History of the 37th
The History of the Thirty Seventh Tennesse Infantry Regiment
What was it that made this regiment special? That question lies within the people who were the unit. Men and boys from every walk of life who came together for a common cause. People who loved enough to make the greatest sacrifice and those who couldn't see another sacrifice. The Thiry-seventh has been overlooked in history even though its contributions place it second to none. The history that will be shown will illuminate a group of men who through a variety of reasons were annihlated. This is their story.
The story of this regiment starts with the men. These men were as varied as the seasons, they were from the backwoods of Cumberland Gap, the picturesque Lookout Mountain and far away off Madison, Alabama. Some of these men were born with a gun in their hand and others had never been with a gun before. Men like William Henry Carroll and Moses White were special men they were wealthy and well off. Most of the privates of the regiment would never imagine that kind of wealth.
No regiment is worth anything without the men who volunteered to fight die in the ranks. Before we get into what they did lets find out who they are. Company A was made up of men from Bedford and Coffee Countyin middle Tennessee. This regiment was the only one in the 37th to have a company nickname, as they were called the "Thompson Creek Grays." From where Thompson Creek meets the two counties of this company it is assumed that the bulk of the men were from the Beech Grove area. Given the homes of the men of this company they were fighting in their own backyards for much of the war. This company was originally commanded by Edward F. Hunt.
Unlike A Company B Company is the first of the East Tennessee companies. This group of men were raised in Claiborne County. On the northern border of this county is the famous Cumberland Gap, so like their comrades in A Company these men too fought and marched through there homes. So far it has been determined that these men lived near Tazewell. While this company was in field their homes were under the constant fear of roving lawless bands of men. This company was led by James D. Thomas.
