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 38
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61
.
On the 18th of August, 1864, at five o'clock P.M., Gen. Forrest started from Ox- ford, Miss., on that memorable raid to Memphis. Picked men from Neely's and Bell's brigades were organized, and the Fifteenth Tennessee went along. My reg- iment participated in the attack on Memphis; in fact, I was in command of the troops that charged into the city, as you will see by referring to the "History of Forrest's Cavalry." After the battle my Colonel (Stewart) was relieved of com- mand, and I was promoted to Colonel of the Fifteenth Tennessee Cavalry for serv- ices rendered in making the charge into the city of Memphis on the 21st of Au- gust.
The next battle in which my regiment engaged was at Athens, Ala., on the 24th of October, 1864, upon which occasion my regiment (Fifteenth) captured fifty prisoners, two flags, and two drums (all they had) from the Federals in a hand- to-hand fight, the Federals being infantry and all having bayonets, while my men had no bayonets, but fought with clubbed rifles. Every prisoner taken on this oc-
732
MILITARY ANNALS OF TENNESSEE.
casion, including officers, was heavily laden with ammunition, they having volun- teered at Decatur to cut their way into the fort at Athens and deliver the garrison the ammunition from which they were shut off.
On the 25th of October my regiment participated in the attack and capture of the fort at Sulphur Trestle. On the evening after that battle I was placed in charge of eight hundred and twenty prisoners and all the small arms, quartermas- ter's stores, and two pieces of artillery which Gen. Forrest wished to send back to Mississippi, besides one hundred and fifty loose horses which he captured there. I had but one hundred and fifty men with which to execute the order to take them back to Mississippi and Mobile, Ala. While we were in camp the second night, on the road from Athens to Florence, Ala., my scouts brought information that a regi- ment of Federal cavalry was advancing from Decatur after me. Their object was to recapture the prisoners, the small arms (eight hundred), the horses, and to capt- ure my little command and the six pieces of artillery which I was hauling along, without a man or ammunition to use or load them. The situation was embarrass- ing. I sent Capt. Tom Buchanan, of Co. F, with twenty men, to push back to a strong position on the road we had passed on that evening, and to fight the advanc- ing column of Federals at every point until day-break, and then retreat upon Bain- bridge, where I would be if possible. He executed the order so well and gallantly that I was enabled to march fifteen miles by night-the prisoners on foot-and cross the Tennessee River at Bainbridge before Capt. Buchanan came up.
The next battle in which the Fifteenth Tennessee Regiment engaged was at the mouth of Big Sandy, on the Tennessee River, usually called Paris Landing. Col. E. W. Rucker was at that time our brigade commander, and with my reginient and Forrest's old regiment and two pieces of Walton's battery attacked and capt- ured the Federal gun-boat "Undine," with a transport. This was on the 30th of October, 1864. After the battle and capture Lieut .- col. Wm. A. Dawson, of my reginient, was placed in command of the transport "Venus."
On the 2d of November, 1864, the Fifteenth Regiment participated in the af- fair at Johnsonville. The Fifteenth Tennessee Cavalry was with Gen. Hood as a part of Forrest's corps (Jackson's division, Buckner's brigade) from the time his army left Florence, Ala., until it recrossed the Tennessee River upon the retreat from Nashville. Upon that expedition the Fifteenth lost many officers and men in killed, wounded, and taken prisoners. . Among the killed was Lieut .- col. Daw- son, who fell in a hand-to-hand fight with Federal infantry at Columbia, Tenn., and Capt. J. A. Williamson, of Co. I, who fell at the battle of Franklin. The regiment returned from that campaign with only seventy-five men, rank and file. The Fifteenth was in but one more fight after that, which was a single charge on Gen. Croxton's Federal brigade on the road between Tuscaloosa and Selma, Ala. We routed Croxton and chased him a whole day, and lost Selma by following him. A short time before the close of the war the Fifteenth Tennessee Regiment was consolidated with the Twelfth and Thirteenth and Nixon's Tennessee Cavalry regiments, but fought no battles under the new organization. We were paroled at Gainesville, Ala., when Forrest surrendered his army.
733
REGIMENTAL HISTORIES AND MEMORIAL ROLLS.
Official.] FIFTEENTH TENNESSEE CAVALRY.
