Rutherford Rifles

The Rutherford Rifles (Company I, 1st Tennessee Infantry) was organized in Rutherford County with William Ledbetter, Jr., as captain. They spent one week in daily drills in and about Murfreesboro. On May 2, 1861, they met on Depot Hill to leave for Nashville, where they arrived at 11 a.m. They marched around the square in Nashville to the tune of "Annie Laurie." They were mustered into Confederate service on August 1, 1861. The outfit fought at Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Kennesaw Mountain, the Atlanta campaign, and in Hood's invasion of Tennessee.

Alfred Horsley of Columbia, Tennessee, wrote of the Rutherford Rifles: "The Butlers of our regiment were fine soldiers. Jack, captain of the Railroad company and Joe, his brother, lieutenant, refined and handsome as a woman, but brave as Caesar, literally shot to pieces at Perryville, Dock of the Rutherford Rifles, in stature like a Roman gladiator, shot at Missionary Ridge. For years we had seen his grand Apollo-like form in the front of the Rutherford Rifles, rendered more majestic by comparison with the diminutive form of captain "Doc" Ledbetter. No matter how dark the night or how long the march, when the "imminent perilous edge of battle" was in sight, the Rutherford Rifles always had a long battle line and "Doc" Ledbetter was at the head. I often recall him and his company, as they appeared before battle. I think you will concur with me in saying the Rutherford Rifles was the best company in the 1st Tennessee Regiment. Sam Davis who died at Pulaski rather than betray a confidence was a member of the Rutherford Rifles... If all the men in the Southern army had been like the Rutherford Rifles, we could have camped on the shores of Lake Erie instead of the Chattahoochie. My memory is a picture gallery in which is seen this splendid company of men at the moment of battle-all others looking like skeletons, but the Rutherford company of men, a long line of tall, majestic men. Caesar would have placed them in his "Tenth Legion" or Napoleon in his "Old Guard." The Ransoms, the Wades, the Kings, the Bezles (Beazles) , the Jarrats were all grand men, but like Saul, "Doc" Ledbetter rose proudly preeminent above them all, and poor Hardy Murfree, the best of men, his memory is worthy to be honored with the tears of all good and brace men. All honor to Rutherford County." List of Members;

1. Capt. Wm. Ledbetter, elected captain at organization in 1861; re-elected at reorganization in 1862; wounded at Atlanta, at Franklin, and was captured and imprisoned; made his escape and surrendered in 1865.

2. 1st Lieutenant Hardy Murfree; elected 1st Lieutenant at organization in April 1861; re-elected at the re-organization in 186 2; wounded and disabled at Adairsville on May 17, 1864; surrendered in 1865.

3. 2nd Lieutenant R. F. James; elected 2nd Lieutenant at organization in April 1861; volunteered after the reorganization in 1862 as staff officer and killed at the Battle of Murfreesboro 1862.

4. 3rd Lieutenant C. H. King, elected 3rd Lieutenant at organization in April 1861; volunteered as a private in same company at reorganization in 1862; wounded at Perryville, Kentucky, detailed in 1863 in Signal Corps Service; surrendered in North Carolina 1865.

5. Ordnance Sergeant A. Loeb, elected Ordnance Sergeant at organization in 1861.

6. Anderson, B. F., enlisted April 1861, surrendered with command in North Carolina 1865.

7. Anderson, E. W., enlisted April 1861; appointed Corporal, went to cavalry in 1864; died since surrender.

8. Anderson, J. L., wounded at Adairsville, Georgia, 1864.

9. Avent, B. W., Jr., enlisted April 1861; detailed on special duty in medical department.

10. Bass, A. J., enlisted April 1861; killed at Shiloh in 1862.

11. Batey, B. B., enlisted April 1861; appointed Ordnance Sergeant in 1862, wounded at Marietta, Georgia, 1864; surrendered with command in North Carolina 1865.

12. Batey, J. B., enlisted April 1861; captured in 1862, and remained a prisoner.

13. Batey, W. O., went to cavalry in 1863.

14. Becton, J. W., enlisted April 1861; appointed sergeant, discharged in 1863; captured and died in prison in 1865.

15. Beesley, Jas., M. , wounded near Marietta, Georgia, 1864; surrendered with command in North Carolina in 1865.

16. Beesley, John, enlisted April 1861; appointed corporal; wounded at Murfreesboro 1862; detailed on special duty.

17. Beesley, N. W., enlisted April 1861, wounded at Murfreesboro and disabled; afterwards discharged and died since surrender.

18. Beesley, T. J., enlisted April 1861; wounded at Adairsville, Georgia, surrendered with command in North Carolina 1865.

