The Battle of Dutton’s Hill

On March 30, General Pegram chose a defensive position on Dutton’s Hill near the intersection of the Crab Orchard & Stanford roads, in an effort to protect his cattle, which were then crossing the Cumberland River a mere six-miles away. Pegram placed Colonel Scott of the 1^st Louisiana in charge of the mounted troops. The 16^th Tennessee Battalion was deployed on the Stanford Road. The 1^st Louisiana and the 1^st Tennessee were placed at the intersection. Dismounting the balance of his men, except for the three companies from the 1^st Florida which were crossing the cattle, to the position on Dutton’s Hill.

The 1^st Georgia was placed on the right. Steele’s Battalion held the center, and the 2^nd Tennessee was placed upon the left. Huwald’s Battery was placed in advantageous positions.

General Gillmore began his attack at 12:30 p. m., with an artillery barrage, which was damaging to the Confederate defenses. Meanwhile he placed the 1^st Kentucky dismounted in the woods to the right. The 7^th Ohio and the four Rodman guns were placed in the center. Dismounting, the 44^th & 45^th Ohio took a position on the left. Believing his mountain howitzers to be useless, Gillmore, placed them in reserve.

General Pegram’s and Colonel Scott’s after action reports differ as to how events unfolded during the three-hour battle to hold the hill. Colonel Scott took the 1^st Louisiana and 1^st Tennessee and attempted to flank the position of the 1^st Kentucky Cavalry, so that they could get to the rear of the Union artillery. Pegram claims he held out for an hour awaiting Scott’s attack, which he felt should have taken only 10 minutes to have begun. Colonel Scott stated that an aide to General Pegram, Lt. J. F. Ranson, had countermanded the order and had halted the bulk of his command without his knowledge. As a result Scott charged the Union position with 30 troopers managing to capture just three horses. Furious, Scott retired and confronted Lt. Ranson, chastising him for delivering the order to halt to Lt. Colonel Nixon instead of himself, and cursing General Pegram in the process. In the meantime General Pegram reversed himself and ordered the flanking attack once again.

Observing the Confederate maneuvering, General Gillmore took steps to prevent its success. As Colonel Scott withdrew his troopers for a second attempt, Gillmore ordered the 44^th and 45^th Ohio Infantry and the 7^th Ohio Cavalry to storm the hill, which they captured after a desperate defense of a thicket by three companies of the 2^nd Tennessee. Captain Footman of the 1^st Florida Cavalry had sent a detachment to support Pegram but they arrived too late to be of assistance. Gillmore quickly sent the 7^th Ohio to support the 1^st Kentucky by flanking Scott’s position, while parts of the 44^th and 45^th Ohio Infantry marched to the support as well.

After regrouping his command of approximately 330 men, Colonel Scott split them into three groups. Lt. Colonel Nixon with 6 companies and Captain Mathews with 4 companies of the 1^st Louisiana charged the union troops at a right angle upon the Crab Orchard road. Captain Mathews of company A, and the members of his company, were known to wear rattlesnake tails on their hats. Meanwhile Colonel Carter’s 1^st Tennessee cavalry proceeded a few hundred yards and then charged pell-mell down the Crab Orchard road. Due to the terrain the 1^st Louisiana was forced to fight dismounted. With the element of surprise gone the attack failed. For the first time in its history the 1^st Louisiana was forced to give up ground it held.

During the next two hours the 1^st Louisiana and 1^st Tennessee retired fighting from various positions in an effort to delay the Union advance while Pegram took a new position on Sugar Hill approximately 2 and 1/2 miles south of Somerset. During the combat the 1^st Tennessee lost its colors which had recently been presented to them by the daughter of General Marshall. The 1^st Louisiana reported losses of 75 men. The 1^st Tennessee reported losses of 37 men. After some half-hearted skirmishing, about 5:30 p.m., Pegram was allowed to withdraw under the cover of night. The Confederates crossed the Cumberland River at Stigall’s and Newell’s ferries with 537 of the 750 cattle that they had collected. General Pegram additionally claimed to have captured and paroled 178 Union soldiers. His losses were approximately 200 killed, wounded or missing. The Confederate prisoners were sent to Forts McHenry and Monroe. From there they were forwarded to City Point, Virginia, for exchange.

