Contributed by Scott Brian Webb
Wilson Duggan Jenkins, my 2nd great grandfather, was a volunteer in the Union Army, Company "I", 2nd Regiment of the Tennessee Regular Calvary.
Born in 1846 to Joel Jenkins and Malinda Chandler.
The 1850 US Federal Census states his residence as the District 11, Cocke, Tennessee.
The 1860 US Federal Census states his residence as the District 8, Cocke, Tennessee.
September 22, 1862 Jesse volunteered for the Union Army and became part of Co "I", 2nd Regiment, TN Regular Calvary, Union Army, Civil War.
Married - Elizabeth Harrison on August 17, 1865.
The 1870 US Federal Census states his residence as the District 12, Cocke, Tennessee.
The 1880 US Federal Census states his residence as the District 12, Cocke, Tennessee.
The 1900 US Federal Census states his residence as the District 12, Cocke, Tennessee.
Married - Lavenia (Vena) Stiles Webb (Widow of Jesse Webb) on February 23, 1900.
Married - Rebecca Shultz on January 20, 1906.
The 1910 US Federal Census states his residence as the District 9, Cocke, Tennessee.
The 1920 US Federal Census states his residence as the District 9, Cocke, Tennessee.
Died - Date of death is unknown to this descendent, but no record of Wilson Duggan Jenkins can be found in the 1930 US Federal Census, so it is assumed to be after sometime after 1/9/1920 and before the 1930.
Widow's Pension Document
Second Cavalry. - Col., Daniel M. Ray, Lieut. Col., William R. Cook Majs., George W. Hutsell, Charles Inman, William R. Macbeth, William F. Prosser.
This regiment was organized at Cumberland Gap in the months of Aug. and Sept., 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, Gen. 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 Gen. 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 Gen. Sheridan for special duty, and was employed in the vicinity of Bridgeport, Ala., and Chattanooga until the early part of September when it rejoined the cavalry under Gen. 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 Gen. Wheeler.
It was then ordered to Nashville, hastily refitted and forwarded to Gen. 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, 3rd and 4th regiments of Tennessee cavalry, with Battery A of the 1st Tenn. 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 Jan. to July 1865, the regiment was on duty at Vicksburg and New Orleans, and was then mustered out.
Source: The Union Army, vol. 4, p. 382
Battles Fought
- Fought on 1 Jan 1863 at Stones River, TN.
- Fought on 26 Oct 1864 at Decatur, AL.
- Fought on 17 Dec 1864 at Nashville, TN.
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