Michigan Cavalry in East Tennessee 1863-64

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8th Cavalry

The regiment then in the 1st Brigade 2d Cavalry Corps and still in command of Colonel Wormer had entered upon the East Tennessee campaign having met the enemy at Kingston September 1st and on the 18th at Cleveland. A correspondent writing to the Detroit Advertiser and Tribune says of the affair at Cleveland:

'From Kingston we were ordered to Post Oak Springs a distance of nine miles. Here we remained over night. The next morning we received orders to go to Athens, the county seat of McMinn county, 35 miles south of Kingston on the line of the East Tennessee and Georgia railroad. At Kingston we had to cross the Tennessee river in a small ferry boat, the rebels having burned all the boats of any size on the river at this point, and above as far as Knoxville. It required one day and two nights to ferry the command the 1st brigade across the river. We were heartily glad when the work was accomplished. We then moved on that day some twenty miles and encamped on Prigmore's farm. Prigmore proved to be a rebel of the deepest dye, and owned a very large plantation, which was under a high state of cultivation. We found an abundance of forage for our horses and mules and quite a large quantity of bacon which the old man had buried in a smoke house to prevent the 'dreaded Yankees' from getting it. After two days sojourn we left for Athens. The 8th Michigan cavalry took the advance and we entered the town amidst the waving of flags the shouts of the people and a shower of bouquets from the hands of the loyal ladies. Such a demonstration was unexpected. We little dreamed that such a strong Union feeling existed in this section. We had heard it said that there were many loyal people in East Tennessee, but had somewhat been led to believe that it was overrated. We were indeed happily disappointed. Crowds of people gathered around Colonel Byrd and expressed their gratitude for being delivered from the oppressive yoke of the bogus confederacy. A large crowd of men and women gathered together and listened eagerly and attentively to the speeches made by Colonel Byrd, Lieutenant Colonel Wormer, 8th Michigan cavalry and Colonel Henderson of the 112th Illinois mounted infantry. Their speeches were received with bursts of applause and every one seemed pleased with the policy of our government as explained by the speakers. We remained at Athens a week or more during which time Captain Samuel Wells of the 8th Michigan cavalry, Acting Provost Marshal on Colonel Byrd's staff administered the oath to over 1,500 rebel soldiers and a large number of citizens. The captain, by the way, is a very efficient officer and attends to the duties of provost marshal in a manner satisfactory to all. While at Athens, Major Edgerly of the 8th Michigan cavalry with one company from the 112th Illinois, one company from the 1st Tennessee and companies G and I of the 8th Michigan cavalry, were sent down to Cleveland 25 miles from Athens on the East Tennessee and Georgia railroad to take possession of the town and hold it if he could. The second day after taking possession he was suddenly attacked by a largo force of the enemy estimated at 1,500, the Major's force numbering 150 and was compelled to beat a hasty retreat. The rebs had laid their plans to gobble up the major and his entire command, but they found that it was not so easily done as they supposed. Although they drove our pickets in, rather unceremoniously the Major was prepared to give them a warm reception. In the skirmish, Captain Dickinson of Company B of the 112th Illinois was killed and 24 of his men taken prisoners. The captain exhibited great courage and would not fall back, nor allow his men to retreat. Major Edgerly fell back in good order, occasionally making a stand and giving the rebels a taste of bullets. Companies G and I covered the retreat and their Spencer rifles told with fearful effect on the advancing enemy. A few volleys from their rifles would always check the rebels and they would hesitate some time before advancing. Arriving at Charleston, on the Hiawasse river, the major made a stand, but the enemy did not think proper to pursue them farther. A number of men belonging to Company G 8th Michigan were cut off and taken prisoners. A great many narrow escapes were made, several horses were shot under their riders, but no one was wounded or killed on our side. Lieutenant McDonald of Company I received a shot through his hat and another through his holster on the saddle. The officers and men praise Major Edgerly for the coolness and bravery he exhibited and the skill he displayed in keeping the enemy from capturing the whole command. But few they state could have managed the retreat so well against so large a force."