After the Battle of Dutton’s Hill, General Pegram ordered the arrest of Colonel Scott, court-martialing him for cursing a superior officer. Although found guilty, Colonel Scott received a light reprimand from General S. B. Buckner before being returned to command a brigade of cavalry.

Lt. Colonel Nixon filed six charges against General Pegram, which seem to have never been adjudicated by Confederate authorities.

Gen. Alfred E. Jackson reports to the Secretary of War what the condition upper Eastern Tennessee had become in September, 1863

HDQRS. FOURTH BRIGADE, DEPT. OF EAST TENNESSEE, 

Bristol, Tenn., September 3, 1863.

Hon. JAMES A. SEDDON, Secretary of War, Richmond, Va.:

SIR: I have the honor to communicate to you, through Hon. Joseph B. Heiskell, member of Congress, the fact that the recent withdrawal of the forces from upper East Tennessee has thrown the loyal citizens of that section into a most deplorable state of consternati on and dismay, and that they are fleeing with their families and movable effects into every direction before large and numerous bands of marauding bushwhackers and tories, which are assembling all over the country, committing the most brutal murders and the most wanton destruction of property every day and every night.

It will be infinitely easier to hold this section of country now than to reoccupy it after having been entirely abandoned to the enemy. I have been ordered by Maj.-Gen. Buckner to report with my command to Gen. Williams, at Bristol. He and myself have just returned from a reconnaissance to the neighborhood of Jonesborough, Tenn., and concur in the opinion that 5,000 additional troops will be necessary to hold the country on the most advantageous line, which we think is that between Morristown and Cumberland Gap, and the railroad, public works, and stores between Knoxville and this point. Our joint force is wholly inadequate to this purpose or even for the protection of the salt-works against any large force.

Large raiding parties are continually crossing the Cumberland Mountains, burning bridges and destroying property, and a Federal force of cavalry now occupies Knoxville, part of which has advanced as far as Morristown, capturing the town with telegraph superintendent and telegraph operator, having thus cut me off from Gen. Buckner's comm and, from whom I have heretofore received support, and intercepted telegraphic communication with Gen. Frazerat Cumberland Gap. The section thus evacuated abounds in supplies of forage and subsistence and iron-works, all of which are indispensable to the good of the cause; to secure which I respectfully and earnestly solicit your earliest possible compliance with this application for the above-mentioned number of re- enforcements.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. E. JACKSON, Brig.-Gen., Comdg.

                                                                                                             OR, Ser. I, Vol. 30, pt. IV, p. 589.

HENRY HARDIN WILLIAMSON

   My Great, Great, Grandfather's name was Henry Hardin Williamson and prior to the war, he was a farmer in Hamilton County, Tennessee. On September 5, 1862, he enlisted as a private in the 14th (Carter's) Tennessee Cavalry Battalion, Co. C. This conflicts with his own personal account of his enlistment, because his personal account of the war states that he enlisted in Company B, of the 1st Tennessee Cavalry Regiment. In reality, he joined Company C of the 14th Tennessee Cavalry Battalion, which later became Company B of the 1st Tennessee Cavalry Regiment on Nov. 14, 1862.

 

 

His personal account during the war
 

 "He farmed in his native State (Tennessee) until the breaking out of the war, then joined Company B, of the First Tennessee Cavalry, under Capt. Snow and Col. Carter, being afterward, for three years, an advance guard or scout for Gen. Morgan and others. During the battle of Stone River he assisted in setting fire to the Federal wagon train at Lavern, Tenn., and afterward took part in the engagements at Bean Station, Cumberland Gap, siege of Knoxville, and other places. He was never wounded or taken prisoner, but had several horses shot from under him."

 The image to the right is a record that a horse that he was riding was killed. The document certifies that the horse was killed on Dec. 30, 1862 and valued the horse at $200. In Henry Williamson's personal account, it states that "several horses were shot from under him".

Right click and save to view the full size image

Below is a description of where he was and his involvement on the day his horse was killed. Exactly where it was killed is unknown.

