The Index includes 531 Tennessean soldiers' names.

Tennessee Valor – Update; 2/1/2012

I have included a preliminary draft of Tennessee Valor’s Index as an Article. This manuscript can be located in the “Article” section of the website.

The Index includes the names of 531 Tennessee soldiers from the 7th TN, as well as 34 Tennessean civilians.

Almost as many Tennesseans died of disease as were felled by Federal bullets.

Tennessee Valor – Update: January 16, 2012

Nothing has happened for two weeks; no research, no correspondence, no map making, and no writing.

Instead—I have been sick with pneumonia; high fevers, congestion, and trying to cough away my lungs.

Now, as I finish up a ten-day supply of Levaquin and find myself returning to the energetic person I remember, I have had much time to reflect upon a person’s health and well-being and will never again look at sickness in the same blasé manner as before.

The young men who made up the 7^th Tennessee infantry not only had to deal with the lethal dangers of combat, but they also had to struggle against disease. The medical world of 1861-65 did not provide America’s soldiers with the array of medicines we have available today, so those hearty fellows had to fight disease armed only with their own personal constitutions.

I am fortunate today in that a massive dose of Levofloxacin attacked the pneumonia trying to fill my lungs and am well on the mend. Sadly, the Tennesseans were not able to protect themselves from that dangerous illness. They stood out in the rain, struggled in freezing temperatures, dampness, and often without protection from the elements. Many young men, their immunities stricken by the physical situation, fell ill and had their maladies worsen, allowing pneumonia to invade. These fellows battled resolutely against the sickness, but sadly, some did not survive. By the time the war ended, almost as many Tennesseans had died of sickness as were felled by Federal bullets.

An examination of 7^th Tennessee deaths reveals that 69 died of disease in Confederate hospitals, and another 14 died of sickness while in a Union prison facility.

The following is a list of 7^th Tennesseans who died from illness during the Civil War:

The 7th TN went into the Wilderness with just under 200 men.

Tennessee Valor update – 12/21/2011

I have just completed editing and rewriting Chapter 11, with only one chapter to go.

Chapter 11 covered the 7th Tennessee’s experiences in the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, and ultimately the first fights in defending the Petersburg trenches. The chapter ends in mid-October 1864.

Chapter 11 turned out to be about 10,500 words, giving the manuscript 86,000 words with one chapter (about 9,500 words) to edit and rewrite.

One quote written during the Spotsylvania battle was by Cpl. William Clendening (Co. E), who on May 13, 1864 wrote: “…This sanguinary contest had proceeded almost without abatement for three days, and having no opportunity to cook rations the troops were well nigh famished. Our brigade had thrown up temporary works which proved a great protection to them, and when assailed by the enemy they were repulsed with a great slaughter. Firing ceased during the night, and a picket line was established across the field of carnage. The post assigned me was in the midst of the dead and dying. Soon after dark a misty rain set in, and the groans of the wounded could be heard all along the line. I groped my way over the field in search of something to eat. I stumbled over what I supposed to be a log, but it proved to be a dead man whose haversack was well filled with bacon and hardtack. Availing myself of this treasure, it was immediately transferred to my shoulders, and in a short time my hunger was appeased…”

The 7th Tennessee lost 2 wagons and 7 wounded soldiers at Greencastle, PA on July 5, 1863.

Tennessee Valor – Writing Update

I have just completed rewriting and editing chapter 10, with but two chapters to go before this draft is complete. Presently, the manuscript is about 75,000 words (220 pages) with about 25,000 to go. I remain on schedule to have this draft completed by the end of 2011.

I wish to thank Sue Goodwin for graciously sending me letters written by her ancestor who served with the 7th Tennessee — Pvt. Thomas Capehart (Co. K).

Thomas Capehart wrote an incredibly emotional letter in the winter of 1863-64. Here are parts of a letter written to his mother on November 27, 1863:

“… write to me as often as you can. I can’t wait to hear from you all … I would like to see you all and be with you to night but I will have to wait awhile yet…”

“… Tell little Hatton [his 2-year-old son, named after the regiment's colonel, Robert Hatton] he must be a good boy till I come home …”

“… ask him [little Hatton] if he has forgotten me…”

The 7th Tennessee was not involved in any action on July 2, 1863.

