19th Tennessee Infantry
Don Troiani's interpretation of a Confederate Private in the 19th Tennessee. (notice the out-dated Flintlock Musket which was very true of early Confederate Volunteers especially in east Tennessee)
The 19th Tennessee Infantry Regiment, or Nineteenth Tennessee Volunteer Infantry Regiment, was an infantry regiment in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. The 19th Tennessee fought in every major battle and campaign of the Army of Tennessee except the Battle of Perryville. 1st Lt. Robert D. Powell of Company K, killed at the Battle of Barbourville, Kentucky, is believed to be the first soldier killed in the Civil War outside of Virginia. The 19th Tennessee was formed from companies of men from the counties of East Tennessee and was mustered into the Confederate army at Knoxville, Tennessee, in the spring of 1861. The men were recruited in the counties of Hamilton, Sullivan, Washington, Rhea, Knox, Polk, McMinn, and Hawkins. Beginning the war with a force of over 1,000 men, only 78 soldiers were present when the 19th surrendered.[1] Fifty-eight of the remaining 78 soldiers were from the initial muster at the beginning of the war. The remaining 20 soldiers had joined the regiment later.
The regiment was encamped at Greensboro, North Carolina, when the Army of Tennessee surrendered on April 26, 1865. The 19th Tennessee's regimental flag was not surrendered to the Union army, and its final disposition and whereabouts are unknown.
Stone's River after battle report:
Report of Col. Francis M. Walker, Nineteenth Tennessee Infantry.
SHELBYVILLE, TENN., January 10, 1863.
About sunrise Monday morning, December 29, the Nineteenth
Tennessee Regiment, under my command, moved on the left of your
brigade to a position previously selected on the north bank of Stone's
River, where we were posted in line of battle as the extreme left
regiment of the brigade. The regiment numbered in line 348 privates and
non-commissioned officers, 30 company officers, 3 field officers, and
adjutant; aggregate, 382. We remained at the point above mentioned in
line until 9 a.m. Wednesday, uninterrupted except by the occasional
explosion near us of a stray shell from the enemy's batteries, when we
moved forward in line with the brigade to the attack, in support of the
front line of the corps, we being in the second line. On our way we met
many stragglers and wounded men from the front lines retiring to the
rear, the former demoralized, the latter disabled. The first we tried to
turn back, urging them to renew their efforts; the last we could but pity.
Some 400 yards from our first position, we came to the position
previously occupied by the front or first lines the day before, and where
they had thrown up a temporary breastwork of loose stone and timber.
At and behind this the regiment halted for half an hour or more under
a heavy fire from some unseen batteries in our front. At this point,
while my men were lying behind the loose wall of rock, a shell struck
the latter near the center of my left wing, wounding, by the fragments
of shell and shattered rock, 6 of my men, all of whom were disabled
and 1 of whom soon after died. Moving from this point we came to the
Wilkinson pike, up which we moved by the left flank near 300 yards,
when, again resuming the movement to the front, we moved forward
through a field to the to of a slight elevation, where the battery which
had been playing on us is believed to have been posted. But just when
we were resuming the march to the front and crossing the Wilkinson
pike we could distinctly see by the action of the men in the front line
(for we had now come in sight of them) that they were on the eve of
being driven back, if, indeed, they had not already entirely given way.
Many of them were falling back, and all seemed disorganized. But our
line promptly moved up to their support and crossed the field to the
elevation. Here, for the first time, we could see the evidences of the
conflict in the field beyond the elevation. Numbers of dead and wounded
were lying [ about], both Confederate and Federals, horses, and arms,
and equipments, and here we first felt the fire from the small-arms of
the enemy. Pushing forward, we crossed the field and entered the thick
cedar woods in which the enemy had taken shelter. In the edge of this
woods we came up
with three or four pieces of the battery which they had vainly
endeavored to withdraw. These are believed to have been the guns
posted on the elevation in the field above mentioned, and from which we
had received the injury while at the rock wall in the woods. As we
entered the woods the enemy gave us a most galling fire, but we moved
steadily forward, driving them farther into the thick wood, and now we
passed the various pieces of artillery which they were trying to remove,
but which, on our approach and under our fire and from loss of horses,
thickness of timber, &c., they were forced soon to abandon. These we
left in our rear and pressed upon the heavy lines of their infantry, under
whose fire we were exposed. Some 200 yards farther into the woods the
enemy appeared in great force, rather to my left. They here poured in
upon me a most effective and murderous fire. This we returned with all
the vigor and rapidity possible, gradually moving forward, swinging,
according to orders, a little from left to right. This constant and severe
fire continued for near an hour, when, but the persistency and accuracy
of our fire, our steady and resistless advance, the obstinacy of the
enemy was at last overcome, and, giving way, a perfect rout ensued.
