Union Regiments by State

Tennessee

Source: The Union Army, Vol. IV. Madison, Wisconsin: Federal Publishing Company, 1908.


Military Affairs in Tennessee
1861-65

In August, 1859, the members who were to constitute the33d general assembly of the State of Tennessee were elected. At the canvass preceding the election the people had presented to them no question regarding national affairs. The session was distinguished by nothing out of the ordinary course of state legislation. In the political campaign of 1860, electoral tickets for president and vice-president of the United States had been presented to the people of the Union; and, in Tennessee, there was a ticket for Breckenridge, another for Douglas, and a third for Bell, her own citizen. No ticket was offered for Lincoln. The electors for each of the candidates industriously canvassed the entire state, and each one represented his candidate as an unconditional Union man, while Bell was recommended to the people as the special advocate of the "Constitution, the Union, and the enforcement of the laws." He carried the state by a majority of 4,565 over Breckenridge, the next highest candidate. The total vote of the state was as follows: Douglas, 11,350; Breckenridge, 64,709; Bell, 69,274. The election, however, having resulted in the choice of Lincoln, the people of Tennessee quietly acquiesced. But Isham G. Harris, the governor, holding extreme opinions upon the subject of slavery, warmly sympathized with the secession movement which followed in the southern slave states immediately after the election, and maintained an active correspondence with its leaders. Accordingly he called a session of the general assembly for January 7, 1861, and in his message to the body, on its assembling, he stated that the purpose of the call was, that they should deliberate upon the "crisis" in the affairs, of the country, which had been produced, as he said, by "the systematic, wanton, and long continued agitation of the slavery question, with the actual and threatened aggressions of the northern states and a portion of their people, upon the well-defined, constitutional rights of the southern citizens; the rapid growth and increase, in all the elements of power, of a purely sectional party, whose bond of union is uncompromising hostility to the rights and institutions of the fifteen southern  states." After a long recital of grievances, he declared that he submitted to the discretion of the legislature, "the whole question of our Federal relations;" and though having no doubt himself as to the necessity and propriety of calling a state convention, he yet recommended that the law to be passed should submit "to the people of the state the question of convention or no convention." The evils complained of, he said, could be obviated by certain amendments to the national constitution, which were: i. The establishment of a line through the territories to the Pacific, all the territory north of which should be forever free, and all south of it forever slave. 2. Any state refusing to deliver a fugitive slave, to pay the owners double his value. 3. Security in the possession of slaves by masters traveling through, or sojourning in a free state; and slaves lost in such cases to be paid for by the state in which the escape occurred. 4. A prohibition against the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, and in dock-yards, navy-yards, arsenals, or any other district in a slave state under the national jurisdiction. 5. These provisions never to be changed, except by the consent of all the slave states. He said he had no hope of such concessions, for "two months had passed since the development of the facts which make the perpetuity of the Union depend alone upon the giving to the South satisfactory guarantees for her chartered rights, yet no proposition at all satisfactory" had been made "by any member of the dominant and aggressive party" of the North.

A controlling conservative sentiment manifested itself in the legislature, which, while it endorsed the position that the grant of additional guarantees to the South should be made a condition of Tennessee's remaining in the Union, determined that the state should not be precipitated into secession. The bill calling for a convention of the people of the state, provided that any ordinance or resolution which might be adopted by said convention having for its object a change of the position or relation of the state to the national Union, or her sister southern states, should be of no binding force or effect until it was submitted to or ratified by the people, and required a vote equal to a majority of the votes cast in the last election for governor to ratify it. Thus the people had an opportunity, in voting for delegates, to declare for or against secession; and should the action of the convention 'contemplate any change in the Federal relations of the state, they had still the opportunity of endorsing or overruling alike their former decision and the action of the convention. The election for members of the convention was to be held on February 9, the convention to assemble on the 25th.

At this same date, in a public meeting held in Nashville, it was urged that the third party at the last presidential election, the "Constitutional Union party," and its champion, John Bell, had held the doctrine that the election of Mr. Lincoln would be a just cause for the dissolution of the Union. Mr. Bell, who was at the meeting, rose and denied the charge. Upon this cheers rang through the hall, satisfying the audience of the predominant Union feeling in that assemblage, notwithstanding the disunion element had mustered its strength. Mr. Bell, before he sat down, expressed the hope and conviction that all would he well with the Union, and this declaration was received with great applause.

The resolutions of the legislature of New York were replied to with moderation and also with great decision, as follows:

"Resolved, That the legislature of Tennessee has heard with profound regret the resolution come to by the legislature of the State of New York, offering men and money to the government, in order to coerce sovereign states. That the general assembly of Tennessee sees in the action of the legislature of New York an indication of the disposition to complicate existing difficulties, and to force the southern states into submission; and, so regarding it, the State of Tennessee requests to inform the State of New York that, if any force be sent South for the purpose of subjugating the people thereof, the people of the state will join as one man to resist such an invasion at all hazards and to the last extremity."

The result of the election for delegates to a state convention was highly successful to the friends of the Union. Even West Tennessee gave a Union majority. The returns from all the counties in the state made the actual majority 64,114. The question of holding a convention was determined in the negative by a large majority, thus declaring that there was no need for a convention at all to determine where Tennessee should stand. The Union delegates at Memphis were elected by a majority of 400. The vote of the state on the convention question was as follows: East Tennessee voted no convention by 25,611 majority, or four and a quarter to one. Middle Tennessee 1,38a majority; but West Tennessee gave for a convention 15.118 majority. The vote for no convention was 69,673. Total vote was 127,471, with a majority against the meeting of a convention of 11,875. The people decided that no convention should be held, chiefly because they had seen that all the conventions which had been held in the southern states had withdrawn their states from the Union, and then had proceeded to sit on their own adjournments, as if they conceived they possessed the right to continue their own existence indefinitely. The loyal people of Tennessee now flattered themselves that they had thus put an effectual stop to the secession movement in the state, the secessionists thought as well, and even the governor seemed, for a time, to have abandoned the scheme.

The proclamation of the president on April 15, calling for 75,000 troops, produced an intense feeling throughout the state. The governor immediately called an extra session of the legislature, to be convened on April 25. At the same time an address was issued to the people of the state by some of her most eminent citizens, as Messrs. Neil S. Brown, Russell Houston, E. H. Ewing, C. Johnson, John Bell, R. J. Meigs, S. D. Morgan, John S. Brien, Andrew Ewing, John H. Callender, and Baylie Peyton. Patriotic as were their views, they were unable to stem the tide of secession when it came in the flood. They said:

"We unqualifiedly disapprove of secession, both as a constitutional right, and as a remedy for existing evils, we equally condemn the policy of the administration in reference to the seceded states. But while we, without qualification, condemn the policy of coercion as calculated to dissolve the Union forever, and to dissolve it in the blood of our fellow-citizens, and regard it as sufficient to justify the state in refusing her aid to the government in its attempt to suppress the revolution in the seceded states, we do not think it her duty, considering her position in the Union, and in view of the great question of the peace of our distracted country, to take sides against the government. Tennessee has wronged no state nor citizen of this Union. She has violated the rights of no state, North or South. She has been loyal to all, where loyalty was due. She has not brought on this war by any act of hers. She has tried every means in her power to prevent it. She now stands ready to do any thing within her reach to stop it. And she ought, as we think, to decline joining either party; for in so doing she would at once terminate her grand mission of peacemaker between the states pf the South and the general government. Nay, more; the almost inevitable result would be the transfer of the war within her own borders, the defeat of all hopes of reconciliation, and the deluging of the state with the blood of her own people."

Meanwhile, the legislature had not been idle. On May 6 it passed an ordinance entitled, "An Act to submit to a vote of the people a Declaration of Independence, and for other purposes." The first section provided that the governor should, by proclamation, require the respective officers in each county to hold the polls open in their several precincts on in Tennessee June 8 ensuing. The third section provided that the election should be by ballot, and that those voting for the declaration and ordinance should have on their ballots the word "Separation," and those voting against it should have on their ballots the words "No separation;" the returns should be made to the secretary of state by June 24, and if a majority of votes were given for separation, the governor was required immediately to issue his proclamation declaring "all connection by the state of Tennessee with the Federal Union dissolved, and that Tennessee is a free, independent government, free from all obligations to, or connection with the Federal government." The fourth section authorized all volunteers to vote, wherever they might be in active service. The sixth section provided that all voters in favor of adopting the provisional constitution, and thereby securing to Tennessee equal representation in the deliberations and councils of the Confederate States, should have written or printed on their ballots the word "Representation;" opposed, the words "No Representation." The seventh section provided for an election of delegates to the Confederate congress in case the provisional constitution was adopted. The Vote on the declaration of independence in the senate was—yeas 20, nays 4; in the house, yeas 46; nays 21. By this act, provision was made to submit to the vote of the people of the state the adoption or rejection of a "declaration of independence," whereby they were to separate themselves from the Union, adopt the Confederate States constitution, and abrogate that part of their own constitution which required every person chosen or appointed to arty office of trust or profit under it, before entering on the duties thereof, to take an oath to support the constitution of the state and of the United States; and requiring each member of the senate and house of representatives, before proceeding to business, to take an oath to support the constitution of the state and of the United States.

By another act the governor Was required to raise, organize and equip, a provisional force of volunteers for the defense of the state, to consist of 55,000 men, 25,000 of whom, or any less number demanded by the wants of the service, were to be fitted for the field at the earliest practicable moment, and the remainder to be held in reserve, ready to march at short notice. It authorized the governor, should it become necessary for the safety of the state, to "call out the whole available military strength of the state," to determine when this force should serve, and direct it accordingly. To defray the expenses of this military organization, the governor was authorized "to issue and dispose of $5,000,000 of the bonds of the state," in denominations of not less than $100, or greater than $1,000, to run 10 years, and bear interest at the rate of 8 per cent.

