Sumner County, Tennessee
In the Civil War
Chapter Five
By Edwin L. Ferguson
20th Tennessee Infantry Regiment
Companies F and K
Companies F and K
Organized June 12, 1861. Mustered into Confederate Service in Aug. 1861.
Col. Joel A. Battle, Thomas Benton Smith and William M. Shy.
Lt. Col: Moscow B. Carter, John S. Gooch, Frank M. Lavender and William M. Shy.
Major: Patrick Duffey, Frank M. Lavender, Fred Claybrooke, William M. Shy, J. F. Guthrie and Henry C. Lucas.
Co. F Capt.: James A. Nimmo, F. M. Davis. Men from Sumner County.
Co. K Capt: Patrick Duffey, M. M. Newsome, W. J. Dyer, John W. Hargis and John B. Austin. Men from Hartsville, then Sumner County. A few from Smith, Macon and Wilson counties.
Of the Field Officers, Col. Battle was captured at Shiloh and never rejoined the regiment. Col. Smith was promoted to Brigadier General in July 1864, and captured at the Battle of Nashville. Col. Shy was killed at the Battle of Nashville. Lt. Col. Carter was captured at Fishing Creek, paroled and at home in Franklin when the battle of Franklin was fought. Lt. Col. Gooch resigned July 10, 1863. Major Duffey was not re-elected. Major Claybrooke was killed June 24, 1863. Major Guthrie was killed Aug. 31, 1864 and Major Lucas was commanding the regiment at the final surrender. Lt. Col. Lavender had resigned Oct. 13, 1863.
The regiment was ordered to Virginia in July 1861, reaching Bristol, Va. when the order was countermanded and they were returned to Gen. Zollicoffer, fighting furiously at Fishing Creek, Ky. on Jan. 19, 1862 losing 33 killed and about 100 wounded. Retreated to Mississippi, then to the Battle of Shiloh losing 187 killed and wounded. Then to Vicksburg and Baton Rouge. At Murfreesboro out of 350 engaged losing 187 killed and wounded.
Their next battle was at Hoover's Gap with 45 killed and wounded. Then at Chickamauga losing 96 killed and wounded out of 140 engaged. After this Missionary Ridge, the Georgia Campaign at Reseca, Dalton, New Hope Church, Pine Mountain, Kennesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Jonesboro, and Atlanta losing heavily.
Then on Hood's Invasion of Tennessee suffering desperate loss at Franklin, Tennessee and being almost annihilated at Nashville. It was at Nashville that their beloved boy General Thomas Benton Smith was captured and an hour after surrendering and a mile back of the line of battle was cruelly beaten over the head by a Union officer, causing an injury which he never recovered, spending the remainder of his life in the Lunatic Asylum and although a mental wreck could still call from memory, the roll of the 20th Regiment.
After the retreat from Nashville, the remaining few were sent to North Carolina, fighting their last battle at Bentonville then being surrendered at Greensboro, N. C. receiving as mustering out pay $.25 per man. Then the long sad march over the mountains to reach a RR at Greenville, Tenn. to get a train back to Tennessee.
Muster Roll for Company F, 20th Tennessee Infantry
Organized at Coat's Town, now Westmoreland, Sumner County
James A. Nimmo - Capt. Wounded in thigh at Shiloh, April 6 1862. Resigned at the re-organization of the regiment May 8, 1862.
Richard E. Johnson - 1st Lt. Killed at Fishing Creek, Ky. Jan. 19, 1862.
Robert S. Hawkins - 2nd Lt. Elected 1st Lt. at Gainesboro, Tenn. replacing Lt. Johnson. Killed at Shiloh, Tenn.April 6, 1862.
Wm.Young Doss - 3rd Lt. Elected 2nd Lt. at Gainesboro replacing Lt. Hawkins. Not elected at re-organization. Went home. Enlisted in Co. A, 9th Tennessee Calvary, which see.
S. A. E. Epperson - 1st Sgt. Elected 3rd Lt. at Gainesboro replacing Lt. Doss. Discharged May 8, 1862 at the re-organization at Murfreesboro.
