Descendants of Robert Wren
First Generation
1. Robert1 Wren was born in South Carolina 1804. Robert died in Henry County, Tennessee.
He married Mahala Wren in South Carolina. Mahala was born in South Carolina 1806. Mahala died in Henry County, Tennessee. May 29, 1998: See text under Robert Wren
Robert's occupation: Farmer, Henry County, Tennessee. Robert Wren Robert and his family lived in Henry County, Tennessee. Paris, Tennessee is the County Seat.
They lived in the very southern part of Henry County, bordering Carroll County. They would have most likely traded and shopped in several nearby communities, in lieu of traveling the great distance (difficult in the early 1800’s) to Paris, Tennessee.
This information taken from the 1850 Tennessee Census, Henry County, Tennessee. Page 311.
Name age sex occupation birthplace
Robert Wren 46 M Farmer NC
Mahala Wren 43 F NC
Joel Wren 20 M Farmer TN
Craig Wren 15 M TN
Robert Wren 12 M TN
Emily 10 F TN
Caroline 8 F TN
Martha 6 F TN
Mary 4 F TN
Infant 6/12 F TN
1860 Census shows one son, Joel Wren, as moving to Hickman County, Kentucky, Farming in the Clinton District.
Wren:
Robert Age 56 M Born NC Farmer
Mahala Age 53 F Born NC
Craig Age 25 M Born TN
Robert Age 22 M Born TN
Emily Age 20 F Born TN
Caroline Age 18 F Born TN
Mary Age 14 F Born TN
Josaphine Age 11 F Born TN
Melvina Age -- F Born TN
Addendum to Robert Wren:
5-5-1998:
1860 Census shows that only the following of the Wren household were accounted for. It also shows that the 6 month old infant shown in the 1850 census was most likely give one of these new names; Josaphine and Melvina.
Wren, Craig Henry County, Tn. Dist. 19
Wren , Josaphine Henry County, Tn. Dist .19
Wren, Mahala Henry County, Tn. Dist. 19 (Mother)
Wren, Martha Henry County, Tn. Dist. 19
Wren, Mary Henry County, Tn. Dist. 19
Wren, Melvina Henry County, Tn. Dist. 19
Wren, Robert Henry County, Tn. Dist. 19 (Father)
Note: Joel at this Census shows up in an adjacent County in Kentucky - Occupation: Farming (As of this date, this information needs to be verified/clarified as to the authenticity of relation to the Robert Wren family. /s/ Vernon Drewa)
Also, young Robert, who would be age 22 now, Emily, who would be age 20 now, and Caroline, who would be age 18 do not appear in any 1860 documents thus far. In all likely hood, Emily and Caroline might have married. Robert, don’t know.. It isn’t likely he joined the CSA before this Census, as Craig, who would have been 25 by now, was still living at home.
Additional documentation notes that Craig was an overseer on a farm very close to his parents farm near the northern border of Carroll & Henry County, Tennessee.
This family resided very near the area of the Battle of Fort Donelson in 1892.
Roberts son, Charles Craig was to later become a Captain in the CSA.
Brief summary of the Fort Donelson Battle:
On February 16, 1862 the Union Army in Tennessee, under the command of Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant, wont its first major victory of the Civil War. The proposed terms of "Unconditional Surrender," were accepted by the defeated Confederates. The capture of Fort Donelson and approximately 13,000 confederate soldiers delivered a devastating blow to the Confederacy, and the defeat set the stage for the Union's invasion of the deep south. The victory propelled Brigadier General Grant into national prominence, favoritism of Abraham Lincoln and eventual command of the Union Army. The old Dover Hotel, which was the Surrender House is still located on the grounds of Fort Donelson.
Gail Wren (Charles Wren Great Granddaughter.) Drewa, her husband and children, lived a short distance( Between Dover and Clarksville, Tennessee) from this battlefield in 1966 and 1967. Unfortunately, none of this information about Robert and his family was known at the time.
Gerald Wren, who was Robert's grandson also visited this Battlefield in 1966 with his wife and daughters family. He never learned to his grandfather’s birthplace.
Research continues on Robert's family.
Bryant Lee Allen and Caroline Allen were located as Great Grandparents to Gerald C. Wren. Both born in Georgia and both died in Morris Co. Texas.
These were the parents of the daughter who married Charles Craig Wren.
7-17-1998:
Henry County, Tennessee - Childhood home of
CHARLES CRAIG WREN
EARLY HISTORY
An act of the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee which was passed on November 7, 1821, created this new county from the western part of Stewart County. It was named Henry in honor of Patrick Henry. In 1819, James B. House and Adam Rowe settled on the Obion River, then a part of Stewart County. They were the first of many to come to Henry County. By 1830 the population of Henry County was 12,249. A second act passed November 16, 1821, appointed Sterling Brewer, James Fentress, and Abram Maury as commissioners to locate and purchase at least 50 acres to become the new county seat.
In 1835, the state legislature took the southeast part of Henry County, that part east of the Big Sandy River, and added it to land from Humphreys County to form the new county of Benton. After this even in 1836, Henry County was divided into 17 civil districts by commissioners appointed for that task. In 1850, the districts were reorganized and increased to 20 and then in 1870 the number of civil districts was increased to 25.
The early settlers of Henry County came into the Western District of Tennessee primarily from North and South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, and Alabama. They either came directly from these states as the land first became available to the public or they came indirectly from other areas in Middle or Eastern Tennessee. Both land and water routes were used.
COURTHOUSE
The first courthouse was built in 1823. It was a small, two-room log cabin. It is thought that Samuel McCorkle was the builder. Soon after, a brick courthouse was built by John Burke and Francis McConnell and used until it was replaced in 1850. However, additional room was needed and so an office for the County Court Clerk, an office for the Circuit Court Clerk, and an additional office for the Clerk of the Chancery Court were built in different locations.
An act of the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee which passed November 7, 1821, was established the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions. Sessions were to be held on the first Mondays of December, March, June, and September. Court was to be held at the house of Henry Wall until a courthouse was built.
The first term of the County Court was held in May 1836. This court replaced the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions.
The first term of the Circuit Court of Henry County, in 1822, was also held at the house of Henry Wall. All business was suspended during the war.
In 1846, the first term of the Chancery Court of Henry County was held at Paris in the courthouse.
CIVIL WAR
Regiments
Before the beginning of the Civil War, there was a strong feeling among the citizens against secession, but as the war actually began, those feeling changed. At the election in 1861, the votes cast showed that the Henry Countians were largely in favor of secession. In April, 1861, the first company for the confederate Army was raised by Captain Edward Firzgerald.
CSA
Captain D. F. Alexander’s Independent Cavalry Company; General H. B. Lyon’s Escort
Captain J. R. William’s Independent Cavalry Company
Napier’s Tennessee Cavalry Battalion, Company “E”
7th TN Cavalry Regiment, Company “G”
10th TN Cavalry Regiment, Companies 1st “K”, 2nd “K” , 2nd “I”
18th (Newsom’s) TN Cavalry Regiment, Company “D”
20th (Russell’s) TN Cavalry Regiment, Companies “B”, “E”, “F”, “G”
12th (Faulkner’s) Kentucky Cavalry Regiment, Companies “E”, “F”, “G”
4th Mississippi-Tennessee Infantry Regiment, Company “C”
5th TN Infantry Regiment, Companies “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, “F”, “G”, “H”, “I” , “K”
46th TN Infantry Regiment, Companies “A” through “K”
154th Senior TN Infantry Regiment, Company “F”
USA
7th TN Cavalry Regiment, Company “D”
Civil War Story
During the Civil War the Yankees would come by the farm and take anything they could find, such as food, horses and particularly cured hams. Elmina Cannon (Daughter of Martin Cannon) would tell them that the meat was in the loft of the house and a ladder on the wall led up. As the Yanke1es came down the ladder with a ham in their arm, she used a butcher knife to her own good. It was said that “she seldom lost a ham, but the Yankees lost soldiers.”
Robert Wren and Mahala Wren had the following children:
2 i. Infant2 Wren was born in Henry County, Tennessee. This female baby is listed as 6 months of age in the Henry County, Tennessee 1850 Census. In the 1860 Census, this child is either Josaphine or Melvina. Josaphine is listed first in the census and is most likely this child.
3 ii. Joel Wren was born in Henry County, Tennessee 1830. At the 1850 censes he was 20 years of age and listed his occupation as a Farmer in Henry County. Joel is listed as Farming in 1860 Census in Hickman County, Kentucky, Clinton District.