Thus provided with a semblance of authority, the governor hastened the organization of the provisional force of 25,000 men and before the day of election, June 8, 1861, he had most of it on foot, distributed in camps around Nashville and elsewhere, armed and equipped, so far as it could be with the munitions of the United States within the state, and with such as could be obtained from the arsenal at Augusta, Georgia, from which they were brought by General Zollicoffer. Thus, on the morning of the election the people of Tennessee, for the first time in their lives, went to the polls conscious that they were no longer a free people; knowing that the executive and legislative departments of the state, with its treasury in their hands, all the arms of the state in their possession, and with a formidable army in their pay, had joined a conspiracy to overthrow their government and that nothing remained for them but to reverse their vote of February 9, and ratify what their self-constituted masters had already accomplished. Even by voting against the declaration of independence, by refusing to absolve their officers from their oath to support the Constitution of the United States, and declining to accept the constitution of the Confederate States, they could not free themselves from the military incubus which had been imposed upon them. In these circumstances it is not to be wondered at that the election showed an apparent majority of 57,667 for secession.

Meantime Union meetings of the most decided character were held in East Tennessee and resolutions adopted denouncing the action of the legislature. In East Tennessee the attachment of the people to the Union continued very strong. On May. 30 and 31 a Union convention was held at Knoxville, which manifested a determined spirit. This was shared by a large portion of the people in that part of the state. Their vote on the separation or secession ordinance was almost entirely in opposition. In several of the central and western counties a Union majority was given; but throughout the state only a portion of the vote was cast. On June 17 a large Union convention was held at Greeneville. All the counties in East Tennessee were represented except Rhea. It continued for three days. A declaration of grievances was adopted, which stated facts showing that the right of free suffrage had been obstructed by a disunion government; that the people had been subjected to insults, their flags fired upon and torn down, their houses rudely entered, their families insulted, their women and children shot by a merciless soldiery, and their citizens robbed and assassinated; and that, in view of these facts, they resolved that the action of the state legislature, in passing a declaration of independence, and in forming a military league with the Southern Confederacy, was unconstitutional, and not binding upon loyal citizens. In order to avoid a conflict with their brethren, a committee was appointed to prepare a memorial, asking the consent of the legislature that the eastern part of the state may form a separate government. Meanwhile, soldiers from East Tennessee found their way to the camps in Kentucky. The first regiment which came was composed of men who had been driven from their homes for their Union sentiments. They were described in the following terms:

"A very large proportion of them are men of religious instinct and habits, and not a night passes without the voice of morning and evening prayer being heard in the Tennessee camps. These earnest and devoted men, far from their families and homes, which are left to be desolated by ruthless hands, are yet firm and undaunted amid the calamity which has overtaken them. Their trust is in God and their own strong arms. A large proportion are young, unmarried men; but there are many heads of families and representatives of large landed estates. Some of the privates in the ranks, who have abandoned all they possessed rather than submit, are worth from $30,000 to $40,000 each. Some of the young men are willing to remain and assist in defending Kentucky, or serving anywhere that the government may call them. But the great majority have set their hearts upon going back fully armed for the redemption of East Tennessee."

The great Federal victories at Forts Henry and Donelson, and the consequent evacuation of Bowling Green, rendered Nashville no longer tenable for the Confederates. The legislature and executive officers of Tennessee had made preparations for such a contingency, and lost no time in removing to Memphis. On February 23, 1862, the Confederate troops evacuated Nashville and on the 25th the city was occupied by the advance of the Federal army under General Nelson. A large portion of the state having now been reconquered to the Union, President Lincoln nominated Andrew Johnson military governor of Tennessee, with the rank of brigadier-general of volunteers, and the nomination was confirmed by the senate on March 5. Governor Johnson, a native of North Carolina, had been five times a representative in Congress, twice governor of Tennessee, and at the time of his appointment was U. S. senator from that state. He reached Nashville March 12, in company with Emerson Etheridge, clerk of the national house of representatives, and Horace Maynard, member of Congress from Tennessee. The next evening, in response to a serenade, he made an address, which he afterward published as an "Appeal to the People of Tennessee." After briefly recounting the history of the secession movement and the measures adopted by the Federal government, he proceeded as follows:

"The president has conducted this mighty contest, until, as commander-in-chief of the army, he has caused the national flag again to float undisputed over the capitol of our state. Meanwhile, the state government has disappeared. The executive has abdicated; the legislature has dissolved; the judiciary is in abeyance. The great ship of state, freighted with its precious cargo of human interests and human hopes, its sails all set, and its glorious old flag unfurled, has been suddenly abandoned by its officers and mutinous crew, and left to float at the mercy of the winds, to be plundered by every rover upon the deep. Indeed, the work of plunder has already commenced. The archives have been desecrated, the public property stolen and destroyed; the vaults of the state bank violated, and its treasures robbed, including the funds carefully gathered and consecrated for all time to the instruction of our children.

"In such a lamentable crisis, the government of the United States could not be unmindful of its high constitutional obligation to guarantee to every state in this Union a republican form of government, an obligation which every state has a direct and immediate interest in having observed toward every other state; and from which, by no action on the part of the people in any state can the Federal government be absolved. A republican form of government, in consonance with the constitution of the United States, is one of the fundamental conditions of our political existence, by which every part of the Country is alike bound, and from which no part can escape. This obligation the national government is now attempting to discharge. I have been appointed, in the absence of the regular and established state authorities, as military governor for the time being, to preserve the public property of the state, to give the protection of law actively enforced to her citizens, and, as speedily as may be, to restore her government to the same condition as before the existing rebellion.

"In this grateful but arduous undertaking, I shall avail myself of all the aid that may be afforded by my fellow citizens. And for this purpose I respectfully but earnestly invite all the people of Tennessee, desirous or willing to see a restoration of her ancient government, without distinction of party affiliations or past political opinions or action, to unite with me, by counsel and cooperative agency, to accomplish this great end. I find most, if not all of the offices, both state and Federal, vacated either by actual abandonment, or by the action of the incumbents in attempting to subordinate their functions to a power in hostility to the fundamental law of the state and subversive of her national allegiance. These offices must be filled temporarily, until the state shall be restored so far to its accustomed quiet that the people can peaceably assemble at the ballot box and select agents of their own choice. Otherwise anarchy would prevail and no man's life or property would be safe from the desperate and unprincipled.

"I shall, therefore, as early as practicable, designate for various positions under the state and county governments, from among my fellow citizens, persons of probity and intelligence and bearing true allegiance to the constitution and government of the United States, who will execute the functions of their respective offices until their places can be filled by the action of the people. Their authority, when their appointments shall have been made, will be accordingly respected and observed.

"To the people themselves, the protection of the government is extended. All their rights will be duly respected and their wrongs redressed when made known. Those who through the dark and weary night of the rebellion have maintained their allegiance to the Federal government will be honored. The erring and misguided will be welcomed on their return. And while it may become necessary, in vindicating the violated majesty of the law and in reasserting its imperial sway, to punish intelligent and conscious treason in high places, no merely retaliatory or vindictive policy will be adopted. To those, especially, who in a private, unofficial capacity have assumed an attitude of hostility to the government, a full and complete amnesty for all past acts and declarations is offered, upon the one condition of their again yielding themselves peaceful citizens to the just supremacy of the laws. This I advise them to do for their own good, and for the peace and welfare of our beloved state, endeared to me by the associations of long and active years, and by the enjoyment of her highest honors."

The address was listened to with respect and some favor; but the Union feeling developed in Nashville and other parts of Middle Tennessee, after their occupation by the Federal forces, was far from answering the expectations of the North, or even of the Tennessee Unionists themselves. On March 9 the citizens of Shelbyville, Bedford county, burned a quantity of Confederate stores, to prevent them from falling into the hands of the Confederates; and soon afterward the people of Gallatin, a place in which the Southern party had before been strongly in the ascendant, held a town meeting and expressed a readiness to return to their allegiance; but these were exceptional instances, and the Federal occupation did not become popular until there seemed reason to think it would be permanent. On the 25th the governor required the common council and other city officials of Nashville to take the oath of allegiance to the United States. On their refusal to do so he issued a proclamation declaring vacant the offices of most of them and appointing persons to act in their places until a new election could be held by the people. The mayor of Nashville and some other citizens were arrested on the 29th on the charge of "disloyal practices." The newspaper press was placed under military supervision, several papers suspended publication, and on April 10 the "Daily Nashville Union" was commenced by S. C. Mercer, a refugee from Kentucky. Affairs soon began to wear a more flattering aspect. "For several days," said the Union of April 11, "the office of Governor Johnson in the capital has been thronged with secession men and women from the city and adjacent country, earnestly interceding for their sons who have been, or are now, in the rebel army, and expressing the utmost willingness and even anxiety to take the oath of allegiance to the good old government and faithfully discharge the duties of law-abiding and loyal citizens." On the 12th the editor of the Nashville Banner was arrested and placed in confinement on the charge of uttering treasonable and seditious language. On the 15th J. C. Guild of Gallatin, judge of the chancery court, was arrested on the charge of treason by an officer of Governor Johnson's staff and conveyed to Nashville.

On May 12, in pursuance of a call signed by a number of prominent citizens, requesting "their fellow citizens of the State of Tennessee, who are in favor of the restoration of the former relations of this state to the Federal Union, to be present at a public meeting to be held at the capital in the city of Nashville," a large gathering of persons from different parts of the state took place in the hall of representatives. Ex-Governor William B. Campbell (afterward brigadier-general) was chosen president of the convention and on taking the chair made a few remarks, in the course of which he said:

"We invite all to help us in restoring the supremacy of law over Tennessee and reinstating her in all the privileges and immunities of the Union. We wish to welcome back all our deluded fellow-citizens cordially. The government intends no sweeping confiscation, nor wild turning loose of slaves against revolted states. It designs no infringement on the rights of property. All will be protected who will be loyal to the government. We bear no malice toward any one, but deep sympathy for the deluded. I have dear friends and dear relations who have gone astray and my heart yearns for their return. The Federal government will pursue a kind, liberal and benevolent policy toward the people of the South, to bring them to the Union."