Colonel, F. M. Stewart; Lieutenant-colonel, W. A. Dawson; Major, E. P. Kirk; Adjutant, J. L. Barksdale; Quartermaster, John Skeffington; Surgeon, A. M. Tubscott; Assistant Sur- geon, Allen A. Bruce.
COMPANY A. Captain, E. P. Kirk.
Pritchard, W. T., d. March 10, 1863.
Austin, S. H., d. in prison March 2, 1863.
Davis, John, d. in prison May 18, 1863. Jennings, A., d. in prison.
Reynolds, George, d. Dec. 25. 1862, from the effect of wounds received Nov. 25, 1862. Sawyers, James, k. in action Jan. 8, 1863. Vaught, Simon, k. in action Feb. 28, 1863.
COMPANY B. Captain, P. W. Moore.
COMPANY C. Captain, John L. Webb.
Tonville, J. L., k. in action May 2, 1863, near | Shelton, Watson, k. in action Jan. 8, 1863, at Booth's Point, Tenn
-
Knob Creek, Teon.
COMPANY D. Captains : E. L. Hussey and J. L. Epperson.
Reaves, W. M, k. Oct. 20, 1863. ¡ Street, D. M., k. Nov. 19, 1803.
COMPANY E. Captains: J. M. Lucas and F. Nutt. COMPANY F. Captain, Benjamin Flippin. COMPANY G. Captain, R. B. Saunders. COMPANY H. Captain, G. T. Penn.
COMPANY I. Captain, P. M. Williams.
From Forrest's Campaigns. FIFTEENTH TENNESSEE CAVALRY.
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
F. M. Stewart, Colonel; T. H. Logwood, Lieutenant colonel; Sol. G. Street, Major; John Skeffington, Assistant Quartermaster: A. B. Tabscott, Surgeon; A. Bruce, Assistant Surgeon: J. L. Barksdale, Lieutenant and Adjutant.
COMPANY OFFICERS.
Co. A : P. W. Moore, Captain ; W. R. Griffith, First Lieutenant ; R. S. Vandyke, Second Lieu- tenant ; Richard T. Gardner, Second Lieutenant.
Co. B: J. L. Garrison, Captain ; Thomas F. Garrison, First Lieutenant; W. B. Nolley, Second Lieutenant ; W. D. Brown, Second Lieutenant.
Co. C: H. T. Hanks, Captain; A. B. Henry, First Lieutenant ; J. Ray, Second Lieutenant; G. T. Baker, Second Lieutenant.
Co. D: T. Nutt, Captain ; G. W. Yapp, First Lieutenant ; L. C. Street, Second Lieutenant. Co. E: E. L. Hussey, Captain.
Co. F: T. C. Buchanan, Captain; J. P. Thurman, First Lieutenant; F. G. Ferguson, Second Lieutenant; E. S. Thurman, Second Lieutenant.
Co. G: R. B. Sanders, Captain ; J. M. McCaleb, First Lieutenant; P. H. Sutton, Second Liet- tenant.
Co. H: J. M. Witherspoon, First Lieutenant.
Co. 1 : P. M. Williams, Captain ; T. W. Allen, First Lieutenant ; R. Y. Anderson, Second Lieu- tenant; J. L. Seward, Second Lieutenant.
Co. K : J. A. Williamson, Captain; R. Stone, Second Lieutenant; V. H. Swift, Second Lieu- tenant.
uin
734
MILITARY ANNALS OF TENNESSEE.
FIFTEENTH TENNESSEE CAVALRY. (RUSSELL'S.)
Official.]
FIELD AND STAFF.
Colonel, R. M. Russell; Lieutenant-colonel, H. C. Greer; Major, H. F. Bowman; Quarter- master, S. J. Ray; Surgeon, T. C. McNeill; Assistant Surgeon, J. R. Westbrook; Adjutant, A. G. Hawkins; Chaplain, R. A. Mahon.
COMPANY A. Captain, William Gay.
COMPANY B. Captain, W. H. Hawkins.
Barron, W. R., k. at Fort Pillow, April 12, 1864. | Crawford, A. B., d. Feb. 24. 1864.
Beach, J. A., k. at Fort Pillow, April 12, 1864. | Hanna, W. H., k. accidentally Feb. 1, 1864.
COMPANY C. Captains : H. F. Hanks and J. F. Mathis.
Barnard, Edward, d. in camp June 22, 1864.