July 1, 1998:
Located in the Roster of Confederate Soldiers records at the National Archives Annex in Fort Wroth.
Joel Wren TN 46th Inf., Co. C., Cpl. (Corporal) Joel must have returned to his home in Henry County, TN to join this outfit. As he was farming in Hickman County, KY before the Civil War. (Note: The southern area's of Kentucky and the Northern area's of Tennessee were split as to who supported secession and who did not. In fact, one entire Northern Company was formed from Henry County, TN. The rest went with the Confederates. Thus, as in the War of 1812, it became Brother against Brother. ) In the case of the Wren's however, they were all dedicated to the Southern efforts.
7-29-1998
The following is a brief history of Joel's 46th Tennessee Infantry Regiment.
46th TENNESSEE INFANTRY REGIMENT
Organized at Paris, Tennessee November 29, 1861; reorganized September, 1862; field consolidation with 55th (Brown's)
Regiment January, 1863; remnant formed part of Fourth Consolidated Tennessee Infantry Regiment paroled at Greensboro, North Carolina,
May 1,1865.
FIELD OFFICERS
Colonels-- John M. Clark, Jonathan S. Dawson, Robert A. Owens.
Lieutenant Colonels—J. William Johnson: Robert A. Owens, Joseph D. Wilson.
Majors-- James S. Brown, Joseph D. Wilson, S. C. Cooper.
Captains-- James W. Weldon, Joseph D. Wilson ( to Major), E. A. C. McGehee, Co. "A", Consolidated with "F", October 24, 1863.
John A. Allen, W. G. Randle, Co. "B". Consolidated with "D", "G", and "I" October 24, 1863.
John W. Harris, S. W. Cochran, Co. "C". This company was on detached service when the regiment was captured at Island Number 10, and served as 2nd Co. "L" of the 5th Tennessee Infantry Regiment until the fall of 1862. Sylvester C. Cooper (to Major), Pleasant M. Hope, Co. "D". Consolidated with "G" and "I" October 24, 1863.
William A. Tharpe, Co. "E". Consolidated with "H" and "K" October 24, 1863.
John C. Poyner, W. T. Sims, Co. "F". Consolidated with "A" October 24, 1863.
William B. Vancleave, Peyton H. Randle, Co "G". Consolidated with "B", "D", and "I" October 24, 1863.
J. M. Hanna, W. D. Haynes, Co. "H," Consolidated with "E" and "K" October 24, 1863.
Robert A. Owens (to Lieutenant Colonel), Co, "I". Consolidated with "B", "D", and "G" October 24,1863.
John D. Paschall, Co. "K". Consolidated with "E", and "H" October 24, 1863.
At the reorganization in 1862, Adjutant Jonathan S. Dawson was elected colonel;
Captain Robert A. Owens lieutenant colonel; and Captain J. D. Wilson Major,
Colonel Dawson resigned in December, 1864;
Lieutenant Colonel Owens became Colonel;
Major J. D. Wilson Lieutenant Colonel; and Captain S. C. Cooper became Major.
The regiment went into camp at Union City, Tennessee, on December 16,1861. While there, Company "C" was detailed to guard the Mississippi and Ohio Railroad bridge over the Obion River, and was still on this duty when the rest of the regiment was captured at Island Number 10. In January, 1862 the regiment was ordered to Island Number 10, moving by way of Hickman, Kentucky, where companies "E" and "F" were left temporarily as Provost Guard.
While at Island Number 10, the regiment suffered severely from an outbreak of measles. It was only partially armed with shotguns, squirrel rifles and old muskets. On February 28, 1862, the 46th was reported, not brigaded, in Major General John P. McCown's command at Nadrid Bend. On March 17, the forces at Madrid Bend were reported as Stewart's Battery, Hudson's and Wheeler's Cavalry Companies, 1st Alabama-Mississippi-Tennessee, 11th, 12th Arkansas, 1st Alabama, 40th, 46th, and 55th (Brown's) Tennessee Infantry Regiments and Terry's Arkansas Battalion. On the Kentucky shore were the 11th and 12th Arkansas, and 40th and 46th Tennessee Regiments. On March 26, the 46th reported 374 present for duty, 531 present, 665 present and absent. On April 1, Brigadier General W. W. Mackall, who had just arrived at Madrid Bend to take command, reporting on the condition of his command, stated the 46th had only two companies armed, 400 present for duty, 160 armed. Also present were the 4th Arkansas Battalion, 11th Arkansas Regiment, 40th, and 55th Tennessee Infantry Regiments, and two companies of cavalry.
General Mackall stated "One good regiment would be better than the force I have. It never had any discipline. It is disheartened and apathetic. So report my best officers." Here at Island Number 10 and Madrid Bend, began an association between the 46th and 55th Tennessee Regiment’s which was to last throughout the war. The 46th, along with the other troops at this point was surrendered at Tiptonville April 8, 1862.
Many who were unarmed built rude rafts of logs and loose lumber, escaped across Reelfoot Lake, and returned to their homes. Some of them were rounded up and returned to the regiment after it was released on parole. The enlisted men from the 46th were sent to prison at Camp Douglas, Illinois, the officers to Johnson's Island. The regiment was released on parole at Vicksburg, Mississippi on September 23, 1862. It moved to Jackson, Mississippi, where it was reorganized. On October 26 Major General Sterling Price, commanding the Army of the West, ordered "From General Maury’s Division:
49th/55th,
42nd,
53rd,
46th Tennessee Regiments,
9th Tennessee Cavalry Battalion,
1st Mississippi,
27th Alabama Infantry Regiments to report for duty at Meridian, Mississippi. The regiment moved to Port Hudson, Louisiana, where on January 7, 1863, it was reported in the forces commanded by Major General Frank Gardner, in Brigadier General Samuel B. Maxey's Brigade, composed of the 42nd, 46th, 48th (Voorhies), 53rd Tennessee Regiments, and 9th Battalion consolidated under Colonel W. A. Quarles, Miles Legion, Brigade, in the 49th/50th Tennessee/7th Texas, 4th, 30th Louisiana Infantry Regiments, and three batteries. From this time on it remained in the same brigade with Colonel Quarles' 42nd Tennessee Regiment, first in Maxey’s Brigade and later in Quarle’s. Brigade. See the history of the 42nd Tennessee Regiment for changes in brigade composition and assignments.
While at Port Hudson, the 46th and 55th Tennessee Regiments were permanently consolidated into one field unit, although separate muster rolls were maintained. The 46th/55th was first commanded by Colonel A. J. Brown, of the 55th, and later by Colonel Robert A. Owens of the 46th. On May 7, the regiment left Port Hudson for Crystal Springs, Mississippi; thence to Jackson, Mississippi, and was with General Joseph E. Johnston in his campaign outside the Vicksburg until the fall of that city on July 4, 1863. It fell back to Jackson, Mississippi; from there to Enterprise, Mississippi, where it was camped for about three weeks.
It moved to Mobile, Alabama on August 30 1863. , and remained at Camp Cummings, near Mobile, until late in November, 1863, when it was ordered to join the Army of Tennessee near Chattanooga. It arrived at Ringgold, Georgia, on November 1865. , while the Battle of Missionary Ridge was in progress, and fell back to Dalton,1866. Georgia November 27. On December 14, 1863, the 46th/55th reported 259 effectives out of 270 present, 386 present and absent, with 230 arms. From Dalton, it was ordered back to Mobile on January 19, 1864; remained at Mobile until May 21, when it was again ordered back to the Army of Tennessee, joining that army at New Hope, Georgia. It was engaged in the daily marching and skirmishing of the Atlanta Campaign without suffering any heavy loss until the engagement on July 28 at Lickskillet Road, where the 46th/55th lost about 150 men out of 250 engaged in about a half hour’s time. Here Lieutenant Colonel Wilson was wounded and captured. It was not engaged at Jonesboro, but as part of Major General E. C. Walthall’s Division, it returned with General Hood to Tennessee. The 46th/55th, along with troops, captured a blockhouse and a freight train loaded with grain at Big Shanty, Georgia, on this march back. On September 30, 1864, the 46th was reported in Maney’s Brigade, in consolidation with the 34th Tennessee Infantry, but this was evidently a clerical error, for on the same date it was reported as the 46th/55th in Quarles Brigade, where it properly belonged.