Addresses were made by W. H. Wiseman, Hon. W. B. Stokes, Edmund Cooper, Colonel W. H. Polk, Governor Johnson, Colonel L. D. Campbell, General Dumont, and others. At the request of many persons present the chairman appointed Allen A. Hall, John Lellyet, Russell Houston, Horace H. Harrison and M. M. Brien, a "State Central Union Committee," for the purpose of communicating with the friends of the Union in various parts of the state.

The United States circuit court opened at Nashville on the 13th, and in his charge to the grand jury Judge Catron instructed them to ferret out and indict all persons guilty of aiding and abetting the marauding parties who infested the state. On the 14th ex-Governor Neil S. Brown, one of the leaders of the secession party in Tennessee, was arrested by order of Governor Johnson on charge of treason, but was afterward released on parole. He took the oath of allegiance and became a prominent advocate of the Union. An election for judge of the circuit court of Nashville, held on the 22nd, resulted in the choice of Turner S. Foster, secessionist, by a majority of about 190, the Union vote being about 1,000. Judge Foster received his commission from the provisional governor on July 26, and the same day was arrested and sent to the penitentiary. On May 24 a Union meeting was held at Murfreesboro, at which speeches were made by Governor Johnson and others, and the resolutions of the Nashville Union convention of the 12th were unanimously adopted. Thirty-four soldiers of a Tennessee regiment in the Southern army came before the provost marshal on that occasion and took the oath of allegiance. On the same day, under the provisions of the general confiscation act of August 6, 1861, the United States marshal for the middle district of Tennessee seized at Nashville the offices of the "Republican Banner," "Union and American," and "Gazette" newspapers, and the Southern Methodist Publishing House, and on the 26th the Baptist Publishing House and "Patriot" newspaper office, all having been active supporters of the secession movement. He also seized two gun factories in South Nashville, belonging to stock companies.

About the same time Governor Johnson issued an order providing that all persons who should be arrested for using treasonable and seditious language, and who should refuse thereafter to take the oath of allegiance and give bonds in the sum of $1,000 for future good behavior, should be sent south beyond the Federal lines, with the distinct understanding that if they returned they were to be treated as spies. Memphis was captured by the river fleet on June 6, and West Tennessee was thus brought under the control of the Federal government. On the 7th a Union meeting was held at Shelbyville, Governor Johnson, Colonel May of Kentucky, and James L. Scudder, formerly a prominent secessionist and assistant inspector general of state troops under Governor Harris, being among the orators. A Union meeting was held at Valley Springs meeting house, Dickson county, on the 21st. The anniversary of American independence was celebrated with great enthusiasm, Union speeches being delivered at the capital and in other parts of the state. Arrests continued frequent, and in the early part of July 28 persons were arrested at Goodlettsville, but were all released on taking the oath of allegiance.

On October 21 the president recommended an election for members of Congress to be held in several districts of Tennessee, and instructed the military commanders to take measures to facilitate the execution of the order. In accordance with the president's order, Governor Johnson, in the early part of December, issued a proclamation calling for an election of representatives to the 37th Congress, to be held on the 29th, in the 9th and 10th districts of the state. The 9th district embraced the counties of Henry, Weakly, Dyer, Obion, Lauderdale, Tipton, Gibson, Carroll and Henderson, and the 10th included the counties of Haywood, Madison, Hardeman, Fayette and Shelby. The governor ended his proclamation with the notice that "no person will be considered an elector qualified to vote who, in addition to the other qualifications required by law, does not give satisfactory evidence to the judges holding the election of his loyalty to the government of the United States." About the same time Governor Johnson published an order assessing the wealthy secessionists of Nashville and the vicinity to the amount of $60,000, for the support of the poor during the winter.

The subject of a restoration of the state to the Union was considerably discussed and some conventions were held, one of which assembled at Nashville on July 1, 1863. The military governor expressed a willingness to issue writs of election whenever the people in a suitable manner manifested their willingness and solicitude to choose legislators and commence in good faith the work of reorganization. The guerrilla system prevailed so extensively that it furnished the greatest obstacle to this object. The views of Governor Johnson were thus expressed in a public speech made in September.

"Tennessee is not out of the Union, never has been and never will be out. The bonds of the constitution and the Federal power will always prevent that. This government is perpetual; provision is made for reforming the government and amending the constitution, and admitting states into the Union; not for letting them out of it * * *

"Where are we now? There is a rebellion; this was anticipated, as I said. The rebel army is driven back. Here lies your state; a sick man in his bed, emaciated and exhausted, paralyzed in all his powers and unable to walk alone. The physician comes. Don't quarrel about antecedents, but administer to his wants; and cure him as quickly as possible. The United States sends an agent or a military governor, whichever you please to call him, to aid you in restoring your government. Whenever you desire, in good faith, to restore civil authority, you can do so, and a proclamation for an election will be issued as speedily as it is practicable to hold one. One by one all the agencies of your state government will be set in motion. A legislature will be elected. Judges will be appointed temporarily, until you can elect them at the polls; and so of sheriffs, county court judges, justices and other officers, until the way is fairly open for the people, and all the parts of civil government resume their ordinary functions. This is no nice intricate metaphysical question. It is a plain, common sense matter, and there is nothing in the way but obstinacy."

The provisional organization previously created by the president continued throughout the year, and on January 26, 1864, Governor Johnson issued his proclamation for a state election. The proclamation was preceded by a public meeting in Nashville on January 21, relative to a restoration of the civil government. A large number of persons were present, resolutions were adopted and Governor Johnson addressed the assemblage. He thus stated his views on the manner of reconstruction:

"The election of the primary officers, such as justices of the peace, constables, etc., is fixed by the constitution of the state on the first Saturday in March, and the executive should say to the people of the state to go to the ballot-box on that day and elect the constables, justices, sheriffs, county trustees and clerks. And when elected, let them be commissioned as they ordinarily are. The agent of the government supplies the vacuum. Is there any thing outside of the principles of the constitution in that? Is there any usurpation in it? There must be a beginning somewhere. Don't we all know that in the absence of government there must be something done, seemingly irregular, for the purpose of bringing back order? Then we take a step without precedent, but clearly justifiable, and proceed to elect our officers as we have done heretofore. We look in the various judicial districts of the state and find they are vacant for judges; we turn to the laws and constitution of the state and find that when vacancies occur by death, resignation, or otherwise, the executive shall make temporary appointments, and these appointees shall hold their places until their successors are elected and qualified. Then, don't we see how easy the process is? Begin at the foundation, elect the lower offices, and then come up to the judiciary and put it in motion, wherever it can be. But it might be said that this can't be done in all the counties. Well, if it is done in a half dozen counties it is so much done, and that much done we can do more."

The result of the election was stated by the press of Nashville to have been a failure. A large number of soldiers and employes of the government who had been stationed at Nashville for six months voted, but the people refrained from appearing at the polls. No further steps toward reconstruction appear to have been taken as a consequence of this election. In May a convention was held at Knoxville, to take such action as might be necessary to restore civil government in the state. A committee appointed on the subject presented a majority and minority report. The former was in spirit and substance in harmony with the Crittenden resolutions of 1861, and the latter recommended the abolition of slavery in the state, the enlistment of negroes, and the renomination of Mr. Lincoln. There that movement ended. On August 3 a call was published in Nashville for a convention of loyal citizens to meet in that city on September 5, relative to the reorganization of the state. On that day the convention assembled. Delegates from the east and south were prevented from attending by a raid of General Wheeler, and an adjournment was suggested but not approved. The convention organized by the appointment of Samuel Milligan, president. The committee on credentials reported the following resolutions:

"Resolved, That all delegates who may have been regularly appointed by loyal primary county conventions shall be admitted to the floor.

"Resolved, That all unconditional Union men, who are for all the measures of the government looking to putting down the rebellion, from the different counties of the state, shall be qualified to participate in the deliberations of this convention; and that all persons claiming seats, under this resolution, be requested, with as little delay as possible, to hand in their names to the committee on credentials."

This report was adopted. A committee on business for the convention reported on the 7th, that a convention elected by the loyal people should assemble at an early day to revise the state constitution; that the Union people of Tennessee should hold an election for president in November; that the electors should be free white men, for six months residents of the state, who have voluntarily borne arms in the Federal service during the present war and are in the service or honorably discharged, and all known active friends of the government of the United States in each county; that the citizen electors should be registered; that polls should be opened at the county seat of each county, guarded and protected so as to secure a free and fair election, and also polls opened for soldiers; that the state militia should be immediately enrolled, organized and armed; that the proceedings of the convention at Baltimore should be adhered to and supported as due alike to self-preservation and self-respect; and that agents should be appointed to look after the interests of Tennessee soldiers and their families. The report was adopted without opposition. On the next day a presidential electoral ticket was nominated by the convention. A further report was made by the business committee, expressing the sense of the convention as in favor of the complete suppression of the rebellion, the immediate abandonment of slavery and its prohibition in future by all suitable and proper amendments to the state constitution, which report was adopted. On the same day Governor Johnson issued a proclamation, stating that as military governor he should proceed to appoint officers and establish tribunals as he had heretofore done in all the counties and districts of the state wherever the people gave evidence of loyalty and a desire of civil government, and a willingness to sustain the officers and tribunals. All officers were required to take the oath recommended by the convention, and all cases, civil and criminal, coming before the judicial tribunals of the state involving the rights of colored persons, were to be adjudicated and disposed of as free persons of color. The presidential electors who had been appointed by the convention were in favor of Mr. Lincoln for president, but at the election, held on November 8, the vote of the state was not counted in the returns of the electoral college by Congress.