W. T. W. Davis - 2nd Sgt. Wounded at Fishing Creek, Ky. Jan. 19, 1862. Shot through the lungs. Wounded at Reseca, Ga. May 14, 1864. Surrendered at Citronelle, Ala. May 10, 1865.
Hardy Caldwell, Jr. - 3rd Sgt. Enlisted June 5, 1861, at Camp Trousdale, near Richland, Tenn. In battles at Fishing Creek, Shiloh, Hoover's Gap, Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge. Captured at Missionary Ridge and sent to Rock Island, Ill. Paroled on oath March 11, 1865. Was a splendid singer and sang for the prisoners at Rock Island. He was nicknamed, "The Sweet Singer of Israel."
Francis G. Durham - 4th Sgt. Wounded and captured at Fishing Creek, Ky. Jan. 19, 1862. Shot in head behind left ear. Almost blinded in left eye. Deaf in left ear. Sent to Prison Hospital at Camp Denison, O. then to Camp Chase, O. Exchanged at Vicksburg, Miss. Aug. 25, 1862. Discharged on disability at Murfreesboro Oct. 11, 1862. Lived near Sulphura, Sumner County.
Jasper W. Mason - Corp. Killed at Shiloh, Tenn. April 6, 1862.
G. H. Eddy - Corp. Captured at Missionary Ridge Nov. 25, 1863. Sent to Rock Island, Ill.
William A. Dorris - Corp. Dec. 1, 1862. Conscripted Nov. 8, 1862. Pay stoppage of $30 for one Enfield Rifle lost. Paid $6. Captured at Reseca, Ga. May 14, 1864. Sent to Alton, Ill.
Alsup, Jerry - Discharged as a non-conscript July 16, 1862.
Anderson, Franklin - Killed at Fishing Creek, Ky. Jan. 19, 1862.
Anderson, Samuel D. - Killed at Shiloh April 6, 1862.
Anderson, R. E. - Killed at Fishing Creek, Ky. Jan. 19, 1862.
Andrews, John W. - Captured at Nashville Dec. 16, 1864. Sent to Camp Chase, O.
Anglea, C. T. - Captured at Fishing Creek, Ky. Jan. 20, 1862. Sent to Camp Chase, O. Exchanged at Vicksburg, Miss. Aug. 25, 1862. Discharged as a non-conscript.
Ausbrooks, Pleas H. - Enlisted June 1, 1861 at Camp Trousdale. Had mumps and sore eyes at Vicksburg, Miss. Discharged on disability. Enlisted in 25th Tennessee Infantry. See Miscellaneous List. Post Office, Perdue, Tennessee.
Augustus (Negro) - Captured at Fairfield, Tenn. June 27, 1863.
Austin, Henry - Captured at Atlanta, Ga. March 28, 1864. Sent to Camp Chase, O. Released by Special Order from Lincoln April 23, 1864.
Bloodworth, John - No service record, but listed in McMurray's History of this regiment. Should be in a Cavalry Regiment.
Brown, James P. - Measles at Tullahoma in March 1863, causing Chronic kidney trouble. Injured at Chickamauga, Ga. Sept. 19, 1863 by horse running over him. Captured at Missionary Ridge, Nov. 25, 1863. Sent to Rock Island, Ill. Paroled in May 1865.
Brown, John W. - Wounded in right breast by shell fragment at Murfreesboro, Jan. 2, 1863. Given unlimited furlough at Shelbyville in Jan. 1863. Came home. Arrested by Union soldiers and given choice of the oath or a northern prison. Took the oath. This was by order of Gen. Payne commanding the Army of Occupation in Sumner County.
Brown, David M. - Burned the "Noble Ellis" steamboat on which the Confederates crossed the Cumberland River after their defeat at Fishing Creek. Paroled at Greensboro, N. C. May 1, 1865.
Brown, Marion D. - Killed at Fishing Creek, Ky. Jan. 19, 1862.
