35th Tennessee Infantry

[Republican Blues]

Does anyone happen to know the location of the Hardee Flag of the 35th Tennessee? I have seen pictures of it, but I was wondering if anyone knew the location of the original flag.

 

[Coonewah Creek]

Does anyone happen to know the location of the Hardee Flag of the 35th Tennessee? I have seen pictures of it, but I was wondering if anyone knew the location of the original flag.

In addition to the forum here, I'd recommend posting to the Civil War Flags Message Board:

http://www.history-sites.com/cgi-bin/bbs62x/cwflags/webbbs_config.pl

Greg Biggs and Ken Legendre are some the best when it comes to unit colors. They usually respond very quickly to posts on the message board.

 

[OldReliable1862]

The 35th's colors have Ringgold Gap inscribed on them, but checking the CWT map, I can't see them. Were they being held in reserve?

 

[DixieRifles]

The 35th's colors have Ringgold Gap inscribed on them, but checking the CWT map, I can't see them. Were they being held in reserve?

That map is odd in that it shows a lot of regiments that appear to be consolidated. I didn't think there were that many at this period of time.
I have a org table for November 1863 that shows the 35th/48th Tennessee was part of Polk's Brigade of Cleburne's Division. That is referring to Polk's brigade.
In your map, it shows Cleburne's Division on the ridge to the South of the Gap but it doesn't show any symbols for the troops. There must have been more troops located on that south ridge.

CLEBURNE's Division
Polk's Brigade
............ 1st Arkansas, Col. John W. Colquitt
............ 3d and 5th Confederate, Lieut. Col. J.C. Cole
............ 2d Tennessee, Col. William D. Robinson
............ 35th and 48th Tennessee, Col. Benjamin J. Hill

 

[DixieRifles]

"The Shipwreck of Their Hopes: THE BATTLES FOR CHATTANOOGA" includes a map that shows Polk's brigade in the reserve position just behind the opening in the Gap. They are not shown in your map.

 

[DixieRifles]

Found this After-Action report from the OR's.

I couldn't enlarge this paragraph.

Polk was there.

Polk's Report
He placed his troops to defend the road leading to their rear. I guess they wanted to protect the troops that were placed inside the gap to ensure they had an way to escape.

 

[DixieRifles]

Here is one more report from the 2nd/15th/24th Arkansas Regiments. It isn't relevant except to show that Liddel's Brigade was also in reserve at Ringgold Gap but not really engaged. The map in "The Shipwreck of Their Hopes" also shows LIddel's Brigade in position next to Polk's Brigade.

I really like how he summarized his report.

My regiment having participated so slightly in the engagement, I deem that further remark would be superfluous.

And No, I did not find a report from the 35th/48th Tennessee Regiment.
I also looked at the unit history of the 35th Tennessee Regiment in "Tennesseans in the Civil War" and it has only one general statement:
"The regiment left Georgetown November 24, 1863, and moved to Tunnel Hill, Georgia December 1."

 

[DixieRifles]

I googled(Books) for a history of the 35th Tenn Regiment. I found a book on the 48th Tennessee but most of it is hidden from viewing.

The Confederate Army, A Regiment: An Analysis Of The Forty-Eighth Tennessee ...
By Major Kincaid Gerald

I found this book on Amazon. You can view some pages. Seems to have a large section of roster.
Historical Sketch & Roster Of The Tennessee 35th Infantry Regiment (Tennessee Regimental History Series) (Volume 85)

Link: 35th Tennessee Regiment


Another source is Fold3. At the front of each regiment there are cards that list the Staff Officers and Company officers for the entire period of the war and sometimes it has notes on the history of each company.
I picked the cards for Company B for the dates of Sept/Oct, November/December & Jan/February.
The first one describes how they were assigned duty of collecting wheat. This is also mentioned in the book "Tennesseans in the War".
Second one is blank. This is quite common for these "diaries".
Third is quite interesting in that they traveled from Dalton to Georgia, obviously by rail. Then they turned around and came back to Dalton.
No mention of Ringgold Gap, but that doesn't mean they were not there. I haven't read the histories of the other companies which might say something.

 

[Zella]

Thanks for all the great info, @DixieRifles!

 

[DixieRifles]

Thanks for all the great info, @DixieRifles!

I know the history of most of the Mississippi regiments. I'm trying to learn more about the Tennessee regiments.

 

[OldReliable1862]

According to Wikipedia, the 35th was detached on provost-marshal-general duty during the Atlanta campaign. It doesn't give any specifics, so I don't know if they still saw combat during the campaign.

 

[OldReliable1862]

View attachment 315299

This would have been during the Meridian Campaign, when Johnston sent Cheatham's and Cleburne's divisions to Polk, only for them to be turned around and sent back to Dalton when they were most of the way there.

 

[DixieRifles]

This would have been during the Meridian Campaign, when Johnston sent Cheatham's and Cleburne's divisions to Polk, only for them to be turned around and sent back to Dalton when they were most of the way there.

Interesting. I didn't make that connection.
Why were they sent back to Dalton? They didn't have a rail to take them towards Meridian. I guess they were expecting Sherman to advance up from Meridian. Sherman did plan to keep moving into Alabama if he could have met up with Sooy Smith's cavalry and had the momentum. However, I think he would have headed to Mobile.
I've never associated the Meridian Campaign with any movement going on in Georgia.

 

[OldReliable1862]

I know the history of most of the Mississippi regiments. I'm trying to learn more about the Tennessee regiments.

What is your favorite Mississippi brigade: Barksdale, Posey, Joseph Davis' Lowrey's, or the "High Pressure" brigade?

 

[DixieRifles]

What is your favorite Mississippi brigade: Barksdale, Posey, Joseph Davis' Lowrey's, or the "High Pressure" brigade?

I've always favored Barksdale's brigade. I found an article years ago---have it filed away somewhere---that described his famous charge and said his brigade engaged 21 regiments/units(maybe including artillery). But I haven't read much on the Eastern campaigns to know the complete history of the brigades.