The convention which assembled in September and nominated an electoral ticket also appointed a state executive committee. This committee issued a call in December, inviting the people of Tennessee to meet in Nashville in convention on January 9, 1865, to nominate a ticket which it was generally understood would consist of 100 names of persons to compose a second convention. It was intended that this second body should revise the state constitution and submit their work to the people for approval. The convention thus invited by the committee assembled at Nashville on January 9, and was organized by the election of Colonel S. K. Rodgers, president; Colonel W. B. Wilson, Colonel W. K. Hall, and General A. C. Gillem, vice-presidents. On Tuesday, January 10, a business committee was appointed, to which all resolutions were referred. The day was occupied in discussing the basis of voting in the convention, and resolutions were adopted giving one vote to each county, and one in addition for each 100, or fraction over 50 Union votes cast in 1861. Great opposition was made to this basis of voting by delegates from Middle and West Tennessee, where the Confederates interfered with the election. On the third day, in order to avoid dissatisfaction, this basis of voting was reconsidered and withdrawn. The convention was then occupied with speeches on general topics, awaiting the report of the business committee, which was presented during the afternoon. There was both a majority and minority report on the amendments proposed to the constitution. There was no serious disagreement between the reports, but they differed in opinion on the power of the convention to act on the subject. The amendments to the constitution recommended by the report of the majority proposed the abolition of slavery; the appointment by the governor and senate of judges of the supreme court; the qualification of voters, allowing all persons of color who could be witnesses to vote; together with a schedule of measures relating to local concerns of the state. On Thursday, January 12, the various propositions were discussed, and at night the convention adjourned to hear an address from Governor Johnson. On the next day the question of power in the convention was discussed during the forenoon, when the business committee withdrew the report of the majority and substituted a revised report, which proposed merely the abolition of slavery. After some discussion of the question a vote was taken on a motion to substitute resolutions of Colonel Butler for the amended report of the business committee. These resolutions declared distinctly that the convention would exceed its powers by taking the action proposed in the majority report. The vote was 113 for the resolutions and 161 against them. Many delegates had gone home. Says one correspondent: "The great speech of Governor Johnson fixed the course of action irrevocably. The party favorable to postponement gradually crumbled away, lost its identity, and on the final vote upon the amended resolutions manifested nearly as much enthusiasm as their original supporters."

 There was also adopted a schedule which repealed the section of the constitution which forbade the general assembly to pass emancipation laws; annulled the military league made with the Confederate States; also the declaration of independence and secession ordinance; suspended the statute of limitations from May, 1861; actions for torts began by attachments might proceed without personal service of process on the defendant; annulled all laws and ordinances of the seceded state government; deprived the legislature of power to pay bonds, interest, or debts contracted or issued by the seceded state government, and affirmed all civil and military appointments of Governor Johnson. These amendments were submitted to a vote of the people on February 22, and were adopted by a vote of 25,293, as against 48 for rejection. A proclamation was issued by Governor Johnson declaring the amendments to the constitution ratified, and an election for governor and members of the legislature was held on March 4 following. William G. Brownlow, the nominee of the convention, was chosen governor. The legislature met at Nashville on April 3, and on the 5th ratified the United States constitutional amendment. It also reorganized the state government, and elected David T. Patterson and Joseph S. Fowler U. S. senators.

And thus Tennessee again took its place, after four years of strife and turmoil, among the loyal states of the American Union. Her citizens had suffered to an extreme degree during the four years of warfare, but through it all the master hand and iron will of Andrew Johnson had guided the ship of state, and he kept his place at the helm until he saw her safely anchored as of yore, among her sister commonwealths. History reveals but few personages whose strength of character and devotion to honest conviction equals in intensity or degree those noble attributes as possessed by Andrew Johnson. The sentiment of a majority of the people of the state was arrayed against him and in sympathy with the Confederacy; and added to this was the criticism of a large number of professedly Union men who sought to embarrass his administration of affairs by factious opposition. But by sheer force of his great ability and dominant will-power he triumphed over all difficulties. After nearly four years' service as president of the United States, during which his motives were impugned, his patriotism assailed and his character maligned, he returned to the scene of his war-time triumphs, once more entered the struggle for political supremacy, achieved a signal victory, and was elected United States senator from the state which he had done so much to save to the Union. Few stronger characters are mentioned in history than Andrew Johnson.

Page 378


RECORD OF TENNESSEE REGIMENTS

First Infantry.—Colonel, Robert K. Byrd; Lieut.-Colonels, James G. Spears, Milton L. Phillips, John Ellis; Majors, James T. Shelley, Benjamin F. Taylor. This regiment was organized by Colonel Byrd; at Camp Dick Robinson, Kentucky, in August, 1861. It was first under fire in the engagement at Wild Cat, and was afterward present at the battle of Mill Springs. It also assisted in the capture of Cumberland gap, where it remained until the evacuation of that post by General Morgan. It then retreated with the remainder of the command to Ohio, and thence went on an expedition up the Kanawha valley. Returning, it went by way of Louisville to Nashville and arrived in time to participate in the battle at Stone's river, after which it returned to Lexington, Kentucky. It then entered East Tennessee under General Burnside and was present at the siege of Knoxville. During the winter of 1863 it was stationed at Kingston, and in the spring entered upon the Atlanta campaign, participating in all of the engagements until just previous to the surrender of the city, when the greater portion of the regiment was discharged on account of the expiration of term of service. The veterans and recruits were consolidated into a battalion of two companies and retained in service until August 8, 1865, when they were mustered out in accordance with orders from the war department. While at Cumberland gap a detachment of the 1st and 2nd Tennessee regiments, consisting of 69 men, led by Captain Meyers and Lieut. Rogers, captured an important outpost of the Confederates without the loss of a man. For this exploit a complimentary notice was read on dress parade by order of General Morgan.

Second Infantry.—Colonel, James P. T. Carter; Lieut.-Colonels, Daniel C. Trewhitt, John W. Bowman, James M. Melton; Majors, Eli M. Cleveland, Daniel A. Carpenter. This regiment was recruited and organized at Camp Dick Robison, Kentucky. It was mustered into service to date from September 28, 1861, and on October 18 following marched to meet the Confederate forces under General Zollicoffer. From that time until the evacuation of Cumberland gap by the Federal forces under General George W. Morgan in September, 1862, the regiment was employed in eastern Kentucky, participating in the battle of Mill Springs and many lesser engagements. It then marched through northeastern Kentucky, crossed into Ohio and thence entered the Kanawha valley, W. Virginia. Returning by way of Point Pleasant, Ohio, it went from there to Louisville by river, thence by land to Murfreesboro, where it was engaged in the battle of Stone's river. It remained there until March 10, 1863, when it returned to Kentucky for the purpose of -being mounted, which was done about June 1, 1863. It remained in Kentucky, participating in various minor engagements with the Confederate forces under Pegram and Scott, until July 4, when it started in pursuit of General Morgan in his raid through Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio and was present at his capture. It then returned to Stanford, Kentucky, and joined the force under General Burnside for the campaign in East Tennessee. It was in the advance of Burnside's forces at Wolf creek and Loudon, Tennessee, and was present at the surrender of Cumberland gap by the Confederate General Frazier. It also took the advance of the column which moved into upper East Tennessee from Knoxville and brought on the battle of Blue springs. After pursuing the retreating forces to Abingdon, Virginia, and destroying a large amount of stores, it returned to Rogersville, Tennessee, where on November 6, 1863, the regiment was captured by General Jones. Most of those who had been captured—117 men—soon afterward made their escape, reported at Knoxville and were on duty there during the siege. Soon afterward the remnants of the regiment were gathered up and detailed as provost guards at Sevierville, Maryville, Clinton and Maynardville. In September, 1864, the garrison at Maryville, consisting of 28 men, was captured. The remaining detachments were then ordered immediately to Lee's ferry on the Clinch river, to harass Wheeler's forces, who were then on a raid through East Tennessee. After this expedition the regiment returned to Knoxville, where on October 6, 1864, it was mustered out, there being at that time only 106 of the original number. The veterans and recruits were consolidated into a battalion, which was mustered out August 3, 1865, in accordance with orders from the war department.

Third Infantry.—Colonels, Leonidas C. Houk, William Cross; Lieut.-Colonels, John C. Chiles, William M. Sawyers; Major, Rhadamanthus H. Dunn. This regiment was organized at Flat Lick, Kentucky, in March, 1862. It remained near that place until June, when as part of Spear's brigade it went to Cumberland gap, but was subsequently ordered to London, Kentucky. There the regiment was divided, five companies under Colonel Houk remaining at that place and the other five under Lieut.-Colonel Chiles going to Richmond. Houk was attacked by a superior force under General Scott, retreated to Cumberland gap, and subsequently with General Morgan to Ohio. The five companies under Chiles, while on their way to rejoin Houk at London, were attacked by Scott's cavalry at Big hill and the greater part of the command captured. The remainder made their way to Richmond, Kentucky, where on August 23, 1862, all but about 100 were taken prisoners and paroled. The few who escaped retreated to Louisville and were temporarily attached to the 3d Kentucky infantry, with which they took part in the battle of Perryville. They were then ordered to Gaflipolis, Ohio, where the regiment was reunited. It then went to Nashville and thence to Murfreesboro. In April, 1863, Colonel Houk and Lieut.-Colonel Chiles resigned and the regiment, then stationed at Carthage, was placed under the command of Major William Cross, who was commissioned colonel a short time afterward. In August the regiment left Carthage and marched by the way of Alexandria and McMinnville to a point on the Tennessee river below Chattanooga. It remained in the vicinity of Chattanooga until November, when it proceeded to Knoxville to the relief of Burnside. On April 26, 1864, it left Strawberry plains to enter upon the Atlanta campaign, in which it took an active part. After the surrender of Atlanta it was ordered to Johnsonville, thence to Duck river, and finally to Columbia. Before reaching the latter place the approach of Hood forced it back to Nashville, which it reached by the way of Charlotte and Clarksville, arriving in time to participate in the battles before that city. After pursuing the enemy to Clifton, Tennessee, it returned to Nashville and was there mustered out February 23, 1865, the regiment at that time numbering about 340 of the original command. During its existence it numbered 090 enlisted men. Fourth Infantry.—Colonel, Daniel Stover; Lieut.-Colonels, Michael L. Patterson, James W. M. Grayson, Thomas H. Reeves; Major, Gaines Lawson. This regiment was recruited at Louisville, in the spring of 1863, under the direction of Colonel Daniel Stover of Carter county, Tennessee. It was composed wholly of exiles from East Tennessee, who were brought out of the Confederate lines by officers and pilots sent in for that purpose. On May 29 the regiment left Louisville and was mustered into service the following June. On September 9. 1863, under the command of Major Patterson, it marched to McMinnville, Tennessee, where on October 3, after 2 hours' hard fighting against a greatly superior force under General Wheeler, it was captured and paroled. Major Patterson, with 40 men, returned to Nashville, and the remainder of the regiment, with few exceptions, returned to their homes in East Tennessee. Upon the arrival of Major Patterson in Nashville a court of inquiry was appointed to examine into the circumstances connected with the surrender of the post at McMinnville, which resulted in his complete exoneration from all charges. He then proceeded to Camp Nelson, Kentucky, to reorganize the regiment, where many of the soldiers reported immediately for duty, the paroles being invalid, having been given in violation of the cartel. On January 20, 1864, the regiment was assigned to the 1st brigade, 3d division, 23d army corps. On the withdrawal of General Schofield's army from upper East Tennessee, the regiment was sent to Loudon, and three companies under Major Reeves to Kingston. Major Patterson having been promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy, was detached to command the brigade with headquarters at Loudon. The regiment remained there until November, 1864, when the troops were ordered to Knoxville. Patterson was then put in command of a brigade consisting of the 4th Tennessee and 3d N. C. infantry for an expedition to Paint Rock, N. G, to cut off the retreat of the Confederates from General Stoneman. This expedition ended about January 10, 1865. The regiment remained in upper East Tennessee and vicinity until July, when it was ordered to Nashville to be mustered out. Colonel Stover, who organized the regiment, was early attacked by consumption and saw no service in the field.

