3RD 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  |  MEMORANDUM

 

 

The organization of the Third Regiment of Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry was commenced at Cumberland Gap, Ky.  Major William C. Pickens of Sevier county, East Tennessee was vested with authority from Governor Johnson to raise a regiment and received the first recruits August 10, 1862.  Gen. George W. Morgan's lines being hemmed in, his communications and supplies being cut off by the invasion of Kentucky under E Kirby Smith, he evacuated that place on the 17th day of September, 1862.  Company A of this Regiment was with General Morgan, and shared the sufferings and privations of that eventful retreat and arduous march to Sciotaville, Ohio, a distance of two hundred and fifty miles; thence to Portland, Gillespie, Covington, Ky., and at Louisville, at which place the recruits of Companies B, C, D and E, reported for duty, and were ordered to Nashville, Tn., as guards for Government stores, arriving December 24, 1862. The Regiment was temporarily attached to Brigadier General James G. Spears Brigade of Tennessee Infantry, by order of Governor Johnson, January 1, 1862; here the Regiment was ordered to the front and participated in the battle of Stone River, and was the second regiment that entered Murfreesboro.  On January 8th 1863, the Regiment was attached to the 3d Brigade, Cavalry Division, commanded by General Stanley.  Prior to this date the Companies were but partially filled. On January 27th, 1863, the Companies were consolidated into five, A, B, C, D and E, and mustered into the service at Murfreesboro, Tenn., by Capt. John H. Young, U.S. Mustering Officer.  On January 31st the Regiment, with the 2d Tennessee Cavalry, made a dash into Middleton, Tenn., capturing the rebel Colonel Douglas, with forty-two of his men, and destroying his encampment, Colonel Pickens lead- ing the charge, which was gallantly made by the officers and men; Major Callett distinguished  himself by capturing eight rebels alone by his daring impetuosity. During the winter campaign this Regiment was stationed in the extreme front of General Rosecrans' army, picketing, scouting and skirmishing with the enemy. On the 21st day of  March, 1963, the Regiment being encamped three miles from Murfreesboro, on the Salem Pike, was attacked by a superior force, and after an engagement of half an hours duration, repulsed them, killing four rebels and saving their camp.  April 20th, a963, all the cavalry being ordered on an expedition into the enemies' lines, this Regiment under the command og the Lieutenant Colonel, Duff G Thornburgh, accompanied the expedition, participated in the rout John H. Morgan and his force, and the capture of McMinnville.  On the re- organization of the Cavalry, May 1st, 1963, this Regiment was assigned to the 2d Brigade, 1st Division, commanded by Brigadier General R.B. Mitchell.  May 6th 1863, ordered to Nashville and placed in command og Brigadier General R.S. Granger, in the reserve corps, were the Regiment was stationed until December 27, 1863, during which time Companies F,G,H and I were recruited and mustered into service.  It scouted almost continually, and cleared the country in the vicinity of Nashville of guerillas.  About the 25th of December, the Regiment was attached to a Brigade of Cavalry commanded by Col. D.M. Ray, of the 2d Tennessee Cav- alry.  The Brigade left Nashville December 27th, 1863, and marched via Hillsboro to Duck River-under command of Lieut. Col. Duff G. Thornburgh.  The Brigade stayed near Columbia, Tenn., until January 2d, 1864, when, accompanied by Brigadier General W.S. Smith, it moved forward crossing the Tennessee River at Savan- nah, Tenn.  From Savannah it moved to Corinth, Miss., thence to Colliersville, Tenn., where the Brigade was organized.  The 30th Illinois, 2d, 3d and 4th Tennessee, and the 5th Kentucky Cavalry regiments, and the 72d Indiana Mounted In- fantry, composed the Brigade, which was commanded by Col. Lafayette McCrellis, 3d Illinois Cavalry.  During the stay at Colliersville Lieut. Col. D.G. Thornburgh returned to Nashvillle, leaving Major John B. Minnis in command of the Regiment. It left Colliersville, Tenn. on the 10th of February with the Brigade, which the Regiment accompanied during the entire march, performing its part of picket duty, scouting, etc., until proceeding as far South as West Point, Miss., and returning to within three miles of Okalona, Miss., where the Brigade encamped on the night of the 21st of February.  On the morning of the 23rd of February the Brigade was attacked by a superior force of the enemy.  It had to fall back and the enemy pressed to the rear so hard that it created some confusion:  but the Regiment most coolly awaited orders; and late in the evening of the same day made a charge on the enemy, which drove them back in confusion.  The Regiment lost only five men in this engagement; two wounded and three missing.  The Regiment arrived at Germantown, Tenn., on the 26rh day of February, and about the 1st of March the Brigade again reorganized, composing all the original Brigade except the 3d Illinois Cavalry, being commanded by Lieut. Col. J.M. Thornburgh, 4th Tennessee Cavalry.  On the 5th of March it left Germantown en route for Nashville, where they arrived March 17th, 1864, and remained there until the 10th of April.