Caldwell, David Y. - Captured at Fishing Creek, Ky. Jan. 19, 1862. Sent to Camp Chase, O. Exchanged at Vicksburg, Miss. Aug. 25, 1862. Promoted March 11, 1863. Rank not given. Shown on roll Jan. 19, 1864.
Carter, Jesse (Buck) - Captured at Fishing Creek, Ky. Jan. 19, 1862. Sent to Camp Chase, O. Exchanged at Vicksburg, Miss. Aug. 25, 1862. Deserted at Murfreesboro Dec. 7, 1862. Captured as a deserter at Rock House, Sumner County, March 5, 1863. Sent to City Point, Va.
Carter, Johnson W. - Pneumonia at Mill Springs, Ky. Deserted. Rejoined. Deserted again at Murfreesboro, Dec. 7, 1862. Captured as a deserter at Nashville. Sent to Ft. McHenry, Md.
Clark, Richard - Deserted at Murfreesboro, Dec. 7, 1862.
Coats, James - Deserted at Murfreesboro, Dec. 18, 1862. Enlisted in Co. I, 7th Tennessee Cavalry.
Colley, Seth - Deserted at Murfreesboro, Dec. 7, 1862. Enlisted in Ward's 9th Tennessee Cavalry serving in companies B and F., which see.
Corban, Mordica - Discharged as a non-conscript July 16, 1862.
Colley, Wm. G. - Trans. to Co. B, 9th Tennessee Cavalry. Had Rheumatism and could not march long distances. See above mentioned company for completion of record.
Cook, J. E. - Discharged as a non-conscript in July 1862. Under age. Prior service in Co. G, 9th Kentucky Cavalry in which he had been in a skirmish at Whipporwill Bridge near Russellville, Ky. Then at Shiloh and Vicksburg, Miss. in this company.
Crawford, Benjamin - Discharged on disability on Sept. 11, 1861 at Jacksboro, Ky.
Creasey, Thomas - Died in hospital at Columbus, Miss. April 5, 1862.
Dalton, W. V. - Deserted at Tullahoma, Tenn. Jan. 12, 1863. Captured as a deserter at the home of his father-in-law in Macon County, Tenn. May 4, 1863. Carried before the Provost Marshall at Bowling Green, Ky. Wanted to take the oath. Was refused. Sent to Camp Chase, O. then to Johnson's Island, O.
Davis, Francis M. - Capt. May 8, 1862 at re-organization. Wounded severely in the right side at Murfreesboro Jan. 2, 1863 in Breckinridge's Charge. Resigned May 8, 1863. Became a Doctor in Macon County, Tenn. after the war.
Davis, Darius - Conscripted Nov. 20, 1862. Deserted. Took the oath at Nashville Dec. 1, 1864.
Doss, Martin T. - Deserted at Murfreesboro, Dec. 24, 1862. Captured as a deserter in Macon County, Tenn. Sent to Alton, Ill. where he died of Smallpox on Feb. 4, 1863.
Duffer, Abner T. - 1st Sgt. July 16, 1862. Deserted at Murfreesboro Dec. 14, 1862. Enlisted in Co. E, 9th Tennessee Cavalry, which see. From Bethpage.
Durham, A. M. - Discharged on disability at Gainesboro, Tenn. on retreat from Fishing Creek, Ky.
Durham, J. H. - 3rd Lt. May 8, 1862. Capt. on July 8, 1863 replacing Capt. Davis. Wounded in left arm at Chicamauga, Ga. Sept. 19, 1863. Wounded in thigh at Jonesboro, Ga. Aug. 31, 1864. Mini ball through thigh. Walked six miles to avoid capture. In hospital at Milledgeville, Ga. for five months. Detailed to Special Duty as Regimental Adjutant. Served from Fishing Creek to Bentonville, N. C.Paroled May 12, 1865. He had rejoined regiment after Hood's retreat from Nashville.
Durham, Miles - Trans. to Artillery. No Artillery records.
Edington, Thomas - Detailed to Special Duty by order of Gen. Hardee. Name not on roll again until discharged at Murfreesboro, Dec. 24, 1862. Captured by Union forces after discharge. Sent to Rock Island, Ill. where he died on Feb. 7, 1863.