Their retreat was rapidly followed up by us through the woods for
several hundred yards, and through and old field, through which a
ravine and also the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad ran, within
which and behind the embankment of the railroad the enemy took
refuge. At these points they were beyond the reach of our small-arms.
We pursued no farther than the edge of this field. But before reaching
their safe retreat, while they passed through the woods and field,
hundreds of them paid the penalty with their lives for their rash act of
invasion and wicked occupation of an unoffending country. The marks
on the arms and equipments picked up on the field from which we drove
the enemy, as well as the statements of prisoners captured, show
conclusively that the brigade or division which we fought was regular
troops.
By your direction, the entire brigade halted at the edge of the field, for
at the time, and all the time of our advance, through the woods, there
appeared no support upon our left. It is believed if a battery could have
been put in position near the point occupied by my left, the enemy could
have been shelled from their shelter in the ravine and behind the
railroad, and the day might thus have been more completely ours. Six
or eighth thousand men seemed to be striving for the mastery, in
confusion, in this field, and would have been easily driven into the
woods beyond. But a battery was out of the question, for we could scarcely
get through parts of the woods through which we came. We remained in
position here until near night, when we retired with the brigade to the
rear a few hundred yards, for rest.
We moved back to the front each succeeding day, keeping skirmishers
in front near the edge of the field for three days, but no casualties or
engagement of note further occurred until we moved with the brigade in
retreat on the evacuation on Sunday morning.
In the engagement my men captured about 50 prisoners, who were sent
to the rear. We also brought from the field about three hundred guns
besides our own, some of the men bringing off three.
The loss of the regiment in killed and wounded was 136, as will appear
from the accompanying report* of my adjutant. My major (Rufus A.
Jarnigan) was mortally wounded while leading the left wing in a charge.
Capt. [J. G.] Frazier, Company D, was killed instantly at the head of
his company. Lieut. [S. G.] Abernathy fell at this post.
No braver or more gallant officers than these have given their lives to
their country in this war.
I hope, sir, that the conduct of the men and officers of this regiment in
the engagement at Murfreesborough and the days and nights of duty and
exposure connected with it has been satisfactory to you. I can complain
of none of them myself but might compliment many of them in terms of
high encomium. I might with propriety mention the case of Corporal
Mayson, of the color-guard, who, when the color-sergeant was wounded
and the colors fell from his hand, instantly seized it in exultation,
bearing it as a beacon to the regiment through the storm of the battle;
and of Orderly Sergt. Joseph Thompson, who, upon reaching the edge
of the field where the brigade halted, ran forward, overtaking the
retreating enemy, seized a prisoner and started back with him, but this
person being shot down in his hands he relinquished him; back to the
lines of the still-retreating enemy, and seized a second prisoner, whom
he brought off safely.
Before closing this report, sir, I beg leave to congratulate you upon the
successful and skillful manner in which your brigade was maneuvered
and kept together, and, through you, I congratulate our division, corps,
and other commanders for our successful operations against greatly
superior numbers. I hope, sir, that yours and their success may never
be less marked or less safe to yourself in all future engagements with
our enemies.
Very respectfully, general, yours, &c.,
F. J. WALKER,
Col. Nineteenth Tennessee Regt.
Brig. Gen. ALEXANDER P. STEWART.
Source: Official Records
CHAP. XXXII.] THE STONE'S RIVER CAMPAIGN. PAGE 729-29
[Series I. Vol. 20. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 29.]
Chickamagua after battle report:
Report of Col. Francins M. Walker, Nineteenth Tennessee
Infantry.
SEPTEMBER 29, 1863.
SIR: In compliance with circular orders received yesterday and
with common custom, I proceed to report briefly the part taken
by my regiment (Nineteenth Tennessee) in the late battle of
September 19 and 20 at Chickamauga:
About 1 o'clock of the 19th, the regiment, numbering 242 rank
and file, moved with your brigade, being on the right, to the
battle-field, and took position in line in front of, but out of reach
of the small-arms of the enemy. The battle at this time had fairly
opened, and the brigades of Gen.'s Smith and Wright, of
Cheatham's division, were engaging the enemy; the former
immediately (or nearly so) in our front.
About 2 o'clock orders were received to move forward in
support of Gen. Smith's brigade, at that time being pressed and
in danger of being flanked. My regiment moved steadily forward
with the brigade through an open field or clearing, and was soon
under a heavy fire, but no enemy could be seen either in front or
to the flank. After proceeding 200 or 300 yards under this fire
without being able as yet to fire upon the enemy, he being
thoroughly concealed by timbers and thick undergrowth, I
received an official order to move my regiment by the right
flank, so as to unmask Smith's brigade, on the left. This
movement under a heavy fire was not only a dangerous one but
desperate, but was accomplished with singular promptness by my
men under the circumstances, being as they were assailed in front
and from the right by a murderous fire, which was literally
mowing them down. Being thus exposed without a chance to
check the fire of the enemy by our own and seeing that we were
likely to be flanked from the right, I allowed the men to retire
slowly, but all the time under a heavy and effective fire from the
front and right.