  On the 30th, the 1st Tennessee, under Gen. Wheeler were participating in the raid around Rosecrans' Army during the battle of Stone River. At 10am, they reached Jefferson (modern day Smyrna), and soon after met a brigade train, with all the equipage of one brigade. They attacked vigorously, drove off the guards, and destroyed the train, baggage, equipage, etc, also capturing about 50 prisoners. They then proceeded toward La Vergne, and captured a party of Federals out stealing and gathering stock, and soon after overtook and captured a small foraging train. About noon they arrived in the vicinity of La Vergne and found it filled with soldiers and large trains parked in the fields surrounding the place. They immediately charged in three columns, completely surprising the guards, who made but slight resistance. They immediately paroled the prisoners, amounting to about 700, and destroyed immense trains and stores, amounting to many hundred thousands of dollars. They then proceeded to Rock Spring, attacked, captured, and destroyed another large train. They then marched on Nolensville without opposition, capturing large trains, stores, and arms, and about 300 prisoners. Then moved southwestward, they camped for the night near the Arrington community. 

  To the left, is a record of his Regimental Return during the month of Dec, 1864. It gives the purpose for his absence as being that he was acting as a courier for the Brigade Commander. The 1st Tennessee were assigned to Vaughn's Cavalry Brigade during December of 1864. Gen. John C. Vaughn was the Commander in charge of the Department of Southwestern Virginia and Eastern Tennessee. During December, the 1st Tennessee were in the area between Marion, Virginia and Greenville, Tennessee.
  

 Below is the record stating that he had surrendered and that he had given the Oath of Allegiance to the United States on April 17th, 1865 in Chattanooga. 

  In April, 1865, there were less than 200 men left in the 1st Tennessee Regiment and were still in Vaughn’s Brigade with Gen. Echols commanding. They were at Christiansburg, Virginia on April 11, 1865 when they heard of General Lee’s surrender. As soon as General Echols heard of Lee's surrender he disbanded his command, giving his men permission to return home. After Echols had disbanded his command Gen. Duke, Cosby, and Vaughn called for volunteers to follow them. They got about 400 each. They decided to make their way to Gen. E. Kirby Smith in the Trans-Mississippi Department. Accordingly, they abandoned their wagons and everything except what they could carry on there horses, and started out across the mountains into North Carolina. The boys that had no horses scattered in every direction, mostly in the direction of home. Late in the evening General Echols, at the head of Vaughn’s brigade, Basil Duke's and Cosby's began the march toward North Carolina. 
  Where Henry Williamson surrendered is unknown. His record states that he "Deserted April 17/65". A portion of Vaughn's men had left Statesville, North Carolina on April 14th and headed towards Morganton. It could of happened there if he was part of these men. On the 17th, the remaining men in Vaughn's command were involved in a skirmish at Dallas North Carolina. It's possible that he could of deserted here. Hopefully, the information of where he surrendered is available somewhere.

 In the Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Montgomery County, Arkansas, it says that
"Because of the bitterness of the Unionist in East Tennessee, he was one of several hundred indicated for treason at Knoxville, Tennessee and was compelled to leave Tennessee". He moved to Arkansas.
  The above image is the record of his indictment. It states that he was indicted for Treason on May 26, 1865. This means that he was charged for Treason. It says that on July 1, 1865, Capias was issued. Capias is a warrant or order for the arrest of a person, typically issued by the judge or magistrate in a case. There is another entry that was made on July 1st. It is not clear to me what it says, to understand what the courts had issued. On November 14, 1866, Alias Capias was issued. Alias Capias is issued if you miss a Court appearance and the Clerk's office can verify that you were properly notified, an Alias Capias (felony case) will be issued by the court. 

  To the right is an image that records the fines that he paid the courts. Comparing the entries for the other men that were indicted for Treason, he paid about $6 to $8 more than the others. That is 25% to 30% more. There is nothing that would suggest why this is. $25.85 is aboutt $399 in today's dollar.  Exactly what he did during the war to cause these charges is not known and can only be speculated at this time. As stated, he was one of several hundred to have these charges placed upon him at the Knoxville Courts. Several hundred is not a large amount considering the thousands from Eastern Tennessee that fought for the Confederacy.
 

Credit for the images is given to "Bunny" Dever

Colonel James E. Carter gives the Regimental History and Memorial Rolls in the Military Annals of Tennessee

FIRST TENNESSEE CAVALRY

By James E. Carter, Knoxville, Tenn.