Ellis, James J. - 2nd Sgt. Aug. 1, 1863. In Regimental Band. Captured at Missionary Ridge Nov. 25, 1863. Sent to Rock Island, Ill. Served in companies F and I.
Escue, William A. - 1st Sgt. May 8, 1862 at re-organization. Enlisted at Camp Trousdale June 1, 1861. Captured at Missionary Ridge Nov. 25, 1863. Sent to Rock Island, Ill. Paroled May 22, 1865.
Fagg, James W. - Unfit for field duty. Detailed to hospital duty, Sept. 22, 1862. Deserted at Murfreesboro, Dec. 24, 1862.
Fagg, Z. Bartlett - Deserted at Murfreesboro, Dec. 24, 1862. Captured as a deserter in Macon County, Tenn. Carried to Alton, Ill. where he died of Smallpox, Feb. 7, 1863.
Farris, Dudley - Discharged on disability at Jacksboro, Ky. Started home on foot via Cumberland Gap. Oath at Nashville, Jan. 15, 1862.
Fikes, W. H. - Deserted at Tupelo, Miss. June 4, 1862. Enlisted in Co. E, 9th Tennessee Cavalry, which see.
Fisher, Henry - Captured in Macon County, Tenn. Sent to Alton, Ill. where he died of smallpox.
Gilliam, David M. S. - Enlisted Sept. 25, 1861. Deserted at Gainesboro, Tenn., Feb. 18, 1862.
Gilliam, Wm. Bennett - Wounded in neck by a spent ball at Shiloh. Ball entered his neck just below right ear, stopping under left jaw against and in front of Caratiod Artillery [sic]. Sent to Brownsville, Tenn. to hospital. Treated by Drs. Greene, Peacock and Cummings. Ball never removed. Discharged on disability at Vicksburg, Miss. July 16, 1862. Caught a year later by Union forces and carried to Nashville. Forced by Gen. Payne to take the oath or a northern prison. Took the oath. Was an Illinois teacher and came to Tennessee to avoid being drafted into the Union army. Originally from Worsham, Sumner County. (Shackle Island)
Gilliam, Marcus Austin (Dink) - Enlisted in this company, no other information. Enlisted in Co. E, 9th Tennessee Cavalry, which see.
Haynes, Henry H. - Musician in Regimental Band.
Hicks, G. W. - Deserted at Murfreesboro Dec. 18, 1862.
Hilburn, Robert W. - Wounded at Fishing Creek, Ky. Jan. 19, 1862. Trans. to Co. E, 2nd Cavalry Battalion (Biffle's). Feb. 15, 1862.
Harrison, Bailie P.- Trans. from Co. A, July 15, 1863. In battles at Murfreesboro, Missionary Ridge, Chickamauga, Kennesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Jonesboro, Atlanta and Franklin. Wounded in right shoulder at Murfreesboro, Jan. 2, 1863 and in right foot at Franklin, Nov. 30, 1864. Sent to hospital at Meridian, Miss. On crutches for eight months. Paroled at Washington, Ga. in May 1865. A disciplinary problem caused a transfer. Challenged Gen. T. B. Smith to a duel "to the death." Challenge was ignored and charges dismissed. If pressed, would have meant a firing squad.
Hodges, Daniel Smith - Died in hospital at Ringgold, Ga. April 13, 1863 of measles.
Hodges, J. D. Lafayette - Killed at Fishing Creek, Ky., Jan. 19, 1862.
Hodges, R. Jackson - Killed at Shiloh April 6, 1862.
Holmes, Robert Yancy - Sgt. May 1862 at re-organization. Shown as deserted at Murfreesboro, Dec. 24, 1862. Enlisted in Co. E, 9th Tennessee Cavalry, which see.
Holmes, Calvin B. - Deserted at Murfreesboro, Dec. 24, 1862. Enlisted in Co. E, 9th Tennessee Cavalry, which see.
