadier-general; the writer was in command of the regiment, Capt. Reuben Burrow was made Lieutenant-colonel, and Bennett, Major. After the war Gen. Richardson was assassinated by an un- known party; Capt. Daley was killed in Hood's advance on Nashville, in a skir- mish; Maj. Benson was killed in the night attack at Reaves's. I am sorry I can give no dates.


Official.]


TWELFTH TENNESSEE CAVALRY. COMPANY A. Captain, R. H. Strickland. COMPANY B. Captain, Wm. T. Carmack.


46


722 .


MILITARY ANNALS OF TENNESSEE.


COMPANY C. Captain, John L. Payne. COMPANY D. Captain, J. G. McCalla. COMPANY E. Captain, S. M. Stewart. I Ryan, W. R., k, April 21, 1864. COMPANY F. Captain, William A. Bell. COMPANY G. Captain, John H. Massey.


Moncrief, J. K., k. March 25, 1864.


Ewens, W. H., k. Dec. 26, 1863.


Woodard, J. G., k. Oct. 0, 1863.


Johus, B. F., k. Dec. 26, 1863.


COMPANY H. Captain, William M. Craddock. COMPANY I. - Captain, J. H. Hicks. I Hubbard, W. R., d. Aug. 15, 1863.


Baereraft, W., d.


COMPANY K. Captain, R. J. MeSpadden.


From Forrest's Campaigns. TWELFTH TENNESSEE CAVALRY. FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.


J. U. Green, Colonel; G. W. Bennett, Major : R. B. Bone, Lieutenant and Adjutant : A. Beaty, Surgeon; E. H. Sholl, Assistant Surgeon ; S. F. Cocke, Assistant Quartermaster: A. G. Bur- row, Chaplain.


COMPANY OFFICERS.


Co. A : Edward Daley, Captain; W. H. Crite, First Lieutenant ; R. H. Strickland, Second Lieu- tenant ; H. L. Massey, Second Lieutenant.


Co. B: W. T. Carmack, Captain ; W. D. Wilder, First Lieutenant; F. E. Brown, Second Lieu- tenant; J. E. Yancey, Second Lieutenant.


Co. C: J. L. Payne, Captain; William Bell, First Lieutenant; R. C. Simonton, Second Lieu- tenant ; C. L. Sullivan, Second Lieutenant.


Co. D: J. G. MeCauley, Captain ; J. Appleberry, First Lieutenant ; W. M. Parker, Second Lieu- tenant.


Co. E: C. S. McStusack, Captain; J. S. Grandberry, First Lieutenant; J. S. Stewart, Second Lieutenant.


Co. F: William Bell, Captain; John Matthews, First Lieutenant; James Brooks, Second Lieutenant; Hiram Prewitt, Second Lieutenant.


Co. G: John Massey, Captain; W. W. Freeman, First Lieutenant; Ambrose House, Second Lieutenant ; O. H. Wade, Second Lieutenant.


Co. H: W. M. Craddock, Captain; J. C. Haines, First Lieutenant; W. J. Overall, Second Lieutenant; L. L. Cherry, Second Lieutenant.


. Co. I: J. B. Scarborough, Captain ; R. Johnson, First Lieutenant; William Stewart, Second Lieutenant; William MeKirskill, Second Lieutenant.


Co. K: R. J. McSpadden, Captain ; E. H. Cobbs, First Lieutenant; J. T. Briggs, Second Lieu- tenant; R. A. Williford, Second Lieutenant.


723


REGIMENTAL HISTORIES AND MEMORIAL ROLLS.


FOURTEENTH TENNESSEE CAVALRY.


Official.]


Colonel, J. J. Neely.


COMPANY A. Captains : R. R. White and S. J. Cox. Brint, W., k. July 19, 1863. COMPANY B. Captain, Thomas H. Turner.


COMPANY C. Captain, Zilman Voss.


Hutchison, L., k. March 5, 1864, at Yazoo | Simmons, W. W., k. March 5, 1864, at Yazoo City. City. COMPANY D. .Captain, L. A. Thomas. COMPANY E. Captain, E. W. Jacobs. COMPANY F. Captains : W. J. Hall and H. D. Green.


COMPANY G. Captain, A. C. Reid. Williams, John, k. near Fort Pillow, Feb. 15, 1864.


