Doug,

I'm away from my computer with the regimental history, but offer these two roster bios of Gillespie & Key.

Both were attached to the Governors staff early in 1861 and were busy with recruting regiments up until Nov/Dec. when they organized the 43rd.

I'll see what I can fill in later.

Regards,

George

Gillespie, James Wendell, Colonel, Co. B, born August 9, 1819, native of Rhea Co., Tenn., Pvt., Co. H, 1st Tenn. Regiment of Mounted Infantry from Washington Co. in the Mexican War, commended for gallentry at Battle of Cerro Gorda, physician, married to Nancy Brazelton, of Jefferson Co., Tenn. in 1857, Maj. Gen., 1st Div, Tenn. State Militia , appointed Assistant Inspector General on the staff of Governor Harris May 1861, enlisted as Pvt. Co. G, December 10, 1861, elected Colonel December 14, 1862, detailed on Court Martial at Knoxville, Tenn. November 1862, captured and paroled at Vicksburg July 4-9, 1863, twice wounded, returned to Washington, Tenn. after the close of the war where it is believed he resumed the practice of medicine and instructing medical students, prewar merchantiler and livestock trader, past Master of the Union Lodge F. & A. M. of Kingston, Tenn., died October 10, 1873, buried Mynatt Cemetery in Washington, Rhea Co., Tenn., two children

Capt. 1st Tenn. Mt. Inf. , Co. H, Gillespie’s Co., mustered into service June 14, 1846 at Washington Co., Tenn. as 1st Lt., promoted to Capt. in place of R. Waterhouse, elected Major 6 July 1846, mustered out at New Orleans May 31, 1847 (M638 Roll 4)

Key, David McKendree, Lt. Colonel, 43rd Tenn.,born in January 27, 1824 in Greenville, Tenn., first graduate of Hiwasee College, admitted to practice law 1850 at Madisonville, Tenn. where he became a partner of John Hopkins, later in partnership with Judge George Brown, December 1852 he moved to Kingston in Roane county leaving in 1853 to Chattanooga forming a partnership with Allbert G. Weicker, married Elizaabeth Lenoir July 1, 1857, correspondence of Sept. 27, 1860 address him as Major, believe in the state Militia, appointed Assistant Adjutant-Generals in the Provincial Forces of Tennessee Volunteers May 9, 1861 with rank of Major of Infantry,enlisted December 1, 1861 at Pikeville, Tenn. as Pvt., elected Lt. Col. December 14, 1861, wounded May 20, 1863 by a spent bullet which struck him in the thigh but did not penetrate [slightly wounded in knee], captured and paroled at Vicksburg July 4-9, 1863, believe he saw no further service although paid December 10 & 31, 1863, married Elizabeth "Lizzie" Lenoir July 1, 1857 which union produced nine children, post war returned to Chattanooga forming a partnership with Judge L. W. L. Eakin and brother Summerville Key, appointed to the U. S. Senate August 1875, to fill the unexpired term of ex-president Andrew Johnson, serving through January 1877, appointed by President Rutherfor B. Hayes as Postmaster General of the U. S., serving until August 1880 when he accepted the position of United States District Judge for the Middle and Eastern divisions of Tennessee until resigning in early 1895, member N. B. Forrest UCV Camp #3 of Chattanooga died February 3, 1900 at his home , corner of Chestnut and Fourth Sts., Chattanooga, buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Chattanooga, son Albert Lenoir Key graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy 1882 serving as naval aide to Pres. Theodore Roosevelt 1905-1907, retiring in 1912 with the rank of Commodore, returning to active service during WW I, present at 23rd UCV Convention May 27-19, 1913 at Chattanooga, Tenn., brother S. A. Key, regimental Adjutant