19. Beesley, Wm. enlisted April 1861; wounded at Chickamauga, Georgia, Adairsville, Georgia and Franklin, Tennessee; surrendered with command in North Carolina 1865.

20. Blair, A. H., enlisted April 1861; sutler.

21. Blair, J. L. W., enlisted April 1861; wounded at Perryville, Kentucky, captured and remained a prisoner.

22. Beachboard, Wm., died 1868.

23. Baird, John L., enlisted April 1861, appointed Surgeon, transferred to medical department and died during the war.

24. Bock, Adam, enlisted April 1861; detached on special duty.

25. Boring, T. M., enlisted April 1861, killed at Perryville, Kentucky.

26. Brooks, C. C., enlisted April 1861, wounded and disabled at Perryville, and discharged.

27. Brothers, A. W., transferred from 7th Tennessee 1861; captured in 1863 and remained a prisoner.

28. Burrows, T. W., wounded and disabled at Adairsville, Georgia.

29. Butler, I. W., enlisted April 1861; mortally wounded and died at Missionary Ridge, Georgia, 1863.

30. Carney, L. V., enlisted April 1861, discharged in Virginia in fall of 1861.

31. Gates, Joe D., enlisted April 1861; killed at Perryville, Kentucky.

32. Clark, Geo. W., enlisted April 1861; killed at Perryville, Kentucky.

33. Clay, D. D., enlisted April 1861; wounded at Perryville, Kentucky; lost an arm at Lovejoy, Georgia, afterwards discharged.

34. Collier, F. W., enlisted April 1861; captured in 1864 and remained a prisoner, died 24 April 1880.

35. Cooper, T. C., furnished Thos. Kinney as a substitute in 1863.

36. Crass, F. H., enlisted April 1861, detached on special duty.

37. Crichlow, Sam, enlisted April 1861; wounded at Cheat Mountain in 1861; discharged and died after surrender.

38. Crockett, T. O., enlisted April 1861; killed at Missionary Ridge 1863.

39. Davis, Samuel, enlisted April 1861; detailed as special scout 1863; captured and executed by hanging at Pulaski, Tennessee , by the enemy 25 November 1863.

40. Davis, Sonnie, enlisted April 1861; died in Virginia 1861.

41. Dickson, L. M., enlisted April 1861; died at Corinth, Mississippi, 1862.

42. Dudley, R. H. (B. H.?), enlisted April 1861; went to cavalry 1864.

43. Drumright, W. B., enlisted April 1861; wounded at Murfreesboro 1862; went to cavalry.

44. Edwards, A. M., enlisted April 1861; went to cavalry.

45. Ewing, Joseph W., detached on special duty.

46. Farris, W., enlisted April 1861, discharged in 1861.

47. Featherston, W. E., wounded near Marietta, Georgia, captured in 1865 and remained a prisoner.

48. Fletcher, James H., transferred from 8th Tennessee, went to cavalry 1865.

49. Fletcher, Jas. S., enlisted April 1861, appointed surgeon and transferred to medical department; killed since the surrender.

50. Grigg, Joe H., enlisted April 1861; discharged at Corinth in 1862.

51. Hall, Josephus, enlisted April 1861; detailed on special duty; taken prisoner; died since surrender.

52. Halliburton, B. F., enlisted April 1861; wounded at Cheat Mountain, Va. ; went to cavalry 1864; died since the war.

53. Haynes, C. G., enlisted April 1861, died at Winchester, Va., 1861.

54. Haynes, J. E. W., enlisted April 1861; appointed corporal, wounded at Perryville; killed at Missionary Ridge 1863.

55. Hicks, Wm. H., enlisted April 1861; transferred to artillery; died since surrender.

56. Higdon, J. A., enlisted April 1861; wounded near Marietta, Georgia; afterwards detailed on special duty.

57. Henry, J. (?), enlisted April 1861; appointed sergeant; went on to cavalry in 1864.

58. Hirshberg, Simon, enlisted April 1861; appointed corporal; detailed musician.

59. Hodge, S. H., enlisted April 1861; detached as special scout 1863; captured and kept in prison until the surrender.

60. Howse, L. H., enlisted April 1861; discharged and reenlisted in 1862; detached as special scout and surrendered in 186 5.

61. Holloway, Daniel, enlisted April 1861; discharged at Camp Cheatham in 1861.

62. Hollowell, S. S., enlisted April 1861; discharged and re-enlisted 1862; wounded at Atlanta in 1865; died since surrender.