  The Third Battalion Tennessee Cavalry »vas organized in 1861: Wm. Brazelton, Lieutenant-colonel, commanding; James Bradford, Major. J.A. Goldy, Captain Co. 

A; Burt. Lenty, Captain Co. B; Wm. Snow, Captain Co. C; John Robertson,

Captain Co. D; Tim Bradley, Captain Co. E; Charley Baker, Captain Co. F. Reorganized April, 1862: Jas. E. Carter, Lieutenant-colonel; Onslow Bean, Major. A.M. Goforth, Captain Co. A; G.B. Keys, Captain Co. B; John B. King, Captain Co. C; W.S. Greer, Captain Co. D; Elbert Hurst, Captain Co. E; Tim Bradly, Captain Co. F.

  The First Regiment Tennessee Cavalry, C.S.A., was organized in October, 1862: Jas. E. Carter, Colonel; Onslow Bean, Lieutenant-colonel; A.M. Goforth,. Major; W.W. Giddens, Captain and Assistant Quartermaster; H.C. Greer, Captain and Assistant Commissary; J.D. Carter, Lieutenant and Adjutant. G.B. Keys, Captain Co. A; S.J. Wheeler, First Lieutenant; M.G. DcDonald, Second Lieutenant; E.S. Morrill, Third Lieutenant. John B. King, Captain Co. B; W.S. Montgomery, First Lieutenant; F. Gardenhire, Second Lieutenant; John Turner, Third Lieutenant. 

R.S. Vandyke, Captain Co. C; J.A. Turley, First Lieutenant; A.J. Thompson, 

Second Lieutenant; W.T. Miller, Third Lieutenant. W.S. Greer, Captain Co. D; Floyd McDonald, First Lieutenant. John Jarnagin, Captain Co. E; D.C. Smart, 

First Lieutenant; Alex. Monroe, Second Lieutenant; James Kitts, Third 

Lieutenant. Frank Fiilkerson, Captain Co. F; L.W. Jennings, First Lieutenant; 

Wm. Latham, Second Lieutenant; Wm. Lewis Third Lieutenant. A.R. Wiggs, Captain Co. G; C. Cate, First Lieutenant; Wm. Hutton, Second Lieutenant; J.M. Kidd, 

Third Lieutenant. David Neff, Captain Co. H; T. Coursey, First Lieutenant; D.C. Tolly, Second Lieutenant; J.T. Thomas, Third Lieutenant. William Wallace, 

Captain Co. I; Carnes, First Lieutenant. R.M. Swearingen, Captain Co. K; Pryor Gammon, First Lieutenant; S.M. Inman, Second Lieutenant; T.D. Fox, Third Lieutenant. The following two companies were added to the regiment in the 

latter part of 1863, and did efficient service: Co. L — William Blackburn, Captain; William Gibson, First Lieutenant; Shoemaker, Second Lieutenant. Co. M 

— Ed. Gammon, Captain; D.D. Anderson, First Lieutenant; David Taylor, Second Lieutenant; John Taylor, Third Lieutenant.  

  After the death of Major Goforth, Capt. John B. King was Major of the 

regiment. After Major King was killed, Captain B.S. Vandyke became Major of the regiment. After Major Vandyke was killed, the office was vacant until the close of the war. After the promotion of Capt. King to the Majority of the regiment, Lieut. W.S. Montgomery became Captain of Co. B. After the promotion of Capt. Vandyke to the Majority of the regiment, ___ ___ was Captain of Co. C. D.C. 

Smart became Captain of Co. E after Capt. Jarnagin was killed. J.M. Kidd was Captain of Co. G at the close of the war. T. Coursey was Captain of Co. H at 

the close of the war.

The death-roll of the regiment is as follows:

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS

  

• Miller, Lieut. W.T., k. at Baker's Creek, Miss., May 10, 1863. 
• Goforth, Maj. A.M., k. at Mossy Creek, Tenn., Dec, 1863. 
• King, Maj. J.B., k. at Piedmont, Va., June 5, 1864  
• Jarnagin, Capt. John, k. at Piedmont, Va., June 5, 1864. 
• Vandyke, Maj. R.S., k. at White Post, Va., Aug., 1864. 
• McDonald, Lieut. Floyd, k. in the Valley of Virginia, 1864. 
• Gammon, Capt. Ed., k. at Morristown, Tenn., Oct. 28, 1864. 
• Bean, Lieut.-col. Onslow, k. at Marion, Va., Dec, 1864. 
• Thomas, Lieut. J.T., k. in Green county, Tenn., Jan., 1865.     