Thomas, D. J., d. May 7, 1864.
Babb, William, k. at Troy, Tenn., Feb. 15, 1863. Reynolds, G. W., d. Dec. 25, 1863, from the ef-
Leach, T. C. S., k. in action at Yazoo City, March 2, 1864.
Pritchard, William T., d. March 1, 1505. Pack, Irving, d. Dec. 1, 1863.
fects of wounds.
COMPANY D. Captain, J. A. Shane.
Coleman, W. T., d. Jan. 20, 1864. Heath, W. H., d. -
Jackson, W. C. A., d. May 20, 1864, near Boone- ville, Miss.
Iry, R. D., d. at home, May 25, 1864.
COMPANY E. Captain, W. D. Hallum.
Jones, R. H., k. June 10, 1864, I Kelly, William, d. June 3, 1864.
COMPANY F. Captain, J. C. Wilson.
Henderson, J. W., d. April 20, 1863. ! Upchurch, B. H., d. May 10, 1864.' COMPANY G. Captain, D. E. Parker.
Everett, J. T., k. in action near Guntown, June | McCorkle, H. C., k. in action near Guntown, 10, 1864. June 10, 1864. Hinson, D. K., d. March 24, 1864.
Incker, Thomas A., d. April 24, 1864. -
COMPANY H. Captains : J. C. Wilson and J. R. Gardner.
Wilson, Capt. J. C., k. at Fort Pillow, April 12, | Duke, R. E., k. in action, June 10, 1864.
1864. Gardner, J. O., k. in action, June 10, 1864.
COMPANY I. Captain, E. Tompkins Hollis.
Coo.ey, J. B., k. Feb. 22, 1864. Hutchins, Thomas, d. at Corinth, Miss, May Malin, John, d. at Starkville, Miss., March 28, 22, 1864. 1864. Harrison, C. B., k. Feb. 22, 1864.
COMPANY K. Captain, M. H. Freeman.
Bunton, Lieut. T. W., &. in action at Estinola, , Thompson, B. L., k. accidentally at Tibbce, Tenn., Dec. 24, 1863 Miss., March 3, 1864.
Beard, J. R., k at Fort Pillow, April 12, 1864.
735
REGIMENTAL HISTORIES AND MEMORIAL ROLLS.
SIXTEENTH TENNESSEE CAVALRY.
Official. ] FIELD AND STAFF.
Colonel, A. N. Wilson ; Lieutenant-colonel, J. A. Forrest; Major, W. T. Parham; Surgeon, S. H. Caldwell; Assistant Surgeon, M. D. L. Jordon; Quartermaster, B. M. Bray ; Adjutant, F. MI. Bell.
COMPANY A. Captain, J. A. Russell. Smith, John, k. Jan. 1, 1864. COMPANY B. Captain, E. D. Polk. Sewell, A. K., k. in action at Brice's Cross-roads. COMPANY C. Captain, J. J. Rice.
Brown, Thomas, k. Feb. 25, 1864. Melton, Wm., sr., d. some time in Sept., 1864.
Carter, Jordan, d. in prison, Jan. 1, 1864. Melton, Wm., jr., d. Jan. 22, 1861.
Hamner, James, d. some time in Jan., 1804. Stigall, Lieut. M. G., d. in prison. COMPANY D. Captain, W. H. Bray.
Kendrick, H. C., k. in action at Brice's Cross- | Dodds. Z. E., k. in action at Brice's Cross- roads, May 10, 1864. roads, May 10, 1804.
roads, May 10, 1864.
Arnold, J. R., k. in action at Brice's Cross- Arrandell, J. J., k. in action at Brice's Cross- roads. May 10, 1864.
Barham, Isaiah, k. in action at Brice's Cross-roads, May 10, 1864.
COMPANY E. Captain, W. II. Simmons.
Rinely, Joseph P., k. in action at Tishomingo | Jones, R. W., k. in action at Tishomingo Creek, Creek, June 10, 1864. June 10, 1864.
Davis, John T., k. in action at Tishomingo Creek, June 10, 1864.
Coleman, Daniel J., k. in action at Tishomingo Creek, June 10, 1864.
Walker, Benjamin L., k. in action at Tisho mingo Creek, June 10, 1864.
Norton, Marion, d. at Starkville, Feb. 28, 1804.
