13TH TENNESSEE CAVALRY REGIMENT

13TH CAVALRY REGIMENT

MEMORANDUM

Tennesseans in the Civil War
Military History

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The Thirteenth Regiment Tennessee Cavalry Volunteers was organized by Col. John K. Miller, of Carter county, at Strawberry Plains, Tenn., September, 1863; was not fully equipped, however, until it reached Camp Nelson, Ky., in the month of December. It was mounted at this point, and marched through Ken- tucky to Nashville, Tenn., doing some service on the road in the way of killing and capturing guerrillas. The regiment remained at Nashville during the Spring of 1864: was ordered on post duty at Gallatin, Tenn., during the Summer, until August 4, 64, when it was attached to the brigade known as the Brigade of Governor Guards, commanded by General Gillem. This regiment formed a part of the force operating in East Tennessee against the rebel cavalry under Gens. Morgan, Vaughn and Breckinridge; acted a conspicuous part in the killing of Morgan and the route and capture of his force at Greenville, Tenn. On the 4th of September, 1864, Morgan was killed by a private soldier belonginhg to Co. G, Thirteenth Tenn. Vol. Cav., who was afterwards promoted for gallantry by Gen. Gillem.

The following account of the fight at Greenville was written at the time by a Tennessee officer who was in the various engagements: Bull's Gap, September 7, 1864.

On the evening of the 3d inst.,at 6 o'clock P.M., a courier reported to Col. Miller that the enemy were advancing, and were in camp two miles this side of Greenville, and that scouts were being sent down as far as Blue Springs. Col. Miller immediately went to Gen. Gillem, and after a short consultation the command was ordered to be in readiness to move at once. Accordingly at 11 o'clock the 13th Tennessee Cavalry moved out, and was ordered to proceed to Greenville by the way of the Arnett road, passing around on the left flank of the enemy, and get in their rear by 6 o'clock, A.M. and at 12 1/2 o'clock the balance of the command moved out, notwithstanding it was the darkest night I ever saw, and the rain poured down in torrents, and the vivid lightning flashed along the sky, and the distant roll of the thunder only made the night more gloomy; yet our gallant leaders pushed ahead with untiring energy, and out troops with cheerful hearts, proudly followed on. At 6 o'clock, A.M., the pickets of the enemy were attacked, and the out-posts found asleep. They were steadily driven back my Maj. Newel's command-the 10th Michigan Cavalry-who had the advance for aboutthree miles, when the firing from Col+. Ingerton, who had got in their rear, was heard, when the 9th Tennessee Cavalry was ordered to push the enemy as fast as possible, when they dashed ahead with drawn sabres and a yell which scattered the enemy in all directions. They succeeded in getting around Col. Ingerton's right flank, but not without the loss of several killed, and some forth taken prisoners by the gallanth 13th,. In the meantime Col, Ingerton had sent two compaines, (I and G,) of his regiment, to town, who surprised General Morgan and Staff, who were at Mrs. Williams'. Morgan ran out and tried to escape before he had time to dress himself, but the gallant and energetic Capt. Wilcox surrounded the garden, and before he could escape, Andy Campbell, a private in Company G, shot him, the ball passing through his heart. The two companies captured his entire Staff, and taking the remains of Morgan on a hore returned to the command, without the loss of a man; malthouth about 1,000 of the enemy were in their rear, after whichb the whole column passed into town, led by the gallant and chivalrous Brigade commander, Col. Miller, when he found the enemy's artillery planted upon College Hill. He ordered Col. Brownlow to take his regiment around the left flank of the hill, where their battery was placed; he also ordered Col. Ingerton around on the right flank, which orders were promptly carried out, which move caused the enemy to break, being nearly surrounded, leaving two caisson wagons complete. and one army wagon. So closely were they pressed by Col. Miller that they abandoned two pieces of artillery, their baggage wagons, &c. He drove them about four miles, and abandoned the chase, his horses being so much fatigued that it was folly to pursue them further.

We captured in all, aome seventy prisoners, killing and wounding from fifty to a hundred, without the loss of a man killed, and but six wounded, two supposed to be mortally.

The officers and soldiers have conducted themselves well in the four engage- ments that we have had with Morgan's command since our arrival in this portion of the country, in all of which we have been successful, capturing and killing a considerable number of the enemy. I feel proud of the officers and soldiers, wgho have behaved themselves not only as gentlemen, but as soldiers. Lieut-Col. John B. Broenhow, commanding the 9th Tennessee Cavalry, is a high-minded and accom- plished gentleman and a good officer. He has a good regiment-men that have behaved well in action as well as in camp; in fact, in every place they have been tried. Lieut. Col. W.H. Ingerton, commanding the 13th Tennessee Cavalry, is one of the finest cavalry officers in the United States service, and now commands one of the best cavalry regiments in the service. The battery is a splendid one, commanded by Lieut. Patterson, one of the best artillery officers of the age-prompt, quick, energetic and accomplished. All the officers and soldiers of this battery are true and good men.

The regiment was also in a fight at Morristown on the 28th of October, 1864, which resulted in the route of Gen. Vaughn and capture of McClung's battery. On the 13th of November, 1861, at Bull's Gap, Gen. Gillem's brigade met and repelled the furious attacks of the rebels under General Breckinridge, when at last com- pelled to yield their stronghold for want of supplies. Amidst the general confu- sion this regiment, led by Col. Miller, acquitted itself well, and arrived at Strawberry Plains with very slight loss of men or arms. This regiment formed a part of the command, under Generals Stoneman and Gillem,which did such signal work in Southwestern Virginia, in December, 1864. This regiment then commanded by Col. Stacey, made a gallant charge, and captured Fort Breckinride, at King's Salt Works, Va. It also formed a part of the command which, under General Stoneman raided through North and South Carolinas and Georgia in the Spring of 1865; acted its part well in an engagement at Saulisbury, N.C. The regiment returned to Knoxville June, 1865; moved from there to Lenoir's Station; then to Sweetwater; then back to Knoxville, where they were mustered out of service September 5, 1865.

ORDER OF CONGRATULATION

Headquarters 13th Regiment Tennessee Cavalry Bull's Gap, Tenn., Sept. 7, 1864 Orders No. 95.

I, The Lieutenant Colonel Commanding the 13th Regiment Tennessee Cavalry takes a pride in saying that the officers and enlisted men under his command have surpassed his most sanguine expectations, and exhibited a spirit of gallantry and determination that would do honor to veteran soldiers. He takes pleasure in commending them for the promptness and energy with which they have discharged their duty in the presence of the enemy, and congratulates them upon the success which has attended them in expelling from their homes the presumptuous foe, who had attempted to teach East Tennessee disloyalty to their government.

II. Private Andrew Campbell, of Company G, 13th Tennessee Cavalry, is hereby appointed 1st Sergeant of Company E, of this regiment, a reward for his gallantry at the engagement at Greenville, Tenn., on the 4th inst., and for his success in arresting, by an accurate shot, the flight of Gen. John H. Morgan, one of our country's most prominent enemies. By Command of Lt. Col. Wm. H. Ingerton, Comd'g 13th Tenn. Cavalry Sam'l W. Scott, 1st Lieut and Act'g Adj't.

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

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

Headquarters, Cavalry Forces Decatur, July 10th, 1864

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

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

Very respectifully, your obedient servant, J.E. RAY, Capt. and A.D.C.

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