Companies C and F, while on a scout on Yellow Creek, Dixon county had a severe skirmish with a body of rebel troops and drove them from the field.  Companies E and G were ordered on the 10th of September, 1984, to pursue the retreating column of the rebel General Wheeler eleven miles from Florence.  On their return they fell into an ambuscade of the enemy.  By extraordinary exertions they escaped, leaving Captain W.A. Campbell captured, Sergeants Williams and Pickle severly wounded, and two men captured.

The rebel forces under Forrest outflanked Athens September 24, 1864, capturing that portion of the Regiment which remained in camp.  The rest of the Regiment after a strong resistance to an overpowering force, was captured at Sulpjut Trestle, Sept. 25, 1864, only fifteen officers and some two hundred men making their escape. The captured officers were exchanged December 15.  On the 27th of April following the steamer Sultana, having the Regiment with a large number of other troops on board, blew up near Memphis, killing instantly one hundred and seventy-four members of the Regiment.  A number subsequently died of the injuries received at that  terrible disaster.  The total number of miles marched by this Regiment was 5,557.

  Deceased Officers.-Major A.C. Catlett died at Nashville March 24 1864, of small pox; Captain G.R. Griffith died at Nashville, 1863, of fever; First Lieutenant Wogenor and First Lieutenant G.E. Curter were killed in action at Sulphur Brook Trestle, Sept. 25, 1864; Second Lieutenant R. Hunter died in 1865 at Nashville.

  On tendering his resignation as commander of the 1st Brigade of Tennessee Cavalry, Lieut. Col. D.G. Thornburgh received the following complimentary order and letters from his superiors;  

Headquarters District of Northern Alabama
Decatur, July 9th, 1864

General Orders}
No. 11} Exytact

1. Lieut. Col. D.G. Thornburgh, commanding 1st Brigade of Tennessee Cavalry, having resigned his position the General Commanding cannot allow him to leave this command without tendering him his thanks for the prompt and energetic manner in which he has performed his duties.  He regrets exceedingly the necessity that has induced him to leave the service.

By order of Brigadier General R.S. Granger, Commanding District
(Signed)CHAS. T. GARDNER,  Capt. and A A G.
Lt. Col. D.G. Thornburgh

Adjutant General's Office, State of Tennessee
Nashville, July 15th, 1864

Lieut. Col. D.G. Thornburgh:

Dear Colonel:-I cannot allow you to leave my command without tendering you my personal thanks for your cheerful, energetic and efficient aid in organizing and commanding the 1st Brigade of my Division, (4th Cavalry Division.)  To you am I indebted for the high discipline and efficiency of that Brigade.  In your retirement that all the success and prosperity due a devoted patriot and true soldier may attend you, will by the earnest prayer of your friend.

(Signed) ALVAN C. GILLEM,
Brig. Gen. U.S. V. Comd'g
4th Cavalry Division.
State of Tennessee, Executive Department
Nashville, Tenn., July 15th 1864

Colonel:-I have learned with regret that the tender of your resignation has been accepted.  Among the first to enter the service, you have performed your duty well in all positions you have been called upon to fill, whether as Regimental or Brigade Commander; and I  regret that circumstances over which you have no control has deprived the service your valuable assistance.

I am, as ever, very truly, your obedient servant,
(Signed) ANDREW JOHNSON,
Brig. Gen. and Military Governor Tennessee

Headquarters, Cavalry Forces
Decatur, July 10th, 1864
Lieut. Col. D.G. Thornburgh,

Third Tennessee Cavalry, Comd'g 1st Brigade, 4th Division Cavalry:
Colonel:-I cannot permit you to leave the service without rendering you my thanks for the promptitude and energy you have always displayed while serving under my command.  It affords me pleasure to bear testimony to your character as an efficient and gallant soldier and courteous gentleman.

I am Colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed) LOVELL H. ROUSSEAU, Major General

Headquarters, Chief of Cavalry
Military Division of the Mississippi
Nashville, Tenn., July 15, 1864.

Lieut. Col. D. G. Thornburgh,
Comd'g 1st Brigade Tennessee Cavalry:

Sir:-General Smith directs me to state that having been informed that your resignation as Lieut. Col. of the 3d Tenn. Cavalry has been accepted by the Major General Commanding the Department of the Cumberland, he is desirous of manifesting to you upon your retiring from the military service, his high sense of your capacity and bravery as a Regimental and Brigade Commander, and requests you to accept of his thanks for the assiduity with which you have performed all the duties required of you while under command, or acting under his observations.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed) J.E. RAY,
Capt. and A.D.C.

 

 

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