12th Kentucky Cavalry Company A, Veterans       These are what was left of  the 12th Kentucky Cavalry in the early 1900's. Starting at the top left corner is H. R. Brown, Robert Kirk, Jason Jones, John Seay, My great great uncle Robert Lampkin, Robert Cresap, William Waller, My great great uncle Letcher Atwood who started the war as a drummer boy and then to Private, Jason H. Meyers, Capt. H. A. Tyler, Lt B. H. Welch, and Ed Lewis.

The  following is excerpts from Captain H. A. Tyler's observations in February 1864.

When Sherman advanced from Vicksburg and drove the army back through Jackson and Meridian, a large column of seven thousand mounted men under the command of Gen'l Wm. Sooy Smith advanced from Memphis against the command of Gen'l Forrest, of not exceeding four thousand men. We were driven back to beyond West Point. There we repulsed them, when they immediately went out of view. Not knowing but what it was for the purpose of a flank movement to cross at some other point, either above or below, Gen'l Forrest called upon Gen'l Chalmers to send him "two of his best companies in his division under a good leader" to make a forced recognizance in front. Gen'l Chalmers immediately sent one of his staff to Col. Faulkner, of the Twelfth Ky, to "send him up the Hernando boys under Captain Tyler; this meant Companies A and B, of the Twelfth Ky. Upon reporting to Gen'l Forrest he directed me to follow up the federal forces and ascertain in what direction they were moving. Here another incident occurred to show the reputation of the boys. When we came up to Gen'l Forrest, his escort was near, who had heard the order for Chalmers best men. When we came up a number of men, in tones of disgust and contempt, exclaimed " Those are the Kentucky Gorillers; they wont fight." Col. Robert McCulloch, commanding our brigade, who had seen us in action called out, "Go with them one time and see." We advanced rapidly to West Point and there captured a few of there rear guard and learned their entire force had gone northward in full retreat. As I continued the pursuit we ran into a battery of artillery which was held up in the woods on both sides of the lane. Halting my men I was distracted by the blowing of a bugle, It was Gen'l Forrest coming with flags flying, his saber slashing above his head. I said to him, It is death, General, to attempt to go through that lane. His tart reply was, fall in behind and follow me. I said no, we will ride with you, but we will not ride far. By this time we had neared the lane, when the Federals opened up on us with artillery fire and rifle shots.Pretty soon the enemy began to retreat and I to follow them. He said "You appear to have a pretty good lot of boys with you, and you handle them well."

12th Ky. Cavalry, Co. A muster roll