John C Rigdon

Historical Sketch And Roster Of The Tennessee 51st Infantry Regiment - Tennessee Regimental History John C Rigdon

The Fifty-first Tennessee (Confederate) Regiment was organized at Henderson Station, Madison County, Tenn., Dec. 1861, and sworn into service January 2, 1862, with eight companies, four from Shelby and Tipton Counties, and four from Madison and Henderson Counties. It was first commanded by Col. Bartlett M. Browder. It participated in the siege of Forts Henry (Feb. 6, '62) and Donelson (Feb. '16, '62). After Shiloh it was consolidated with the Fifty-second, with John Chester, colonel (Apr 25, '62), renamed the 51st Tennessee Infantry Regiment Consolidated.

On the Kentucky campaign it fought at Perryville and Murfreesboro (Dec. '62 - Jan. '63. It was engaged at bloody Chickamauga (Sep '63) with great gallantry, and again at Missionary Ridge (Nov '63). It participated in many of the battles from Dalton to Atlanta (May - Sep '64), and later at Franklin (Nov '64) and Nashville (Dec '64) lost very heavily. A small remnant was surrendered at Greensboro, NC. (1865).

Company A - Captains Edward O. Shelton, William Campbell - Men from Mount Zion, Tipton County.

Company B - Captains Jr. Hodges, A. D. Thomas - Men from Gallaway Station, Fayette County.

Company C - Captains O. D. Weaver, F. M. Spivey - Men from Shelby Station, Shelby County.

Company D - Captains M. Murchison, J. B. Tate - Men from Jackson, Madison County.

Company E -Captains Benjamin F. Elder, Richard T. McKnight - Men from Jackson, Madison County.

Company F - Captains J. C. Hudson, M. W. Russell - Men from Henderson Station, then Madison, now Chester County.

Company G - Captains B. M. Browder, John G. Hall, A. B. Hill - Men from Tipton County.

Company H - Captains Samuel D. Barnett, Robert D. McCallum - Men from Henderson Station, then Madison, now Chester County.

Company I - Captain D. O. March - Men from Jackson, Madison County.

Company K - Captains S. E. Sherrill, George C. Howell, J. S. Hall - Men from Tipton County.