63. James, Allen, enlisted April 1861; went to cavalry in 1864.

64. Jackson, J. W., enlisted April 1861; captured in 1863, and remained a prisoner.

65. Jamison, M. C., enlisted April 1861; appointed sergeant; killed at the battle of Perryville.

66. Jarratt, J. T., enlisted April 1861; appointed Ordnance Sergeant in 1862; killed at Perryville, Kentucky

67. Jetton, J. W., enlisted April 1861; transferred to Gen. Cleburne's staff; died since the surrender.

68. Jetton, Brevard, enlisted April 1861; discharged 1862; since the surrender has died.

69. Jenkins, J. P., enlisted April 1861; transferred to 11th Tennessee Cavalry 1862.

70. Johnson, G. W., enlisted April 1861; appointed corporal; killed at Missionary Ridge 1863.

71. Jones, Robt. G., enlisted April 1861; surrendered with command in North Carolina in 1865; died since the surrender.

72. Jones, John, substituted by Pat Lishley 1863, killed at Missionary Ridge 1863.

73. Keeble, James M., enlisted April 1861; transferred to Gen. Geo. Maney's staff.

74. Kerr, J. M., enlisted April 1861; wounded at Perryville; went to cavalry.

75. King, John D., enlisted April 1861; captured at Cheat Mountain 1861, exchanged in 1862, and transferred to medical department.

76. King, J. M., enlisted April 1861; wounded at Chickamauga; surrendered with command in North Carolina in 1865.

77. King, T. M., enlisted April 1861; wounded at Adairsville, Georgia; surrendered in North Carolina in 1865.

78. Kinney, Thos., substituted by T. C. Cooper 1863; killed near Morgan's Mill in Rutherford County in 1863.

79. Lawrence, J. C., enlisted April 1861; captured in 1864 and remained a prisoner.

80. Ledbetter, North Carolina, enlisted April 1861; went to cavalry; died since the surrender.

81. Leiper, Sam C., enlisted April 1861; went to cavalry in 1864.

82. Leiper, Wm. F., enlisted April 1861; transferred to 4th Tennessee Inf.

83. Levy, Henry, wounded and disabled at Resaca, Georgia.

84. Lillard, M., enlisted April 1861; discharged in 1862.

85. Love, J. R., enlisted April 1861; furnished a substitute (Pat McMann) in 1863.

86. Lishley, Pat, transferred from artillery 1863; furnished a substitute (John Jones) in 1863, and joined 1st Tennessee Band.

87. Loeb, Maurice, musician.

88. Mayberry, W. G., enlisted April 1861; discharged in 1862, died since the war.

89. McLean, A. V., enlisted April 1861, went to cavalry 1864.

90. McLean, C. L., enlisted April 1861, went to cavalry 1864.

91. McFarlin, Marion P., detached on special duty; captured in 1863 and remained a prisoner.

92. McMann, Pat, substitute for J. R. Love 1863; wounded and died at Chickamauga.

93. Miller, Charles, enlisted April 1861; appointed sergeant 1862; went to cavalry in 1865.

94. Mancy, D. D., transferred from commissary department.

95. Mitchell, Wm., enlisted April 1861; transferred to 4th Tennessee Infantry.

96. Moore, Wm., enlisted April 1861; discharged in Virginia 1861; died since the war.

97. Morton, James, transferred from 8th Tennessee Inf. in 1861; captured in 1865; remained a prisoner; died since the war.

98. Mosbey, Jas. C., enlisted April 1861; captured 1863 and remained a prisoner.

99. Murfree, Hal, enlisted April 1861; discharged in Virginia in 1861.

100. Murfree, J. B., enlisted April 1861; promoted to surgeon and transferred to Medical Department in 1861.

101. Neal, Fount E., enlisted April 1861; wounded Cheat Mountain; appointed sergeant; killed at Atlanta July 22, 1864.

102. Neal, John, enlisted April 1861; discharged 1861.

103. Nance, I. W., enlisted April 1861; went to cavalry 1863.

104. North, J. M., enlisted April 1861; wounded at Missionary Ridge 1863; went to cavalry in 1865.

105. North, W. L., enlisted April 1861; killed at Franklin, Tennessee, 1864.

106. Oden, Thos. M., captured 1865 and remained a prisoner.

107. Pierce, E. L., enlisted April 1861; wounded and died at Perryville, Kentucky, in 1862.

108. Poindexter, J. R., enlisted April 1861, captured 1863 and remained a prisoner.

109. Phillips, J. L., wounded at Marietta, Georgia, 1863; went to cavalry 1865.

110. Pritchett, Ed, enlisted April 1862; detailed musician.

111. Ransom, A. R., enlisted April 1861; wounded at Perryville, Kentucky, and Adairsville, Georgia, and discharged; died since the war.