Fifth Infantry.—Colonel, James T. Shelley; Lieut.-Colonels, Fremortin Young, Charles C. McCaleb, Nat Witt; Majors, Joseph D. Turner, David G. Bowers. This regiment was organized at Barboursville, Kentucky, by Colonel Shelley, of Roane county, Tennessee, in March, 1862. As a part of Spear's brigade it participated in the operations around Cumberland gap during the summer of 1862, also in the retreat from that place, and subsequently in the battle of Stone's river. It was present at Chickamauga, and took an active part in the battle of Missionary ridge. In the Georgia campaign it formed a part of Manson's brigade, and with the remainder of the 23d corps returned to fight Hood before Nashville. It was mustered out by companies at different dates from March 29 to June 30, 1865, by reason of expiration of term of service.

Sixth Infantry.—Colonel, Joseph A. Cooper; Lieut.-Colonel, Edward Maynard; Majors, William C. Pickens, A. Marion Gamble. The organization of this regiment was begun in the early part of March, 1862, by Colonel Cooper, at Barboursville, Kentucky, and, like most of the other regiments from Tennessee, was composed mainly of Unionist refugees. On April 23, four companies being completed, a lieutenant-colonel, Edward Maynard, was appointed. By May 1 three other companies were completed. The regiment actively participated in the opening movements of the 7th division. Army of the Ohio, under General George W. Morgan, in the vicinity of Cumberland gap, where it remained until September 17, 1862, when it took up the line of march in Morgan's famous retreat to the Ohio river. After being refitted it remained at Gallipolis, Ohio, until November 11, when the brigade to which it was attached was ordered to Nashville. During the battle of Stone's river it was detailed as an escort for an ammunition train for Rosecrans' army. A short distance from Nashville it was attacked by the Confederate cavalry under Wheeler, who was immediately repulsed with considerable loss. It remained at Murfreesboro until April, 1863, when it was attached to the 1st brigade, 2nd division, 14th army corps, and from that time until September was employed in drilling and scouting in the vicinities of Carthage, Alexandria and McMinnville. About September 10, it crossed the mountains and moved toward Chattanooga, arriving in time to participate in the close of the battle of Chickamauga, as a part of Granger's reserve corps. The regiment was then stationed on the river above Chattanooga until it joined the forces that moved to the relief of General Burnside at Knoxville. It was engaged in the campaign of East Tennessee during the following winter, and in April, 1864, having been transferred to the 2nd division, 23d army corps, moved to join Sherman in his campaign to Atlanta. In this it took an active part, losing heavily at Resaca. After the capture of Atlanta the brigade was ordered to report to General Thomas at Nashville, and was located at Johnsonville and Duck river until the advance of Hood compelled a retreat. The regiment reached Nashville by the way of Charlotte and Clarksville and participated in the battles around that city in December. It was then transferred to North Carolina and joined Sherman's forces at Goldsboro, where it remained until March 3, 1865. The regiment was then returned to Nashville and was mustered out April 27, 1865, having served a few days over three years.

Seventh Infantry.—Colonel, William Clift; Lieut.-Colonel, Alexander Hazeland; Major, James S. Duncan. This regiment was organized in the state at large from August 10, 1861, to June 1, 1863, to serve for three years. The officers were mustered out of service, and the enlisted men were transferred to other regiments, July 31, 1863, in accordance with orders from the war department.

Eighth Infantry.—Colonel, Felix A. Reeve; Lieut.-Colonels, I sham Young, George De La Vergne; Major, William S. Barnett. This regiment was recruited from East Tennessee exiles and refugees at Nicholasville, Lexington, Camp Dick Robinson and other points in Kentucky, by Colonel Reeve, assisted by John B. Brownlow and H. H. Thomas. The work of recruiting was begun in the fall of 1862, but owing to the fact that several cavalry regiments, which were more popular with the foot-sore refugees, were proposed at the same time, volunteers for infantry service were not numerous, and it was not until August, 1863, that the regiment numbering about 700 men was organized. It was then assigned to the 2nd brigade, 2nd division, 23d army corps, and was present at Knoxville during the siege of that place. In April, 1864, it marched to join Sherman on his Atlanta campaign, in which it took a very active part, participating in every engagement. At the Etowah river it was in the advance and about 100 men of the regiment were killed or wounded in less than 15 minutes. The 8th regiment also bore an honorable part in the battles of Jonesboro, Georgia, and Columbia, Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee, In January, 1865, with the remainder of the Army of the Ohio, it was transferred to North Carolina, where it participated in the actions at Fort Anderson, Town creek and Wilmington. Colonel Reeve resigned command of the regiment in July, 1864. The regiment was mustered out June 30, 1865, in accordance with orders from the war department.

Ninth Infantry.—This regiment was never mustered into service, but was transferred and merged into other organizations, principally with the 1st West Tennessee cavalry and known as the 6th Tennessee cavalry.

Tenth Infantry.—Colonel, Alvan C. Gillem; Lieut.-Colonels, Frank T. Foster, John Feudge; Majors, Alexander Thurneck, Louis Mandazy, Middleton L. Moore. This regiment was organized at Nashville, about July, 1862, and was at first known as the 1st Tennessee governor's guards. It was recruited partly in Nashville, partly in Rutherford, Wayne, Hardin and Lawrence counties, and was composed of a mixture of Americans, Irish and Germans. Until the summer of 1863 the regiment did provost guard duty at Nashville, being encamped first at Fort Gillem and afterward upon the capitol grounds. It was then ordered out to guard the Nashville & Northwestern railroad, where it remained until the spring of 1864. During the following year the regiment was divided considerably, detachments being detailed for various purposes. In the spring of 1865 it was ordered to Knoxville, at which place and at Greeneville, it remained until about July, when it was returned to Nashville and mustered out.

First Cavalry.—Colonels, Robert Johnson, James P. Brownlow; Lieut.-Colonel, Calvin M. Dyer; Majors, James O. Berry, William R. Tracy, Abram Hammond, Morgan T. Burkhart, Henry G. Flagg, Burton Smith, Russell Thornburgh. This regiment was organized at Camp Dennison, Ohio, November 1, 1862. It was then ordered to Tennessee and in the organization of the cavalry, Department of the Cumberland, was united with the 1st brigade, 1st division. The ensuing summer, with the forces of General Rosecrans, it entered on the campaign which resulted in the occupation of Tullahoma and Chattanooga, participating in engagements at Rover, Middleton, Guyer's gap, Shelbyville and Cowan. After an expedition through northern Alabama and Georgia under Lieut.-Colonel Brownlow, it reached Chickamauga and participated in the battle. It was then sent in pursuit of General Wheeler, going by the way of McMinnville, Shelbyville and Murfreesboro, a detachment being sent to Sparta. The regiment afterward proceeded to Kingston, Knoxville, Strawberry plains, New Market, Dandridge and Mossy creek. At the last two places engagements occurred with the Confederate cavalry in greatly superior force, but by gallant charges under skillful leadership the regiment succeeded in escaping with little injury. It then remained in that vicinity until April, 1864, when it began a march to Resaca, Cassville, Dallas and Pine mountain, Georgia, and thence to a raid on the Macon railroad, where an engagement occurred. After some hard fighting it reached the Chattahoochee river on August 1, and while crossing the stream was attacked by the enemy, who succeeded in taking a large number of prisoners. Colonel Brownlow reached Marietta two days later with a few men and there was joined by the more fortunate fugitives. During Wheeler's raid through Middle Tennessee the regiment was in engagements with him at La Vergne, Franklin and Campbellsville, and followed him upon his retreat to Florence, Alabama. It then returned to Pulaski and had a skirmish with General Forrest, after which it continued to scout along the Tennessee until after the defeat of Hood, when it went in pursuit of his forces. After a reconnoissance as far as Corinth in January, 1865, the regiment returned to Nashville, where it was mustered out June 14, 1865.

