John C Rigdon

Historical Sketch and Roster of The Tennessee 15th and 37th Infantry Regiments John C Rigdon

The Tennessee 15th & 37th Infantry Regiments were consolidated early in the war due to severe losses they had suffered in early battles. They continued together throughout the Atlanta and Carolinas Campaigns, although they retained their identity as separate units. The 15th Infantry regiment was organized for state service at Jackson, Tennessee on June 7, 1861, with nine companies. Nine of the companies composing the 37th Infantry regiment were organized in August and September, 1861. They assembled at Camp Ramsay, near Knoxville, where the regiment was organized. The original intention was to form a rifle brigade of three regiments, hence the name 1st Tennessee Rifles. However, it was not possible to secure guns of any sort, much less rifles, so that name was soon dropped. Shortly after organization the regiment moved to Camp of Instruction at Camp Sam Hays, Germantown, Shelby County. While enroute to that point, Company "E" joined the regiment at Madison, Alabama. Companies Of The Tennessee 15th Infantry Co. "A". McKenzie, Weakley County Co. "B". Memphis. Co. C". "The Montgomery Guards." Memphis. Co. "D". Madison County. Co. "E". "The Madrid Bend Guards." Lake County. 1st Co. "F". "The Young Guard." Memphis 2nd Co. "F". Memphis, . Co. "G". Paducah, Kentucky, and Southern Illinois. Co. "H", Shelby County. Co. "I". "The Washington Rifles Shelby County. Co. "K". "The Swiss Rifles." Memphis. Companies Of The Tennessee 37th Infantry Co. "A". "The Thompson Creek Grays". Coffee and Bedford Counties. Co. "B". Claiborne County. Co. "C". Jefferson and Grainger Counties. Co. "D". Chattanooga, Hamilton County Co. "E". Men from Alabama. Co. "F". Washington County. Co. "G". Bradley County. Co. "H". North Georgia and Hamilton County. Co. "I". Blount and Sevier Counties. Co. "K". Grainger County.