It was in the first line of assault troops at Franklin, November 30, 1864, and suffered terrible loss. Here Major Cooper was wounded, and Edwin H. Rennolds, in his History of Henry County Commands, stated that Major Cooper told him the that the regiment went into battle with 125 men and came out with 25. What was left of the regiment took part in the Battle of Nashville, December 15, 1863, and with Walthall's Division, formed part of the rear guard for Hood's Army on its retreat into Mississippi.
Again quoting Rennolds "As all example of the depletion of the regiment during the campaign of 1864, it is related by Lieutenant M. V. B. Valentine that Companies "D" and "E" entered the campaign at New Hope, Georgia in May with 72 men, and came out of it at Nashville, in December, with only two men and one officer fit for duty."
In 1865, it moved to North Carolina to join General Joseph E. Johnston, and participated in the last battle of the war at Bentonville, North Carolina. On March 31, 1865, in the order of battle for Johnston's Army, the 46th was again listed in error in Palmer's Brigade, and in the same report in Quarles' Brigade, commanded by Captain Sol Jones, consisting of the 1st/17th/29th Alabama Regiments and the 42nd/46th/48th/ 49th/53rd/55th Tennessee Regiments with the Tennessee Regiments commanded by Captain Joseph Love. The Tennessee Regiments in Quarles' Brigade were not accounted for in the final reorganization of Johnston's Army on April 9, 1865, but a comparison of the names on the muster rolls shows that the remnant of the 46th Regiment was paroled at Greensboro, North Carolina May 1, 1865 as part of the Fourth Consolidated Tennessee Infantry Regiment commanded by Colonel Anderson Searcy.
January 15, 2001:
Received the following information from Karen Finney at jfk000@excit.com: My Joel Wren is not the same one as you wrote about, however he is the Joel Wren from Hickman County. He was born after the 1850 census to Joel C. ( Born in North Carolina) and Mary A. Wren. They are listed in the 1850 census with their 4 children. In the 1860 census of Hickman County, Joel appears as a 9 year old boy along with his parents and 7 brothers. In 1870 census of Hickman County, Joel is 18 and is listed as a farmer along with six of his brothers still living at home. In 1880, Joel is still living with his parents, is 29 years old, working on the farm. Joel is listed as having been born in Kentucky as were all his brothers, which would have put this family in Kentucky since 1840. In conclusion, I don't think your Joel Wren went to Kentucky, Hickman County. I wish our Joel Wren's were the same, but it appears that is not the case. Thanks again, Karen Finney. (Note: This substantiates the fact, that Joel Wren, son of Robert Wren was not in Hickman County, Kentucky. /s/ Vernon Drewa.)
+ 4 iii. Charles Craig Wren was born April 4, 1835.
+ 5 iv. William Robert Wren was born 1838.
6 v. Emily Wren was born in Henry County, Tennessee 1840. Emily had seven siblings. She was age 10 in the Henry County, Tennessee 1850 census.
7 vi. Caroline Wren was born in Henry County, Tennessee 1842. Caroline is listed in the Henry County, Tennessee 1850 Census as age, 8.
8 vii. Martha Ann Wren was born in Henry County, Tennessee 1845. Martha is listed as age; 6 in the Henry County, Tennessee 1850 Census,
9 viii. Mary Jane Wren was born in Henry County, Tennessee 1848. Mary is listed as age 4 in the Henry County, Tennessee 1850 Census.
10 ix. Josaphine Wren was born in Henry County, Tennessee 1849. May 29, 1998: Either Josaphine or her sister Melvina are listed as "Infant" at Age 1/2 year of age in the 1850 census. Consequently Josaphine being listed first in the 1860 census is listed as the "infant" child born in 1849 or 1850. Melvina's age is not listed, but she could also be the "infant" child born in 1849 or 1850.
11 x. Melvina Wren was born in Henry County, Tennessee 1853.
May 29, 1998:
Refer to Josaphine Wren text for explanation of these two girls ages.
Second Generation
4. Charles Craig2 Wren (Robert1) was born in Henry County, Tennessee April 4, 1835. Charles died January 6, 1906 in Muskogee, Oklahoma at 70 years of age.
He married Martha Elizabeth Allen in Cass County, Texas, 1868. Martha was born in Covington, Jasper County, Ga. February 12, 1846. Martha was the daughter of Bryant Lee Allen and Caroline Buchanan. Martha died August 17, 1942 in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas, at 96 years of age.
Martha Elizabeth Allen
Martha Elizabeth Allen
Circa 1940
7-17-1998:
Martha was actually born 12 mi East of Covington, Jasper County, Georgia. The following obituary was located from the Ft. Worth Star Telegram from August 1942:
Wren Community, South of Mt. Vernon, Franklin County, Texas
August 1942
DEATH CLAIMS MRS. WREN, WHO KNEW CIVIL WAR DAYS
At 96 She Followed Trends of Present Conflict; Funeral Services Scheduled Tomorrow at 3 P. M. War left its stamp on the life of Mrs. Martha Elizabeth Wren, 96, who died last night. It was not the present conflict, however, but one of more than 70 years ago--the war between the states. Mrs. Wren's two brothers, her brother-in-law and the man who was to be her husband, the late Capt. C. C. Wren, all fought with General Lee. Afterward, she lived to see her world change completely, then lived to see it in the process of another change. Until a few days ago, Mrs. Wren's mind was clear enough to follow with interest the progress of world affairs and political events. Although during the past five years she had seldom been out of the house at 3220 Avenue G, where she made her home with her only son, Hurd Wren, she was unusually strong for her age and mentally alert. Born in Georgia Mrs. Wren was born Feb. 12, 1846, 12 miles east of Covington in Jasper County, Ga., the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bryant L. Allen. In 1859 the 11 members of the Allen family brought their household furnishings and slaves to Texas. They traveled overland to New Orleans, by riverboat up the old bayou to Jefferson, and again overland to a site 25 miles west of Jefferson, where they settled (Note: This community was/is Hughes Springs, Texas where most of Martha's siblings and parents are interred. /s/ Vernon Drewa). In 1868, Martha Elizabeth Allen married Capt. C. C. Wren, then a merchant and farmer. Here 20 Years they lived in Dangerfield for many years before moving to Muskogee, Okla., where Mr. Wren died in 1906. Mrs. Wren and her son came to Fort Worth about 20 years ago. She was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church. Other survivors are seven grandsons and six great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 3 P.M. tomorrow at Polytechnic Methodist Church. Rev. W. W. Ward will officiate, assisted by Rev. J. F. Adams of Grapevine. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery.
7-21-1998:
Note from Jack Allen Wren, J. (One of Charles Wren’s great grandson.)
. "If you're talking about Hurd Sr. mother, I was fortunate enough to know her. She died in the same year as Mamaw (Hurd Sr's. wife). I think I do remember her name was Martha, but all we kids called her Granny. She dipped snuff and as a kid I use to go out and cut her a peach tree small limb and take a hammer and flatten the end of it to make it like a brush. She dipped that in her snuff and then sat with it in her mouth. Guess tobacco did not kill people back then. She lived to be a 100 ( Ed. Note: Actual obituary says "she died at age 96"). She lived with Papaw and Mamaw for as long as I could remember. Back during the depression, a lot of us lived together. I can recall when Mamaw, Papaw, Granny, my mother and dad, my sister and I, and Tunie and Bob all lived in the same small house on Avenue F., near Poly Hi. I believe Uncle Gerald & Aunt Edith lived next door to us. 2-1-1999: C. C. Wren shows up in the Morris County 1880 Census. Location: E. D. 95 Page # 139 (Note: This would be slightly Northwest of his wife's home south of Hughes Springs, Texas in the Dangerfield, Texas area.
Charles Craig Wren
Charles served through the Civil War as Captain. He was a Free Mason and active member of the Methodist Church. He is interred in Muskogee, Oklahoma.
Charles was born in the Henry County, Tennessee.
1850 Census, Charles was 15 years of age.
5-14-1998:
Please refer to Robert Wren's text for information on the Battle of Fort Donelson, from which Charles escaped. He was 26 years of age when he entered the CSA.
June 25, 1998:
Vernon Drewa, husband of Beverly Gail Wren Drewa, who is a great-grand daughter of Charles Craig, drove from Keller, Texas to Muskogee, Oklahoma. The purpose of this trip was to photograph Charles Craig Wren's gravesite, and obtain any records available from the Muskogee Library.