COMPANY A  

• Caper, Willis, k. at Murfreesboro, Tenn., Dec. 29, 1862.  
• Finn, John H., k. at Piedmont, Va., June 5, 1864 
• Hoback, Will, k. at Piedmont, Va., June 5, 1864.
•  Geist, John, k. at Morristown, Tenn., 1864 
• Barton, Oscar, k. at Marion, Va., Dec., 1864. 

COMPANY B 

• Roberts, David, k. at South Fork of Cumberland River (Ky.), 1861. 
• Boyd, Hiram, k. at South Fork of Cumberland River (Ky.), 1861.  
• Potter, Silas, k. at Blue Springs, Tenn., Sept., 1863. 
• Trew, Tom, k. at Somerset, Ky., 1862.  
• Adams, A., k. at Piedmont, Va., June 5, 1864. 
• Luttrell, Jo., k. near Dalton, Ga., 1864.  
• Rhea, Jas., k. near Chattanooga, Oct., 1863. 
• Winset, Wm., k. at Murfreesboro, Tenn., Dec, 1862.
• Reinhart,___, k. at Piedmont, Va., June 5, 1864. 

COMPANY C 

• Coats, Newton, k. at Tazewell, Tenn., 1862.
• Lane, W.P., k. at White Post, Va., Aug., 1864.
• Smith, Hezekiah, k. at Strawberry Plains, Lane, Tenn., Nov., 1863.

COMPANY D 

• Platt, Henry D, k. at Big Creek Gap, Tenn.,Aug. 30 1862.
• Henderson, Harvy, regimental bugler, k. at Piedmont, Va., June 5, 1864.

COMPANY E

• Beeler, Isaac, k. at Cumberland Gap, 1863.
• McBee, John, k. at Newtown, Va., Aug. 11, 1864.
• Hankins, John, k. at Piedmont, Va., June 5, 1864.
• Blackwell, Jake, k. at Marion, Va., Dec, 1864.
• Graham, Sam, k. at Piedmont, Va., June 5, 1864.

COMPANY G

• Fron, R., k. at Somerset, Ky., March 31, 1863.

COMPANY K

• Culpepper, D.H., k. on picket (Ky.), Jan., 1862.
• Watkins, Carlow, k. at Murfreesboro, Dec. 27, 1862.

  The regiment was in some severe fighting in Tennessee, Kentucky, and 

Virginia. Was on the campaign in Kentucky with Gen. E.K. Smith, in 

1862. Was in the main battle of Murfreesboro, under the gallant Gen.

John Pegram. "Was detached from the brigade and sent with Gen. 

Wheeler in rear of the enemy's lines, where it did some very effective 

work. Co. C, Capt. Vandyke's, was in the siege of Vicksburg, where it did valuable service. Co. K, Capt. Swearingen, was with Gen. Johnston on his memorable march from Dalton, Ga., to Atlanta, and did some hard fighting. 

The regiment also fought gallantly while in the Valley of Virginia, 

beginning with Piedmont—or, as the Federals call it, New Hope Church. In 

this battle the regiment suffered heavy loss in officers and men. Then we 

were in the memorable campaign under Gen. Early against Washington, and 

afterward with him all through his valley campaign. There was no better 

fighting material in the Confederate army than this regiment. 

  Co. A was made up in Khea county; Co. B, in Hamilton county; Co. C,

in McMinn county; Co. D, in Rhea and Bledsoe counties; Co. E, in 

Union and Knox counties; Co. F, in Claiborne county; Co. G, in 

Blount county; Co. H, in Jefferson county; Co. I, in Blount county; 

Co. K, in Jefferson county; Co. L, in Claiborne county; Co. M, in 

Washington, Sullivan, and Carter counties.

Official.]         

          First Tennessee Cavalry

COMPANY A

Captain, A.M. Goforth.

• Duncan, Robert, d. March 8, 1862.
• Holmes, George W., d. July 3, 1862, at Bean's Station.
• Rogers, W.L, d. March 9, 1862.
• Taylor, J.T., d. at Cumberland Gap.
• Wilson, William, d. April 20, 1862.
• White, William, d. at Wallace's Cross-roads, Aug.16,1862

COMPANY B

Captains: Burt. Lenty and John B. King.

• Farmer, D.W., d. Aug. 15, 1862.
• Ward, J.H., accidentally shot.
• Bunn, T.H., d. Aug. 28, 1862, at Fincastle, Tenn.
• Dillahunty, James, k. in action, Sept. 1, 1862.
• Patterson, William, d. March 26, 1862, at Fincastle,                         Tenn.

COMPANY C

Captains: Richard S. Vandyke and William F. Gass.

• Denton, A., d. June 8, 1863, at Vicksburg.
• Henry, Addison, d. Jan. 24, 1862, at Livingston,                        Tenn.
• Colter, Alexander A., d. April 12, 1862.

COMPANY D 

Captain, John Robertson.

• Norris, W.D., d. March, 1862, at Cumberland Gap.
• Smith, Jacob, d. March 18, 1862.

COMPANY E

Captain, W.S. Greer.

• Platt, Henry D., k. by bush-whackers, Aug. 30, 1862,                       at Big Creek Gap.
• Henry, A.L., d. at Livingston, Tenn., Feb. 25, 1862.
• Foust, W.T., d. June 5, 1862, at Kingston.
• Basset!, W.W, d. July 14, 1862, at Wallace's                           Cross-roads, Tenn.

COMPANY F

Captain, F. Fulkerson.

• Tucker, J.P., d. June 28,1862.

COMPANY G

Captain, A.R. Wiggs.

• Trow, R., k. March 31, 1863, at Somorset, Ky.

COMPANY H

Captain, David Neff.

• Higgs, J.N.B., d. March 26, 1862, at Henry Station.
• Willson, John, d. Feb. 28, 1862, at Paris, Tenn.
• Freeman, W.A., d. April 1, 1862, at home.

COMPANY I

Captain, William Wallace.

• Jones, A.W.B., d. Sept. 1, 1862.

COMPANY K

Captain, R.M. Swearingen.

• Delashimt, G.B., d. Aug. 4, 1862.
• MeKenzie, J.C, d. April 30, 1862.
• Loyd, J.C, d. April 27, 1862.

The First Tennessee Cavalry were stationed at Boyd's Ferry during the Siege of Knoxville

 Written by OLIVER P.  TEMPLE in his book

EAST TENNESSEE 

AND THE CIVIL WAR

  "These facts I have just obtained from Colonel James E Carter, commanding the First Tennessee Confederate Cavalry. During the siege, his regiment with two others was stationed near Boyd's Ferry and had to protect that region. He, in conjunction with Colonel Giltner, of Kentucky, and one or two other officers, made a reconnaissance of the country, and determined the point where the line of investment should strike the river. Colonel Carter was born and reared only a few miles away, and knew the country and the rivers. Knoxville was his home, and it still is. He was a brave soldier, and a reliable honorable gentleman. He says that it was not deemed safe to throw their line below Boyd's Ferry so as to strike the river below the mouth of the French Broad. If they had had one more regiment, which they expected, they could and would have done so."

   Boyd's Ferry was on the Holston River, about 6 miles above Knoxville, Tennessee. It was involved in the 1863 siege of Knoxville by Confederate forces. During the assault, Confederate troops attempted to launch a raft from the ferry that would reach and carry away the pontoon-bridge in use by Union forces under Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside. Union Brigadier-General Orlando M. Poe counteracted the destructive raft by stretching an iron cable boom across the river above the bridge to catch it. 

This is an image of Boyd's Ferry that was drawn in 1913 

Troops in the Department of Western Virginia and East Tennessee, Major General Samuel Jones, C. S. Army, commanding, December 31, 1863

Major General Samuel Jones

RANSOM'S DIVISION

Major General ROBERT RANSOM, Jr.

