12th US Colored Infantry

The 12th US Colored Infantry was at various times named the 2nd Alabama Regiment (African Descent) , the 3rd Tennessee Volunteers (African Descent) and the 1st Regiment US Colored Infantry. Men were recruited into its ranks across the state of Tennessee from July 24 to August 14, 1863.

Soon after mustering in, the regiment was engaged in guard duty at various points in Tennessee and Alabama along the railroad lines. During this time, they were in Johnsonville, Tennessee during the Battle of Johnsonville on November 2, 4 ,and 5, 1864,  and the Battle of Nashville December 15-16, 1864. The 12th USCI pursued Confederate General Hood's defeated  Army of Tennessee to the Tennessee River December 17-28, 1864. The 12th USCI mustered out in December 1866.

The 12th USCI was the second most popular regiment for Williamson County's Black men to have enlisted in. 55 men - about 14% of Williamson County's USCT soldiers - enlisted in the 12th USCI. 

Men from Williamson County Who Enlisted in the 12th US Colored Infantry

Company A:

• • Pvt. Silas Garrott [Jarret?], enlisted Aug. 18, 1864,  at the Sec. 26 N&NW railroad, born in Williamson County 

  • Pvt. Adam Gibson, Sept. 14, 1863 at the Elk River, born in Williamson County“, Died in Nashville Dec. 29,1863 at Hospital No. 16 from disease; died in removal from ambulance; His remains are buried at the Nashville National Cemetery

  • Pvt. Manson Gibson, Sept. 14, 1863 at the Elk River, born in Williamson County, Died at Elk River, Nov 2, 1863 of disease (congestion of the brain). No grave has been located.

  • Pvt. Logan Gosey enlisted Sept. 14, 1863 at the Elk River born in Williamson County, Died in General Hospital No. 16 January 29, 1864 in Nashville, Tenn.; buried at Nashville National Cemetery

  • Pvt. Giles Jarrett was born in Williamson County, TN, around 1840.  He, his mother Frankie, and several siblings were enslaved by William W. Jarrett and his second wife, Martha Bowers, who lived near Triune. Pvt. Jarrett enlisted in the 12th US Colored Infantry, Co A, on September 14, 1863, at the Elk River. He was 23 years old and described as a “servant” on his enlistment papers. On December 28, 186, he was sent to the hospital for an illness. Despite briefly returning to his regiment, he died of disease on May 7, 1865, in Kingston Springs, Tennessee. No gravesite has been identified. His mother applied for his pension in 1888.  His paver was sponsored in 2025. 

  • Pvt. George Mays, enlisted  July 21, 1863, at the Elk River, born in Williamson County; mustered out Jan. 16, 1866 in Nashville

  • Pvt. John Morton, was born around 1811 in Virginia. He appears to have been brought to Williamson County in slavery where he and his wife Hannah had at least one daughter Mary. Due to his age (52) when he joined the Army, Morton was soon sent to the 101st US Colored Infantry to serve. In December 1864 he was sent to the hospital and spent nearly a year there. In November 1865 he died in a small pox hospital in Nashville. His remains were buried in the Nashville National Cemetery.   His widow Hannah received his pension and lived in Williamson County through the 1880s.

  • Pvt. James Strong enlisted  Sept. 14, 1863, at the Elk River, born in Williamson County. Died in hospital in Kingston Springs Feb. 8, 1865 of small pox; no gravesite located.

Company B:

• • Pvt. Carl Bradford, enlisted September 23, 1864, in Kingston, born in Williamson County; appointed drummer; mustered out January 16, 1866 in Nashville

  • Sgt. Mjr. Andrew Ewing, enlisted Aug. 12, 1863, in Nashville, born in Williamson County; discharged from Kingston Springs on a certificate of disability Oct. 20, 1865. His paver has been sponsored. You can read more about his life below. His paver was sponsored in 2025.

 Company E:

• • Pvt. Lum Blackman, enlisted September 15, 1863, at the Elk River Bridge, born in Williamson County, deserted at Kingston Springs August 31, 1865

  • Pvt. Hubert Merritt aka Hubert Newsome was born in Williamson County around 1839. He enlisted in Nashville on August 12, 1863. Following the War, he settled in District 8 of Davidson County where he farmed. In later married and raised a family there. In 1891, he applied for and received a pension for his service. In 1907, he applied for an increase to his pension from Brentwood, Tennessee. 

Company F:

• • Pvt. Amilton Barsley[Milton Barksley] enlisted Sept. 5, 1863, in Stephenson, Alabama. He was born in Franklin. Mustered out January 16, 1866 in Nashville.