Second Cavalry.—Colonel, Daniel M. Ray; Lieut.-Colonel, William R. Cook; Majors, George W. Hutsell, Charles Inman, William R. Macbeth, William F. Prosser. This regiment was organized at Cumberland gap in the months of August and September, 1862, and was composed of loyal citizens of Knox, Blount, Sevier and surrounding counties, numbering in the aggregate about 1,175 men. Shortly after the organization of the regiment General Morgan began his retreat to the Ohio river and the 2nd cavalry, although dismounted, rendered efficient service in protecting the flank and rear of the retreating column. Not long after its arrival at Gallipolis, Ohio, it was ordered to Louisville, where it was mounted and armed, and pushed on to join Rosecrans at Nashville. It arrived in time to participate in the battle of Stone's river, where it lost several officers and men. From that time until June 23, 1863, with the remainder of the Federal cavalry under General Stanley, it was employed on the front and flanks of Rosecrans' army, doing severe duty. At the latter date it moved with the army from Murfreesboro to Tullahoma and pursued Bragg across the Cumberland mountains. About July 10 it was ordered to report to General Sheridan for special duty, and was employed in the vicinity of Bridgeport, Alabama, and Chattanooga until the early part of September, when it rejoined the cavalry under General Stanley and participated in the battle of Chickamauga. After doing some escort duty it was ordered to Washington and Kingston and assisted in the defense of the latter place against General Wheeler. It was then ordered to Nashville, hastily refitted and forwarded to General William S. Smith at Memphis for an expedition into Mississippi, in the course of which it participated with credit in engagements at Okolona, West Point, the Tallahatchie river and elsewhere. In June, 1864, the 2nd, 3d and 4th regiments of Tennessee cavalry, with Battery A of the 1st Tennessee light artillery, were ordered to northern Alabama and remained on duty in that district until the end of the year. In the numerous engagements with the Confederate cavalry during that time the 2nd cavalry displayed great gallantry and received the commendation of all the general officers under whom it served. In the pursuit of Hood's retreating army from Nashville the command to which it was attached marched 280 miles in 7 days and nights of unusually severe weather, and during that time were engaged in six different actions, capturing a large number of prisoners and material of every description. From January to July, 1865, the regiment was on duty at Vicksburg and New Orleans, and was then mustered out.

Third Cavalry—Colonel, William C. Pickens; Lieut.-Colonels, Duff G. Thornburgh, John B. Minnis; Majors, Albert C. Catlett, Benjamin Cunningham, Samuel W. Pickens. The organization of this regiment was commenced at Cumberland gap, by Major William C. Pickens of Sevier county, acting under authority from Governor Johnson. The first recruits were received August 10, 1862, and at the evacuation of that post by General Morgan, only one company had been completed. This company shared in the retreat to Ohio and thence went to Louisville, where it was joined by the recruits of Cos. B, C, D and E. These companies were ordered to Nashville as guards for government stores and arrived December 24 1862, when they were temporarily attached to General Spear's brigade. They were then ordered to the front and participated in the battle of Stone's river. On January 27, 1863, the five companies were mustered into service at Murfreesboro, and the remainder of that year was spent in scouting and skirmishing with the enemy through various parts of Middle Tennessee. During that time four more companies were recruited and mustered into service. About December 25, 1863, the regiment under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Thornburgh was attached to a brigade of cavalry under Colonel Ray of the 2nd Tennessee cavalry and marched upon the expedition into Mississippi, participating in all the engagements of that campaign. While at Collierville, Tennessee, in February, 1864, Lieut.-Colonel Thornburgh turned over the command of the regiment to Major Minnis, and soon afterward tendered his resignation, which was reluctantly accepted. The regiment returned to Nashville in March and remained there until April 10. From that time until September, as a whole or in detachments, it was engaged in scouting or skirmishing. On September 25, 1864, the entire regiment with the exception of 15 officers and some 200 men, was captured at Athens and Sulphur branch trestle, by the Confederates under General Forrest. The captured officers were exchanged December 15 and the privates were exchanged at Jackson, Mississippi. On April 27, 1865, the steamer Sultana, having them with a large number of other troops on board, blew up near Memphis, killing instantly 174 members of the regiment and mortally wounding a number of others. The remainder of the regiment was mustered out June 10, 1865.

Fourth Cavalry.—Lieut.-Colonel, Jacob M. Thornburgh; Majors, Meshack Stephens, Luther M. Blackman. This regiment was organized from East Tennessee refugees at Cumberland gap in July, 1862, and entered the field' under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Thornburgh. After leaving that place it followed the course of the other regiments of General Morgan's command, and reached Nashville January 26, 1863. At that place and Murfreesboro it did post and scout service during the remainder of the year. It then went with General Smith on his expedition into Mississippi, returning to Nashville March 18, 1864. On June 19 it was ordered to Decatur, Alabama, and in July marched with General Rousseau on his raid through Alabama, reaching Marietta, Georgia, on the 23d of that month. It then accompanied General McCook on a raid south and west of Atlanta, in which it lost nearly all its horses and arms in crossing the Chattahoochee river. On August 10 it returned to Decatur, Alabama, and was assigned to post and scout duty under General Granger until the 19th of that month, when it was ordered to Nashville. On November 27 it advanced to meet General Hood and participated in nearly all the battles of that campaign. It was then ordered to the Gulf Department and accompanied General Canby through the Mobile campaign, after which it went to Baton Rouge. It arrived at Nashville June 12, 1865. Co. C was detached from December 1863, to April, 1864, for duty at the headquarters of the 12th army corps at Tullahoma. The other companies served without intermission with the regiment, which was mustered out of service August 14, 1865, in accordance with orders from the war department.

Fifth Cavalry.—Colonel William B. Stokes; Lieut.-Colonels, Robert Galbraith, William J. Gift; Majors, John Murphy, Shelah Waters, John F. Armstrong, John Wortham, Faver Cason. This regiment was recruited and organized in Middle Tennessee by Colonel Stokes, acting under authority from Governor Johnson, in July, 1862. It was made up at Nashville principally, the recruits coming from various counties in squads. It was first known as the 1st Middle Tennessee cavalry, but was subsequently changed to the 5th Tennessee. The regiment was in various battles and skirmishes during the latter part of 1862, actively participated in the battle of Stone's river from first to last, and closed the fight on the Manchester pike on Monday evening, January 5, 1863. From that time until the close of the war it was employed mainly in detachments, in the eastern part of Middle Tennessee. One battalion was stationed at Shelbyville for some time and did good service in a number of battles and skirmishes, for which it received high compliments from its superior officers. The other portion of the regiment under Colonel Stokes was stationed at Carthage and had frequent skirmishes. Among other duties it was required to carry the mail from Carthage to Gallatin, which invited the attacks of the enemy. A portion of the regiment was in the battle of Lookout mountain under command of Captain Cain and Lieut. Carter. A part was at Chickamauga and Chattanooga under Lieuts. Robinson and Nelson. The regiment was subsequently ordered to Sparta, Tennessee, to break up the guerrilla bands which infested that region. The guerrilla chiefs, Hughes, Bledsoe and Ferguson, declared a war of extermination against Colonel Stokes' command, and then began a series of skirmishes and battles in which no quarter was given on either side. After completely subduing the guerrillas the regiment was ordered to Nashville, where, under the command of Lieut.-Col Clift, it participated in the battles in front of that city. Upon the removal of the regiment to Nashville Colonel Stokes was assigned to the command of the forces at Carthage, where he remained until honorably discharged in April, 1865. The regiment was mustered out August 14, 1865, in accordance with orders from the war department .

Sixth Cavalry.—Colonels, Fielding Hurst, William J. Smith; Lieut.-Colonels, William K. M. Breckenridge, Orlando H. Shearer; Majors, Eldredge S. Tidwell, Daniel M. Emerson, Thomas H. Boswell, Robert M. Thompson, Thomas A. Smith, Mack J. Learning, Stanford L. Warren. This regiment was partially recruited and organized at Bethel, W. Virginia, and was mustered into service November 13, 1862, under the command of Fielding Hurst. It entered upon arduous scouting duty in that region and did valuable service in destroying guerrilla bands. It was subsequently ordered west, and upon the retreat of General Price from Corinth it went in pursuit, capturing 250 prisoners without the loss of a man. While on this campaign it was also engaged with the enemy at Salem and Wyatt, Mississippi. It returned to West Tennessee in June, 1863, and was there employed in scouting and skirmishing until the following spring, when it entered upon a campaign in north Mississippi and Arkansas. On November 26 it went to Nashville to participate in the memorable battle in front of that place, where it acquitted itself with credit. During its existence it mustered nearly 1,600 enlisted men. It was mustered out July 26, 1865, in accordance with orders from the war department.

Seventh Cavalry.—Lieut.-Colonel, Isaac R. Hawkins; Major, Thomas A. Smith. This regiment was recruited in Carroll county and vicinity and was mustered into service November 14, 1862, under the command of Lieut. Colonel Hawkins, of Huntingdon. On December 18 Sergt. Doss, with a detachment of the regiment, reported to Colonel Engelman of the 43d Illinois infantry, and with his command made a demonstration before the enemy at Jackson, Tennessee, and the conduct of the men in the gallant affair was admirable. The regiment then joined the command of Colonel Robert G. Ingersoll at Lexington and marched with it to Beech creek, about 5 miles east of Lexington. Lieut. Fox, with a detachment of the regiment, destroyed one of the bridges over Beech creek and picketed the road while the command fell back to within half a mile of Lexington. On the following day Colonel Hawkins, with two companies of the regiment, was sent to defend a crossing on a road leading into Lexington, where he was attacked by the enemy in superior numbers and was forced to retire in confusion. The troops being not very well equipped, and having never before been under fire, could not succeed in making a stand, although they were rallied three times. On December 20 a portion of the regiment, under command of Colonel Hawkins, was in the unfortunate affair which resulted in the surrender of the post at Trenton, Tennessee, to General Forrest. Colonel Hawkins, Capts. Hawkins and Belew, and Lieuts. Allender, Hawkins and Robinson, of the 7th Tennessee cavalry were complimented in the official reports for their efficiency and bearing during the gallant defense of the place. During these movements the regiment was a part of the force of Major-General Stephen A. Hurlbut, who was in command of the district of Jackson, Tennessee. In the affair at Trenton 300 men of the regiment were included in the surrender, and after being paroled by General Forrest were sent to Camp Chase, where they remained until August, 1863, before being exchanged. During February, 1863, Sergt. Mize, with 14 men of the regiment, served with a scouting party and did effective work in the vicinity of Clifton, Tennessee. On the morning of April 29, 1863, 80 men of the regiment left LaGrange, Tennessee, with the command of Colonel Edward Hatch of the 2nd Iowa cavalry, to attack the enemy concentrating at New Albany and Pontotoc, for the purpose of intercepting the supposed return of Colonel Grierson. The expedition returned to La Grange on May 5, bringing in about 400 head of captured stock and 20 prisoners. A battalion of the regiment participated in the fight at Collierville, Tennessee, in December 1863. On January 11, 1864, a detachment of 100 men of the regiment was sent to Lexington, Tennessee, where some prisoners were captured and 1 guerrilla was killed in the very act of robbing. On March 12 the regiment had a running fight for 10 miles, in which 2 of the enemy were killed, 1 severely wounded and 1 captured. The regiment also captured 6 horses. At Union City, Tennessee, in March, after fighting for 6 hours and repulsing the enemy four times, the regiment was compelled to surrender to General Forrest. On September 2, 1864, Lieut. Murray, with 70 men of the regiment, came up with Captain Churchill and Colonel Dawson's Confederate command at Union City, and dispersed them, killing 6 and capturing 11 men. The members of the regiment who enlisted for one year were mustered out October 26, 1863, by reason of expiration of term of service, and the remaining men were mustered out August 9, 1865, in accordance with orders from the war department.