Tennessee Valor — writing update

I have resumed the final editing and writing, now that the Thanksgiving holidays are over and my schedule has returned to normal.

I have completed Chapter 7, which follows the 7th Tennessee through the afternoon of July 1st, and through the next day, July 2nd. The chapter has proven to be one of the smaller sections, totaling 5,300 words.

Once Archer’s brigade was routed on the morning of July 1st, the 7th Tennessee did not see combat for the next 36 hours. Lt. Col. Sam Shepard wrote in his report in the Official Records, “We were not in the engagement of July 2nd.”

Thus, July 2nd became a day of rest and reflection about the war, and home. But for the Tennesseans, home was a source of considerable worry. Now that Middle Tennessee was controlled by the Yankees, going home was treacherous, because home had become a lawless and perilous place. Any young man, whether he be wounded or discharged, came home to a life which was difficult and dangerous.

Two such soldiers in Company ‘G’, Joseph and Nathan Lannom, exemplified these difficulties. Both men, farmers from the southern part of Wilson County had enlisted as privates. Nathan, the younger of the two, was wounded at Cedar Run and placed on a medical furlough. He deserted from the hospital and snuck home only to find himself scooped up by Yankee cavalry and placed in a prisoner of war camp.

The other Lannom, Joseph, a 44-year-old at the start of the war, had served with the regiment until August 1862, when he was discharged because of age. Joseph Lannom returned home to Wilson County and resumed farming, only to be murdered. The ex-soldier had been killed by a man named Richard Mount, whom everyone knew simply as, “Cedar Dick.” The murder had been bloody, when Cedar Dick assaulted Lannom, “… with a large … Bowie knife … and killed Lannom [by] cutting and stabbing…”[1]

The 7th Tennessee Infantry camped near Warm Springs WV in mid-November.

Tennessee Valor – Writing update

I am working on the rewrite of chapter 5, having completed rewrites of the first four chapters. The first four chapters total 108 pages and some 40,000 words. Chapter 5 describes the battle of Chancellorsville and the march into Pennsylvania. I hope to have all twelve chapters edited and rewritten by the end of December.

Here are three journal entries written on November 16 and 17, 1861:

16 November 1861:

David Phillips - [Warm Springs, VA] – “Dreadful time on poor soldiers in camp. Our tents are rotten and the gales tear them and upset them, leaving us exposed to the merciless and bitter winds. Archie [Norris] and I went out in the neighborhood about three miles to Col A. G. McGoffin and got some fine apples and a splendid dinner. Oh, it was fine indeed to us who have been accustomed to camp fare.”

Robert Hatton – [Warm Springs, VA] – “… W.H. Hull [a local store keeper] … You are ordered to sell no more whiskey to the soldiers at Warm Springs, and if it is found that you continue to sell it to them, a file of men will be ordered to destroy your Distillery.”

17 November 1861:

David Phillips – [Warms Springs, VA] – “Cold and high winds still raging. Camp life in cold weather is a very miserable one. The wind blows the smoke of the whole encampment along on the ground which makes the air dense with smoke everywhere. This circumstance puts our eyes out nearly. Everybody you can see is crying. While I write I can’t see the lines half the time.”

The 7th Tennessee suffered 157 killed and wounded during the battle of Seven Pines.

Battle of Seven Pines Casualty Analysis

The 7^th Tennessee suffered 157 recorded casualties (wounded or killed) at the battle of Seven Pines (5/31/1862). A quick analysis of the body locations will reveal a hint at the nature of the destruction caused by Federal bullets.

Of the 157 injuries 22 proved to be fatal. That is almost a one-to-seven ratio of killed-to-wounded. One would suspect these 22 Tennesseans who died were struck by Yank lead in one of three locations; the head (brain), the chest (heart) region, or an artery which then caused unstoppable bleeding.

Of these 157 injuries, as recorded by the Richmond Dispatch on June 9, 1862, 36 wounds were identified without reference to location, leaving us with 98 woundings in which the body site of injury was noted.

