154th Senior Regiment, Tennessee Infantry (1st Tennessee)

Historical Notes:
The 154th Tennessee Militia Regiment was a pre-war organization, dating back to 1842, when it was first organized, and assigned the Tennessee Militia number 154. It held on to its designation, and when the old militia system was dropped in 1859-60, the officers and men took out a charter of incorporation, being incorporated by act of the Legislature on March 22, 1860. As soon as war was declared, the regiment reorganized at Randolph, Shelby County, and retained the old number. Since it was known as the oldest of the old, it asked for, and received permission to add the appellation “Senior” to its regimental number, to indicate that it antedated the regiments with lower numbers.

The 154th fought throughout the war with the Army of Tennessee, surrendering in North Carolina. Officers:
Colonels:
Preston Smith
Edward Fitzgerald
Michael Magevney, Jr.
Lieutenant Colonels:
Marcus J. Wright
Michael Magevney, Jr.
John W. Dawson
Marsh M. Patrick
Majors:
Jones Genette
John D. Martin
Edward Fitzgerald
John W. Dawson
Marsh M. Patrick Assignments:
Brigadier General B. F. Cheatham's Brigade
General D. S. Donelson's Brigade
Colonel A. S. Fulton's Brigade
Brigadier General Charles Clark's Division
Colonel R. M. Russell's Brigade
Preston Smith’s / Vaughn’s Brigade Battles:
Richmond
Belmont
Perryville
Murfreesboro
Chickamauga
The Atlanta Campaign
The Carolinas Campaign
Bentonville Rosters:
The roster of this unit contains the names of 1917 men.

Jones Genette, C. L. Powers, W. J. Whittsitt, Richard II. Randolph, John Koneke, George McCulley, Co. "A". "The Light Guard," of Memphis. Men from Shelby County.
J. H. Edmondson, Phillip T. Allin, Co. "B". "The Bluff City Grays." Called "D" in State service. Became a company of Sharpshooters in Brigadier General Preston Smith's Brigade, where it was reported as Edmondson S or Allin's Sharpshooters. Consolidated with Captain William H. Forrest's Company Febuary 25, 1863 to form Co. "F", 11th Tennessee Cavalry Regiment. Removed July 1, 1863, and served as Co. "A", 26th Tennessee Cavalry Battalion, which became 2nd Co. "A", 3rd (Forrest's Old) Tennessee Cavalry Regiment. Captain Edmondson became colonel of the 11th Tennessee Cavalry, but soon resigned. Men from Shelby County.
Michael Magevney, Jr., Jeremiah Moriarity, Co. "C" "The Jackson Guards," of Memphis. Called "B" in State service. Men from Shelby County.
Sterling Fowlkes, Jr., W. G. Cannon, Co. "D". "The Harris Zouave Cadets." "The Memphis Zouaves." Called "E" in State service. Men from Shelby County.
John D. Martin, George Mellersh, John S. Donelson, Albert Butt, Mark L. Riggs, Co. "E". "The Hickory Rifles," of Memphis. Called "I" in State service. Men from Shelby County.
Edward Fitzgerald, W. B. Yowell, Charles D. Cooney, Co. "F". "The Henry Guards." Called "C" in State service. Men from Paris, Henry County.
James S. Moreland, B. B. Hutcheson, Co. "G". "The Beauregards." Called "K" in State service. Men from Shelby County.
Marsh M. Patrick, John A. Deniger, Co. "H". "The Crockett Rangers," of Memphis. Called "F" in State service. Men from Shelby County.
Alphonso Cross, C. R. Wharton, Christopher Sherwin, Co. "I". "The McNairy Guards." Called "H" in State service. Men from McNairy County.
Thomas H. Hancock, E. M. Cheairs, M. H. Chrishan, Co. "K". "The Sons of Liberty." Called "G" in State service. Men from Hardeman County
These were the original 10 companies.

Later companies were:

E. A. Cole, W. R. Lucas, Co. "L". "The Maynard Rifles," of Memphis. Organized March 8, 1862. Men from Shelby County.
H. E. DeGraffenried, William D. Sneed, 2nd Co. "B". Organized May 16, 1862. Men from Somerville, Fayette County.
"The Southern Guards," of Memphis, Captain James Hamilton, was part of the prewar organization, but withdrew and formed an Artillery company, and their place was taken by "The Beauregards."
"The Steuben Artillery," Captain F. Krone, was also attached to the regiment while in State service. Before it entered Confederate service, the officers of this battery resigned, and the company disbanded. The guns and equipment were turned over to Captain J. W. Stewart in August, 1861.
Bibliography for Research: