Historical Sketch And Roster Of The Tennessee 5th Cavalry Battalion Mcclellans

The Tennessee 5th Cavalry Battalion [also called 1st or 4th Battalion] was organized at Knoxville, Tennessee, August 29, 1861, with six companies. The unit served under General Zollicoffer in the Department of East Tennessee and during September had 540 effectives. It skirmished in Kentucky, returned to Tennessee, and in May, 1862, merged into the 2nd (Ashby's) Tennessee Cavalry Regiment except for companies B and F which became Companies I and C of the TN 4th Cavalry Regiment (Murray's). Companies Of The TN 5th Cavalry Battalion S. W. Eldredge, Co. "A." "The Lancers." Organized August 10, 1861 at Cleveland, Bradley County. Men mostly from Bradley County with some from Polk County. Became Company "A," 2nd Regiment. C. C. Spiller, Co. "B." Organized August 11, 1861 at Chattanooga. Men mostly from Hamilton County with some from North Alabama. Later served in Spiller's Battalion; then as Company "I," 4th (Murray's) Regiment; finally as Company "H," 8th, -usually called 4th- (Baxter Smith's) Cavalry Regiment. Henry C. Gillespie, Co. "C." Organized August 12, 1861 at Camp Cummings, near Knoxville. Men from Knox, Union, and Claiborne Counties. Became Company "B," 2nd Regiment. Henry C. Legg, Co. "D." Organized August 12, 1861 at Knoxville. Men from Hawkins and Hancock Counties. Became Company "C," 2nd Regiment. William C. Holland, Co. "E." Organized August 13, 1861 at Knoxville. Men from Blount County. Became Company "K," 2nd Regiment. David McClellan, Co. "F." "The McClellan Troop." Organized August 14, 1861 at Knoxville. Men from Sullivan County. Became Company "C," 4th (Murray's) Regiment; later Company "B," 4th or 8th, (Baxter Smith's) Regiment.

The Tennessee 5th Cavalry Regiment was organized December 16, 1862 by the addition of two companies to the 13th (McKenzie's) Tennessee Cavalry Battalion, which was originally 1st (Rogers') East Tennessee Cavalry Regiment. On November 20, 1862, in a report of the forces in East Tennessee, the 5th Tennessee was listed as unattached, with an estimated strength of 300 men. On December 27, just after the organization of the regiment it was reported in Scott County. The 5th Cavalry served under General Wheeler throughout the Atlanta Campaign, the March to the Sea, and the Carolina Campaign. Companies Of The TN 5th Cavalry Regiment J. L. Blackwell (to Major), A. J. Reagan, Co. "A." Originally "F" 1st (Rogers') then "F," later "A," 13th Battalion. James M. Kincaid, John Blythe, Co. "B." Originally "H" 1st (Rogers'), then "H," later "B," 13th Battalion. W. O. Martin, D. C. Blevins, Co. "C." Originally "B," 1st (Rogers'), then "B," later 'C," 13th Battalion. A. W. Beagles, Co. "D." Originally Co. "I" 1st (Rogers'), then "L," later "D," 13th Battalion. Thad. M. Carder, Co. "E." Originally "D," 1st (Rogers'), then "D," later "E," 13th Battalion. Thomas Gorman, A. L. Mims, Co. "F." Originally "E," 1st (Rogers'), then "E" later "F," 13th Battalion. John W. Graham, Co. "G." Originally "K," 1st (Rogers'), then "K," later "G," 13th Battalion. William W. Mullendore, Co. "H." Originally "G," 1st (Rogers'), then "G," later "II," 13th Battalion. William W. Lillard, Co. "I." Organized July 19, 1862 at Shiloh, Hawkins County; men from Meigs and Hamilton Counties. Ordered to 13th Battalion as Co. "I," October 9, 1862. Dewitt C. Ghormley, Co. "K." Organized July 4, 1862 at Maryville, Blount County. Originally "F," Thomas' North Carolina Legion. Ordered to 13th Battalion in December 1862, when it was raised to a regiment.

The Union 5th Regiment, Tennessee Cavalry was organized at Murfreesboro, Nashville and Carthage, Tenn., July 15, 1862. It served throughout the war in central Tennessee and Kentucky. There were apparent problems with discipline and desertion throughout the war. The regiment lost a total of 245 men during service; 1 officer and 68 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, 1 officer and 175 enlisted men died of disease. Companies of the Tennessee 5th Cavalry Regiment Co. "A." Mustered at Nashville, September 9, 1862. Men from DeKalb County. Co. "B." Mustered at Nashville, September 9, 1862. Men from DeKalb County. Co. "C." Mustered at Nashville, September 20, 1862. Men from Bedford County. Co. "D." Mustered at Huntsville, Alabama, July 1862; transferred to 1st Tennessee Regiment September 8, 1862; became Co. "I," 1st Alabama Cavalry Regiment. Co. "E." Mustered at Huntsville, Alabama, in July 1862; transferred to 1st Tennessee Cavalry Regiment September 8, 1862; became Co. "K," 1st Alabama Cavalry Regiment. Co. "F." Mustered at Nashville, September 25, 1862. Men from Bedford County. William J. Clift, Robert E. Cain, Co. "C." Mustered at Nashville, October 17, 1862. County of origin not known. Co. "H." Mustered at Nashville, November 10, 1862. Men from Bedford County. Co. "I,." Mustered at Murfreesboro, February 22, 1863. Men from various Middle Tennessee Counties. Co. "K." Mustered at Murfreesboro, February 22, 1863. Men from various Middle Tennessee Counties. Co. "L." Mustered at Carthage, August 2, 1863. Men from various Middle Tennessee Counties. Co. "M." Mustered at Shelbyville, November 25, 1863. About half from Bedford County.

