Jim Martin
Another History of the 37th Tennessee
Wed Apr 11 00:24:12 2001


Here's another short history of the 37th Tennessee Infantry from "Military Annals of Tennessee":

Thirty-seventh Tennessee Infantry
By J. Harvey Mathes, Memphis, Tenn.

This regiment, first known as the Seventh Tennessee, Provisional Army of the Confederates States of America, was organized at Camp Ramsey, half a mile north of Knoxville, on Thursday, the 10th of October, 1861, with W. H. Carroll, of Memphis, as Colonel by acclamation; Moses White, of Knoxville, as Lieutenant-colonel; and H. P. Moffatt, of Tullahoma, as Major. The original idea was to raise a rifle regiment, but this was soon abandoned as to rifle equipment. There were nine companies at the time of organization: Co. A (Hunt's), from Coffee; Co. B (Thomas's), from Claiborne; Co. C (Cocke's), from Jefferson and Grainger; Co. D (Tankesley's), from Chattanooga; Co. F (Rodely's), from Washington; Co. G (Hawkins's), from Bradley; Co. H (Nichols's), from North Georgia near Ringgold; Co. I (McReynolds's), from Blount and Sevier; Co. K (McNally), from Grainger.

On the day of organization the regiment was ordered to proceed by rail to Germantown, Shelby county, East Tennessee. The right wing reached there on the 12th, and the left wing on the 18th. On the way the right wing was joined at or near Madison, Ala., by a company of Alabamians, commanded by Capt. Owens, afterward designated as Co. E. The regiment went into camp near Germantown, and drilled over a month. Col. Avery's regiment was there also. While there Col. Carroll was appointed Brigadier-general, which finally resulted in making a full Colonel of Moses White, Lieutenant-colonel of Moffatt, and Major of Capt. Hunt, of Co. A. R. D. Frayser was appointed Adjutant by Col. Carroll, and J. Harvey Mathes was appointed Sergeant-major.

The regiment was ordered and started back to East Tennessee, November 14. It reached Chattanooga, and went into camp on the 15th. It remained there a week, and sent scouting parties up the Tennessee River; thence proceeded to Knoxville. While there two of the bridge-burners were hanged near camp, and a portion of the regiment was detailed to guard the prison in which W. G. Brownlow and other Unionists were confined.

The third move was the most serious of all to date. About the 19th of December the regiment was ordered across the mountains to Mill Springs, Ky., and moved in two sections, some days apart, encumbered with much baggage and heavy stores. The distance was about one hundred and thirty miles, the weather bad, and the roads almost impassable, through what was virtually the enemy's country. The last detachment reached Mill Springs on the 16th of January, and joined the others in camp; on the 18th were called out in line of battle; on the 19th had a taste of our first battle. Zollicoffer was killed. The Thirty-seventh was not actively engaged in the fight. It crossed the river early in the morning, and was ordered out to the front after the fight was nearly over. The enemy halted in full view. In some desultory firing that ensued we lost one man killed and had a few wounded. An artillery duel occupied the afternoon till dark. During the night the entire regiment and Confederate force recrossed the river to the south side. All heavy stores, camps, etc., were abandoned, and the command retreated indiscriminately; reached Gainesboro January 26th, and on the 29th received some tents that came up on a boat; remained there several days. During the time some of the soldiers who ran off to Knoxville from Mill Springs came up by a boat.

Saturday, February 16, 1862.--The regiment, along with Carroll's brigade and Maj.-gen. Crittenden's command, left Camp Harding, near Carthage; destination understood to be the Hermitage. Tents and camp equipage shipped by boat toward Nashville; crossed Caney Fork of the Cumberland that night, just four weeks from the night of crossing the Cumberland on the retreat from Mill Springs.

Wednesday, Feb. 19.--Marched through Murfreesboro, and went into camp on the Nashville pike, where forces from Fort Donels

Wednesday, March 12.--The brigade moved from camp. The Thirty-seventh, preceded by Newman's regiment, passed over the bridge and through Decatur, Ala., to the fair-grounds, and went into camp.

Friday, March 14.--Our regiment had never been well armed--some of the men not armed at all. Col. Newman, commanding the brigade, has succeeded in arming his own regiment--the Seventeenth--very well, and offers ours some flintlock muskets. Rather an improvement on nothing, or what we have, some of the flint-locks were accepted. There begins to be talk of a great battle soon. The Confederates are concentrating on the line of the Memphis and Charleston railroad, and the Federals on the Tennessee River below Eastport, Miss.