Eighth Cavalry—Colonels, Jesse H. Strickland, Samuel K. N. Patton; Lieut.-Colonels, Thomas J. Capps, Andrew J. Brown; Majors, Jeremiah Achey, Charles H. Bentley, Wilson W. Willis, William B. Davis, James E. Deakins, William J. S. Denton, Christopher C. Kenner, John M. Sawyer. This regiment was composed of two fractions of regiments known as the 8th and loth East Tennessee cavalry. The 8th regiment was begun in Kentucky in June, 1863, under Lieut.-Colonel Capps, and was first known as the 5th regiment East Tennessee cavalry. It saw some active service in the field in both Kentucky and Tennessee under General Burnside; was at the surrender of Cumberland gap; took an active part in the fights at Blountsville and Rheatown; was besieged in Knoxville, and rendered material aid in defending that post. The 10th regiment had its origin in East Tennessee in September, 1863, by authority granted to Colonel Patton by General Burnside. It saw some active service in East Tennessee under Generals Shackelford and Willcox, Colonels Casement and Harney during the fall of that year. In December 1863, it was sent to Camp Nelson, Kentucky, in charge of prisoners. On February 6, 1864, these two fractions were consolidated by order of Governor Johnson. Colonel Patton completed the regiment and assumed command of it at Columbia in the April following. It remained there and at Franklin guarding the railroad until June 19, when it was ordered to Gallatin, where it remained doing similar duty until September. It was then ordered to East Tennessee, where it joined the 9th and 13th regiments, and during the remainder of the year was almost continuously engaged in marching and fighting. On March 21, 1865, such portions of the command as were mounted, joined General Stoneman on his raid into Virginia, the Carolinas and Georgia. The command was finally reunited, and went into camp at Lenoir's station in June, 1865. It was mustered out at Knoxville, September 11, 1865.

Ninth Cavalry.—Colonel, Joseph H. Parsons; Lieut.-Colonel, John B. Brownlow; Majors, Etheldred W. Armstrong, Samuel Hunt, Jr., Edward Black, John C. Wright, David C. Dossett, James H. Hornsby. This regiment was organized at Camp Nelson from East Tennessee refugees in the early part of 1863, with Joseph H. Parsons, of Knox county, as colonel. It assisted in the capture of Cumberland gap, after which it escorted the prisoners to Lexington, Kentucky. Returning to Knoxville, it remained there until after the siege of that place, and was then detailed to escort prisoners to Camp Nelson, from which place it was ordered to Nashville, where it arrived in January and remained until about May 1. It was stationed at Gallatin from that time until August, when it was constituted a portion of the brigade known as the "Governor's Guards," under the command of General Gillem, which then entered upon a campaign in East Tennessee. It participated with great gallantry in all the battles of that campaign, and at Bull's gap a large portion of the regiment was taken prisoners. A large part of the 11th cavalry having also been captured it was consolidated with the remainder of the 9th. On March 21, 1865, it entered upon the raid through Virginia, North and South Carolina and Georgia under General Stoneman. It returned to Tennessee in May and was mustered out at Knoxville in September, 1865.

Tenth Cavalry.—Lieut.-Colonels, George W. Bridges, James T. Abernathy; Majors, John Parr, John Elliott, William P. Story, Sterling Hambright. The organization of this regiment was begun at Nashville under the supervision of Colonel Bridges. Cos. A, B, C, D, E, H and I were organized during the fall of 1863 and in the winter of 1864, and after having been organized into a regiment were attached to the command of Colonel George Spalding, 2nd brigade, 4th division of cavalry. During the summer and fall of 1864 it was engaged in arduous duty in Tennessee. About the close of the year it was sent to northern Alabama to watch the movements of Hood's army, and had an engagement with a largely superior force at Florence. Overpowered by numbers it was compelled to fall back to Nashville, where it was transferred to General Hatch's command and participated in the numerous engagements attending Hood's raid into Tennessee. On the first day's battle before Nashville it lost 70 officers and men. The leader, Major Story, was badly wounded, and the command devolved upon Major Abernathy. At the close of the campaign the regiment was sent to New Orleans, where it remained until June 10, 1865. Cos. F and G were not organized until February, 1865. Co. K was organized in June, 1865. Co. L was never fully organized. It numbered 51 men, and was stationed as a guard on the Nashville & Northwestern railroad. Sixty-three men comprising Co. M were mustered into service in October, 1864, under William H. Tampton as first lieutenant . They served during the campaign against Hood as provost guard and escort company. Co. A was detached from its regiment on April 26, 1864, and assigned to duty at Springfield, Tennessee, where it remained until August, after which it was with General Gillem in his campaign in East Tennessee. The regiment was mustered out August 1, 1865, in accordance with orders from the war department.

Eleventh Cavalry.—Colonel, I sham Young; Lieut.-Colonel, Reuben A. Davis; Majors, Alexander D. Rhea, James H. Johnson, Edward Black. The recruiting for this regiment was begun at Camp Nelson, Kentucky, where the greater part of five companies was raised. On August 16, 1863, Isham Young, Reuben Davis and J. H. Johnson, the last two of whom had organized the above companies, were commissioned by Governor Johnson to raise a regiment of cavalry to be designated the 11th Tennessee cavalry, and by October 21 all the companies except Co. M, which numbered only 46 men, had been filled and organized. On that date Colonel Young received his commission and the organization of the regiment, then at Knoxville, was completed. The regiment remained at Knoxville until after the siege, when it was ordered to upper East Tennessee. Five companies under Major Black were sent to Morristown, and the remaining five companies under command of Lieut.-Colonel Davis were stationed at Cumberland gap. They did scout duty along the Virginia line until February, 1864, when nearly the entire command was captured. The remainder of the regiment remained in East Tennessee until consolidated with the 9th cavalry January 9, 1865, in accordance with orders from the war department.

Twelfth Cavalry.—Colonel, George Spalding; Lieut.-Colonels, Charles C. Huefling, John S. Kirwan; Majors, Sater Boland, Jason A. Bradshaw, James W. Spalding. This regiment was organized by companies, the first of which was mustered into service August 24, 1863. On February 22, 1864, six companies had been mustered, and George Spalding was commissioned lieutenant-colonel. The regiment was then assigned to General Gillem's division and was placed on guard duty on the Nashville & Northwestern railroad, where it remained until April, 1864. During the remainder of the year the regiment was in active service almost continuously. It was one of the most efficient regiments in opposing Wheeler on his raid through Middle Tennessee and had several severe engagements with portions of his command. In the latter part of September it marched to contest the approach of General Forrest, with whom it was several times engaged with considerable loss. It was also active in the campaign against Hood, participating in the battles at Lawrenceburg, Campbellsville, Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville. From Nashville the regiment was in the advance in pursuit of Hood and fired the last shot at the enemy as he crossed the Tennessee river at Bainbridge. On February 8, 1865, the regiment went into camp at Eastport, Mississippi, where it remained until May 11. It was then transferred from the 2nd to the 1st brigade under the command of Bvt. Brigadier-General George Spalding, who had been commissioned colonel upon the completion of the regiment August 16, 1864, and ordered to St. Louis. It was there remounted and refitted and sent to Fort Leavenworth, at which place, after having performed some escort and scout duty through northern Kansas and southern Nebraska, it was mustered out October 7. It returned to Nashville and was there finally paid and discharged October 24, 1865.

Thirteenth Cavalry.—Col, John K. Miller; Lieut.-Colonels, Roderic A. Butler, William H. Ingerton, Brazilliah P. Stacy; Majors, James W. M. Grayson, George W. Doughty, Eli N. Underwood, Joseph H. Wagner, Patrick F. Dyer, Robert H. M. Donnelly, Christopher C. Wilcox. This regiment was organized by Colonel Miller of Carter county at Strawberry plains, Tennessee, in September, 1863. It was not fully equipped, however, until it reached Camp Nelson, Kentucky, in the month of December. It was there mounted and soon afterward ordered to Nashville, where it remained until the spring of 1864. It was then ordered to Gallatin, where it did post duty until August 4, when it was attached to the brigade known as the "Governor's Guards," commanded by General Gillem. With this command it operated in East Tennessee against the Confederate cavalry under Generals Morgan, Vaughn and Breckenridge; and under Lieut.-Colonel Ingerton acted a conspicuous part in the killing of Morgan and the rout and capture of his force at Park's gap. Morgan was killed by Andrew Campbell of Co. G. This regiment formed a part of the command under Generals Stoneman and Gillem, which did such signal service in southwestern Virginia in December 1864, and was also with the former general on his raid in the spring of 1865, participating with credit in the engagement at Salisbury, N. C. In June, 1865, it returned to Knoxville, moved from there to Lenoir's station, then to Sweetwater, and finally back to Knoxville, where it was mustered out September 5, 1865.