COMPANY F. Captain, James Stinnett.
Harwell, E. R., d. from disease, March 9, 1864. | Ellis, R. D., k. accidentally, March 1, 1864. , Ellis, C. S., k. June 10, 1864.
COMPANY G. Captain, J. W. Fussell.
Exrum, John, k. in action at Tishomingo | Edwards, William, k. in action at Tishomingo Creek, June 10, 1864. Creek, June 10, 1864.
Stuart, Joseph, k. in action at Tishomingo Creek, June 10, 1864.
Turner, John, k. in action at Tishomingo Creek, June 10, 1864.
Cock, Jubal, k. in action at Tishomingo Creek, June 10, 1864. Haselwood, J., k. in action, Jan. 8. 1864. Puckett, J. F., k. some time in March, 1864.
COMPANY H. Captain, J. W. Carroll.
Smith, J. W., k. in action, June 10, 1864. Martin, James, d. June 12, 1864.
MeCally, A. B., d. March 18, 1804.'
| MeLinn, W. H., k. in action, Apri 12, 1864. Varner, M. D., d. March 18, 1864. Thompson, W. C., k. in action, April 12, 1864. COMPANY I. Captain, James C. Gooch.
Billops, M. J., d. March 15, 1864.
| Riley, Jacob, k. by bush-whackers, Jan. 20, 1864. COMPANY K. Captain, R. E. Dudley. Davis, P. O., d. at Starkville, Miss., April 10, 1864.
-
McMellon, A. E., k. in action at Tishomingo Creek, June 10, 1864.
736
MILITARY ANNALS OF TENNESSEE.
:
From Forrest's Campaigns. SIXTEENTH TENNESSEE CAVALRY.
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
A. N. Wilson, Colonel; Jesse A. Forrest, Lieutenant-colonel; W. T. Parham, Major; F. M. Bell, Lieutenant and Adjutant; B. M. Bray, Assistant Quartermaster; S. H. Caldwell, Surgeon; M. D. L. Jordon, Assistant Surgeop.
COMPANY OFFICERS.
Co. A: J. A. Russell, Captain; W. A. MeCandless, First Lieutenant; John Coberne, Second Lieutenant; T. F. Wilson, Second Lieutenant.
Co. B: E. D. Polk, Captain; J. C. Shipp, First Lieutenant; W. B. Malone, Second Lieuten- ant; J. R. Glover, Second Lieutenant.
Co. C: J. J. Rice, Captain ; I. J. Galbreath, First Lieutenant ; J. F. Collins, Second Lienten- ant; J. D. Walker, Second Lieutenant.
Co. D: W. H. Bray, Captain ; J. R. Arnold, First Lieutenant ; J. C. Dodds, Second Lieutenant; J. M. Bray, Second Lieutenant.
. Co. E: W. H. Simmons, Captain; J. P. Revely, First Lieutenant ; A. J. Baxter, Second Lieu- tenant.
Co. F: James Stennett, Captain ; S. J. Crowder. Second Lieutenant.
Co. G: J. W. Fussell, Captain; James Tomlinson, First Lieutenant; Thomas R. Mangrum, Second Lieutenant; T. A. Haynes, Second Lieutenant.
Co. H: J. W. Carroll, Captain; M. L. Cherry, First Lieutenant ; S. C. Kennedy, Second Lieu- tenant.
. Co. I: J. C. Gooch, Captain; H. Lassiter, First Lieutenant; M. H. Goodloe, Second Lieuten - ant; J. B. Northern, Second Lieutenant.
Co. K : R. E. Dudley, Captain; J. F. Looney, First Lientenant; W. E. Scales, Second Lieu- tenant; A. F. Brooks, Second Lieutenant.
EIGHTEENTH TENNESSEE CAVALRY.
Oficial.]
FIELD AND STAFF.
Colonel, John F. Newsom ; Lieutenant-colonel, D. M. Wisdom; Maior. Wm. Y. Baker: Adju- tant, H. T. Johnson; Quartermaster, A. B. Crook; Chaplain, John Randolph; Surgeon, G. W. Lockhart.
COMPANY A. Captain, Thomas J. Dick.
Holmes, Zachariah, k. in battle.
Warren, Thomas, k. in battle. -
MeNulty, James, k. in battle.
COMPANY B. Captain, R. M. May. COMPANY C. Captain, William Wilson.