Leaving at 5:00AM, Vernon arrived at the Muskogee Library at 9:00 AM, just in time for their opening.
MUSKOGEE COUNTY, OKLAHOMA HISTORY
What is now Muskogee County received its first public mention in 1805 when then President Thomas Jefferson addressed Congress seconding the recommendation of Meriwether Lewis that a trading post be established in this locality. French fur traders had trafficked in the area for some time and Joseph Bogy is reputed to have established a trading post in the Three Forks area in 1806, but the first real settlement was established in 1817 at Three Forks on the south bank of the Verdigris River at the lower falls opposite the town of Coretta (now called Okay). Three Forks was so named because it was acquired in 1819 by Bozier and Pryor, who had accompanied Lewis and Clark on their expedition. Colonel August Pierre Chouteau acquired it in 1825, establishing an Osage Agency and in 1829, approximately 1,200 Creeks were located nearby, but when it was found that they were occupying property of the Cherokee Nation, they removed west into the Choska Bottoms.
MUSKOGEE, INDIAN TERRITORY
Prior to the statehood of Oklahoma in 1907, what is now Muskogee County was part of the Creek and Cherokee Nations. No county records exist prior to 1907. Genealogical records for some ancestors who lived in this area before 1907 may be found in records of Five Civilized Tribes Agency at Muskogee, the Oklahoma Historical Society in Oklahoma City and the federal Archives in Fort Worth, Texas. In 1889 a federal court was established at Muskogee. These records are held partly in the National Archives in Fort Worth and at Oklahoma Historical Society. The 26 recording districts of the federal court accepted land records, marriages and other legal proceedings. It was not until 1898 that a non-citizen of Indian Territory, generally a white person, could legally own land in this area. It was at a time that town sites were laid out and sold. Upon statehood, most of these land records were retained by the local county governments. Early court records for what is now Muskogee County will be found at Muskogee County Courthouse, Oklahoma Historical Society or the National Archives in Fort Worth. The U.S. federal court, which once included most of Indian Territory, later was divided into four districts and 26 substations with the Central District, established in 1895, covering the area of the Creek and Seminole Nations and Muskogee was its County seat.
1900 Census Records -- To find ancestors who were in Muskogee County area in 1900, which was then in the Creek and Cherokee Nations, use the Indian Territory Soundes (National Archives Publication T-1082) which is on 42 rolls.
During the 1900-1905 window, the population of Muskogee was near 10,000. Today, it is between 30,000-35,000. A very beautiful and historical town. It was in competition to become the Oklahoma State Capital in 1907, but lost to Oklahoma City.
One also had to pay a $5.00 "Permit" fee to be in this Indian Country. Otherwise, one was considered an intruder and could be fined by the Indian Council.
Reviewed the Muskogee Phoenix and Muskogee Democrat files for January 5, 6, and 7, 1906 for an obituary of Charles Craig Wren. The film of the Newspapers were in excellent condition, however could not locate any mention of Charles Craig. It was common during that period to have one liners in the papers, particularly if you had any prominence. It was also common practice to be buried by furniture stores or livery stables.
This was the case of Charles Wren. He was buried by the Street Funeral Home ( Furniture Store ). He died on Saturday, January 6, 1906 of "septicemia" (Blood Poisoning). He was 75 years of age.
Charles is interred at Greenhill Cemetery, which is a city cemetery. Hurd Wren, his son purchased the East 1/2 of Lot 3, Block 115 for $10.00. This is a beautiful cemetery, well kept, 90 percent of the grave sites have large tombstones, with flowers and American flags all around. The permit for the Street Funeral Home was #6181, however no one seemed to know who or where the permit came from. Vernon took several photographs of the Tombstone with C.C. Wren across the top. The middle had 1835 - 1906. Also took some video of his resting place and parts of the Cemetery.
The first time that the Wren family appeared in any records was in the City Directory in 1904. Mr. Hurd Wren is listed as a Salesman at Knights and (boards), at 413 E. Broadway. Went by this block, but it is now within three blocks of downtown, and most residences are replaced by Commercial enterprises.
In the 1905 City Directory, Mr. Hurd Wren (with wife Fannie K.) appears as a Salesman at the Fair Store and resides at 322 East Okmulgee Ave ( this is the main street running east and west through town). The residence no longer exist and commercial buildings cover this block.
However, this is the first time that Charles C. Wren ( with wife Mattie E.) appears. They are listed as residing as bds (boarders ) at 322 East Okmulgee Ave. Another words, they were living with his son and wife.
Then, I located a George C. Wren, Hostler, wks ( works ) at Wm . M. Keys. This is his only mention. It could be that he was a sibling of Hurd, but will have to check in Morris County, Texas for any siblings.
Some years after his father's death, 1924, Hurd Wren deeded E1/2 of Lot 3, Block 115 to Mr. W. W. Bowman. No amount given. He had a lady named "Ada" act as his agent for this transaction, since he was no longer in Muskogee.
In 1906 City Directory, Charles C. Wren (wife Mattie), retired, bds (boards) at 322 E. Okmulgee is identified.
Hurd Wren (with wife Fannie K) is also listed as a Sale Promoter, with his residence at 322 East Okmulgee. It appears that Hurd and Fannie were very solicitous of Charles and Mattie during the period Charles was alive and then of Mattie, after Charles death. A very close family.
In the 1907 City Directory, Hurd Wren (with wife Fannie) salesman at Tyson Merc. Company resides at 202 E. Okmulgee Ave ( this residence has also been replace by Commercial buildings).
Mrs. Mattie E. Wren is listed as boarding at the 202 E. Okmulgee Address.
No mention of the Hurd Children during any of the aforementioned dates.
In the 1908 City Directory, listings were the same as 1907.
In the 1909 City Directory, Hurd and Fannie along with Mattie listed as 1908.
However, these new listings were also recorded.
Mr. Herman Wren, Clerk, Veach Grocery, Rms (rooms) at 202 E. Okmulgee.
Mr. H. B. Wrens (with wife Mamie), Investments at 10 McKibban Building., residence Alta Vista Hotel. (These same Wren's appear a number of times, but do not seem to have any connection to the C.C. Wren family.
In the 1910 City Directory the aforementioned H.B. Wren is listed again but this time in the Loan business.
Mr. Hurd Wren and Fannie reside at 232 S. Cherokee
Mr. Herman Wren bds ( boards ) at 232 S. Cherokee
Mr. Ashton Wren bds ( boards ) at 232 S. Cherokee
Vernon went by to take photograph of this house and it was also gone.
In 1911 City Directory, Mr. George Wren bds (boards) at 435 Girard again appears. Also Mr. Herbert B, wife appears as Sec-Tres. of Muskogee Security, Residence at 1107 Freemont.
Mr. Herman Wren, Clerk, boards 423 Baltimore.
Mr. Hurd Wren and wife Fannie K. reside at 423 Baltimore. This house is also gone.
It appears as the Wren family becomes larger, they move to larger quarters. For instance, the house at 423 Baltimore is gone, but the other homes at 419, 424 and others are all two story.
In 1912 City Directory, Mr. Ashton Wren, driver, Third Street Grocery resides at 423 Baltimore.
Mr. Herman Wren, druggist, boards at 423 Baltimore.
Mr. Hurd Wren (and wife Fannie K.) Clerk, Boston Store. Resides at 423 Baltimore.
Mrs. Mattie Wren (widow ) boards 423 Baltimore.
In the 1913 City Directory, Mr. Ashton Wren, Clerk, New Phoenix Clothing Co., boards at 423 Baltimore.
Mr. Herman Wren, Clerk, Quaker Drug Co., boards at 423 Baltimore.
In 1913, Mr. Hurd Wren ( and wife Fannie K.) Sale Promoter, reside 423 Baltimore.
Mrs Mattie Wren (Widow ) boards 423 Baltimore.
In 1914 City Directory, Mr. Ashton W. Wren, Clerk, New Phoenix Clothing Co. boards at 419 Baltimore.
Mr. Herman Wren, Druggist, boards at 423 Baltimore.
Mr. Hurd Wren ( and wife Fannie K.) Dect. Agency, resides at 423 Baltimore.
Mrs. Mattie Wren (Widow ) boards at 423 Baltimore.
(Note: Ashton address is different from his family.)
1915 City Directory, on a George Wren, Teacher is listed. He resides at 730 North 3rd. Doubt that he is any relation. He also lived at the opposite side of town from the Hurd Wren family.