Bradford's Cavalry Battalion.—Major, William F. Bradford. This battalion was raised by Major Bradford in December 1863, and January, 1864. It consisted of four companies organized at Union City, Tennessee, and was at first incorrectly designated the 13th cavalry. It remained at Union City until February 3, 1864, when it was ordered to Fort Pillow, where it arrived on the 8th. Recruiting at that point did not progress very rapidly and it was not until April 1 that the fifth company was ready for muster into the U. S. service. Before this was done, however, the fort was captured, and it together with the other four companies was nearly annihilated. With the capture of Fort Pillow the history of this battalion terminates. Hardly a nucleus of the command remained after the massacre. Only 3 commissioned officers were left and 2 of them died soon afterward. A little detachment of men. who at the time of the fight were absent from the several companies on duty, were on August 18, 1864, consolidated in one company designated as Co. A, 14th Tennessee cavalry. This company on February 14, 1865, was consolidated with the 6th Tennessee cavalry, and was known as Co. E.

First Mounted Infantry.—Lieut.-Colonel, Abraham E. Garrett; Major, Francis M. McKee. This regiment was organized by Lieut.-Colonel Garrett in the early part of 1864, although a portion of the companies were not completed until the end of the year. The regiment served principally in the northeastern part of Middle Tennessee, where it had frequent and severe encounters with guerrillas. It was mustered out by companies, at different dates, from December 13, 1864, to July 22, 1865, by reason of expiration of term of service.

Second Mounted Infantry.—Colonel, John Murphy; Lieut.-Colonel, Owen Haney; Major, James M. Dickerson. This regiment was recruited principally in the vicinity of Wayne, Hardin and Perry counties. Co. A was mustered October 2, 1863, and by February 1, 1864, the date of the organization of the regiment, seven companies had been completed. Two more companies were added in April, and Co. K in June. John Murphy was commissioned lieutenant-colonel in February, and promoted to colonel upon the completion of the regiment . The regiment was mustered out by detachments at different dates from October 14, 1864, to June 27, 1865, by reason of expiration of term of service.

Third Mounted Infantry.—Lieut.-Colonel, Joseph Devine; Major, James L. Carter. This was a three-months' regiment and was never fully organized. It was mustered out November 30, 1864, by reason of expiration of term of service.

Fourth Mounted Infantry.—Lieut.-Colonel, Joseph H. Blackburn; Major, Thomas Waters. The recruiting of this regiment was begun in August, 1864, and the last company was mustered into service in February following. Its members were principally from the eastern portion of Middle Tennessee. It was placed under the command of Joseph H. Blackburn, who was commissioned lieutenant-colonel November 26, 1864. Co. B was organized at Memphis as a detachment of Union guards from January 1 to April 14, 1864, to serve for one year. It was mustered out June 1, 1865. The remaining companies were mustered out August 25, 1865, in accordance with orders from the war department.

Fifth Mounted Infantry.—Colonel, Spencer P. Boyd; Lieut.-Colonel, Stephen Beard; Major, James S. Bradford. This regiment was recruited and organized in the fall of 1864 at Cleveland, by Colonel Boyd and Lieut.-Colonel Beard. It was chiefly engaged in scouting through lower East Tennessee, northern Georgia, western North Carolina and northern Alabama. It had frequent encounters with Gatewood's and other guerrillas, one of which occurred at Spring Place, Georgia, and another at Ducktown, Polk county, Tennessee. The regiment was mustered out at Nashville in July, 1865.

Sixth Mounted Infantry.—Lieut.-Colonel, George A. Gowin; Major, William H. Bean. This regiment was organized in Hamilton county, October 24, 1864. It was employed for some time by General Steedman in scouting the Cumberland mountains in Tennessee and northern Georgia after the guerrilla bands which infested that region, and it had several severe engagements with the bushwhackers. In March, 1865, the regiment was turned over to the commander of the department, and was soon after continued its scouting until the surrender of the Confederate army. It was then ordered to Resaca. On June 18, 1865, it was ordered to Nashville, and on the 30th of that month was mustered out.

Seventh Mounted Infantry.—Colonel, James T. Shelley; Lieut.-Colonel, James J. Dail; Major, Oliver M. Dodson. This regiment was recruited during the latter part of 1864 in Anderson, Knox, Campbell, McMinn, Meigs and Monroe counties. It was organized at Athens, Tennessee, in the spring of 1865. During the greater portion of its service it was stationed at Athens and was actively employed in hunting guerrillas, with whom it had frequent engagements. It was mustered out July 27, 1865, in accordance with orders from the war department.

Eighth Mounted Infantry.—Lieut.-Colonel, William J. Cleveland. This regiment was not organized until April, 1865. It was recruited in the vicinity of Macon and Smith counties and was under the command of Lieut.-Colonel William J. Cleveland. Having been organized so late the regiment saw but little service. It was mustered out August 17, 1865, in accordance with orders from the war department.

First Battalion Light Artillery.—Lieut.-Colonel, R. Clay Crawford. This organization, composed of five batteries, was organized at Memphis, Nashville and Knoxville from June 3, 1862, to October 16, 1863, to serve for three years. Battery A was numbered among the post forces stationed at Nashville in September, 1862, under the command of Brigadier-General James S. Negley. It remained there until the following December, when it was transferred to Clarksville, Tennessee, and joined the forces commanded by Colonel ward placed under S. D. Bruce. On June 8, 1863, it was assigned to the command of Major-General Gordon Granger and became a part of what was known as the reserve corps, but remained at Clarksville. In September, 1863, with the command of Brigadier-General James G. Spears, it participated in the Chattanooga campaign. On September 21, with one regiment of infantry, it was left in a commanding position at the cross-roads at the point of Lookout mountain on the south side. On the following day the battery was sent into Chattanooga. One section of it participated in the engagement at Athens, Alabama, in October, 1864 Lieut. Tobin, who commanded the section, is given "much praise for the manner in which he handled his guns." The section finally assisted in driving the enemy from the held. In the affair at Decatur later in the month the battery was prominently engaged, one section of it playing upon the enemy most successfully, preventing him from getting any more guns into position or using those already in battery. The artillery practice of the section was capital, one of its shells exploding a caisson in the enemy's battery and killing 14 men. On the following day the section was again engaged and its fire was very effective, throwing shells directly into the enemy's works, dismantling 2 of his guns, killing or wounding many, and so distracting him that his shots at the gunboats were wild. Another section of the battery arrived from Athens on the 28th and did excellent service. Lieuts. Murphy and Kridler were especially noticed in the official reports. The battery remained at Decatur, Alabama, until January 16, 1865, when it was ordered to Pulaski, Tennessee, and in February was stationed at Wauhatchie, with headquarters at Murfreesboro, remaining in that section of country until the close of hostilities, when it was mustered out of service.

Battery B became attached to the command of Colonel W. P. Sanders of the 5th Kentucky cavalry, commanding mounted troops, in July, 1863, and with that command participated in the affairs at Winchester and Irvine, Kentucky. In the organization of troops in the Department of Ohio it became a part of the brigade commanded by Brigadier-General J. M. Shackelford, with the concentration point at or near Stanford, Kentucky. It later was transferred to Tennessee and the early part of September, 1863, found it on the march from Murfreesboro to McMinnville and on October 15 it was reported "on left of Jonesboro road." It afterward was assigned to the garrison at Cumberland gap and served as a part of the garrison at that place until June 26, 1865, when it was ordered relieved of duty, and was mustered out at Nashville soon thereafter.

Battery C, in the organization of troops in the Department of the Army of the Tennessee, commanded by Major-General William T. Sherman, January 31, 1864, was stationed at Fort Pickering, in the brigade commanded by Colonel Ignatz G. Kappner. It was later transferred to the Department of the Cumberland, and on May 31 was in the District of Nashville under command of Major Josiah W. Church. It remained at Nashville until March 22, 1865, when it was relieved from duty at that place and assigned to Johnsonville, Tennessee, where it remained until the close of hostilities and was mustered out.

Battery D was first ordered to report to Brigadier-General R. S. Granger for duty with the artillery of Nashville," on March 23, 1864. It was afterward transferred to the District of East Tennessee and on April 2, 1865, was assigned to the 4th division, Department of the Cumberland. It was relieved of duty on June 26, 1865, and soon thereafter was mustered out at Nashville.

Battery E, in the organization of the Army of the Ohio, December 31, 1863, was placed in the district of northern central Kentucky in the brigade commanded by Brigadier-General Speed S. Fry. It continued to serve in that department and was actively engaged in the fight at Park's gap, Tennessee, which resulted in the decisive defeat of General John H. Morgan's command and the death of that leader in September, 1864. The battery also participated in the fight at Morristown, Tennessee, in October, and was engaged at Bull's gap in November. It served in the District of East Tennessee during the following winter, and in April, 1865, participated in the engagement at Grant's creek, near Salisbury, N. C, one of the rights that occurred during Stoneman's raid. On April 25 the battery was temporarily detached from the 4th division, Department of the Cumberland, and assigned to the cavalry division, District of East Tennessee, remaining thus associated until May 13, when it was assigned to the 1st brigade, 4th division, Department of the Cumberland. On May 26 it was transferred to the 1st cavalry division of the same department. It was relieved from duty on June 26, 1865, and soon thereafter was mustered out at Nashville.

Battery F was only partially recruited and never became an integral part of the battalion. By special orders, dated April 10, 1864, it was assigned to the brigade commanded by Brigadier-General T. T. Garrard, at Knoxville. Later it was transferred to Nashville and remained on duty there until March 22, 1865. when it was relieved and again assigned to Knoxville, where it remained until mustered out at the close of hostilities.

Battery G was another Tennessee battery, appearing in the official reports as first being stationed in the post at Nashville under the command of Brigadier-General Robert S. Granger on April 30, 1864. Upon the organization of troops in the Department of the Cumberland on August 31, 1864, it was stationed at Bull's gap and remained in that vicinity during the remainder of its service, being mustered out at the close of hostilities.