In early May, the regiment camped near Gainsville, where they were told they would be surrendered. The evening before the surrender, the surviving members of the 7th Tennessee gathered at the headquarters tent where their regimental colors stood. It had been made from the bridal dress of a lady from Aberdeen, Mississippi. As they held its silken folds for the last time their thoughts turned to the many battles that had been fought under their banner and the nearly 170 souls that had given their lives in the regiment. The flag was cut into fragments and distributed among the men as a souvenir of their service. The next day, May 13th, they received their parole papers, signed by Gen. Elijah Dennis, their opponent at Britton Lane and a farewell address from Gen. Forrest. They mounted their old war horses and formed companies for the last time, then each group began the long journey home- and the 7th Tennessee Cavalry was no more. There would be no fanfare or victory parades- just the embraces of loved ones, the thankfulness for life, and the satisfaction of duty faithfully performed.
Sources cited are --
1) Seventh Tennessee Cavalry- Lindsey's Military Annals of Tennessee- 1888
2) History of the Seventh Tennessee Cavalry-J. P. Young- 1905
3) Notes of a Private- Milton Hubbard- St. Louis- 1909
4) The Civil War Reminiscences of John Johnston- Tennessee Historical Quarterly- 1954
5) Letters of John Aden- Civil War Collection- microfilm- MS 73-100
6) Reminiscences of a Scout, Spy, and Soldier of Forrest's Cavalry- William Witherspoon- Jackson, Tenn.- 1910
7) Letters of Emmet Hughes- taken from As They Saw Forrest- Robert Henry- McCowat Mercer Press- Jackson, Tenn.- 1956