18th Regiment, Tennessee Cavalry (Newsome's)
Historical Notes:
This unit was also also called the 19th Regiment. It was organized in May, 1864, by consolidating six companies of Newsom's Tennessee Cavalry Regiment and four companies of Forrest's Alabama Cavalry Regiment. Its members were recruited in Hardeman, Madison, Henderson, and McNairy counties. The unit was assigned to T.H. Bell's Brigade in the Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana. In Mississippi it sustained 22 casualites at Brice's Cross Roads and 95 at Harrisburg. Later the regiment was active in Tennessee and in March, 1865, was consolidated with the 20th Tennessee Cavalry. It moved to Alabama and on May 3, the 18th/20th contained 29 officers and 217 men. The next day they were included in the surrender of the department.
Officers:
Colonels:
John F. Newsom
Dew Moore Wisdom
Lieutenant Colonel:
Joseph D. Ozier
Majors:
William Y. Baker
William T. Parham
Assignments:
Assigned to T. H. Bell's Brigade in the Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana.
Battles:
Brice’s Cross Road
Harrisburg
Rosters:
The roster of this unit contains the names of 1072 men.
The Tennessee 18th Cavalry Regiment was organized in May, 1864, by consolidating six companies of Newsom's Tennessee Cavalry Regiment and four companies of Forrest's Alabama Cavalry Regiment. Its members were recruited in Hardeman, Madison, Henderson, and McNairy counties.
From Newsom’s Tennessee Cavalry:
Thomas I. Dick, Co. "A". Dick later became captain, Co. "G", 18th (19th) Regiment. Some of the men served in his company, some in 21st (16th) Regiment.
Jason W. Fussell, Co. "B". Some of the men later were in Co. "G", 21st (16th).
William H. Simmons, Co. "C". Some men later in Co. "E", 21st (16th) Regiment.
William Wilson (or Wilison), Co. "D". Some men later in 21st (16th) Regiment, some in 18th (19th) Regiment.
R. M. May, Co. "E" May was later captain, Co. "B", 18th (19th) Regiment, and some of the men also served in this organization.
Luther C. McClerkin, Co. "F". McClerkin was later captain, Co. "I", 18th (19th) Regiment and some of the men also served in this organization.
Francis M. Phillips, Co. "G". Some of the men later served in 18th (19th) Regiment.
Thomas I. Ruffin, Co. "H". Nothing is known as to subsequent fate of this company; probably disbanded and men distributed to other companies. Prisoner of war records showed men from Hardeman, Hardin, Henderson, Madison and McNairy Counties
Bibliography for Research:
John F. Newsom
Dew Moore Wisdom
Lieutenant Colonel:
Joseph D. Ozier
Majors:
William Y. Baker
William T. Parham
Harrisburg
The Tennessee 18th Cavalry Regiment was organized in May, 1864, by consolidating six companies of Newsom's Tennessee Cavalry Regiment and four companies of Forrest's Alabama Cavalry Regiment. Its members were recruited in Hardeman, Madison, Henderson, and McNairy counties.
From Newsom’s Tennessee Cavalry:
Thomas I. Dick, Co. "A". Dick later became captain, Co. "G", 18th (19th) Regiment. Some of the men served in his company, some in 21st (16th) Regiment.
Jason W. Fussell, Co. "B". Some of the men later were in Co. "G", 21st (16th).
William H. Simmons, Co. "C". Some men later in Co. "E", 21st (16th) Regiment.
William Wilson (or Wilison), Co. "D". Some men later in 21st (16th) Regiment, some in 18th (19th) Regiment.
R. M. May, Co. "E" May was later captain, Co. "B", 18th (19th) Regiment, and some of the men also served in this organization.
Luther C. McClerkin, Co. "F". McClerkin was later captain, Co. "I", 18th (19th) Regiment and some of the men also served in this organization.
Francis M. Phillips, Co. "G". Some of the men later served in 18th (19th) Regiment.
Thomas I. Ruffin, Co. "H". Nothing is known as to subsequent fate of this company; probably disbanded and men distributed to other companies. Prisoner of war records showed men from Hardeman, Hardin, Henderson, Madison and McNairy Counties