  • Pvt. Austin Beach [Bench] enlisted August 12, 1863, in Nashville.  He was born in  Franklin. Discharged for disability at the Elk River (hernia) on October 28, 1863.

  • Pvt. Ephraim Edmonson enlisted on August 12, 1863 in Nashville. He was born in Williamson County around 1836. Following the War he settled in Nashville. He died in 1892 and was buried in the Pest House Cemetery. His mother Kittie Waller Sneed applied for a pension. She was living in Brentwood at the time.

  • Sgt. Bird Johnson was born in Fayetteville, Kentucky, where James Russell enslaved him.  When Russell ran into financial difficulties, Sgt. Bird was sold to Thomas Barbee Johnson and brought to Tennessee. Sgt. Johnson married his wife Dilly Reece in Franklin at the beginning of the War.  Then, along with other local men, he worked as a laborer at Fort Negley in Nashville before enlisting in the 12th US Colored Infantry on August 12, 1863. During his service, Johnson worked as a mail carrier for the regiment. After the ‘War, he and Dilly raised a large family. Sgt. Johnson worked as a blacksmith and received a pension for his service. Around 189, the family moved to Nashville, where Johnson died of Bright’s disease on November 7, 1902. He was buried at the Mt Ararat cemetery, although no headstone has been located, however his paver was sponsored in 2025.

  • Pvt. Stephen Davis (aka Stephen Mays) was born in Stuart County, TN around 1848. His mother, Caroline, was enslaved by the Mays family there, but Turner Davis Sr in Williamson County, TN enslaved him.  When Turner Davis died in 1861, Stephen was listed as a 13-year-old boy in his will. Stephen was hired out on behalf of the estate to Bill Davis and then made his escape. He enlisted under the name Stephen Davis along the Nashville and Northwestern Railroad at Section 14 on May 25, 1864. After Pvt. Davis mustered out of the Army, he married Molly Brown in Williamson County. She was the daughter of Randall Brown and Mary “Polly” Bradley Perkins. By the 1870 Census, the young couple lived with the Brown family in District 6 of Williamson County, near the Enoch Brown farm. The couple had 8 children before Molly’s death in 1886. Soon after, Pvt. Davis, who was then using the name Stephen Mays”, married Jennie Doyle in the Forest Home area of Williamson County. The couple had ten children together. Pvt. Davis died in 1907 at the age of 57. No headstone has been located, however his paver was sponsored in 2025.

  • Pvt. Lock (Lark) Oden was born in Franklin, Tennessee, around 1843. On August 12, 1863, he enlisted in the 12th US Colored Infantry, Company F in Nashville. He was promoted to Corporal on September 1, 1865. A few weeks later, he married Mary Ann Chappell in Nashville. He was mustered out with his regiment in Nashville on January 6, 1866. A few years later, his wife died, and he married again. The couple lived in Nashville, where Cpl. Oden worked as a painter. Around 1884, they moved to Topeka, Kansas, as part of the Exoduster movement. Cpl. Oden was a charter member and officer of the Fort Pillow Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, a veterans organization for men who had served the United States during the War. Oden was active with the Post and participated in Emancipation Day celebrations and other events. He worked as a janitor at the Baptist Visitor newspaper in Topeka.  He died in Topeka, Kansas on March 18, 1897 and is buried with a USCT headstone there. His paver was sponsored in 2025.

  • Pvt. Warren Swansey enlisted August 12, 1863, in Nashville. He was born in Franklin. Transferred to the 101st USCT. 

  • Pvt. Ben Swanson 2d enlisted August 12, 1863, in Nashville. He was born in Franklin. Served as a teamster; wounded at Battle of Nashville, Dec 16, 1864; mustered out Jan. 16, 1866 in Nashville. Following the War, he returned to Williamson County and married Mary Jane Jordan. They lived in the Southall area. 

  • Pvt. George W Helms. enlisted on Aug 12, 1864, at the Sec. 14 N&N RR – Nashville & Northwestern?, born in Williamson; mustered out January 16, 1866 in Nashville.  His paver is sponsored by the BGA Middle School 2018.

  • Pvt. Mills [Miles] Compton enlisted on Aug 12, 1863, in Nashville, born in Williamson County. At the outbreak of the War, he was sent by his enslaver to work on Confederate fortifications in the Edgefield area of Nashville.  When Fort Donelson fell, he escaped and later enlisted in the 12th USCI. He lived in Nashville following the War. He opened a Freedmen's Bank Account there. After his death in 1888, his widow Lou received a pension for his service. He was buried at Mt. Ararat Cemetery but no gravesite has been identified.