Howell, J. N. - Deserted at Athens, Ala. March 7, 1862. Enlisted in Co. F, 9th Tennessee Cavalry, which see.
Hutcherson, Wm. - Deserted at Gainesboro, Tenn. Feb. 18, 1862 during on retreat from Fishing Creek, Ky.
Keen, Lemuel - Deserted at Gainesboro, Tenn. Feb.18, 1862 on retreat from Fishing Creek, Ky. Returned to the regiment.
Keen, William - Deserted at Gainesboro, Tenn. Feb. 18, 1862 on retreat from Fishing Creek, Ky. Returned to the regiment on Nov. 9, 1862. Discharged at Murfreesboro Dec. 7, 1862. Enlisted in Co. A, 9th Tennessee Cavalry, which see. He had arranged enlistment in the 9th Cavalry before discharge. From Fountain Head, Sumner County.
Keen, Marcus - Discharged at Murfreesboro Oct. 5, 1862. He was Became Guerilla. Took the Oath to gain U.S. protection. Captured by U.S. soldiers at Franklin, Ky. Was armed with a shotgun which violated his neutrality. Sent north to prison.
Key, Eli - Discharged as a non-conscript on July 16, 1862.
Key, John - Captured at Missionary Ridge Nov. 25, 1863. Sent to Rock Island, Ill. where he died April 18, 1864. Grave No. 1058.
Love, Henry - Discharged as a non-conscript July 16, 1862 at Vicksburg, Miss. Arrested by Gen. Payne's forces and given choice of oath or prison. Chose oath.
McAdams. G. J. - Sgt. May 8, 1862 at re-organization. Deserted at Murfreesboro, Nov. 28, 1864. Took the oath to avoid prison. (Gen. Payne again). Had been in battles Fishing Creek, Shiloh and others. Had Chronic Diarrhea.
McAdams, James Boles - Corp. May 8, 1862 at re-organization. Discharged at Murfreesboro on disability by Capt. F. M. Davis and Col. Thomas Benton Smith. Records show as having deserted on above date. Another example of inefficient records.
McAdams, John W. - Captured at Fishing Creek, Ky. Jan. 19, 1862. Sent to Camp Chase, O.
McAdams, Irwin K. - Deserted at Murfreesboro, Nov. 1, 1862. Conscripted into Co. 22nd Tennessee Cavalry under Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest. Deserted May 28, 1864. This was known in the field as the 2nd Tennessee Cavalry.
McQuirter, J. N. (Newt) - Corp. May 8, 1862 at re-organization. Died at Jackson, Miss. Sept. 5, 1862.
McQuirter, Thos. Samuel - Enlisted in 1861 at Camp Trousdale. Captured at Fishing Creek, Ky. Jan. 19, 1862. Sent to Camp Chase, O. Exchanged. Enlisted in Co. A, 9th Tennessee Cavalry, which see.
Morgan, John W. - 2nd Lt. Dec. 14, 1862. Wounded in leg at Murfreesboro Dec. 31, 1862. Commanding the company in April 1863. Detailed to Recruiting Service by Gen. Hardee. Captured at Nashville Dec. 16, 1864. Sent to Johnson's Island, O. Paroled on oath March 14, 1865.
Morris, G. Henry - Discharged as a non-conscript at Vicksburg, Miss. July 16, 1862. Died on way home.
Morris, James A. - Killed at Shiloh April 7, 1862.
Morris, John E. - Enlisted June 1,1861 at Camp Trousdale. Wounded in head at Shiloh, April 6, 1862. Furloughed. Never able to return to duty. Dropped from roll as a deserter, Dec. 14, 1862.
Morris, Josiah - Deserted at Murfreesboro Dec. 18, 1862.
Morris, Robert - Detailed to extra duty at Bonneville, Miss.
Morris, Samuel W. - After battle of Fishing Creek became sick with Yellow Jaundice and Dropsy. Furlough until fit for duty. Captured at home by the 54th U.S. Infantry. Forced by Gen. Payne to take the oath or go to prison. Took the oath. Then enlisted in Co. A, 9th Tennessee Cavalry, which see. Thought an oath taken under compulsion not binding.