Tennesseans suffered 4 foot or ankle wounds, thus demonstrating that Northern soldiers did not aim low.

The legs, thighs, knees, and hips were struck 26 times, proving that standing upright was tremendously dangerous.

The bowels, back, side, and breast sustained only 6 wounds, meaning; if a person took a bullet in these areas they were more apt to be killed than to live.

The shoulders, arms, wrists and hands, all parts of one’s body, high up and prone to be risked by musket-loading activities (and too far from any health-critical location), received 37 wounds.

And finally, the neck, head, face, mouth, and jaw also were severely impacted; suffering 26 injuries, demonstrating that Union riflemen did fire high, or allowed their weapon’s kick to throw their sights upwards.

One last note; 11 Tennesseans suffered double wounds (two separate locations being struck).

Below is the casualty list as posted by the Richmond Dispatch on June 9, 1862:

Seven Pines (May 31, 1862)

Casualty List

“The Daily Dispatch: Further reports of casualties,” Richmond Dispatch, June 9, 1862

The final 7th Tennessee battle line contained 29 soldiers.

TENNESSEE VALOR: The 7^th Tennessee Infantry at Gettysburg – update part 2

I’ve completed the entire rough draft!

I am now taking a couple weeks off and then will work through the manuscript, editing and preparing a print-ready copy for submission to the publisher. My anticipated schedule will be to complete the editing at the rate of one or two chapters per week, thus the manuscript should be ready for submission by the start of the new year.

Tennessee Valor’s last chapter describes the end of the war, and finishes with the 7^th Tennessee participating in the Surrender Ceremony on April 12, 1865. On that date 47 men stood for the entire regiment. I’d like to take a look at these final 47.

First of all, there were two men listed; William Kelster and James Nobles who never were with the regiment, or at least never answered to a muster or payroll call and are not included anywhere in the Muster Rolls of the 7^th Tennessee. How and why these two men ended up being counted as members of the 7^th Tennessee is a question for which I do not have an answer.

That leaves 45 Tennesseans, all whom were on the 7^th Tennessee’s muster rolls; a number though, who were not recorded as combat troops; James Bradley and James Corder were the regiment’s sutlers, James Harris was the regimental chaplain, Ordnance Sergeant Alexander Piper handled all the regiment’s weaponry needs, and Dr. James Fite was the regimental surgeon.

That leaves 40 Tennessee veterans, and of these a number were on detached on duties keeping them away from the regiment; Cpt. John Allen was serving as Brig. Gen. William McComb’s brigade adjutant, Samuel Graves was the regimental blacksmith, Abner Witt was a nurse, John Williams was with the brigade’s engineer unit, Patrick Quinn was serving as a brigade provost guard, Roland Swain was a brigade clerk, and John Reed had been tasked as a member of the brigade Pioneer corps.

That leaves 33 Tennesseans, and these there were a number who had not been able to keep up with the regiment once it was driven from the Petersburg trenches, but were able to catch up once Lee signed the surrender with Grant on April 9, 1865 and thus were able to participate in the Surrender Ceremony. However, these men were not present for the 7^th Tennessee’s final battle line on the morning of April 9, 1865. These men included; John Johnson, George Frazier, James Patton, and Samuel Forbes.

We now have 29 Tennesseans who stood together and formed the regiment’s last battle line. Fortunately these gallant fellows did not have to go into a last fight. However, they were prepared to perform this duty should the need have arisen. These veterans are:

The 7th Tennessee had 145 men remaining on April 2, 1865.

TENNESSEE VALOR : The 7^th Tennessee Infantry at Gettysburg

I have just begun the final chapter of Tennessee Valor. This chapter is a description of the last months’ of trench warfare outside of Petersburg, the 7^th’s last battle—Hatcher’s Run—and the closing days of the war, leading up to the surrender at Appomattox.

The 7^th Tennessee went into the waning months of 1864 with a strength of about 180 officers and men. Lt. Col. George Shepard achieved this number by stripping away almost all of the support people from their non-combat duties, handing them muskets, and putting them into the trenches.