By the time we had reached our former position, where I
reformed the men and re-established the line, I had lost in killed
and wounded not less than 75 men, among whom were several
officers. My lieutenant-colonel and acting adjutant had both had
their horses shot under them, and my major severely wounded.
In about an hour after the first advance, my regiment, with
the Thirty-first and Thirty-third Tennessee Regt.'s, was ordered
forward in support of Gen. Maney's brigade, on his left, the
same being heavily pressed and at the same time threatened by
a flank movement. We moved forward about 300 yards, when
we encountered the enemy attempting to turn the left of Gen.
Maney. We opened fire upon him, which, being kept up briskly
for a short time, checked the movement on the flank of Gen.
Maney.
In the meantime, Maney's brigade retired; seeing which, the two
regiments above named also fell back in good order to our
former position in line with the brigade. In this movement we
also suffered some loss, though but slight compared to that
sustained in the first.
The first day's engagement closed without any other engagement
with the enemy or casualty. The second day also closed without
our being engaged or meeting with loss although during the
entire two day's engagement we were exposed at times to a
terrific shelling.
The casualties to the regiment in the entire battle were as
follows: Eight killed, 66 wounded, 20 missing, including 3 that were
known also to be wounded, viz, Capt. Frazier and Sergeant
Thompson. Among the killed was Capt. W. W. Lackey, a gallant
officer and brave soldier, a generous and courteous gentleman.
It is also feared that Capt. Frazier may be dead, as he was
known to be seriously wounded through the body. He was left on
the field, and fell with others into the hands of the enemy.
Accompanying the foregoing statement is submitted a list*
showing the name and rank of the killed, wounded, and missing
in the regiment. While we mourn the gallant dead who have
fallen and feel for those who suffer from wounds, it is matter of
congratulation that yourself and so many others of your command
escaped unhurt through the operations of two days upon the
bloody field of Chickamauga.
Respectfully submitted.
F. M. WALKER,
Col., Comdg. Nineteenth Tennessee Regt.
Brig.-Gen. STRAHL.
Source: Official Records
CHAP. XLII.] THE CHICKAMAUGA CAMPAIGN. PAGE 134-51
[Series I. Vol. 30. Part II, Reports. Serial No. 51.]
Colonel Walker was the Confederate Officer that received the surrender of General Prentiss at Shiloh. The Colonel was killed at Atlanta, July 22, 1864.
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Maybe some remember watching the episode of the program " History Detectives " about the Confederate P.O.W. at Johnson's Island that made a " home-made" camera and took photos of some of his comrades. Notice the print below the photo,
"made on oyster can."
Robert Chester Crouch: Residence Jonesboro, TN; a 17 year-old Farmer. Promoted to 1st Lieutenant. Enlisted and mustered on 7/1/1861 at Jonesboro, TN as a Private into Company B 19th Tennessee Infantry. POW 9/19/1863 Chickamauga, GA. POW 9/19/1863 Chickamauga, GA. Confined 9/20/1863 Johnson's Island, OH. Oath of Allegiance 6/15/1865 Johnson's Island, OH. Born 4/14/1844 in Jonesboro, TN. Died 5/2/1931 in Morristown, TN. After the War he lived in Morristown, TN. He served for some time on the Tennessee Pension Board.
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Death Of Zollicoffer:
Brigadier-General Felix K. Zollicoffer, of Tennessee, fell in
battle before the war had lasted a year; but at that time
there had been no death which inspired more genuine regret.
He was born in Maury county, Tenn., May 19, 1812, of Swiss
descent. His grandfather was a captain in the war of
American independence.
His early education was limited, being only such as could be
obtained in the common schools of that day, and with but
little preparation for the battle of life he was thrown upon
his own resources. While yet a boy he was employed in a
printing-office, and soon became very proficient.
In 1835 he became editor of the Columbia Observer. Afterward
he edited the Nashville Banner, with great ability, conducting
it in the interest of the Whig party, earning for himself
considerable fame as a political leader. In 1841 he was
appointed attorney-general of Tennessee, and in the same year
was elected by the legislature as comptroller.
In 1849 he was chosen a member of the State Senate. He was
elected a member of Congress from the Nashville district in
1853. This position he held for three successive terms, and
won much distinction as a debater on all the leading issues of
the day. He was so skillful in his wielding of figures and
statistics that he frequently vanquished more eloquent men by
the strong array of facts which he presented. In this way he
was regarded as a formidable opponent in debate.
To be a Whig at that day was to be for the Union. This
sentiment Zollicoffer held in common with his party; but the
continual agitation of the slavery question finally drove him,
as it did many other devoted Unionists of the South, into the
ranks of the State rights men. He was devoted, however, to
the Union, and was convinced that its preservation could be
secured through the policy advocated by the political
followers of Bell and Everett. Therefore he earnestly
advocated the election of these two leaders in 1860 on the
brief platform, "The Constitution, the Union and the
enforcement of the laws," and canvassed the State of New York
for that ticket, declaring that the election of Abraham
Lincoln on the platform adopted by the Republican party would
result in a sectional war.
Having, as he thought, done what he could to avert such a
calamity, when the issue was squarely made, he did not
hesitate to espouse the cause of the South. He had some
experience in military affairs, having been first a private
soldier, and then a commissioned officer in the Seminole war.
He assisted in the organization of the provisional army of
Tennessee, and was appointed one of the major-generals of
State forces, May 9, 1861. He received his commission as
brigadier-general in the provisional army of the Confederate
States, July 9, 1861, and was assigned to command in east
Tennessee.
He was beset by many difficulties, but acted with great
justice and moderation. His efforts to overcome the hostility
to the Confederate cause which existed in so large a part of
his department met with considerable success. He issued
conciliatory orders, and declared that no act or word would be
tolerated on the part of officers or men, which was calculated
to alarm or irritate the people of his district.
Finding that Federal forces were gathering in Kentucky in such
a position as to menace his department, he led a portion of
his men to Barboursville, and without serious difficulty
dispersed a Federal camp. Then marching in the direction of
Somerset, he caused the retreat of General Schoepf in such
disorder that it received the name of the "Wildcat stampede."
In January, 1862, he and his force of about 4,000 men, near
Mill Spring, Ky., came under command of Major-General
Crittenden, who was his superior in rank. Here occurred,
January 19th, the disastrous battle in which General
Zollicoffer lost his life.
The circumstances of his death were as follows: The day was
apparently going well for the Confederates, and Zollicoffer
was ascending a hill where the enemy had collected his
strength. As he rode forward to supposed victory, he came
upon a regiment of Kentuckians (Union) commanded by Colonel
Fry, concealed in a piece of woods.
He did not become aware of his dangerous position until it was
too late. Although a rubber overcoat concealed his uniform, a
man who recognized his features called out, "There's
Zollicoffer! Kill him!" An aide to Zollicoffer instantly
fired and killed the man who had recognized the general.
Zollicoffer, hoping still to deceive the enemy, rode within a
few feet of Fry and said, "You are not going to fight your
friends, are you?" pointing to a Mississippi regiment some
distance off. The reply was a pistol shot from the colonel
and a volley from his men, and General Zollicoffer fell from
his horse, dead, pierced through by many balls.
General Zollicoffer at the time of his death was between
forty-five and fifty years of age. He was a man of
unblemished moral character, amiable and modest in deportment,
but quick to resent an insult. He was untiring in application
to his duties and, had he lived, would probably have won
distinction as a division commander. Many public honors were
paid to his memory in the South.
Source: Confederate Military History, vol. X, p. 346
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Fry, Speed S., brigadier-general, was born in Mercer
county, now Boyle county, Ky., Sept. 9, 1817. He began his
college education at Centre college, but finished at Wabash,
where he was graduated in 1840, studied law and in 1843 was ad-
mitted to the bar. He organized a company for the 2nd Ky. Vol-
unteers in 1846, commanded it during the Mexican war, and on
his return to Kentucky resumed his law practice and was, from
1857 to 1861, county judge of Boyle County. At the beginning
of the Civil war he organized the 4th Ky. infantry, became its
Colonel Oct. 9, 1861, and served throughout the war, being mus-
tered out of the service Aug. 24, 1865. He was brigadier-
general of volunteers from March 21, 1862. After the war, from
1869-72, Gen. Fry was supervisor of internal revenue in Ken-
tucky. He died in Louisville, Ky., Aug. 1, 1892.
Source: The Union Army, vol. 8
Considered to be the most accurate rendition of the incident, based on the testimony of eyewitnesses.
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Columbus C. Etter: Enlisted and mustered on 6/1/1861 as a Private into "K" Co. TN 19th Infantry. He was born at Mooresburg, Tennessee, October 22, 1836. Columbus gave up his life early in the battle for the Confederacy's independence. He was killed in the Battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862.
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William W. Etter: 22 years old, when he enlisted and mustered on 5/15/1861 as a Private into "K" Co. TN 19th Infantry. Promoted to 1st Lieut. Wounded in the Georgia Campaign. Born 8/10/1838 in Mooresburg, TN. Died 1/5/1898 in Palarm, AR. Two other brothers served in the 63rd Tennessee.