Morris, Wm. Green (Wid) - Deserted at Tullahoma, Tenn. Dec. 12, 1863. Name also appears in Co. F, 23rd Tennessee Infantry. Post Office ABC, Tenn. (Now Turner's Station).
Perry, John - Deserted at Murfreesboro, Nov. 6, 1862.
Perry, William - Wounded at Shiloh April 6, 1862, flesh wound through right thigh. Discharged on disability at Tupelo, Miss.
Phillips, James D. - Deserted at Gainesboro, Tenn. on retreat from Fishing Creek, Ky. Returned to regiment. Captured at Murfreesboro, Dec. 31, 1862. Paroled on oath. He had been in battles at Wildcat, Ky., Fishing Creek, Ky., and Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Phillips, J. W. - Discharged on disability Oct. 30, 1862.
Pike, James - Discharged as a non-conscript July 16, 1862, at Vicksburg, Miss.. Over age.
Pike, John W. B. - Died at Cumberland Ford, Ky., Oct. 16, 1861.
Ragan, Jesse - Discharged on disability and left, sick, at Jackson, Miss.
Reston, John A. - Killed at Murfreesboro, Tenn. Dec. 31, 1862. Buried in U.S. National Cemetery there. Grave No. 596. The only Confederate soldier buried there.
Riddle, Samuel - Deserted at Murfreesboro, Tenn. Dec. 18, 1862. Enlisted in Co. E, 9th Tennessee Cavalry, which see.
Rippy, Sidney M. - Sgt. March 11, 1863. Enlisted at Camp Trousdale, June 1, 1861. In battles at Wildcat, Ky., Fishing Creek, Ky., Shiloh, Tenn., Beech Grove (Hoover's Gap) Tenn., Vicksburg, Miss. Left thumb shot off at Shiloh. While the army was camped at Tyner's Station, near Chattanooga, was given a furlough home. Captured by U.S. forces. Sent to City Point, Va. Exchanged. Rejoined regiment at Chattanooga, Tenn. Captured again on Atlanta Campaign. Paroled on oath.
Rippy, Joe Calvin - Discharged on disability, over age, July 16, 1862 at Vicksburg, Miss. Enlisted in Co. F, 9th Tennessee Cavalry, which see. From Pondville, Sumner County, Tenn.
Rippy, Jesse - Enlisted May 9, 1861. Deserted Sept. 8, 1863 at Tyner's Station near Chattanooga. Captured as a deserter Sept. 11, 1863. Took the oath to be released at Gallatin, Tenn. Enlisted in Co. E, 9th Tennessee Cavalry, which see.
Rippy, Wm. W. (Little Bill) - Discharged on disability from throat and lungs at Murfreesboro, Oct. 20, 1862. (Pension Records) Army Records show deserted at Murfreesboro, Dec. 14, 1862. Enlisted June 1, 1861. From Westmoreland, Sumner County.
Rippy, W. Alford (Big Bill) - Enlisted June 1, 1861. Deserted at Murfreesboro, Dec. 14, 1862. Enlisted in Co. E, 9th Tennessee Cavalry, which see.
Rippy, James W. - Enlisted June 1, 1861 for two years. Then enlisted in Co. E, 9th Tennessee Cavalry, which see. From Bethpage.
Rippy, Eli - Listed on a roster of this company in McMurray's History of the 20th Tennessee Infantry. No service record at Archives in Nashville.
Simmons, Charles - Wounded at Shiloh, April 6, 1862. Killed at Chickamauga, Ga., Sept. 19, 1862.
Simpson, J. E. - Discharged on disability at Vicksburg, Miss. July 16, 1862. Was over or under age, either of which constituted a disability under the first Conscript Law passed by the Confederate Congress. Then shown in Co. G, 7th Tennessee Cavalry.
Stewart, Gideon L. - Killed at Fishing Creek, Ky. Jan. 19, 1862.
Stewart, Sam - Discharged as a non-conscript July 16, 1862 at Vicksburg, Miss.