In 1916 City Directory, Mr. Gerald Wren boards at 112 South L. Street. ( I was able to photograph this home, though it is now condemned and for sale. It wasn't a large home by today's standards, but it was similar the 1200 sq. foot homes of the 20's and 30's. The lot was approximately 50 by 70 feet. It was a white frame (ship lap) home.)
Mr. Hurd Wren ( and wife Fannie) Ad Writer, resides at 112 South L.
Mrs. Mattie (widow of Charles) boards at 112 South L.
In 1917 City Directory, Mr. Gerald Wren, Student boards 112 South L.
Mr. Hurd Wren ( and wife Fannie) Advertising Manager, resides 112 South L.
Mrs. Mattie E. ( widow of Charles ) boards at 112 South L.
In 1922, no Wrens listed.
Gerald Wren is possibly listed in a book, Fighting Men of Oklahoma. Publisher not known. It was not carried in the Muskogee Library Collection, but was mentioned by their Historian as possibly carrying Gerald if he entered WWI from that town.
July 1, 1998:
Copied document from National Archives, Confederate Soldiers of Civil War, page 510 - roster of Confederate Sol., 1861-1865, which identifies:
Wren, Craig TN, 4th Inf. Co. E., Cpl. (Corporal),
The 4th TN Inf. became part of 3rd. Consc. Egt. TN Inf. about April 9, 1865.
His sibling, Joel Wren, TN 46th Inf., Co. C. Cpl. (Joel must have come back from Hickman County, KY to join this group. As he had moved to Hickman County and is listed as farming before the Civil War.)
Another sibling, Robert Wren TN, 4th Inf. Co. E.
7-17-98:
A Wren community is some six miles south of the Majors Community. The Majors community is 6.5 miles South of Mt. Vernon, Tx. in North Central Franklin County. It was named for J.H. Majors, Mt. Vernon banker. The WREN community had a Postmaster by the name of Benjamin F. White appointed Jan. 9, 1902. Office discontinued July 15, 1905. Mails then sent to Winnsboro, Tx. No mention of who the WREN community was named for, however; it is known that Charles did farm in this area. However a G. W. WREN from the Franklin County Tax Records 1880-1894 did show up. All entries are handwritten and many not legible.
7-29-1998:
According to the Civil War records, Craig served with the Tennessee 4th Infantry. His brother, Robert served with him in this Unit, and the same Company, "E."
The following is an excerpt of that Unit as I located in "Tennesseans in The Civil War," A Military History of Confederate and Union Units with Available Rosters of Personnel.
Published by the Civil War Centennial Commission, Nashville, Tennessee, 1964.
4TH (NEELY'S) TENNESSEE INFANTRY REGIMENT
Organized May 15, 1861 in Provisional Army of Tennessee; transferred to Confederate service August, 1861; reorganized April 25, 1862; consolidated with 5th Tennessee Infantry Regiment December 1862; formed part of Co. "D", 3rd Consolidated Tennessee Infantry Regiment April 9, 1865; paroled at Greensboro, North Carolina May 1, 1865.
FIELD OFFICERS
Colonels-Rufus P. Neely, Otho F. Strahl, Andrew J. Kellar.
Lieutenant Colonels-Otho F. Strahl, Andrew J. Kellar, Luke W. Finlay,
Maiors-John F. Henry, Luke W. Finlay, Henry Hampton.
CAPTAINS--James Somerville, Thomas H. Francis, Co. "A". "The Shelby Grays." Men from Shelby County.
James Fentress, M. H. Vernon, A. T McNeal, Co. "B". "The Pillow Guards." Men from Hardeman County.
R. P. Bateman, F. M. Hammond, W. T. Cargil, Co. "C". "The Wigfall Grays." Men from Shelby County.
Andrew J. Kellar, John A. Onley, Co. "D", "The Raleigh Volunteers." Men from Shelby County.
James F. Dean, Sampson F. Maxey, Co. "E". "The Harris Guards." Men from Obion County.
Robert L. White, Joseph L. Lett, Oscar Gilchrist, Co. "Y'. "The West Tennessee Riflemen." Men from Gibson County.
John Sutherland, William W. Wheeler, Co. "G". "The Lauderdale Invincibles." Men from Ripley, and Lauderdale County.
Benjamin F. White, Jr., Henry Hampton, James H. Sannoner, Co. "H". "The Tennessee Guards." Men from Shelby County.
John B. Turner, John T. Barrett, Co."I", "The Tipton Rifles." Men from Tipton County.
Henry L. Fowlkes, John W. Launderdale, Co. "K". "The Dyer Guards." Men from Dyer County.
Of the field officers, Colonel Neely died in May, 1862; Colonel Strahl was promoted to Brigadier General in July, 1863; and Maj. Henry was killed at Shiloh in April, 1862.
The regiment was organized at Germantown, Shelby County, and immediately after organization moved to Randolph, Tennessee where it served in the River Brigade, under Brigadier General John L. T. Sneed, Provisional Army of Tennessee. On July 18 it moved to Fort Pillow, where it was accepted into Confederate service on August 16, 1861. The regiment was placed in a brigade commanded by Colonel Neely along with the 12th Louisiana Infantry Regiment. The Brigade moved to Columbus, Kentucky on September 5, 1861, where it was in Major General John P. McCowan’s Division . It spent the fall the fall and winter in the area around Columbus, Kentucky, New Madrid, Missouri, and Island Number Ten, but after the fall of Fort Donelson was ordered to Corinth, Mississippi, arriving April 2, 1862, with 512 men present for action.
In the Battle of Shiloh, April 6-7, 1862, the regiment was in Brigadier General Charles Clark's Division, Brigadier General Alexander P. Stewart's Brigade, composed of the 13th Arkansas, the 4th, 5th, and 33rd Tennessee Infantry Regiments, and a Mississippi Battery. The regiment was on the extreme right of the brigade, and was commended for valiant action in storming and capturing a Federal battery. Colonel Neely and Lieutenant Colonel Strahl also received individual commendation. In this charge the regiment lost 191 men killed and wounded. Its total loss for the two days in killed, wounded and missing amounted to almost half its effective force.
The regiment was reorganized after the Battle of Shiloh, ,with Otho F. Strahl as colonel. With the army, it went through the siege of Corinth, the withdrawal to Tupelo, Mississippi, and the subsequent move to Chattanooga, via Mobile and Montgomery, Alabama. On August 17, 1862, the march to Kentucky was begun, the route being through Pikeville, Sparta, and Gainesboro, Tennessee, to Munfordville, Kentucky, which was captured September 19, 1862. In this campaign, the brigade had been increased by the addition of the 24th and 31st Tennessee Regiments.
There followed. the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, on October 8, 1862, in which the regiment had 85 casualties, nearly half the total engaged. The retreat from Kentucky led through Knoxville, Tennessee, Bridgeport, Alabama, Tullahoma, Tennessee, to Murfreesboro.
At Murfreesboro, both the 4th and 5th Tennessee Regiments bad become so greatly reduced in numbers that they were consolidated for field purposes to form the 4th/5th Consolidated Tennessee Infantry Regiment. Separate muster rolls were maintained through April 1864, after which the combined regiments were mustered as a unit.
From the Fourth, Companies "A" and ''F" formed Captain Gilchrist's Company; "B" and "K", Captain J. W. Lauderdale's Company; "C" and "H", Captain W. T. Cargil's Company; "D" and "E", Captain Onley's Company; and "G" and "I", Captain John T. Barrett's Company. Colonel Otho Strahl, of the 4th, and later Colonel Jonathan J. Lamb, of the 5th, commanded the consolidated regiment. In the Battle of Murfreesboro, beginning In December 31, 1862, the 4th/5th again formed the right wing of Stewart's Brigade, and played their part in the capture of the Federal pieces captured by the brigade.
