The 1st Tennessee (Union) Cavalry was first raised as the 4th Tennessee Infantry. Its colonel was Robert Johnson, son of the Military Governor of Tennessee (and later US president Andrew Johnson) and Ltc. was James Brownlow, son of a prominent East Tennessee preacher and newspaper publisher William "Parson" Brownlow. Their fathers hated each other but the sons seemed to get along OK.

They were converted to cavalry later in 1862 and redubbed the 1st East Tennessee Cavalry. This was later changed to the 1st Tennessee Cavalry (U.S.). Many of the Union Tennessee regiments were first raised with geographic designations (East TN, Middle TN or West TN) and then renumbered later.

The 1st Tennessee Cavalry (US) has a unit history available written by W. R. Carter of the regiment. it is out there as an easy to find reprint.

The 60th, 61st and 62nd Tennessee Infantry (CSA) were mostly conscripts raised in East Tennessee. Plagued by desertions, they were sent to fight in Mississippi where it would be much harder for that to take place. At Big Black River in May 1863, this brigade was swamped by the Federal assault and one of the regiments surrendered without much resistance. The brigade was later exchanged and sent back to East Tennessee where the units were later mounted to serve under John Vaughan for the rest of the war.

Greg Biggs