McAuliff, Leander, shot at La Grange, Tenn .: 1 Spencer, W. M. F., k. in action.
COMPANY D. Captain, Joseph J. Sharp. Camp, R. A., k. in action June 10, 1864.
COMPANY E. Captain, John B. Michin.
Pratt, B. F., k. in action, April 12, 1864. | Usery, Warren C., k. in action at Jackson.
Turner, Richard, d. a prisoner of war. COMPANY F. Captain, J. R. Damron. Tinder, W. C, k. March 4, 1864.
737
1
REGIMENTAL HISTORIES AND MEMORIAL ROLLS.
COMPANY G. Captain, T. H. Taylor. Spencer, B. M. C., k. at Brice's Cross-roads, June 10, 1864.
COMPANY H. Captain, Thomas J. Ruffin. COMPANY I. Captain, I. C. MeClerkin. Autrey, John, k. at the battle of Tishomingo Creek, June 10, 1864. COMPANY K. Captain, W. D. Stratton.
From Forrest's. Campaigns. NINETEENTH TENNESSEE CAVALRY. (NEWSOM'S.)
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
John F. Newsom, Colonel; D. M. Wisdom, Lieutenant-coronel ; W. Y. Baker, Major; H. T. Johnson, Lieutenant and Adjutant ; A. B. Crook, Assistant Quartermaster ; G. W. Lockhart, Sur- geon; John Randolph, Chaplain.
COMPANY OFFICERS.
Co. A: W. N. Barnhill, Captain; J. T. Settle, First Lieutenant; J. C. O'Neill, Second Lieuten- ant; H. Klyce, Second Lieutenant.
Co. B: R. M. May, Captain ; Middleton Hayes, First Lieutenant ; N. T. Buckley, Second Lieu- tenant; J. O. Ray, Second Lieutenant.
Co. C: William Wilson, Captain; William Lee, First Lieutenant; John M. Barrett, Second Lieutenant; Thomas Barrett, Second Lieutenant.
Co. D: T. H. Taylor, Captain ; M. B. Ormsby, First Lieutenant ; D. J. Bowdin, Second Lieu- tenant; W. P. Walker, Second Lieutenant.
Co. E: J. B. Michin. Captain; R. M. Wharton, First Lieutenant; E. R. Turner, Second Lieu- tenant; J. R. Adams, Second Lieutenant.
Co. F: J. R. Damron, Captain ; A. P. Meeks, First Lieutenant; A. L. Winningham, Second Lieutenant; W. R. Ledbetter, Second Lieutenant.
Co. G : J. J. Sharp, Captain ; M. T. Shelby, First Lieutenant ; Absalom Brashear, Second Lieu - tenant; Robert T. Simmons, Second Lieutenant.
Co. H: J. G. Sharp, Captain ; J. D. Springer, First Lieutenant; J. M. Wardlaw, Second Lieu- tenant; Nathaniel Busby, Second Lieutenant.
Co. I: S. C. McClerkin, Captain; J. J. Betts, First Lieutenant; S. M. Oyier, Second Lieuten- ant ; J. M. Bumpass, Second Lieutenant.
Co. K: W. D. Stratton, Captain; J. C. Miller, First Lieutenant ; J. J. Lane, Second Lieuten- ant; E. W. D. Dunn, Second Lieutenant.
Co. L: Thomas R. Dick, Captain; William Hollis, First Lieutenant; James Stuart, Second Lieutenant; -- Lockman, Second Lieutenant.
NINETEENTH TENNESSEE CAVALRY. (BIFFLE'S.)
Official.]
FIELD AND STAFF.
Colonel, J. B. Biffle; Lieutenant-colonel, A. G. Cooper; Adjutant, Roderick Denny ; Quarter- master; W. M. Irwin; Surgeon, Henry Long; Assistant Surgeon, J. B. Alton; Chaplain, W. P. Kindrick.
COMPANY A. Captain, J. J. Biffle. COMPANY B. Captain. I. M. Reynolds.
Ansnn, R. J., k. in action at Thompson's Station, | Cobb, James L., d. in prison at Camp Doug- March 5, 1863. lass.
47
73S
MILITARY ANNALS OF TENNESSEE.
Lindsay, W. M., d. in hospital. Oakley, J. B., k. at Parker's Cross-roads. Phillips, J. B., d. in prison.