On January 3, 1863, it withdrew to Shelbyville where it did outpost duty at Guy's Gap until June 28, 1863, when the retreat to Chatanooga began. On July 28, 1863, Colonel Strahl was promoted to brigadier general and took command of the brigade, which was henceforth known as Strahl's Brigade. The brigade at this time was composed of the 4th/5th, 19th, 24th, 31st, and 33rd Tennessee Infantry Regiments. In the Battle of Chickamauga, September 19th and 20th, 1863, the brigade was in Cheatham's Division of Polk's Corps. At Missionary Ridge, November 26, 1863, the brigade was in Stewart's Division, Major General John C. Breckinridge's Corps. By this time the 24th Tennessee was no longer in the brigade. The 4th/5th was posted in the rifle pits, in the rear of the 31st and 33rd, who were deployed as skirmishers. Driven back to the summit of the ridge, Strahl's Brigade held the line until both flanks were turned, and it was forced to retreat. The brigade helped cover the retreat to Dalton, Georgia, where it went into winter quarters until May 7, 1864. From then on, the 4th/5th was under firein 60 of the next 71 days, almost constantly fighting in the campaign from Dalton to Atlanta, to Jonesboro, Georgia. Engagements mentioned were at Dug Gap, Mill Creek Gap, Resaca, Ellsbury Mountain, Kennesaw Mountain, where they were in the famous "Dead Angle," the siege of Atlanta, and the Battle of Jonesboro.
From Jonesboro, the regiment marched back to Tennessee with General John B. Hood. In October, it bad reached the Tennessee River; it was at Spring Hill November 29, and at Franklin November 30. In this battle the regiment planted its colors upon the main Federal works, but at terrible cost. In this charge, the brigade commander, General Strahl, was killed.
At Nashville, December 15, 1864, the regiment was in the Grannv White Pike area. When the lines were broken it retreated via the Franklin Pike to Brentwood. As part of the brigade, they were in the force under Major General Edward C. Walthall, which co-operated with General Nathan B. Forrest's Calvalry Corps in covering the retreat of the army to the Tennessee River. Once across the river, the army moved to Corinth, Mississippi where on January 5, 1865, the regiment was furloughed for 30 days with orders to assemble at West Point, 'Mississippi, and, almost to a man, they did. The regiment reached General Joseph E. Johnston on the field at Bentonville, North Carolina on March 19, 1865. It was placed by him in the old division, in reserve. In the final reorganization of Johnston's army on April 9, 1865, the 4th, 5th, 19th, 24th, 31st, 33rd, 35th, 38th, 41st Tennessee Infantry Regiments, and a few from the 22nd (Murray's) Tennessee Infantry Battalion formed the 3rd Consolidated Tennessee Infantry Regiment. Its field officers were Colonel James D. Tillman, Lieutenant Colonel Luke W. Finlay, and Major G. S. Deakin. The 4th/5th Regiment formed Company "D", under Captain John F. Chapman, in the consolidated regiment. As such, they were surrendered at Greensboro, North Carolina on April 26, 1865; paroled May 1, and started on the long journey home, by way of Asheville, North Carolina, Greenville, Chattanooga and Nashville, thence by boat down the Cumberland and Ohio Rivers, and up the Tennessee River to their homes in West Tennessee.
8-12-1998:
The following was received from the Tennessee State Library and Archives regarding the request I had written for information on the 4th and 46th Tennessee Infantry Regiments. /s/ Vernon Drewa
August 7, 1998
Vernon Drewa
1120 Oak Bend Lane
Keller, Texas 76248
Dear Mr. Drewa:
We’ve enclosed histories of the 5th, 34th and 39th Infantries, all of which were “also known as” the 4th Infantry at one time or another, or consolidated with a unit called the 4th Infantry.
“History of Henry County Commands” is available for interlibrary loan (printout enclosed).
Sincerely,
/s/ Fran Schell
Assistant Director
5TH TENNESSEE INFANTRY REG1MENT
Organized for State service May 20, 1861; mustered Confederate service August 9, 1861; reorganized May 6, 1862; consolidated with 4th Tennessee Infantry Regiment December Colonels‑William E. Travis, Calvin D. 1862; merged into 3rd Consolidated Tennessee Venable, Jonathan J. Lamb. Infantry Regiment April 9, 1865; paroled at Greensboro, North Carolina May 1, 1865.
FIELD OFFICERS
Colonels—William E. Travis, Calvin D. Venable, Jonathan J. Lamb.
Lieutenant Colonels—John D. C. Atkins,Calvin D. Venable, William C. Swor.
Majors‑‑William C. Swor, Jonathan J. Lamb, B. B. Bunch.
There were originally twelve companies which were consolidated into ten when the regiment was reorganized, with many changes in company letters. In the list which follows, the original company letters are shown, with changes indicated.
Captains--B. B. Bunch, Jr., William H. Wilson, Co. "A".
Men from Henry County.
John H. Long, Henry F. Bowman, Co. "B". Men from Henry County. Became 2nd Co. "G", May 6, 1862.
Thomas H. Conway, Co. "C". Men from Henry County. Consolidated with Co. "A", May 6, 1862.
A, Wayne Caldwell, Co. "D". Men from Henry County. Became 2nd Co. "B", May 6, 1862.
M. Smith Corbitt, P. G. Swor, Co. "E".
Men from Benton County. Became 2nd Co. "C", May 6, 1862.
Josiah H. Porter, H. T. Blanton, fr., Co. ''F".
Men from Henry County. Consolidated with "H" to form 2nd Co. "E", May 6, 1862.
James E. Fowler, John T. Irion, B. F. Peeples, Co. "G".
Men from Henry County. Became 2nd Co. "I", May 6, 1862.
J. D. Dumas, Co. "H", Men from Henry County. Consolidated with 7th to form 2nd Co. "E", May 6, 1862.
W. D. Hallum, Elijah Foust, Co. "I".
Men from Henry County. Became 2nd Co. "F", May 6, 1862.
H. W. Ballard, Joseph T. Kendall, Co. "K".
Men fron Henry County. "The Marshall Guards." Became 2nd Co. "D", May 6,1862.
John A. Lauderdale, J. B. Ward, Co. "L".
Men from Fulton County, Kentucky. Became 2nd Co. "K", May 6, 1862.
J. T. Winfrey, M. M. Fry, Co. C.
Men from Benton County. Became 2nd Co. "H", May 6, 1862.
In addition to these companies, Captain John W. Harris' Company "C", 46th Tennessee Infantry Regiment, the bulk of whose regiment was captured at Island Number Ten on April 8, 1862, served with this regiment as 2nd Co. "L" from this date until the fall of 1862. However, the rolls of this company are filed with the 46th Tennessee Infantry. Of the original field officers, Colonel Travis resigned because of ill health; Lieutenant Colonel Atkins was elected to Congress and resigned; and 'Major Swor was disabled and resigned in 1863. Of the later officers, Colonel Venable was seriously wounded at Perryville, and died in December, 1862; Colonel Lamb was killed at Ellsbury Ridge, Georgia in 1864; and Major Henry Hampton, of the 4th Tennessee, took command of the 4th/5th Consolidated Regiment.
The regiment was organized at Paris, Henry County, Tennessee, in the Provisional Army of Tennessee, and moved to Camp Brown, Union City, Obion County. Here it was reported on July 31, 1861, with 860 men present, armed with flintlock muskets. It was accepted into Confederate service at Camp Brown on August 9, 1861, and went from there to Columbus, Kentucky. It remained at Columbus until January 1, 1862, when it moved to New Madrid, Missouri where there was skirmishing and artillery fire for 13 days; thence to Fort Pillow and Memphis; and finally to Corinth, Mississippi, where it arrived on March 25, 1862.
During this period its brigade assignments were as follows:
September 7, 1861, at Columbus, Kentucky. Brigadier General Benjamin F. Cheatham I s Brigade, composed of the 5th, 15th, 22nd and 154th Senior Tennessee Infantry Regiments, and Lieutenant Colonel Blythe's Ist Mississippi Infantry Battalion.
October 24, 1861. Colonel Travis' Brigade, Brigadier General Gideon J. Pillow's Division. The brigade consisted of the 5th Tennessee, and the 9th and 13th Arkansas Infantry Regiments.
January 18, 1862. Brigadier General Alexander F. Stewart's Brigade, composed of the 4th Arkansas Infantry Battalion, the 5th Tennessee Infantry, a West Tennessee Infantry Battalion, and Stewart's and Upton's Tennessee Artillery Companies.
March 1, 1862 at Madrid Bend. Colonel Travis commanded the garrison at Fort Bankhead, consisting of the 5th and 40th (Walker's) Tennessee Infantry Regiments, the 1st Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee Infantry Regiment, and Bankhead's Tennessee Battery. At this time, Major General John P. McCown was in command.
In the Battle of Shiloh, April 6‑7, 1862, the regiment was again in Stewart's Brigade, which was in Brigadier General Charles Clark's 1st Division, Major General Leonidas Polk's Corps. The brigade was composed of the 13th Arkansas, the 4th, 5th and 33rd Tennessee Infantry Regiments, and Stanford's Mississippi Battery. For its conduct in the battle, the regiment was commanded by General Polk.
