U.S.V.1863-1864
Alfred C. Ellis wrote most eloquently in his forward for the First Tennessee & Alabama Independent Vidette Cavalry, compiled by Johnny L.T.N. Potter, "It is hoped that the information included in this book will act as a stimulus to encourage the casual genealogist, or the more serious historian, to do further research so that the efforts of our ancestors, which concluded 130 years ago, will not be forgotten." It could not be said any better concerning the hopes for this site.
-Officers
-Company A
-Company B
-Company C
-Company D
-Company E
-Company F
-Company G
-Company H
-Roster Evolution
Tennesseans in the Civil War, Volume I
Adjutant General J.P. Brownlow, State of Tennessee, in his report dated March 1, 1866, makes no mention of this organization; and in the Official Records the regiment is listed as an Alabama organization. Dyer's Compendium lists Companies D, E, and F as Tennessee companies.
The first mention of the organization in the Official Records was in a report by Colonel E.M. McCook, Commanding at Larkinsville, Alabama on August 26, 1863. He stated there was a report that four companies of Union men had been formed at Sand Hill, Alabama and were waiting the crossing of the Federal Army to join it.
On September 4, 1863, Lieutenant Ephraim Little, commanding 1st Independent Company, Alabama Volunteer Cavalry, was directed to report to the commanding officer at Stevenson, Alabama, who was directed to furnish arms as soon as possible, and to post the company in the vicinity of Larkinsville, and along the line of the Stevenson and Huntsville Railroad as scouts, until they could be furnished with horses.
On September 27, Brigadier General James D. Morgan reported that Captain L. Latham's U.S.A. company, guarding a government sawmill at Larkinsville, was attacked by guerrillas and "they disgracefully ran away." Some 40 men were captured, and the rest scattered.
On December 29, 1863, Major General D. S. Stanley, Commanding 1st Division IV Army Corps, Department of the Cumberland, made mention of two companies, 1st Alabama Mounted, under Captains Allen and Long. He stated Captain Allen, with about 100 men, made a scout down Wills Valley to within eight miles of Lebanon, Georgia. On January 9, 1864, Captain Long's Company, Alabama Rangers made a scout to Deer Head Cove, Alabama.
These references were all to the Alabama companies. The only record found of the Tennessee companies was dated January 20, 1864. At the time Captain S.P. Tipton's company, consisted of one officer, 73 men, unarmed except for about half a dozen squirrel rifles, and not mounted, were part of the garrison at Tracy City, Tennessee, when that point was attacked by Major W. S. Bledsoe, 4th or 8th (Smith's) Tennessee Cavalry. Just prior to the attack, Captain S. P. Tipton was surprised at home in Altamont, Tennessee, and shot down when he came to the door in answer to a hail.
On February 5, 1864, Brigadier General Morgan L. Smith, U.S.A reporting on an expedition from Larkinsville, Alabama said: "One man, Morgan, mustered his company with pencil, on brown paper, christened it, assumed command, ordered an advance into Sand Mountain, and actually made captures of rebel home guard from hiding places which he and his men had just left."
On February 15, 1864, General Smith reported that Captain Latham's Company had been attacked by bushwhackers, and also said: "I saw General Grant in Nashville. He said he had just sent you authority to muster the Alabamians."
On March 3, 1864 Brigadier General Giles A. Smith, commanding 1st Brigade 2nd Division, XV Army Corps, at Larkinsville, Alabama, mentioned Captain Latham's company as part of his force. This was the last record found of any of the companies in the Official Records. The field officers of the regiment are not known
One muster roll was dated February 24, 1864, at Nashville, was found, which covered Captain James H. Shannon's Company E, 1st Regiment Independent Vidette Cavalry. Stephen P. Tipton was shown as 2nd Lieutenant of this company consisting of a total of 91 officers and enlisted men, nearly all of whom had enrolled at Altamont, Tennessee, and been mustered in at Tracy City, Tennessee, on December 9, 1863.
Dyer's Compendium states the regiment was mustered out June 16, 1864.
-Some Related Information
Bridgeport, Alabama
June 3, 2000
-Photographs
Vidette Cavalry
Photos & Accounts
Sharon & Sue Martin's Site
Not the same as the Vidette Cavalry
Eclectic Projects Site *
Homepage *
...some of the Vidette Cavalry were there.
Alfred Ellis's Site
The Tennessee Historical Commission is the current owner of the copyright, and it is with their written permission that the above history appears on this site.
cwasimmons[spam]@bellsouth.net
A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Volume III