Company G

• • Pvt. James Andrews, enlisted on August 12, 1863, in Nashville, born in Williamson County, worked as a teamster and waggoner; mustered out January 16, 1866 in Nashville; His paver was sponsored by Rick Cua.

  • Pvt. Washington Berry enlisted Aug. 12, 1863, in Nashville, born in Williamson County. Mustered out January 16, 1866 in Nashville.

  • Pvt. Leroy "Faunleroy" Cannon was born in 1824 in Franklin, Tennessee.  He was described as a boatman when he enlisted in the 12th US Colored Infantry on August 12, 1863.  He was 47 years old, making him one of the oldest USCT from Williamson County to serve. He was mustered out on January 16, 1866 and a few years later married Harriet Nelson near Franklin. The couple had several children and lived between Franklin and Brentwood where they farmed. In 1885, Pvt. Cannon applied for an invalid’s pension; he was 61 years old. He had moved to Nashville where he died in December 1887 at 63 years of age.  No headstone has been located, but his paver was sponsored for installation in 2025.

  • Pvt. Winstead Owens, enlisted on Sept. 10, 1864, at Sullivan Branch, born in Williamson County. enlisted September 10, 1864 at Sullivan’s Branch, born in Williamson County, Wounded at Battle of Nashville Dec.16, 1864; Died of wounds received at the Battle of Nashville, Dec. 24, 1864. No gravesite has been located.

  • 3rd Sgt. John Sneed, Sgt. John Sneed was born around 1844 in Williamson County, Tennessee. Sneed was the son of Washington and Patsy Sneed. Sgt. Sneed enlisted in the 12th US Colored Infantry on August 12, 1863 in Nashville.  He was promoted to Sergeant two days later.  On December 26, 1864, during the pursuit of the Confederate Army of Tennessee, he was left sick in a hospital in Huntsville, Alabama. He died there on February 10, 1865. No burial site has been identified.  His mother Patsy, who was widowed during the War, applied for and received her son’s pension from Cheatham County, TN where she was living.  His paver was sponsored in 2025.

Company H

• • Pvt. Clayborn Ellis, enlisted Aug. 12, 1863, in Nashville, born in Williamson County; mustered out Jan. 16, 1866 in Nashville

  • Pvt. John Gaines, enlisted Aug. 12, 1863, in Nashville, born in Williamson County.  Following the War, he moved to Kansas where he was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He died in 1900 and was buried with a USCT headstone. His paver was sponsored by Inetta Gaines.

  • Cpl. Thomas Johnson, enlisted Aug. 12, 1863, in Nashville, born in Williamson County. died in regimental hospital Oct. 1, 1865 at Kingston Springs, Tennessee of chronic dysentery. No headstone has been located.

  • Pvt. Daniel Jordan was born around 1841 in Williamson County, TN. His mother Barbara Jordan and four siblings were enslaved here. On August 12, 1863, he enlisted in the 12th US Colored Infantry, Company H in Nashville. One month later, his younger brother Benjamin Franklin Jordan enlisted in the 13th US Colored Infantry in Murfreesboro. Pvt. Daniel Jordan mustered out of service on January 16, 1866 in Nashville. Following the War, he married Margaret Ezell in Maury County at the home of his younger brother Benjamin. By 1870 the two brothers, their wives, and their mother were living together in Nashville. Pvt. Jordan died there in 1877, leaving behind his wife and four young children. No burial site has been located. His paver was sponsored and installed in 2025.

  • Sgt. Harvey Ledbetter, enlisted Aug. 12, 1863, in Nashville, born in Williamson County; mustered out in Nashville, Jan. 16, 1866

Company I

• • Pvt. Harry Briggs, enlisted on Aug. 12, 1863, in Nashville, born in Williamson County; died of typhoid pneumonia, Regimental Hospital Sec. 53 Nashville and North Western Rail Road Tenn. April 5, 1864 ; No gravesite has been located.

  • Pvt. Isaac Cater, enlisted Aug. 12, 1863, in Nashville, born in Williamson County around 1846.  Following the War, he joined the regular Army serving as a "Buffalo Soldier" in the 24th Infantry along with several other men from Williamson County.  He was promoted to Sergeant of Company  C,  He died on June 7, 1877 at Fort Ringgold, Texas.  In 1911, his remains were later re-interred at the Alexandria National Cemetery in Louisiana (note I believe this Find a Grave listing is incorrect).

  • Pvt. James Cater, enlisted August 12, 1864 in Nashville when he was 17 years old. He was born in Williamson County. On April 7, 1865 he died in Regimental Hospital in Kingston Springs, Tennessee of pneumonia. No grave has been located.