The Tennessee 12th Cavalry Regiment [also called 1st Partisan Rangers] was organized behind Federal lines in February, 1863. The men were from the counties of Fayette, Tipton, Shelby, Haywood, and Gibson. It served R.V. Richardson's and Rucker's Brigade, confronted the Federals in Tennessee and Mississippi, and in October totaled about 300 effectives. Later it was active in Georgia, fought at Memphis, then was part of Hood's operations in Tennessee. During February, 1865, the regiment was broken up. Some of its members became part of the 3rd (Forrest's Old) Tennessee Cavalry. Companies Of The Tennessee 12th Cavalry Regiment Co. ""A"". Fayette County. Co. ""B"". Fayette County. Co. ""C"". Tipton County. Co. ""D"". Shelby County. Co. ""E"". Shelby County. Co. ""F"". Fayette County. Co. ""G"". Tipton County. Co. ""H"". Fayette County. Co. ""I"". Haywood County. Co. ""K"". Fayette County.

The Tennessee 9th Cavalry Regiment [also called 13th or 15th Cavalry] was organized as an eight-company battalion in September, 1862, then two other companies were assigned in November. It skirmished in Tennessee and Kentucky and served in General Morgan's Brigade. On Morgan's raid into Ohio during July, 1863, most of the men were captured at Buffington Island and New Lisbon. Those that remained went on to serve in the 1st Kentucky Cavalry Battalion.

The Tennessee 18th Cavalry Regiment was also called the 19th Regiment. It was organized in May, 1864, by consolidating six companies of Newsom's Tennessee Cavalry Regiment and four companies of Forrest's Alabama Cavalry Regiment, The unit was assigned to T.H. Bell's Brigade in the Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana. Its members were recruited in Hardeman, Madison, Henderson, and McNairy counties.

Murray's Cavalry Regiment [also called 4th Regiment] was organized in August, 1862, using Spiller's Tennessee Cavalry Battalion as its nucleus. The unit was attached to Wharton's Brigade and fought at Perryville and Murfreesborough. On January 23, 1863, it disbanded. Four companies transferred to Baxter Smith's 8th Cavalry, four to the 22nd Infantry Regiment, and two to the 1st Confederate Cavalry Regiment. Companies Of The Tennessee 4th Cavalry Regiment The 4th Cavalry (Murray's ) was organized using Spiller's Tennessee Cavalry Battalion as its nucleus. Co. "A." Organized June 14, 1862 at Chattanooga, Hamilton County. Became 2nd Co. "D," 1st Confederate Cavalry; later an independent company; in 1864 consolidated with 1st Co. "A," 13th Tennessee Cavalry Co. "B." Organized October 2, 1862 at Mill Creek, Putnam County. Became Co. "H," 22nd Tennessee Infantry Battalion. Co. "C." Organized August 14, 1861 at Knoxville. Men from Sullivan County. Formerly Co. "F," 5th Tennessee Cavalry Battalion (q.v.); then served in Spiller's Battalion. Became Co. "B," 8th (4th) Tennessee Cavalry Regiment. Co. "D." Organized November 11, 1861 at Livingston, Overton County, as James W. McHenry's Company, "Brown Rangers." Became 2nd Co. "C," 1st Confederate Cavalry. Co. "E." Organized August 22, 1862 from Smith and Jackson Counties. Became Co. "K," 22nd Tennessee Infantry Battalion. Co. "F." Organized August 10, 1861 at Camp McGinnis, Overton County. Men from Fentress County. Attached to this regiment September, 1862. Became Co. I, 8th (4th) Tennessee Cavalry. Co. "G." Organized August 28, 1862 at Pikeville, Bledsoe County. Became Co. "G," 22nd Tennessee Infantry Battalion. Co. "H." Organized July 22, 1861 at Nashville, Davidson County as Q. C. Sanders' Company. Men from Smith County. Became Co. "C," 8th (4th) Tennessee Cavalry. Co. "I." Organized August 11, 1861 at Chattanooga, Hamilton County as C. C. Spiller's Company. Formerly Co. "B," 5th Tennessee Cavalry Battalion; then in Spiller's Battalion. Became Co. "H," 8th (4th) Tennessee Cavalry. Co. "K." Organized July 31, 1862 at Pikeville, Bledsoe County. Became Co. "F," 22nd Tennessee Infantry Battalion.