Stone, W. C. (Buck) - Enlisted in May 1861. Captured in Mississippi in 1862. Carried to Louisville on way to prison. Escaped. Came home. Enlisted in Co. E, 9th Tennessee Cavalry, which see.
Troutt, Elijah - Enlisted June 1, 1861 at Camp Trousdale, for 15 months. Enlisted in Co. E, 9th Tennessee Cavalry, which see.
Troutt, Jeremiah - Corp. Dec. 1, 1862. Enlisted at Camp Trousdale, Richland Station, Tenn. now Portland. June 1, 1861. In battles at Fishing Creek, Ky., Murfreesboro, Tenn., Chickamauga, Ga., Hoover's Gap, Tenn., and Missionary Ridge. Wounded at Murfreesboro by a shell fragment. One of 1100 captured at Missionary Ridge. Sent to Rock Island, Ill. Paroled on oath at Rock Island, March 24, 186 almost naked and starved.
Turner, J. A. - Trans. to Biffles 19th Tennessee Cavalry (Officially 9th) April 15, 1862.
Tuttle, James - Died at Tupelo, Miss. June 24, 1862.
West, Thomas W. - Enlisted June 1, 1862 at Camp Trousdale. In hospital at Bristol, Tenn. with Pneumonia. In battles at Fishing Creek and Shiloh where he was wounded severely in the leg. Discharged with disability at Knoxville, Tenn. Oct. 10, 1862.
Williford, John H. - Deserted Aug. 9, 1863. Went within enemy lines and took the oath to be released at Gallatin.
Williford, Frank - Deserted at Gainesboro, Tenn. Feb. 28, 1862 on retreat from Fishing Creek, Ky.
Williford, Green - Killed at Fishing Creek, Ky. Jan. 19, 1862.
Witham, James - Discharged as a non-conscript July 16, 1862 at Vicksburg, Miss.
Woodall, James - Enlisted at Nashville, Sept. 20, 1861. Never reported for duty.
Woodall, E. P. - Deserted at Knoxville, Tenn. Nov. 1, 1861.
Woodard, John N. - Sgt. March 11, 1863. Severely wounded in body at Chickamauga, Ga. Sept. 19, 1863. Died of wound Oct. 1, 1863.
Wray, George F. - 5th Sgt. Dec. 7, 1862. Captured at Missionary Ridge Nov. 25, 1863. Sent to Rock Island, Ill. Paroled on oath March 11, 1865.
Wray, Marcus M. - 2nd Lt. May 8, 1862 at the re-organization of the regiment. Commanding company Sept, 10, 1864. Missing at the battle of Nashville, Dec, 16, 1864. Took the oath.
Wray, William F. - Captured at Missionary Ridge, Nov. 25, 1863. Sent to Rock Island, Ill.
Here we see two great evils. Discharging men already trained and would be under the Conscript Law in a very short time as the ages were to be lowered and raised.
The Confederate soldier remembered well his long, hot march into northern Kentucky, the battle of Perryville, winning and retreating. The long tiresome retreat with nothing accomplished, barefooted, ragged, hungry and that two of them were shot by orders of Gen. Bragg for pulling apples along the road. He saw another big battle coming at Murfreesboro. He saw Stevenson's Division of 10,000 sent off to Vicksburg, Miss. He saw Morgan's Cavalry sent to Kentucky to attack the Union supply line to Louisville. (The L & N RR.). He knew that Bragg's Army was now much smaller than that of Rosecrans at Nashville.
Then after two days of battle at Murfreesboro another retreat further from home and family. A disaster worse than the famous Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg in Breckinridge's famous, needless, butchery at Murfreesboro, against advice of other Generals.
He had heard via the grapevine, news of the organization of the 9th Tennessee Cavalry behind the Union lines to serve under Gen. John Hunt Morgan, a commander in whom they had confidence. In fact, some of them had already served under Col. Bennett, the organizer of the new regiment.
Can we blame them too much for deserting?
Muster Roll for Company K, 20th Tennessee Infantry
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