- las. Smith, John M., d. in prison at Camp Doug-
COMPANY C. Captain, C. F. Barnes.
COMPANY D. Captain, Lewis M. Kirk.
Fox, B. W., d. in hospital at Columbia, Tenn., | Hagan, F. M. A., k. at Jackson, Tenn., July 13, March 15, 1863. 1863. MeLean, C. D., d. of wounds in April, 1863.
COMPANY E. Captain, Gideon J. Adkison. Pigg, J. H., k. at Jackson, Tenn., Jan. 15, 1863. 1
· COMPANY F. Captain, J. W. Johnson.
Montague, First Lieutenant James P., k. at [ Muze, Milton, d. April 28, 1863. Parker's Cross-roads, Dec. 31, 1862. Nipper, Munson, d. in prison, March 16, 1863.
John-on, Second Lieutenant J. R., k. at Thomp- son's Station, March 5, 1863.
Blackshare, J. N., k. May 16, 1863.
Warrington, John, k. at Thompson's Station, March 5, 1863.
COMPANY G. Captain, John S. Groves.
COMPANY H. Captain, Thomas S. Beatty.
Boyce, James M., d. in prison, Dec. 31, 1862.
Hudson, M. H., d. April 4, 1863.
Blackburn, William, k. at Thompson's Station, March 5, 1863. .
Bond, Robert, k. at Thompson's Station, March 5,1863.
Kirk, Walter, k. at Thompson's Station, March 5, 1863.
Randle, James C., d. June 4, 1863.
COMPANY I. Captain, J. II. Culp. COMPANY K. Captain, R. M. Sharp. COMPANY L. Captain, R. P. Ford.
TWENTIETH TENNESSEE CAVALRY. (NIXON'S.) BY G. H. NIXON, LAWRENCEBURG, TENN.
- Soon after the battle of Chickamauga Col. G. H. Nixon, Lieut .- col. T. R. Hughes, and other officers of the Forty-eighth Tennessee Infantry, were or- dered or directed by the Secretary of War of the Confederate States of America to raise within the enemy's lines in Tennessee a command of cavalry for service in the Confederate army. Accordingly Col. Nixon established head-quarters near Lamb's Ferry, on the Tennessee River. Here he was at once joined by Capt. Thomas H. Paine with a company of men which he had organized and brought out of Middle Tennessee. This company was made the nucleus of the regiment. Col. Nixon then gave proper directions to the officers engaged in recruiting, and
739
REGIMENTAL HISTORIES AND MEMORIAL ROLLS.
very soon a splendid battalion was in camp on the south side of the river at the Muscle Shoals. While there recruiting the command had a number of engage- ments with the enemy, and was master of the situation for thirty miles up and down the shoals of the river. This position afforded an easy way to reach recruits for the command. About this time the Hon. A. O. P. Nicholson, United States Senator from Tennessee, was exiled and driven out of the State by the Federals. Senator Nicholson was ordered across the Tennessee River at Mckernon's Island, and was there met and protected by Nixon's command, where he remained for some time.
Early in 1864 two brigades of Federal cavalry crossed the Tennessee River at - Decatur, Ala., and moved in the direction of Moulton, near which place Col. Johnson's and Col. Patterson's Alabama regiments and Col. Carter's and Col. Nix- on's Tennessee cavalry had quite an engagement, lasting from dawn until late in the evening. In this engagement Lieut .- col. T. R. Hughes, of Nixon's command, . was captured. He was a prudent, brave, and chivalrous officer. Soon after this engagement orders were received from Gen. Forrest for Col. Nixon to move his command into Tennessee, and strike the North-western railroad anywhere between Nashville and Johnsonville at the most vulnerable point, and if possible destroy the usefulness of the road, and use every effort to draw the Federal cavalry from the line of the Nashville and Decatur railroad. This move was executed in such a manner as to accomplish all Gen. Forrest desired-the withdrawal of the Fed- eral cavalry from the line of the Nashville and Decatur railroad in the direction of the North-western railroad. On the return of Col. Nixon he met Gen. Forrest's command crossing the Tennessee River at Colbert's Shoals, twenty miles below Florence, Ala. Gen. Forrest at once moved his command up the north side of the river, and attacked the fortifications at Athens, Ala., reducing them, and tak- ing three thousand Federal prisoners. A Federal infantry regiment was sent out from Decatur to reenforce Athens. Nixon's regiment was dismounted and ordered by Gen. Forrest in person to meet the regiment from Decatur. An engagement botween the two regiments took place in an open field. Nixon's regiment-three hundred strong-got the advantage of the first fire on the enemy, and soon capt- ured the Federal infantry, five hundred strong. This unequal contest was wit- nessed by Gen. Forrest. The Federals captured at and near Athens amounted to about four thousand. These prisoners were placed in the care of Col. Nixon's regiment, and were marched thirty miles in the direction of Florence, and crossed the Tennessee River at Bainbridge. The right flank of Col. Nixon was exposed to an attack of the enemy until he crossed the river. The prisoners were con- ducted to West Point, Miss., without the escape of a single man. Soon after this Nixon's regiment moved into West Tennessee with Gen. Forrest. In this move Johnsonville, on the Tennessee River, was destroyed by Capt. Morton's battery, and a number of transports were captured and sunk.