Wednesday, March 19.--Marched from camp to the railroad in a drenching rain, and wagons followed with much difficulty. Took train for Tuscumbia, the wagons going through by country road. Gen. Carroll returned and resumed command of the brigade before it left Decatur.

Monday, March 24.--Regiment moved to Iuka, Miss., by rail, and went into camp.

Tuesday, April 1.--A feint of the Federals, or report of one, created quite a stir. We slept in line of battle, facing the Tennessee River. Nothing came of it.

Thursday, April 3.--Moved by rail to Burnsville, Miss. Col. White was placed in command of the post, which was considered an outpost, on the right wing of the army, and remained so until after the battle of Shiloh.

The Thirty-seventh Tennessee, and two or three other regiments and some cavalry, occupied this post (Burnsville), and could distinctly hear the sound of artillery on Sunday, April 6. The battle of Shiloh was being fought.

Monday, April 7.--Rumors reached camp of a great battle and a dear-bought victory. Rosecrans, Grant, and Prentiss prisoners, with six or seven thousand of their men; reported also that Gen. Buell was killed.

Monday, April 14.--Regiment ordered from Burnsville to Iuka on train; take alarm again Wednesday, April 16, and are sent back to Burnsville.

Thursday, April 17.--The Thirty-seventh Tennessee, the last regiment left at Burnsville, moved down to Corinth, and went into camp on the south side of the railroad, half a mile or more above town.

Thursday, April 24.--Moved to a new camp a mile south of town and west of the Mobile and Ohio railroad, and found ourselves in Marmaduke's brigade, Col. Moses White commanding the regiment. Maj. Hunt (Co. A) received commission. Lieut.-col. Moffatt not on duty, owing to charges preferred for conduct at Mill Springs. Seventeen permanent teamsters detailed this date to drive wagons (26th).

Friday, May 9.--Nothing unusual. The regiment was suddenly called out, marched up the Mobile and Ohio railroad some three miles, then to the left, and reached Farmington about noon. A sharp engagement was already over, with some loss on both sides. Returned to camp at night.

Saturday, May 10, 1862.--Regimental election, already postponed by the above move, came off. Col. Moses White reelected by a large majority over Major Hunt. Adjt. Frayser was elected Lieutenant-colonel by a large majority over his opponents, Capts. Owen, of Co. E (Alabama); J. D. Thomas, of Co. B; R. M. Tankesley, of Co. D (Chattanooga); and Lieut. Geo. T. Fry, of Co. C. Many changes were made in the companies. In Co. C James B. Long was elected Captain; Sergt.-maj. J. H. Mathes, First Lieutenant; Corp. Dave McLellon, Second Lieutenant; and B. A. Long, Third Lieutenant. The old Captain, S. M. Cocke, a gallant gentleman, was present, but declined to be a candidate for any office. He was in bad health, went home, and in a few months died of consumption. The regiment lost in him one of its best officers, one of nature's noblemen. It would have been in order to have stated sooner that Com. J. S. McReynolds was elected Major without opposition.

From this time on, while the army remained at Corinth, the regiment performed much heavy picket service at the front, it being Gen. Marmaduke's special ambition to h and back to Tupelo. Went into camp under the very strict discipline of Gen. Marmaduke, a thorough West Pointer.

Friday, July 25.--Ordered to leave on the train.

Saturday, July 26.--Left camp at Tupelo about 10 A.M. The Twenty-fifth and Thirty-seventh Tennessee regiments went on one train, under command of Col. White.

Sunday, July 27.--Arrived in Mobile after dark, and went on board the steamer "Dorrance." Steamer left Mobile about 12 o'clock at night, going up the river. The water was low and the boat rather large for the season and river.

Thursday, July 31.--Arrived at Montgomery at night, in a rain, and were met by Gen. Marmaduke and Lieut. Ewing, his Adjutant.

Friday, August 1.--Disembarked, and marched over to the fair-grounds.

Saturday, August 2.--Started on the train, but broke down.

Sunday, August 3.--An ovation at all the important stations and towns. Reached Wise Point at night. Changed cars.