  • Pvt. Adam Hughes, enlisted on Aug. 12, 1863, in Nashville, born in Williamson County. Dec 16, 1864 wounded at Battle of Nashville (slight); mustered out Jan. 16, 1866 Nashville.

  • Pvt. Hubbard Newsom, aka Hubbard Merritt  was born in Williamson County on July 28, 1839. When he was born, his parents were enslaved by Benjamin Newsom, who died in 1849 at the age of 21. The probate of his estate included a  “negro boy named Hubbard 9 years old.”  Pvt. Newsom appears to have been allocated to Benjamin Newsom’s widowed mother, Rebecca Stansell, who had since married Henry James Merritt.  As a result, Pvt. Newsom used Merritt's last name during his service but went by Hubert Newsom following the war. On August 12, 1863, he enlisted in the 12th US Colored Infantry. During his service, he worked to build railroads and blockhouses. In December 1865, he contracted smallpox near Johnsonville, TN. He was still hospitalized when his regiment was mustered out on January 16, 1866. Following the War, Pvt. Newsom married and settled in Davidson County. In 1891, he applied for a pension and received one. In 1894, he lived in Brentwood and worked as a coal merchant. He died on November 22, 1913, at the age of 74. No headstone has been located, however his paver was sponsored in 2025.

  • Pvt. Elijah Oglesby (Ogleby), enlisted on Aug. 12, 1863, in Nashville, born in Williamson County; mustered out Jan. 16, 1866 in Nashville. 

  • Pvt. Cook Rash was born in Williamson County around 1844 to William Wright and Easter Rash. He was one of five children born to the couple. Pvt. Multiple local families had enslaved Rash’s parents but ultimately, he landed in the hands of Robert Rash near Brentwood. When he died in 1844, Pvt. Rash’s mother and three older siblings were listed as making up part of Robert Rash’s estate.  When he was 16 years old, Cook Rash ran away and enlisted in the 12th US Colored Infantry in Nashville. Near the end of his service, he contracted an infection in his chest and was still sick when he mustered out with his regiment on January 16, 1866, in Nashville. He died about a year later, although no headstone has been located.  His mother was granted a pension for his service. His paver was sponsored in 2025.

  • Cpl. Archie Terrill, enlisted Aug. 12, 1863, in Nashville, born in Williamson County. Regimental Teamster and ambulance driver; AWOL at the Battle of Nashville Dec 16, 1864

  • Pvt. Abraham Winstead, enlisted Aug 14, 1863, in Nashville, born in Williamson County; died March 1, 1864 of dropsy; no grave has been located. His wife Amy applied for a pension in March 1866. Pvt. Winstead's paver has been sponsored by Liz Johnson.

Company K

• • Pvt. Reuben Boyd was born in Williamson County, TN, around 1844. On November 25, 1857, he married Hannah Johnson, another enslaved person, in Franklin, TN. On August 12, 1863, he enlisted in Nashville in the 12th US Colored Infantry, Company K. He was 38. On March 13, 1865, Pvt. Boyd died of smallpox at the Army’s Hospital No. 11  in Nashville. His remains should have been interred at the Nashville National Cemetery, but they have not yet been located. Pvt. Boyd’s widow was living on Carters Creek Pike at the time of his death and received almost $300 in back pay and his bounty. His paver was sponsored in 2025.

  •  Pvt. Jefferson Cartwright was born around 1836 in Williamson County, TN. His parents were Tom and Victoria Cartwright and he had an older brother Joseph (see below). The family was enslaved by David Cartwright near Brentwood in Williamson County. Upon the death of their enslaver, the brothers and their mother were listed in the probate as his property. Jefferson was willed to George Cartwright. The brothers enlisted on Aug. 12, 1863, in Nashville. During the War, Pvt Cartwright married Ann Simmons in Kingston Springs, TN. They had several children including a daughter named Victoria (for his mother) and a son named Joseph (for his brother).  Pvt. Cartwright mustered out with his regiment on January 16, 1866 in Nashville. Following the War, he lived in the Smyrna area of Rutherford County, TN.  In 1890, he applied for and received an invalid pension and died on January 22, 1925 in Nashville at the age of 89. He was buried in the Greenwood Cemetery but no headstone has been identified.

