A Volunteer Army of Tennessee Pre-Dates the United States
TNSG HISTORY (2)
The Battle of Murfreesboro – 1862-63
At Murfreesboro, Tennessee, both the 4th and 5th Tennessee Regiments had become seriously understrength due to combat losses. The two regiments were therefore consolidated for field purposes into the combined 4th/5th Consolidated Tennessee Infantry Regiment. All muster roles and other paperwork were kept separate until April of 1864, after which the combined units were mustered as one. The 4th Tennessee was down to 5 companies.
Despite the incredible losses in previous combat, especially Shiloh, as well as the loss of the non-ambulatory wounded due to the long trek from Corinth to Murfreesboro, the 4th/5th took on the assignment of holding the right wing of BG Alexander Stewart's Brigade at the Battle of Murfreesboro.
The regiment withstood the Federal charges, turned the Federal line and captured a Federal artillery position.
While casualty lists from this campaign are not available, it is believed that the 4th/5th did not lose a man in the battle.
The Battle of Chickamauga – 1863
There is no battle name that stirs the soul of a Southeast Tennessean more than The Battle of Chickamauga. The 4th Tennessee was there.
Assigned to GEN Benjamin Franklin Cheatham's Division – a part of GEN Polk's Corps – the 4th/5th Tennessee, along with the 19th, 24th, 31st and 33rd Tennessee regiments, fought in the Chickamauga campaign on 19 and 20 September 1863. The brigade was commanded by BG Strahl and COL Jonathan Lamb of the 5th commanded the regiment.
On 26 September 1863 the regiment joined GEN John Breckenridge's Corps for the Battle of Missionary Ridge when it held the Confederate line until the corps could fall back after both flanks had been turned.
The regiment had been forced back to the summit, but held its ground, until the corps could disengage and begin the march to winter quarters in Dalton, Georgia.
Defense of Dalton and Siege of Atlanta – 1864
The 4th/5th Tennessee Regiment, along with Strahl's Brigade, as it was now known, covered the Corps withdrawal to Dalton where it went into winter camp until 7 May 1864.
From then on the regiment was under fire for 60 of the next 71 days, almost constantly fighting in the campaign from Dalton to Atlanta, and eventually to Jonesboro, Georgia.
During this time the 4th/5th Tennessee left its mark on such battles as Dug Gap, Mill Creek Gap, Resaca, Ellsbury Mountain, Kennessaw Mountain – where the 4th/5th was in the infamous "Dead Angle" of Yankees to their front, cliffs to their back and artillery overhead –, the siege of Atlanta and the Battle of Jonesboro.
The 24th Tennessee Infantry Regiment by this time had ceased to exist and was removed from the active roles of the Brigade, Corps and Army. The remaining regiments weren't much better off.
As 1864 was drawing to a close surely the men of the 4th/5th knew the cause was all but lost.
But they held their heads high and began the long march to Tennessee – to cut the Union lines feeding Sherman's Army.
Battles of Spring Hill and Franklin – 1864
From Jonesboro the regiment marched back to Tennessee with General John Bell Hood. In October. It had reached the Tennessee River where it fought again.
On 29 November 1864 the badly mauled 4th/5th Tennessee fought in the Battle of Spring Hill. On 31 November 1864 they mustered their meager numbers and took it to the Federals at the Battle of Franklin.
It was in this battle that the 4th/5th Tennessee Regiment planted its colors upon the main Federal works, but at a terrible cost.
In this charge to take the battlement, brigade commander Brigadier General Otho F. Strahl was killed. A great loss to the 4th.
At Nashville on 15 December 1864, they joined GEN Nathan Bedford Forrest's Cavalry Corps to cover the retreat to the Tennessee River. The 4th/5th crossed last.
The Final Walk Home – 1865
Once across the river the army marched to a place the 4th/5th had seen before, Corinth, Mississippi. On 5 January 1865 COL Lamb allowed the regiment a 30 day furlough. His peers told him he would never see his regiment again.
When the regiment assembled at West Point 30 days later, it assembled almost to a man. They then marched to Bentonville, North Carolina where they joined General Joe Johnston's Army for the Battle of Bentonville.
On 9 April 1865, the 4th, 5th, 19th, 24th, 31st, 33rd, 35th, 38th, 41st Tennessee Regiments and a few men from the 22nd Tennessee Infantry Battalion formed the 3rd Consolidated Tennessee Infantry Regiment, under the command of Colonel James D. Tillman.
Following the events at Appomattox, Virginia, the unit surrendered on 26 April 1865 at Greensboro, North Carolina.
On 1 May 1865 what remained of the 4th Tennessee Infantry Regiment began the long walk back to what was left of their homes, farms, family and friends.