112. Ransom, H. R., enlisted April 1861; elected 3rd Lieutenant 1862 at re-organization; wounded at Perryville, Kentucky 1862; wounded and died at Adairsville, Georgia, 1864.

113. Ransom, S. H., enlisted April 1861; transferred to quartermaster's department in 1861; rejoined the company in 1862; killed at Perryville, Kentucky, 1862.

114. Ransom, Wm., enlisted April 1861; died at Warm Springs, Virginia, 1861.

115. Rucker, Robt., enlisted April 1861; discharged 1861; died since the war.

116. Rutledge, Pleasant, surrendered with command in North Carolina in 1865.

117. Searcy, Wm., enlisted April 1861; killed at Perryville, Kentucky, 1862.

118. Seward, Z. T., enlisted April 1861; killed at Perryville, Kentucky, 1862.

119. Shelton, W. D., enlisted April 1861; transferred to cavalry 1863.

120. Sims, E. B., enlisted April 1861; discharged 1862.

121. Sims, N. H., enlisted April 1861, transferred to cavalry.

122. Smith, John D., enlisted April 1861; died at Warm Springs, Virginia , 1861.

123. Smith, L. J., enlisted April 1861; captured in 1864 and remained a prisoner.

124. Smith, L. H., enlisted April 1861; killed at Perryville.

125. Smith, J. Battle, enlisted April 1861; died at Edra , Virginia, 1861.

126. Smith, W. B., enlisted April 1861; died at Edra, Virginia, 1861.

127. Smith, John, wounded at Chickamauga, afterwards died in 1863.

128. Snell, J. T., enlisted April 1861, appointed sergeant in 1862; wounded at Perryville, Kentucky, and Franklin, Tennessee; went to cavalry in 1865.

129. Snell, T. A., enlisted April 1861; appointed 2nd Sergeant in 1861; wounded at Murfreesboro in 1862; elected 3rd Lieutenant in 1864; and surrendered with command in North Carolina in 1865.

130. Snell, F. M., killed at Murfreesboro in 1862.

131. Sudberry, Henry, went to artillery in 1864; died since war.

132. Sublett, D. D., enlisted April 1861; wounded at Shiloh; captured in 1864; remained a prisoner; committed suicide since surrender.

133. Tucker, E. R., enlisted April 1861, discharged 1861.

134. Tignor, enlisted April 1861; detached on special duty 1861.

135. Traylor, J. W., enlisted April 1861; died Tupelo, Mississippi, 1862.

136. Tucker, J. T., enlisted April 1861; detailed as hospital steward 1862.

137. Turner, E. L., enlisted April 1861; wounded at Perryville, Kentucky, and Lavergne, Tennessee, went to cavalry 1864.

138. Turner, R. J., enlisted April 1861; promoted to assistant surgeon and transferred to Medical Department in 1861.

139. Vaughan, E. R., enlisted April 1861; went to cavalry in 1865.

140. Vaughan, J. F., detailed as special scout in 1863.

141. Watts, Wm., enlisted April 1861, wounded at Cheat Mountain and discharged.

142. Wade, T. J., enlisted April 1861; wounded at Peachtree Creek, Georgia, and Franklin, Tennessee, captured and remained a prisoner.

143. Walter, George, enlisted April 1861; detailed as a a musician.

144. White, J. H., enlisted April 1861; died at Shelbyville, Tennessee , 1863.

145. Wilkinson, George H., enlisted April 1861; elected 2nd Lieutenant at re-organization in 1862; wounded and disabled at Atlanta, Georgia, 22 July 1864.

146. Wilkinson, W. A., wounded at Marietta, Georgia, wounded and disabled at Franklin, Tennessee, 1864.

147. Wilson, G. B., died at Shelbyville in 1863.

148. Wilson, T. H., discharged in 1863.

149. Wheeling, C, enlisted April 1861; captured at Cheat Mountain, 1861; exchanged 1862; detached on special duty in quartermaster department.

150. Wright, John, enlisted April 1861; transferred to ordinance department in 1861.

(List compiled in 1880 by T. M. King, B. B. Batey, and T. A. Snell.)

NOTE: This manuscript is copied from "Some Rutherford County, Tennessee Cemetery Records" published 1971 by Jill K. Garrett & Iris H. McClain. Used with permission of the Authors and Publishers. It is edited by Henry G. Wray, Rutherford County Archivist. (Manuscript found in papers of Caroline K. Burrus.)

Rutherford County | Tennessee

Source: Rutherford County Historical Society, Publication No. 2, winter, 1973.