COMPANY H. Captain, James Gwynn. COMPANY I. Captain, E. S. Elliott. COMPANY K. Captain, E. G. Owen.


From Forrest's Campaigns. FOURTEENTH TENNESSEE CAVALRY.


FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.


J. J. Neely, Colonel; E. S. Hammond, Lieutenant and Adjutant; T. H. Turner, Sergeant; R. R. White, Lieutenant-colonel ; M. H. Pirtle, Assistant Quartermaster; R. P. Watson, Assist- ant Surgeon; Gwynn Thurmond, Major.


COMPANY OFFICERS.


Co. A : S. J. Cox, Captain ; M. P. Harbin, Second Lieutenant; J. B. Harris, Second Lieutenant. Co. B: J. H. Deberry, Captain, N. A. Senter, First Lieutenant; G. Hicks, Second Lieuten- ant; John B. Holt, Second Lieutenant.


Co. C: Z. Voss, Captain ; R. I. Strayhorn, First Lieutenant; W. H. Swink, Second Lieutenant. Co. D: L. A. Thomas, Captain; J. W. Ricks, First Lieutenant; James Drake, Second Lieu- tenant.


Co. E: E. M. Jacobs, Captain; A. R. Emmerson, First Lieutenant ; W. G. Pirtle, Second Lieu- tenant.


Co. F: W. J. Hall, Captain; J. M. Moore, First Lieutenant; M. G. Hall, Second Lieutenant. Co. G: A. C. Reid, Captain; W. F. Dillard, First Lieutenant; J. Robertson, Second Lieuten- ant; J. Reid, Second Lieutenant.


Co. H: James Gwynn, Captain; B. F. Tatum, First Lieutenant; D. L. Hill, Second Lieu- tenant; H. J. Brewster, Second Lieutenant.


Co. I: E. S. Elliott, Captain; James Laird, Second Lieutenant; John Langley, Second Lieu- tenant.


Co. K: C. C. Conner, Captain; A. W. Fleming, First Lieutenant; W. J. Campbell, Second Lieutenant.


1


724


MILITARY ANNALS OF TENNESSEE.


FIFTEENTH TENNESSEE CAVALRY. BY THOMAS H. LOGWOOD, AUSTIN, TEXAS.


THE Memphis Light Dragoons was organized in 1860, under a charter by act of the Legislature. In May, 1861, the company was mustered into the service as Confederate cavalry at Memphis. The officers at the time of being mustered in were as follows: Thomas H. Logwood, Captain; Wm. T. Howard, First Lieuten- ant; Ed. B. Trezevant and Wm. F. Taylor, Second Lieutenants; and W. P. Paul, Orderly Sergeant-all of Memphis, Tenn. The company reported for duty to Brig .- gen. John L. T. Sneed, at Randolph, on the Mississippi River above Mem- phis; thence it went with the command of Gen. Gideon J. Pillow to New Madrid, Mo., and in the fall of 1861 moved up with the army of Maj .- gen. Leon- idas Polk to Columbus, Ky., where the company was united with five other com- panies of Tennessee cavalry, and formed a battalion, known as the Sixth Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry. Upon the organization of that battalion Thomas H. Log- wood, of Shelby county, was elected . Lieutenant-colonel, and Charles Hill, of Tip- .ton county, Major. While at that post the battalion was engaged in various battles and skirmishes with the enemy, as it performed the entire picket and scouting duties of Gen. Polk's army.


Under orders from Gen. Polk I made a raid upon the enemy's post at Paducah, Ky., making a night attack, captured and killed nearly all of their cavalry pick- ets, and drove in a regiment of infantry that was on the outpost. I lost one man killed, and two were wounded. The object of the attack was to discover the strength of the enemy's force at the post of Paducah. We stirred up a hornet's nest. The enemy were in force, and a full regiment of cavalry mounted and pur- sued us. I had but two companies of my battalion with me-Co. A, Capt. W. F. Taylor, and Co. I, commanded by Lieut. Martin Armstrong. I was successful in getting my command and the wounded and the prisoners back to Columbus, where I made full report to Gen. Polk.


The next battle was with the entire battalion. The enemy was strongly posted at Elliott's Mills, ten miles from Columbus, on the creek. I made the attack un- der orders to find out the enemy's strength there. We charged in column right into their camp, and found that there were five thousand men there of all arms. This movement enabled the General to anticipate the designs of the enemy, and to prevent a flank movement upon Columbus.




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