1ST CAVALRY REGIMENT

MEMORANDA

Tennesseans in the Civil War
Military History

Roster Index

FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS  |  COMPANY A
COMPANY B  |  COMPANY C  |  COMPANY D
COMPANY E  |  COMPANY F  |  COMPANY G
COMPANY H  |  COMPANY I  |  COMPANY K
COMPANY L  |  COMPANY M  |  MEMORANDUM

 

The organization of the First Tennessee Cavalry took place at Camp Dennison, Ohio, November 1, 62. Thence it was moved to Louisville by order of Major Gen. Wright, and thence to Nashville. Afterwards to Triune by order of Brig. General R. B. Mitchell. In the organization of the Cavalry Department of the Cumberland it was united with the First Brigade, First Division. From the time it arrived it at the front, March, 1863, until the organization of the Cavalry, it was busily engaged scouting the country around Triune in pursuit of the numerous guerilla bands which were perpetually depredating along the line of railroad. The rebels were bold and confident at that time, and numerous conflicts took place with their predatory bands. The ensuing summer, the regiment under Major General Rosecranz, entered on the campaign which resulted in the occupation of Tullahoma, and Chattanooga. It had engagements with rebel troops at Rover, Middleton, Guyer's Gap, Shelbyville and Cowan's station. Its next movement was to Huntsville Alabama, thence to Lafayette, Tenn., thence to Stephenson, Ala.; afterward crossing Tennessee River, Sand Mountain and Will's Valley. Thence it crossed the Cumberland Mountains to Alpine, Ga. Here the Regiment was detached from its brigade and was moved by Lieut. Colonel James P. Brownlow in the direction of Rome, Ga. About ten miles from Rome, he divided the Regiment and sent Major Der with four companies on toward Rome. He went with the rest of the Regiment toward Dirt Town, captured a number of scouts, drove in the pickets at that place, and being rejoined by Major Dyer, returned to Chattooga River. Two days after he attacked the rebels at Lafayette, defeated them and returned to Alpine. The Regiment then marched up Cumberland Mountain through McLemore's Cove to Chickamauga, and shared in the three days' battle of September 18, 19 and 20, 1863. Crossing Tennessee River at Chattanooga it marched to Stephenson, Ala. At that place it was ordered in pursuit of the Rebel Cavalry under General Wheeler, then crossing Cumberland Mountain, going by McMinnville, Murfreesboro, Rover and Shelbyville. A detachment of the Regiment was sent to Sparta, Tenn., where it had several engagements with the guerillas then infesting the mountains of that region. Thence it marched with the command to Kingston, Tenn., Knoxville, Strawberry Plains, New Market and Dandridge. At this last place, an engagement took place with a largely superior force of Rebel Cavalry, and the Regiment was completely surrounded. A charge was made which broke the lines of the enemy, and our force escaped with little loss. The Regiment then marched to Mossy Creek, where it had skirmishes daily until Dec 29 when a general engagement took place. Lieut. Colonel Brownlow, in violation of orders from his superior, led a charge upon the enemy, in which he completely broke their lines, recaptured two pieces of the 18th Indiana Battery, and saved the entire command from disaster. It marched then to Dandridge, where, by order of Gen. Elliott, it reported to Colonel Palmer of the 15th Pennsylvania Volunteers, remaining under his orders and scouting through Sevier and Cocke counties until January 25, 1864. At Fair Gardens, on the 28th of June, an engagement took place with the enemy. The latter were driven back to their main body and returned with their whole force. A desperate charge was made by our troops, and the fight continued with great fury until the Regiment was in the very heart of the rebel forces and completely surrounded by a largely superior force. A second determined charge was made in which the Regiment cut its way out with the sword. Lieut. Colonel Brownlow and a number of his men were captured, but escaped during the march on the ensuing night, and returned safely to camp the next morning. On the 20th of April ensuing Colonel Campbell, commanding brigade, was relieved by Col. J.B. Dorr, 8th Iowa Cavalry, and the Regiment was marched to Resaca, Cassville, Dallas, and Pine Mountain, Ga., and thence to a raid on the Macon Railroad, where it had a fight with the enemy. At Newman it met with a heavy rebel force. General McCook's command was surrounded. Lieut. Colonel Brownlow determined not to surrender and made his way through the enemy's lines, reaching Chattahoochee river on the 1st of August. Here, while the Regiment was crossing the a stream, a heavy charge was made by the enemy, and our men were scattered and a number captured. Many more were taken prisoners in the woods, while making their way to the Federal lines. Lieut. Colonel Brownlow reached Marietta on the 3rd of August with a few men, where the more fortunate fugitives continued to come in for several days; and these returned to Nashville to be remounted. There they remained until General Wheeler's raid through Middle Tennessee. The Regiment was in the engagement with him at Lavergne, September 1st. On the following day fought with him at Franklin, and some days afterwards at Campbellsville., General Wheeler retreated and our forces followed him to Florence, where he crossed the river, and troops returned to Pulaski. Here we had a skirmish with the Rebel General Forrest. The Regiment continued to scout along the Tennessee River, between Lamb's Ferry and Florence until November, when Gen. Hood crossed Tennessee River at Florence and began his advance upon Nashville. After his defeat on the 15th and 11st of December, the Cavalry followed him up until he escaped or went into winter quarters. On the 27th of January the First Cavalry Brigade was sent to make a reconnaissance as far as Corinth. At that time the Regiment engaged the enemy, routed them, and returned with the Brigade to Waterloo. On the 10th of February it returned to Nashville, where it remained on duty, until its muster out June 14, 1865.

 

 

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This page was last updated on Friday, February 25, 2005.