CORSE'S'S BRIGADE

Brigadier General M. D. CORSE
15th Virginia, Lieutenant Colonel E. M. Morrison
29th Virginia, Colonel James Giles
30th Virginia, Lieutenant Colonel R. S. Chew

WHARTON'S BRIGADE

Brigadier General G. C. WHARTON
45th Virginia,* Colonel W. H. Browne
51st Virginia, Lieutenant Colonel John P. Wolfe
30th Virginia Battalion Sharpshooters, Lieutenant Colonel J. Lyle Clarke

 A. E. JACKSON'S BRIGADE

Lieutenant Colonel J. R. LOVE
Thomas' (North Carolina) Regiment, Major W. W. Stringfield
Walker's (North Carolina Battalion, Major J. A. McKamy

JONES' CAVALRY BRIGADE

Brigadier General W. E. JONES
8th Virginia, Lieutenant Colonel A. F. Cook
21th Virginia, Captain W. H. Balthis
27th Virginia Battalion, Captain J. B. Thompson
34th Virginia Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel V. A. Witcher
36th Virginia Battalion, Captain C. T. Smith
37th Virginia Battalion, Major J. R. Claiborne

WILLIAMS' CAVALRY BRIGADE

Colonel J. E. CARTER
16th Georgia Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel S. J. Winn
4th Kentucky, Major N. Parker
May's (Kentucky) Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel E. Trimble
1st Tennessee, Lieutenant Colonel Onslow Bean
64th Virginia, Colonel C. Slemp.

ARTILLERY BATTALION

Lieutenant Colonel J. FLOYD KING
Otey (Virginia) Battery, Captain D. N. Walker
Rhett (Tennessee) Battery,* Captain W. H. Burroughs
Ringgold (Virginia) Battery, Captain Crispin Dickenson
Tennessee Battery,* Captain H. L. W. McClung
Virginia Battery, Captain George S. Davidson
Virginia Battery, Captain W. M. Lowry

Independent Brigade

ECHOL'S BRIGADE

Brigadier General JOHN ECHOLS
22nd Virginia, Colonel George S. Patton
23rd Virginia Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel C. Derrick
26th Virginia Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel George M. Edgar
Partisan Rangers, Captain W. D. Thurmond
Partisan Rangers, P. J. Thurmond
Virginia Battery, Captain G. B. Chapman
Virginia Battery, Captain T. E. Jackcon
Jenkins' Cavalry Brigade.+
14th Virginia, Colonel J. A. Gibson
16th Virginia, Colonel M. J. Ferguson
17th Virginia, Major F. F. Smith

McCAUSLAND'S BRIGADE

Colonel JOHN McCAUSLAND
36th Virginia, Major T. Smith
60th Virginia, Colonel B. H. Jones
Virginia Battery, Captain Thomas A. Bryan
Jackson's Cavalry Brigade

COLONEL W. L. JACKSON

19th Virginia, Lieutenant Colonel W. P. Thompson
20th Virginia, Colonel W. W. Arnett
Detachment (six companies)
Virginia Battery, Captain Warren S. Lurty

UNATTACHED

3rd Confederate Engineers, Company E, Captain William T. Hart
22nd Virginia Cavalry, Colonel H. S. Bowen
Botetourt (Virginia) Artillery, ++ Captain Henry C. Douthat
---------------
* On detached service at Saltville
+ Regiments dispersed on detached service
++ At New River Bridge

The 14th (Carter's) Tennessee Cavalry Battalion

The 14th (Carter's) Tennessee Cavalry Battalion

On May 12, 1862, the battalion was reorganized with James E. Carter as Lieutenant Colonel, and Onslow Bean as Major, and was officially recognized as the 14th (Carter's) Tennessee Cavalry Battalion. On November 14, 1862, the battalion was increased to a regiment by the addition of four other companies; two other companies were added in 1863. The company letters were changed at the reorganization as the 14th Battalion, and again at the organization of the regiment. Prior to the organization of the regiment, the battalion had been operating in the neighborhood of Cumberland and Big Creek Gaps, along the line of railroad. When the regiment was organized it was assigned to Brigadier General John Pegram's Cavalry Brigade in Lieutenant General E. Kirby Smith's Department. This brigade was composed of Howard's Alabama Regiment, 2nd (Ashby's), 4th (Starnes'), J. E. Carter's Tennessee Cavalry Regiment, and Marshall's Battery.

