Military History |
The following is from The Goodspeed History of Tennessee, Crockett County,
published by the Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1887.
Owing to its organization, Crockett, as a county, has no military annals. During the late civil war, however, three companies of infantry were organized and sent out from what now constitutes the county, as follows: In April, 1861, a full company was organized at Bell’s Depot, of which John P. Burns was elected captain; F. J. Wood, first lieutenant; W. N. Beasley, second lieutenant and A. C. Allen third lieutenant. The company joined the Twenty-seventh Regiment of Tennessee Infantry, as Company G, and with that regiment passed through the entire war, taking part in the many engagements in which it participated. After the battle of Shiloh the company was reorganized, when F. J. Wood, was chosen captain; W. N. Beasley, first lieutenant; W. B. Jones, second lieutenant; Lafayette Edwards, third lieutenant. In the reorganization of the regiment Lieut. A. C. Allen was elected major, and was killed at Atlanta, Ga., July 22, 1864. At the general surrender of the army in 1865, but three men out of the company of 107 were present, and they surrendered in different States, Lieut. W. B. Jones surrendering at Jonesboro, N. C., Frank Brigance in Mississippi, and Capt. F. J. Wood at Macon, Ga., where he was serving as provost-marshal at the time of surrender. Of the other two companies but little can be learned. In 1861, Capt. James M. Collingsworth, took out a company which was organized at Gadsden, and was named the Gadsden Spartans. The Spartans joined the Sixth Regiment of Tennessee Infantry and remained with that regiment throughout the war. Capt. Collingsworth was succeeded as commander of the company, by William McKinney. During the same year a company was organized in the county, which was known as the Forked Deer Rangers. Under command of Capt. Clem Clay, the Rangers joined the First Regiment of Tennessee Infantry, and subsequently the Seventh Regiment of Tennessee Infantry, remaining with that organization until the close of the war. [For history of above regiments, see war chapter of State history.] |