Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1864-04-23
I CoMMUNIuATEp.l
First East Tennessee Cavalry,

Editor Wig-DFAR SIR Pense give this short
letter plOco in your paper | am connected with
the Frat East Tennessee Cavalry; and no doubt
many Of It's friends would be glad to hear from II
through your excellent paper It isa, this time in
the vicinity of the town of Cleveland, East Tcnues-
see, This regiment was first raised by Colonel Il,
johnson, as the 4th Eust Tennessee infantry but
on the frat day Of November 1904 at camp Dcnni-
SON. ii was transferred from the infantry 10 the cav.
airy service, by order Of the war department. and
was sworn in by Lieut., Smith Of the regular army,
In short time il was ordered 10 the city Of Nash.
vile, which it done by way Of the pike, across the
State Of Kentucky, At Nashville ii did some SER
vice but in u few day. II was ordered TO Trunc,
half way between Nashville and ShebyyilIe There
Il was bHgadod with four regiments of infantry,
commanded by that distinguished gentleman and
soldier G.n, Stcadmani afterwards by Gen Scho.
field, whom the regiment only remembers to love MS
a brave and patriotic commanders and last, but not
least, by Gen, Brandon. For three months and
more it did scout and picket duty for the brigade,
and always rendered perfect satisfaction to tho CONF
mandcr ono of whom am told has said that the
blood in Tennessee with the sabre. In the month
of April lsG2, Col, johnson was detailed on duty
ut Nashville, whore he has remained ever since
And the regiment has been commanded in the field
ever since by the gallant and daring Young officer
Lieut., Col Jas, p, Browuow whom | have often
said was afraid Of no man, aud was above no sol
der and has made more sabre charges lto the rebel
rank, than any officer in Tennessee.
Our brigade is composed of the 9th Pennsylvania.
I'd Michigan, and lst East Tennessee TIc 9th and
ID are brave aud clever men, ana commanded by
able and gallant officers, both field and lie Our
brigade has been commanded for ten mophs ly
Col \. p Campbell Of the I'd Michigan, VII, has
proven himself worthy Of his position by his oncds
Of daring in command Of his chivalrous brigade on
many n skirmish line and battlefield. The write,
with the public generally, will never forget the LIST
Brigade of the Cavalry ofthc Army orthc Cumbcr-
land | should love TO speak of the officers Of our
whole division and their worthy deeds, but space
forbids it ut present AT this time, sad 10 say oul
regiment is unpreparcd for duty, It's horses are run
down, and its arms worn out, Our anxetics are
running high as to how soon we will be retcd, and
ready AGAIN Tor tue helu' Inc boys arc IN good
health, and We can, if mounted, bring Goo men into
the field. But as stated, the Colonel commanding
has been of on detail, and Col Brownlow has been
for two months acting MS Inspector General on Gen
Sturgis' staff and our Quarcrm0ster on detail at
Nashville. The question is, who will take hold and
reft our regiment? The spring campaign is hero
our boys are willing and want TO fight. Give US
horses and arms and then send the single and gal
liant JIM and with his brave boys he will charge the
rebels lines and return with trophies from the field
of victory. Col. Brownlow has not only been brave,
but fortunate, for he has probably done more, and
lost fewer men, thun any other officer in the service
We most politely and imploringly ask the military
authori les to equip anew that we may not be
found wanting in the day of need More anon.
j. p. II.