At the reorganization after Shiloh, Colonel Venable succeeded Travis in command of the regiment, which remained in Stewart's Brigade for the remainder of the war, first tinder General A. P. Stewart, later under Brigadier General Otho F. Strahl, with some changes in the brigade make‑up.
The regiment assisted in the fortification of Corinth, marched to Tupelo, thence by rail to Mobile, and finally to Chattanooga, to go with General Braxton Bragg on the expedition into Kentucky. On this campaign Major General Benjamin F. Cheatham was in command of the division, Stewart of the brigade. At the Battle of Perryville, October 8, 1862, the brigade consisted of the 4th, 5th, 24th, 31st, and 33rd Tennessee Infantry Regiments and Stanfords Battery. In this battle the 5th suffered 90 casualties.
From Perryville, the regiment retreated via Knoxville and Tullahoma to take up station at Murfreesboro. Before the Battle of Murfreesboro December 31, 1862, the regiment was consolidated into five companies, and merged into a field organization with the 4th Tennessee, under the command of Colonel Otho F. Strahl.
From the 5th Tennessee:‑Companies "A" and 2nd "C" formed Captain W. H. Wilson's Company of 4th/5th Consolidated; 2nd "B" and 2nd "E" formed Captain A. Wayne Caldwell's Company of 4th/5th Consolidated; 2nd "F" and 2nd "H" formed Captain E. Foust's Company of 4th/5th Consolidated; 2nd "G" and 2nd "K" formed Captain J. B. Ward's Company of 4th/5th Consolidated; 2nd "D" and 2nd "I" formed Captain B. F. Peeples' Company of 4th/5th Consolidated.
Although the two regiments continued to act as a unit from this time on, separate muster rolls of the regiments, and of the original companies were maintained through April, 1864. In the Battle of Murfreesboro the 4th/5th Tennessee had 458 men engaged and suffered 76 casualties; at Chickamauga they had 33 casualties; at Missionary Ridge, 63 casualties.
For the further history of the consolidated regiment see the history of the Fourth Tennessee Infantry Regiment, with the following exceptions: On October 23, 1863 the Fifth went on an expedition into East Tennessee arriving at Sweetwater on October 29. However, it returned before the Battle of Missionary Ridge. A report from 2nd Co. "I" shows that it was part of a force which left Dalton, Georgia February 20, 1864, to reinforce General Leonidas Polk in Mississippi, but on reaching Demopolis, Alabama, were ordered back to Dalton, reaching there February 29, 1864.
In his sketch of the regiment in Lidsley's Annals, Captain John T. Irion stated that after the termination of the campaign in Tennessee, Captain B. F. Peeples, with twenty five men from the 5th Tennessee, joined General Joseph E. Johnston at Bentonville, North Carolina. These men formed a part of Company "D" of the 3rd Consolidated Tennessee Infantry Regiment which was paroled at Greensboro, North Carolina, May 1, 1865.
6th TENNESSEE INFANTRY REGIMENT
Organized May 23, 1861; Confederate service August 12, 1861; reorganized May 6, 1862; formed Company "A", 1st Consolidated Tennessee Infantry Regiment April 9, 1865; paroled at Greensboro, North Carolina, 'May 1, 1865.
FIELD OFFICERS
Colonels‑‑William H. Stephens, George C. Porter.
Lieutenant—Colonels Timothy P. Jones, William XI. R. Johns, John L. Harris.
Majors‑George C. Porter, J. A. Wilder, John L. Harris, Robert C. Williamson.
Captains‑George C. Porter, S. B. Humphreys, James A. Wilder, David S. Hay, Co. “A”, “The Haywood Blues.” Formerly Co. "B". Men from Haywood County.
John J. Brooks, George G. Person, B. M. Sharp, Co. "B". "The Gotten Zouaves." Formerly Co. "D". Men from Madison County.
William W. Treating, Rufus A. Mays, Thomas B. Rains, Co. "C". "The ‑Madison Invincibles." Men from Madison County.
William M. R. Johns, Robert C. William-McNeill commanding the 33rd. In the Battle of Missionary Ridge, the regiment reported 24 casualties, and on December 14, 1863, reported an effective strength of only 90 men out of a total of 124 present.
In January, 1864, the regiment with the brigade was reported in Major General Thomas C. Hindman's Corps, but on February 20, 1864, the brigade was returned to Hardee's Corps, Cheatham's Division. The regiment spent the winter near Dalton, Georgia, and with the brigade participated in the Atlanta Campaign, during which Colonel Jones and Lieutenant Colonel McNeill were killed, although no separate reports of regimental activities were found. Then, with General Flood, it returned to Tennessee, and the Battles of Franklin and Nashville.
On December 10, 1864, just after the Battle of Franklin, the brigade was reported commanded by Colonel A. J. Kellar, with the 4th/5th/31st/33rd/38th Tennessee Regiments consolidated into one unit under Lieutenant Colonel Luke W. Finlay. and 19th/24th/41st Tennessee Regiments another unit under Captain D. A. Kennedy. There followed the move to North Carolina to join General Joseph E. Johnston, where at Smithfield, North Carolina on March 31, 1865 the brigade was reported with the same organization except that Colonel C. W. Heiskell was in command of the 19th/24th/41st Regiments.
On April 9, 1865 the 4th, 5th, 19th/24th/31st/35th/38th/41st Tennessee Infantry Regiments formed the 3rd Consolidated Tennessee Infantry Regiment, commanded by Colonel James D. Tillman, which was surrendered and paroled at Greensboro, North Carolina May 1,1865.
34th TENNESSEE INFANTRY REGIMENT
Also called 4th Tennessee Volunteer Regiment. 4th Tennessee Infantry Regiment, Provisional Army. 4th Confederate (Tennessee) Infantry Regiment
Organized August 5, 1861; Confederate service August 19 to 21, 1861; reorganized April 18, 1862; merged into 1st Consolidated Tennessee Infantry Regiment April 9, 1865 paroled at Greensboro, North Carolina May 1, 1865.
FIELD OFFICERS
Colonels‑William M. Churchwell, James A. McMurry, Robert N. Lewis.
Lieutenant Colonels--James A. McMurry, Robert N. Lewis, Oliver A. Bradshaw.
Majors—Robert N.Lewis, Oliver A. Bradshaw, Joseph Bostick.
The companies changed letters at the reorganization. Those used after the reorganization are shown below, with prior letters indicated.
CAPTAINS‑‑Joseph Bostick, Leaven Alley, Co. "A", formerly "H" "The Davis Guards." Men from Bridgeport, Alabama.
Jeff 0. Tarkington, Ezekiel D. Polk, Co. "B", formerly "E". "The Hardin County Boys". Men from Hardin County.
William H. Burrough, Co. "C". "The Rhett Artillery" Men from Knox County. This company was transformed into Artillery in December 1861, and Captain Holmes' Company received in its place.
John W. Smith, George W. Byrom, Co. "C", formerly "F" "The Ridgeville Guards". Men from Moore (then part of Franklin) County. T. B. Griffin, Jason H. Dicus, NV. H. Dicus, Co. "D", formerly "I". "The Jackson Mountaineers." Men from Jackson Count,,,.
James E. Martin, Co. "E", formerly "K". "The Wilkerson Guards". Men probably from Mississippi. Transferred July 5, 1862 to 2nd Mississippi Infantry Battalion.
Leslie T. Hardy, Michael Fitzpatrick, Co. "F", formerly "A". "The Acklen Rifles." Men from Davidson County.
Philip H. Roberts, Davis H. Barnes, Co.
"G", formerly "D". "The Overton Rifles." Men from Jackson County, Alabama.
Charles D. Jackson, Oliver H. P. Mullins, Co. "H" formerly "B". "The Ensley Guards." Men from Shelby County.
John F. Ross, Campbell Brown, George P. Henry, Co. "I", formerly "G". "The Coffee County Guards." Men from Coffee County.