 

The regiment was in engagements with the enemy at:

Triplett Bridge Ky June 19 1863

Lebanon Ky July 5 1863

Sal visa Ky July 7 1803

Cumniings Ferry Ky July 9 1863

Bufriington's Island Ohio July 19 1803

Saliueville Ohio July 26 1863

Loudon Tenn September 2 1863

Cumberland Gap Tenn September 9 1863

Carter's Station Tenn September 21 1863

Zollicoffer Tenn September 25 1863

Leesburg Tenn September 29 1863

Blue Springs Tenn October 5 and 10 1863

Rheatown Tenn October 11 1863

siege of Knoxville Tenn December 5 1863

Morristown Tenn December 10 1863

Russellville Tenu December 12 1863

Bean's Station Tenn December 14 1863

Rutledge Tenn December 15 1863

Dandridge Tenn December 25 1863

Mossy Creek Tenn December 26 1863

Kinsboro's X Roads January 16 1864

Dandridge Tenn January 17 1864

Fair Garden Tenn January 24 1864

Sevier ville Tenn January 27 1864

Strawberry Plains Tenn January 1864

Morristown Tenn March 19 1864

Charles X Roads Tenn March 20 1864

Cynthiana Tenn June 12 1864 

9th Cavalry

The regiment having again been united at Covington, proceeded to Hickman's Bridge and participated in the expedition of General Burnside into East Tennessee, arriving at Knoxville September 3rd, having skirmished at Loudon on the 2nd. From Knoxville it proceeded to Cumberland Gap. On the 7th, a detachment of the regiment drove in the rebel pickets, entered the Gap, and burned a large mill, on which the enemy depended, to a great extent, for subsistence. Loss of the regiment one killed and one wounded.

Loudon Tenn September 2 1863

Cumberland Gap Tenn September 9 1863

Carter's Station Tenn September 21 1863

Zollicoffer Tenn September 25 1863

Leesburg Tenn September 29 1863

Blue Springs Tenn October 5 and 10 1863

Rheatown Tenn October 11 1863

siege of Knoxville Tenn December 5 1863

Morristown Tenn December 10 1863

Russellville Tenn December 12 1863

Bean's Station Tenn December 14 1863

Rutledge Tenn December 15 1863

Dandridge Tenn December 25 1863

Mossy Creek Tenn December 26 1863

Kinsboro's X Roads January 16 1864

Dandridge Tenn January 17 1864

Fair Garden Tenn January 24 1864

Sevierville Tenn January 27 1864

Strawberry Plains Tenn January 1864

Morristown Tenn March 19 1864

Charles X Roads Tenn March 20 1864

Cynthiana Tenn June 12 1864

10th Cavalry

Engagements and skirmishes of the regiment were:

House Mountain Tenn January 1864

Bean's Gap Tenn March 26 1864

Rheatown Tenn April 24 1864

Jonesboro Tenn April 25 1864

Johnsonville Tenn April 25 1864

Watauga Tenn April 25 1864

Powder Spring Gap Tenn April 28 1864

Dandridge Tenn May 19 1864

Greenville Tenn May 30 1864

White Horn Tenn May 31 1864

Morristown Teun Jane 2 1864

Bean's Station Tenn June 16 1864

Rogersville Tenn June 17 1864

Kiugsport Tenn June 18 1864

Cany Branch Tenn June 20 1864

New Market Tenn June 21 1864

Moseburg Tenn June 23 1864

Williams Ford Tenn June 25 1864

Dutch Bottom Tenn June 28 1864

Sevierville (725)Tenn July 5 1864

Newport Tenn July 8 3864

Morristown Tenn August 3 1804

Greenville Tenn August 4 1864

Mossy Greek Tenn  August 18 1864

Bull's Gap Tenn August 21 1864

Blue Spring Tenn August 23 1864

Greenville Tenn August 23 1864

Strawberry Plains Tenn August 24 1864

Flat Greek Bridge Tenn August 24 1864

Rogersville Tenn August 27 1864

Bull's Gap Tenn August 29 1864

Greeneville Tenn September 4 1804

Sweetwater Tenn September 10 1864

Thorn Hill Tenn September 10 1864

Sevierville Tenn September 8 1864

Jonesboro Tenn September 30 1864

Johnson Station Tenn October 1 1864

Watauga Bridge Tenn October 1 and 2 1864

Chucky Bend Tenn October 10 1854

Newport Tenn October 18 1864

Irish Bottoms Tenn October 25 1804

Madisonville Tenn October 30 1864

Morristown Tenn November 20 18G4

Strawberry Plains Tenn November 23 and 24 1864

Kingsport Tenn December 12 1864

Bristol Tenn December 14 1834

Saliville Va November 20 1864

Chucky Bend Tenn January 10 3865

Brabson's Mills Tenn March 25 1865

(Source: Michigan in the War, Michigan. Adjutant-General's Department, State Printers, 1882)