This book follows the 7th Tennessee Infantry Regiment from their May 1861 mustering-in to the war’s final moments at Appomattox in April 1865. It is an intensely personal account based upon the Tennesseans’ letters, journals, memoirs, official reports, personnel records and family histories. It is a powerful account of courage and sacrifice. The men (a full roster is included) changed from exhilarated volunteers to battle-hardened veterans. They had eagerly rushed to join up, “anxious to confront the enemy on the battle front.” Later, amid the grim realities, the Tennesseans stayed with their comrades and carried out their responsibilities. Rifleman Tom Holloway wrote, “I went into this measure with the conviction that it was my imperative duty.” Eventually, as the war destroyed the Tennesseans, Lt. Ferguson Harris wrote simply, “I wonder who will be the last of us to go?”

William Thomas Venner has researched and written widely about the American Civil War. His articles have appeared in Civil War Times Illustrated, Journal of Field Archaeology, and America’s Civil War. A retired teacher of history and archaeology in schools and at the college level, he lives in Huntersville, North Carolina.

William Thomas Venner

Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 244
Bibliographic Info: 12 photos, 12 maps, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2013
pISBN: 978-0-7864-7350-2
eISBN: 978-1-4766-0209-7
Imprint: McFarland

Introduction 1

Part I : History
1. May 28, 1861: Early Afternoon 5
2. August 2, 1861: Morning 15
3. May 8, 1862: Morning 29
4. August 20, 1862: Before Dawn 50
5. December 14, 1862: Early Morning 69
6. July 1, 1863: Morning 80
7. July 3, 1863: Morning 95
8. July 3, 1863: Sunset 112
9. May 4, 1864: Morning 122
10. October 20, 1864: Afternoon 143

Part II : 7th Tennessee Infantry Roster 159

Part I Notes 207
Bibliography 221
Index 226

“The 7th Tennessee Infantry in the Civil War, packed with diary entries and letters, surpasses the average superficial confederate regimental. The author did his research and did it well.”—Civil War News.