D. K. Holmes, David P. Skelton, Henry D. Tipton, Co. "K". Organized at Cumberland Gap, January 20, 1862. Replaced Ist Co. "C". All of these companies were mustered at Camp Sneed, Knoxville, during August 1861, except Company "K". The regiment was mustered into Confederate service at Camp Sneed with ten companies, two of which were transferred out of the regiment, and one company added. A regimental roster dated March, 1865, signed by Lieutenant Colonel 0. A. Bradshaw, commanding the regiment, gave the following information: "First organized by Colonel William M. Churchwell at KnoxviIle, Tennessee, August 19, 1861. Reorganized April 1862. First known as the Fourth Confederate (Tennessee) Regiment, but there being another Tennessee regiment registered at the War Department by that number, we were changed to the 34th Tennessee Regiment. All records belonging to the regiment having been lost at different times, there may be some mistakes in dates, but the roster is as correct as could be made without the records of the regiment. It is impossible to forward orders as to promotions and appointments, they having been lost as stated above."
The regiment officially designated as the 4th Tennessee Infantry by the Adjutant and Inspector General's Office was that formed by Colonel R. P. Neely, in West Tennessee. On November 16, 1861, the Adjutant and Inspector General's Office directed that this regiment should be known as the 34th Tennessee Infantry, but the order never attained general recognition, and in most field reports the regiment was called the 4th Tennessee Infantry, Provisional Army. It was also sometimes re‑ ported as the 4th Confederate Infantry, but this was the official designation of the regiment first called the 1st Alabama‑Mississippi ‑Tennessee Infantry Regiment.
Since the individual companies came from such widely separated areas of Tennessee, it is evident the companies were originally organized sometime prior to the muster at Camp Sneed in August, 1861. Field officers elected were William Churchwell, colonel; James A. McMurry, lieutenant colonel; Robert N. Lewis, major. At the reorganization in 1862, Lieutenant Colonel McMurry became colonel; Major Lewis became lieutenant colonel; and Oliver A. Bradshaw was elected major. McMurry died of wounds October 2, 1862; Lewis became colonel, Bradshaw lieutenant colonel, and Captain Joseph Bostick major.
On September 15, 1861, the regiment was reported as part of Brigadier General Felix K. Zollicoffer's command at Knoxville, with 654 present for duty, 777 present, and 850 present and absent. On September 24, Zollicoffer reported the regiment still at Knoxville with 790 men, totally unarmed. November 2, 1861, Zollicoffer reported he had left Rains (11th Tennessee) and Churchwell, with a battalion from the 16th Alabama at Cumberland Gap under command of Colonel Rains. On November 26, with Churchwell in command, the same troops were still at Cumberland Gap, at which time the 34th reported 603 present for duty, 731 present, 836 present and absent.
On January 21, 1862, still at Cumberland Gap, Colonel James E. Rains' Brigade was composed of the 11th and 34th Infantry Regiments, 3rd Tennessee Cavalry Battalion and Burrough's Battery. The 34th reported 521 present for duty, 756 present and absent. The regiment remained in the vicinity of Cumberland Gap until June 17, 1862. On May 31, in the order of battle for Major General E. Kirby Smith's command, the regiment was reported in Brigadier General C. L. Stevenson's Division, composed of the 30th Alabama, 3rd Georgia Battalion, 29th North Carolina, 11th, 32nd, 34th, 36th Tennessee Infantry Regiments, and three batteries.
On June 17, according to company reports, the regiment moved to Bean's Station on Clinch Mountain, skirmished at Jones' Station and Walden's Ridge, and was stationed during July and August at Woodson's Station, about 40 miles from Morristown, and from there moved back to Cumberland Gap September 18, 1862, marched to Frankfort, Kentucky, and retreated back to Cumberland Gap, and from there was ordered to Lenoir Station, where it was stationed October 30, 1862, a march of something over 500 miles. During this time it was in Stevenson's Division, Rains' Brigade, on July 3, 1862, composed of the 11th and 34th Tennessee, 29th North Carolina, 42nd Georgia Infantry Regiments, 3rd Georgia Infantry Battalion, and Yeiser's Georgia Battery.
It moved from Lenoir Station November 16, 1862, by rail to Normandy, from there to Readyville, where it was transferred into Brigadier General George Maney's Brigade at LaVergne, Tennessee. This brigade was in Lieutenant General Leonidas Polk's Corps, Major General Benjamin F. Cheatham's Division, and was composed of the Ist/27th, 6th/9th, 34th Tennessee Infantry Regiments, Maney's 24th Sharpshooter Battalion, and Smith's 'Mississippi Battery. As part of this brigade it was engaged in the Battle of Murfreesboro December 31, 1862, and the 34th reported 54 casualties out of 371 engaged. In reports of the battle the regiment was variously referred to as the 4tb Tennessee (Provisional Army), 4th Tennessee Volunteers, and 4th Confederate Regiment.
The regiment was stationed at Shelbyville and Tullahoma until July 1, 1863 when it moved to Chattanooga. From Chattanooga, it fell back to LaFayette, Georgia, and then back to the Chickamauga battle September 19‑20, 1863. In this fight, the 34th entered the engagement with 163 men, and had 65 casualties. Colonel McMurry was mortally wounded, Lieutenant Colonel Lewis and Major Bradshaw wounded, and Captain Bostick took command in the later stages of the battle. On
September 22, in the seizure of Missionary Ridge, the regiment lost another 10 men. From Missionary Ridge, the regiment moved to Sweetwater, about October 1.
On November 12, 1863 the brigade was transferred to the Division of Major General W. H. T. Walker, and at this time was composed of 1st/27th, 6th/9th, 34th, 41st, 50th Regiments and the 24th Sharpshooter Battalion. On December 14, 1863, the 34th reported 112 effectives, 165 present, 273 present and absent, with 105 arms.
From January through April, 1864 the regiment was stationed at Dalton, Georgia, with the exception of a move to Demopolis, Alabama and return February 19 to 29th. This was an expedition which was started to reinforce General Leonidas Polk in Mississippi, but which was recalled before reaching its destination. On February 20, 1864 the Brigade was returned to Hardee's Corps, Cheatham's Division, with Lieutenant Colonel Bradshaw in command of the 34th. As part of Manev's Brigade it participated in the Atlanta Campaign, the return to Tennessee under General Hood, and the move to North Carolina to join General Joseph E. Johnston in the spring of 1865, although no details of its activities in these campaigns were found.
On April 30, Lieutenant Colonel Bradshaw was reported in command of a field consolidation of the 34th Regiment and 24th Tennessee Infantry Battalion By June 30, the 19th Tennessee had been added to the brigade, and the 41st transferred to Strahl's Brigade. On September 30, the brigade was reported as composed of 1st/27th, 6th/9th, 19th, 34th/ 46th and 50th Tennessee Infantry Regiments. Lieutenant Colonel Bradshaw was in command of the 34th/46th.
On December 10, 1864, just after the Battle of Franklin, Colonel Hume R. Feild was reported in command of a brigade composed of the 6th/9th/34th/50th Tennessee commanded by Lieutenant Colonel George W. Pease, and the 1st/27th, 8th/16th/28th. Tennessee Infantry Regiments. The 34th was not shown in the order of battle for General Joseph E. Johnston's Army at Smithfield, North Carolina, March 31, 1865, but in the final reorganization of Johnston's Army April 9, 1865, the 34th was part of the 1st Consolidated Tennessee Infantry Regiment, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Oliver A. Bradshaw of the 34th, consisting of the 1st/6th/8th/9th/l6th/27th/ 28th/34th Regiments and 24th Battalion. This regiment was part of the brigade commanded by Brigadier General Joseph E. Palmer, which, with the rest of Johnston's Army was surrendered and paroled at Greensboro, North Carolina May 1, 1865.
39th (AVERY’S) TENNESSEE INFANTRY REGIMENT
Also called 4th Confederate Infantry
Organized December 1896; broken up September 1862.
This regiment is so indexed in the Official Records, but when finally organized it was called the 1st Alabama, Tennessee, and Mississippi Infantry. It was first mentioned by Brigadier General W. H. Carroll, at Chattanooga, on November 17, 1861, when he wrote the Secretary of War: “Colonel Arny’s (Avery’s) Regiment will move to join me in a few days. He needs a few more companies. They are reported, but not in camp.”
On December 9, 1861, Carroll, then at Knoxville, advised Major General G. B. Crittenden: In addition to the two regiments mentioned (Looney’s and White’s) there are seven companies that have been mustered into service that heretofore been nominally under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Avery which were assigned t me by the Secretary of War. They have not been organized into a regiment for the reason that three of them, which I left at Camp of Instruction, Germantown, Tennessee, were ordered to Fort Pillow by Gen