My GGGrandfather enlisted in September of 1862. Therefor, from September till November, he rode for the 14th (Carter's) Cavalry Battalion. I'm wondering if, while being assigned to General Pegram, if he rode with General Morgan during this period. Sometimes, the 14th Brigade is referred to as just that, and "Carter's" is excluded.

Colonel John S. Scott reports his engagement on Crab Orchards Road, during the Expedition into Kentucky

 

Colonel John Simms Scott 1865

Report of Col. J.S. Scott, First Louisiana Cavalry.

APRIL 4, 1863.

SIR: In accordance with orders, on March 30, while you were engaged with the enemy on the Crab Orchard road, I moved from your left with my own and Colonel (James E.) Carter’s regiment, to attack the enemy in flank and rear. After advancing about 1,000 yards, and reaching the head of a ravine that opened on the Crab Orchard road immediately in rear of the enemy’s batteries, I came in contact with a regiment moving in column, dismounted, bearing guns with fixed bayonets. I ordered my men to front into line for a charge, but soon discovered that I had but 30 men with me. On inquiry as to what had become of my command, I was informed by Captain (G.A.) Scott, who had pushed up from the rear, that it had been cut off by Lieutenant (J.F.) Ransom, one of your aides, ordered to countermarch, and resume the position which I had left. The enemy, whom I met at the head of the ravine, fled without firing a gun, and with my 30 men I marched back in the direction of where my command had been ordered by your aide. Before reaching them, however, I learned that you had ordered them back to me, and renewed the order to charge the enemy’s rear. After my command had returned, I found that my movements were discovered by the enemy, and he had made such preparation as rendered it impossible to attack him as near his front as first intended. After moving a few hundred yards farther to the rear, I divided my command into three parts, placing six companies of the First Louisiana Cavalry under Lieutenant-Colonel (James O.) Nixon, and four under Captain (Samuel) Matthews, with orders to charge down at right angles to the Crab Orchard road, while Colonel Carter, by making a detour to the left, would strike the same road several hundred yards farther to the rear, and charge up it. Owing to the unevenness of the ground, the two detachments of the First Louisiana were unable to reach the road, mounted, and finding the enemy in force on their front, a part of the regiment was dismounted, which engaged him briskly, while Colonel Carter gallantry drove through a regiment of infantry and dispersed a detachment of cavalry. But finding the enemy in front of Colonel Nixon too strong, he filed to the right and formed in rear of the First Louisiana, who at that time were engaging the enemy with spirit and determination. Lieutenant-Colonel Nixon fought them until his ammunition was exhausted, when he retired to the rear of Colonel Carter, who gave them a heavy volley as the cavalry charged; but, being overpowered by numbers, was compelled to give way. On the Stanford road I again rallied my men, and with a few rounds of ammunition checked and drove back the enemy with some loss, and retired toward the Cumberland.

  After the charge of Colonel Carter, a fight could have been avoided, and the two regiments been brought off without the loss of 10 men; but both officers and men seemed to feel that upon an effort made there devolved the safety of the brigade, and all were willing to submit to any sacrifice to insure its safe crossing at the river. It was for this reason that I attempted to make a stand against a force fully five times my number, and that had already flanked me on both wings.

My command did not number over 330 men. Of that number the First Louisiana lost 71 men and 4 commissioned officers, and Colonel Carter’s lost 5 commissioned officers and 32 men.

  The individual acts of gallantry and heroism were so numerous as to preclude the possibility of my detailing them. Colonel Carter and Lieutenant-Colonel Nixon displayed great coolness on the field. The former was at one time completely surrounded, and made his escape by use of his pistol. The latter had his bridle-reins seized by a Yankee officer, but succeeded in making his escape with a slight wound in his hand.

  This is the first time that the First Louisiana Cavalry has ever turned their backs on an enemy, and I assure you I feel as much mortified as any soldier could who thinks he has done his duty. But for the unfortunate circumstance of cutting my command in two when I thought I had an advantage of the enemy, the disasters of the day might have been very much lessened, and I would respectfully suggest that aides in the future be instructed to bear your messages to me in person, instead of halting my column in a charge and in the face of a powerful enemy.

Very respectfully,

J.S. SCOTT,

Colonel First Louisiana Cavalry.

Brigadier-General PEGRAM,

Commanding Cavalry.