Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-02-06


The FIRST TENNESSEE CAVALRY OF THEIR
"N4TIvE HEATH.''-The Nashville Union, Of
January 2eth, contains an account of the
crossing of the First Tennessee Cavalry, Col
onel Robert johnson, into Tennessee. The
interesting circumstance attending it Is the
fact that nearly every man in the Regiment,
from the Colonel down, is Tennesseean
and was forced to Zee from his State by the
seeessiOnists, because they loved the Old
Union with its many privileges and bless
ings better than the wicked government
which JET. Davis sought to fasten upon them.
We believe the Regiment was formed at
Camp psnnisOh, being a consolidation of
two Infantry Regiments into one of Cavalry.
The Major is William R. Tracy, formerly of
PainesviIIe, Ohio, where he was born and
reared.
We know him we'll, and believe him to be
brave and efficient officer. BE had pur-
chased farm in East Tennessee before the
war broke out, and stocked it largely with
cattle and sheep. He was forced to leave ali
his possessions, and was thankful to get
away with his life. The men forming the
Ist Tennessee Cavalry will have some heavy
accounts to settle with those who forced them
from their homes. They
Come with banner, brand aud bow,
As warriors seok their mortal foe
The regiment is now in Nashville. We
copy the following. from correspondence of
"Feliz in the Nashville Union:
at midday on Tuesday, the 9th instant,
the 1st Tennessee Cavalry, commanded by
nnlonel Rnhart -Inbnsnn arasaed fhe line be
tween kentucky and Tennessee, and once
more stand upon the soil of their native
State. The LIST battalion, under command of
Major VIM. R. Tracy, crossed the dividing
line betweeuAhe two States. The battalion
was formed in close column of squadrons in
an open space on the right of the turnpike,
some two hundred yards on the Tennessee
side Of the stone which marks tho dividing
line Of the two sister States, Tennessee and
Kentucky. Major Tracy commanded atten-
ton, and asked the men 10 listen to a few
remarks from ParsOn John P. Holtsinger, of
Greenville, East Tennessee, Chaplain Of the
Regiment, with uncovered heads. Every
hat was instantly lifted, and Parson Holt
singer, sitting on his horse, made a most
stirring and heartfelt address. He seemed to
feel the deep enthusiasm which the occasion
called forth, and at times was fairly eloquent.
He said how thankful to God We all ought to
feel for the privilege of again being within
the bounds Of our native State, ani how
often the vile secessionists that had driven
us from home had said that we never should
tread the soil of Tennessee again.
4" When look around me and see so many
familiar faces Of my old neighbor boys at
home, my feelings are too strong for utter
ance, and yet feel it my duty to invoke the
blessing of Almighty God upon you ALL
Then alighting from his horse, upon his
bended knee in the middle Of the road, he
offered up such prayer as is only offered
up once in life-time, and which every man
who heard it will ever remember.
Colonel johnson, who was behind the
train with his body-guard, squadrons A, d,
and thirty men from squadron K, and the
second battalion stopped at the stone on the
line, had the men form around him, had one
of his orderlies sing war medley, the Cho-
rus Of which Is:
{" Somebody is after Ysn-y, somebody's there
It surely IS old sigel, for hsr his osnnou
roar
Colonel johnson then mounted the stone
and made short, eloquent, and characteris-
tic speech beftting the occasion, winding up
by giving three cheers for all present, and
success to the First Tennessee Cavalry and
Tennessee generally"