The brigade containing the 7^th Tennessee, now commanded by William McComb, had about 900 men and was assigned a mile’s length of trench. McComb’s brigade did not rotate in and out of the trenches with another brigade as had been occurring before the battle of Weldon Rd. Now, it was up to McComb to rest his own men, and at the same time, keep the trenches well-manned in case of a Federal assault. McComb turned the relief responsibilities over to each regimental commander, meaning Lt. Col. Shepard had to watch his fellows closely and move them in and out of the trenches when they needed a rest. His regiment was tasked with holding about a quarter mile of trenches and Shepard tried to keep half his men on duty and the other half close-by, but out of danger. That meant if he put half his men on the fire steps, he had 90 men covering 400 yards of line—one rifle for every 13 feet of trench.

Life in the trenches grew increasingly terrible: Besides the stress and danger from mortar fire and snipers, food supplies shank to little more than a handful of cornmeal a day, clothing replacements became nonexistent, and firewood extremely difficult to acquire. The 1864-65 winter was harsh, with sub-normal temperatures, sleet, some snow, and considerable rain, making the trenches cold, damp, muddy bogs. Bullet wounds, sickness, and desertion sapped the 7^th Tennessee’s numbers, so that by April 1, 1865 George Shepard barely had 140 effectives.

When the Union army struck the lines at 4:30 AM on April 2, 1865 there was little the Confederate forces could do to resist. Since the main thrust of the Union attack was east of the 7^th Tennessee’s position only the 7^th Tennessee’s left flank was immediately swept away by the blue coats. Shepard lost 30 men even before he could rally his formation together and began a withdrawal to the west.

As the 7^th Tennessee fell back towards the west another Yank division struck in that area, pushing Shepard’s men north and back towards the Federals who had crashed through the Confederate lines and were now circling back to the trenches. The regiment was pinned between two massive fronts and the small band of Tennesseans soon found themselves trapped against the pond at Burgess’ Mill. Forty more soldiers were lost, as was the regiment’s flag. The rest, barely 70 men, jumped in the waters and swam to safety.

This final six dozen survivors trailed after the retreating Confederate army, leaking men each day as the starved and exhausted men fell by the roadside and were captured, so by the end, April 9, 1865, George Shepard had only 46 Tennesseans with him. It would be this number which would sign the Appomattox surrender muster and formally capitulate to Grant’s armies.

The next update will examine these 47 men listed on the Appomattox surrender muster.

Two 1864 recruits survived and were present to surrender at Appomattox.

Tennessee Valor – Enlistments – Part 2: 1864-65

The recruiters must have learned something from their dismal 1863 recruitment practices because the replacements added to the 7^th Tennessee from the 1864 conscriptions and volunteer enlistment proved to be much more reliable. As in 1863 the regiment’s home counties; Wilson, Dekalb, Sumner, and Smith were inaccessible due to that area being controlled by the Federals, so, once again only eastern Tennessee was available for recruitment.

The ages of the men garnered in 1864 proved to be much older than those of the original volunteers of 1861. Not only were these men older, many of them owned farms or small businesses, and a larger percent were also married. So, these new replacements were much more serious about not wanting to gain glory for the Confederacy, like the original boys.

An example of these new men can be seen in Sterling Rhea, a 35-year-old from Brier Creek, Tennessee. Sterling Rhea was married and the father of five children, and owned a successful blacksmith shop. Rhea had several assistants who worked for him, including at least one slave. Rhea was not happy having been conscripted, but he had vowed to those who could hear him that he would serve dutifully. Sterling Rhea did prove to be much more reliable than that first bunch of misfits last fall. He did his part as a rifleman for the 7^th Tennessee, though never going out of his way to place himself in danger. Rhea fought with the regiment throughout the terrible battles of the summer of 1864, and then endured the horrible winter months and the spring of 1865 during the siege of Petersburg. Private Rhea, though wounded in the mouth at the fight around Peeble’s farm in August 1864, survived right to the end and was one of the few Tennesseans in the regiment to be present at the surrender at Appomattox.

The following chart lists the 1864 and 1865 replacements and a brief note on what happened to them: