31st (A. H. Bradford's) Tennessee Infantry Regiment
Organized Oct 12, 1861, reorganized May 8, 1862; formed Company "G" 3rd Consolidated Tenn Infantry Regt April 9, 1865; paroled at Greensboro, NC, May 1, 1865.
There were two regiments called the 31st Tennessee Infantry Regiment, both organized about the same time and both commanded by a Colonel Bradford. The East Tennessee Regiment, commanded by Colonel W. M. Bradford, was finally officially designated as the 39th, but in the Official Records for the first 2 years was called the 31st, so care must be taken to distinguish the records.
Field Officers
Colonels: A. H. Bradford, Egbert E. Tansil.
Lieut-Col: C. M. Cason, Mansfield D. Jinkins, E. E. P. Stafford.
Company E, Men from Gibson County: J. B. Roberstson, A. T. Gay, D. H. Blankenship
The companies comprising this regiment were organized in August and September 1861; assembled at Camp Trenton, Gibson County, in October 1861, where they were organized into a regiment. Regimental and company reports show that they regiment moved to Camp Price; from there, on November 29, 1861 to Columbus, Kentucky, where it was placed in the brigaded commanded by Brig-Gen. J. P. McCown.
On Jany 18, 1862, it was reported in Maj-Gen Leonidas Polk's command, 3rd Division, stationed at Columbus, KY; consisting of 4 infantry regiments, 3 troops of cavalry and 3 batteries.
On March 17, 1862, McCown reported he was leaving Island No. 10 for Fort Pillow. On April 6, 1862, Birg-Gen Villepigue, commanding Fort Pillow reported the 31st Tennessee were armed with Enfield rifles, well clothed and arms and accoutrements in satisfactory condition. They remained at Fort Pillow until after the Battle of Shiloh, when it moved to Corinth.
Polk's Corps, Grig-Gen Charles Clark's Division, Brig-Gen Alexander P. Stewart's Brigade composed of 13th Arkansas, 4th, 5th, 31st and 33rd Tennessee Regiments and Stanford's Mississippi Battery. Soon, the 13th Arkansas was transferred out and the four Tennessee regiments remained together throughout the remainder of the War with the 31st & 33rd Tennessee Regiments acting as a unit. The 13th ARK was replaced by the 24th Tennessee Regiment.
Regiment reorganized on May 8, 1862 and new colonel was Egbert E. Tansil.
Transferred to Chattanooga and was with Bragg's Army in the invasion of Kentucky. Battle of Perryville.
Returned to Mufreesboro and fought in that battle on Dec 31, 1862. The 19th Tennessee Regt was added to the brigade. The 31st/33rd Tenn reported 379 engaged and 87 casualties.
Remained in the Chattanooga area for winter. By April 1, Colonel (later General) Otho F. Strahl was in command of the brigade and remained until his death at Franklin.
Battle of Chickamauga
On Oct 31, Strahl's brigade was transferred to Stewart's Division, Breckinridge's Corps and in the Battle of Missionary Ridge.
Winter Quarters at Dalton GA. Reported 137 effectives out of 157 present, Lt-Col. Stafford in command.
Brigade returned to Cheatham's Division on Feb 20, 1864. Battles of Resaca to Atlanta and Jonesboro. Battle of Franklin.
Colonel A. J. Kellar was reported in command of the brigade on Dec 10, 1864 with the 4 / 5/ 31/ 33 /38 commanded by Lt-Col Luke W. Finlay. Battle of Nashville.
Source: Tennesseans in the Civil War, Part
Bringing the