The Tennessee 8th (Baxter Smith's) Cavalry Regiment, usually called 4th Regiment, was organized in November, 1862, but annulled. Reorganized January 23, 1863, by consolidating Davis' Tennessee Cavalry Battalion and four companies from Murray's Cavalry Regiment, its ten companies contained men recruited in the counties of Marshall, Sullivan, Smith, Wilson, Cannon, Rutherford, Hamilton, Fentress, Davidson, DeKalb, and Sumner. Another company was added in August with men from Knox and Blount counties. The regiment served in Wharton's, Biffle's, Dibrell's, and T. Harrison's Brigade. After Murfreesboro the 8th fought at Chickamauga and the Atlanta Campaign. They were in central Tennessee in the late fall of 1864, then in South Carolina by mid Febuary, 1865 to participate in the Battle of Aiken. They ended the war in North Carolina, surrendering with Johnston's army. Companies Of The TN 8th Cavalry Regiment The companies were recruited in the counties of Marshall, Sullivan, Smith, Wilson, Cannon, Ruther-ford, Hamilton, Fentress, Davidson, DeKalb, and Sum-ner. Another company was added in August with men from Knox and Blount counties. Co. "A." "The Marshall Rangers." Men from Marshall County. Co. "B." "The McClellan Troop." Men from Sullivan County. Co. "C." Men from Smith County. James M. Phillips, Co. "D" (also called "E"). Men from Dekalb and Wilson Counties. H. A. Wiley, Co. "E." Men from Cannon County. James R. Lester, Co. "F." Men from Wilson County. Jonathan W. Nichol, Co. "G." Men from Cannon and Rutherford Counties. Samuel H. Clover, Co. "H" (also called "D"). Men from Hamilton County and Alabama. R. H. Anderson, Co. "I." Men from Fentress County. Co. "K." "Cedar Snags." "Paul's People." Men from Davidson, DeKalb, Sumner and Wilson Counties. These were the original ten companies. On August 1, 1863, another company was assigned as Co. "L," Captain John I. Parton (or Partin). Organized September 20, 1862 at Knoxville. Men from Blount and Knox Counties. Formerly part of Hardy's Squadron, Escort to General John P. McCown.

The 8th Regiment, Tennessee Cavalry (Union) was organized August, 1863, by consolidation of 5 Companies organized at Camp Nelson, Ky., June 30 to August 14, 1863, for 10th Tennessee Cavalry which failed to complete organization, and 7 Companies organized in Tennessee at large for the 5th East Tennessee Cavalry. There was another 10th Tennessee Cavalry Regiment formed under the command of Col. George W. Bridges. The regiment fought throughout the war in East Tennessee and western Virginia. They were responsible for the destruction of the Confederate Salt Works at Saltville, Virginia. At the end of the war they were sent in pursuit of the Confederate President Jefferson Davis. They may have been part of the Union troops involved in the disappearance of the Confederate Gold at Washington, GA, but there is no record that they were present at the capture of President Davis. Companies of the Tennessee 8th Cavalry Regiment - Company A - - Company B - Company C - Men from Greene, Hawkins and Jefferson Counties. - Company D - Men from Washington, Greene, Hawkins, Hamblen and Cocke Counties. - Company E - Men from Greene, Washington, Carter and Hawkins Counties. - Company F - Men from Greene, Washington, Hamilton, Union, Knox and Carter Counties. - Copmpany G - Some men from Grainger, Knox, Claiborne, Greene, Sullivan and Union Counties. - Company H - - Company I - - Company K - - Company L - - Company M -

The Tennessee 2nd (Ashby's) Cavalry Regiment reported as First Tennessee Cavalry Regiment until December, 1862. It was organized May 24, 1862 by consolidation of 4th (Branner's) and 5th (McLellan's) Battalions; last reported April 9, 1865 in General Joseph E. Johnston's Army. This regiment is not to be confused with another 2nd Tennessee Cavalry Regiment commanded by Colonel E. S. Smith, nor with Barteau's 22nd Regiment which was sometimes mustered as the 2nd Tennessee Cavalry Regiment. The 2nd Cavalry fought under Gen. Wheeler throughout the Atlanta Campaign, the March to the Sea, and the Carolina's Campaign, surrendering at Bentonville, NC. Companies Of The Tennessee 2nd Cavalry Regiment The companies of the TN 2nd Cavalry were from the counties of Hamilton, Monroe, Knox, Union, Claiborne, Hawkins, Jefferson, Bledsoe, Bradley, Polk, Hancock, Blount, and Sullivan. John H. Kuhn, Co. "A," formerly "H," 5th Battalion. Henry C. Gillespie (to lieutenant colonel). John R. Rogers, John H. Burke, Co. "B," formerly "C," 5th Battalion. William F. Ford, James Ford, Co. "C," formerly "D," 5th Battalion. William P. Owen, Co. "D," formerly "C," 4th Battalion. William M. Smith, Co. "E," formerly "D," 4th Battalion. Spencer C. Stone, Co. "F," formerly "F," 4th Battalion. William L. Clark, Co. "G," formerly "B," 4th Battalion. Clark Rhodes, Co. "H," formerly "A," 4th Battalion. N. C. Langford, Co. "I," formerly - "E," 4th Battalion. Will Wallace Gillespie, Co. "K," formerly "E," 5th Battalion.