Personal record of the Thirteenth Regiment, Tennessee Infantry

A former officer’s handwritten chronicle brings the Thirteenth Tennessee Infantry back to life, offering more than a simple roster of names. Filled with heartfelt dedications to the mothers and wives of the men who served, the record captures the pride and sorrow of a volunteer force drawn from the “flower of the South.” Its pages list each company’s captains and soldiers, preserving the identities of those who marched under the Confederate banner for four grueling years.

The narrative follows the regiment’s early days, from its rapid organization in June 1861 to its first orders that sent it downriver to Randolph and then on to New Madrid, Missouri. Readers glimpse the youthful optimism of men fresh from colleges and farms, the camaraderie forged in drills, and the solemn oath taken before the roar of cannons began. Through the author’s reflective voice, the book offers a vivid portrait of a community bound by duty, belief, and the harsh realities of a war that would reshape their lives.