In November, 1864, Gen. Hood crossed the Tennessee River at Florence, Ala., and moved his army into Middle Tennessee, Forrest's cavalry in advance, Nixon's regiment in Bell's brigade and Buford's division. The Confederate cavalry first inet the Federal forces at Lawrenceburg, Tenn., where an engagement took place, the Federals giving way and retiring on the Pulaski and Columbia road. The next day an engagement took place at Campbellsville, Giles county, where the Federal cavalry was badly worsted. It was from then on -- Columbia, Duck River,
740
MILITARY ANNALS OF TENNESSEE.
Spring Hill, Franklin, Brentwood, and on to Nashville-contested engagements, more particularly at Spring Hill and Franklin; and on the day after the battle at Franklin, three miles south-east of Brentwood Col. Nixon's regiment charged through the center of a Federal brigade of cavalry formed in line of battle, put- ting to flight and capturing many of them. In this engagement the brave and gallant Adjutant Bayless was wounded. During the contest around Nashville Nixon's regiment was stationed on the right flank of Gen. Hood's army, along Mill Creek from Cumberland River to Dogtown. Several engagements took place. On this line of Hood's army no serious demonstration was made. On Gen. Hood's retreat from Nashville Forrest's cavalry hovered around and protected the rear of the retreating Confederate infantry under Gen. Hood. Many of the in- fantry were without shoes, staggering on the frozen ground with bleeding feet. At Hollow Tree Gap, while the Confederates were chased and hewn down, Col. Nixon, with a part of his regiment and the aid of two pieces of artillery, captured the advancing battalion of Federal cavalry, and mounted the broken-down and shoeless infantry of the Confederates, and passed along the Franklin pike within range of a regiment of Federal troops, who withheld their fire on account of the presence of their comrades who were just captured. By this capture and check of the Federals the Confederate army was enabled to cross the swollen Harpeth at Franklin without loss. From Franklin to Duck River near Columbia it was al- most a hand-to-hand fight between the Confederate and Federal cavalry. After the Confederates passed Duck River Gen. Hood was not molested until he reached! and crossed the Tennessee River in safety at Bainbridge.
Early in 1865 Col. Nixon's and Col. Logwood's regiments were consolidated and designated in army orders as "Nixon's Regiment" -- G. H. Nixon, Colonel; Log- wood, Lieutenant-colonel; and Crews, Major. This regiment was placed in Gen. A. W. Campbell's brigade, and at the surrender at Gainesville, Ala., had about four hundred well-mounted and effective men. Just before the surrender they had an engagement with two regiments of Federal cavalry, and drove them across the Cahawba River near Centreville, Ala.
Before the consolidation with Col. Logwood's regiment the command was offi- cered as follows: Colonel, G. H. Nixon; Lieutenant-colonel, Thomas R. Hughes; Major, - Gilbert; Captains, Thomas H. Paine, Lewis Miller, O. T. Plummer, R. Voss, George P. H. Craig, John W. Benham, and other Captains, Lieutenants. etc. After the consolidation Col. Nixon, Lient .- col. Logwood, Maj. Crews, Capts. Waddell and others, were in command. After Gen. Hood's retreat from Tennes- see Col. Nixon commanded Rucker's brigade, in Gen. W. H. Jackson's division, up to within a few days of the surrender, when Gen. A. W. Campbell was commis- sioned and assumed command.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.