Monday, August 4.--Reached Atlanta at daylight. Were delayed all day. Proceeded at night.

Tuesday, August 5.--Awoke at Dalton at daylight, and stopped at Chickamauga Station, twelve miles from Chattanooga, that afternoon.

Wednesday, August 6.--Marched across the country three miles, and went into camp at the big spring near Tyner's Station, on the Chattanooga and Cleveland railroad.

Monday, August 18.--Ordered down to Chattanooga on the train. The regiment slept in the streets. Crossed the Tennessee River the night of the 19th--on a pontoon bridge, if I remember right. [There is a mistake of one day in dates somewhere along in this month which I cannot now rectify. From this on I resume from old diary.] We camped a few miles north of Chattanooga some days.

Sunday, August 23.--Being now in Bushrod Johnson's brigade and Buckner's division, there was a grand review. Gen. Marmaduke did not go north of the Tennessee River, being ordered west. Gen. Buckner, lately exchanged, was quite gray, rather small, very trim and dashing in appearance, and rode a splendid black horse. He was attended by a large and handsomely dressed staff, altogether making a fine appearance and impression.

Wednesday, August 26.--Received marching orders.

Thursday, August 27.--Marched at daylight.

Friday, August 28.--Went down the mountains into the Sequatchie Valley, and camped on the river of that name.

Monday, September 1.--Marched twenty miles, and camped five or six miles below Pikeville.

Tuesday, September 2.--Marched slowly up Cumberland Mountains. Camped on a stream. Buckner's body-guard captured a Federal Lieutenant-colonel.

Wednesday, September 3.--A good day's march. Camped four miles from Spencer, near a mill.

Thursday, September 4.--Started before day. Passed through Spencer. Marched twenty miles, and camped in sight of Sparta.

Sunday, September 7.--Marched sixteen miles on the Carthage road.

Tuesday, September 9.--Passed six or seven miles to the right of Carthage. Forded the Cumberland River at Sand Shoal, and camped on a hill.

Wednesday, September 10.--A good day's march. Camped near a steam-mill.

Thursday, September 11.--Gen. Buckner and staff halted at the Kentucky line, and were cheered by the troops as we crossed. The Thirty-seventh had the post of honor, and were very proud of it. During the day we passed Red Sulphur Spring, in Sumner county, Tenn. Camped that night on Barren River, in Barren county, Ky.--a small stream.

Friday, September 12.--Marched to another stream.

Saturday, September 13.--Started at day-break. Marched eleven miles to Glasgow. Met Cheatham's division, which came by way of Gainesboro. Went into camp west of the town.

Monday, September 15.--Marched through Glasgow and into Cave City, twelve miles, in the dust and heat.

Tuesday, September 16.--Marched early, twelve miles, and halted in front of Munfordsville, where Chalmers's brigade had been repulsed with loss the day before. In the evening our forces were placed in position for as early, Col. White commanding the brigade, Gen. Johnson being sick; made twelve miles. Camped near Hodgensville.

Monday, September 22.--Started late. Passed through New Haven, and made fourteen miles.

Tuesday, September 23.--Marched early. Made twelve miles, and went into camp at noon near Bardstown, some forty miles from Louisville. [Notes made at this point: Lieut.-col. Frayser was left behind sick, in Mississippi, and did not participate in this campaign. Dr. J. C. Hall, regimental Surgeon, was left sick at Sparta, and Dr. Lynthicum, since of Helena, Ark., took his place. Several other officers were left behind. Capt. McReynolds, Assistant Quartermaster, was left sick at Glasgow and never again heard of. He probably died.] Remained at Bardstown several days. The brigade did picket duty two days and nights seven miles north, on the Shepardstown road.

Monday, October 6.--Marched through Perryville. Halted, and formed in line of battle facing back the road and across a creek.

Tuesday, October 7.--Still in line. Some skirmishing in the front, and countermarching.

Wednesday, October 8.--In battle. We were on the right of Buckner's division. Cannonading and skirmishing commenced early. Regiment supported a battery (Smith's, I think) commanded by Lieut. (Dr.) Sharron, of Vicksburg, on a hill across a creek. At 2 o'clock we moved down the hill in open field, and in view of the enemy, to a little hollow where by lying down we were safe. On the right we could see a line forming, which proved to be Cheath