  • Pvt. Joseph Cartwright was born around 1839 in Williamson County, TN. His parents were Tom and Victoria Cartwright and he had a younger brother Jefferson (see above). The family was enslaved by David Cartwright near Brentwood in Williamson County. Upon the death of their enslaver in 1859, the brothers and their mother were listed in the probate as his property. Joseph and his mother were hired out to William Cartwright and later Joseph given to Thomas Cartwright. The brothers enlisted on Aug. 12, 1863, in Nashville and  mustered out January 16, 1866 in Nashville. Following the War, Pvt. Carwright married and lived near his brother in Rutherford County, TN. In 1890, he applied for and received an invalid pension. He died in Nashville on March 31, 192. No burial site or headstone has been identified.

  • Pvt. Asbury Degraffenried,, enlisted on Aug. 12, 1863, in Nashville, born in Williamson County; died Dec. 20, 1864 at General Hospital No. 11 of wounds received in the Battle of Nashville - gunshot wound through abdomen; No gravesite has been located.

  • Pvt. Michael “Mike” Ensley was born around 1828 in Williamson County, TN. In 1849, he married Eliza Underwood, another enslaved person. The couple had six children together. Pvt. Ensley was 35 years old when he enlisted on August 12, 1863, in the 12th US Colored Infantry, Company K, in Nashville, TN. He died of disease on April 9, 1864, near Kingston Springs, TN, at Section 53 of the Nashville & Northwestern Railroad. His daughter Harriet died the following year, and his widow Eliza applied for his pension. She worked as a housekeeper and raised the surviving children on Granny White Pike outside Nashville. She used some of the pension money to send their children to college at Fisk University and Central Tennessee College. His paver was sponsored in 2025.

  • Pvt. Claiborn Helms, enlisted on Aug 12, 1863, in Nashville. He had been born in Williamson County around 1836. He mustered out January 16, 1866 in Nashville and after the war settled in the Santa Fe area of Maury County. He was receiving a pension for his service when he died in early June 1900.  No gravesite has been located.

  • Pvt. Aaron Hightower enlisted Aug. 12, 1863, in Nashville. He was born in Williamson County. He later transferred to 101st USCI.

  • Cpl. George King, enlisted on Aug. 12, 1863, in Nashville, born in Williamson County; mustered out January 1866 in Nashville. After the War he moved back to Williamson County.

  • Pvt. Frank North, enlisted on Aug. 12, 1863, in Nashville, born in Williamson County; Dec. 16, 1864 wounded in action at Battle of Nashville and sent to hospital; mustered out Jan. 16, 1866 in Nashville

  • Pvt. Thomas Perrier, enlisted on Aug. 12, 1863, in Nashville, born in Williamson County; discharged for reason of disability Oct. 2, 1863 at Elk River.

  • 1st Sgt. Frank Petway, enlisted on August 12, 1863, in Nashville, born in Williamson County; “deserted in front of the enemy” at the Battle of Nashville, Dec. 14, 1864

  • Pvt. Augustus Pratt, enlisted on Aug. 12, 1863, in Nashville, born in Williamson County; Jan. 8, 1864 discharged for disability “this soldier has been unfit for duty ever since his enlistment” – “night blindness” 50% disabled

  • Pvt. Ephraim Rawlston [Ralston], enlisted on Aug. 12, 1863, in Nashville, born in Williamson County; Jan. 8, 1864 discharged for disability - “this soldier has been unfit for duty ever since his enlistment” – turriago? Right side – 50%

  • Pvt. Henry Reece,, enlisted on Aug. 12, 1863, in Nashville, born in Williamson County; mustered out January 1866 in Nashville; returned to Williamson County and was living there in 1890l

  • Cpl. Joseph Reece, enlisted on Aug. 12, 1863, in Nashville. He was born in Franklin, Williamson County; mustered out Jan. 16, 1866; Following the War, he moved to Nolensville Road; he was living there in 1873 when he opened a Freedmen's Bank account in Nashville. Later in life he moved to Missouri where he died in 1912. His paver was sponsored by James Sobery.

  • Pvt. George Washington, aka Washington “Wash” Reece, was born around 1834  in Williamson County, Tennessee. He, his mother, and five siblings were some of the 80 people enslaved by Patrick Reese. Pvt. Washington enlisted on May 1, 1864, in the 12th US Colored Infantry, Company K,  at Section 29 of the Nashville and Northwestern Railroad. He was 29 years old and a married father of two young children.  During the War, Pvt. Washington was involved in the Battle of Nashville, and Cpl. Madison White reported that Washington carried him off of the battlefield during the second day of fighting. Pvt. Washington mustered out with his regiment in Nashville on January 16, 1866. He retained his rifle and returned home to Williamson County, where he married Phoebe Terrell. The couple had several children and lived in District 4, where Pvt. Washington farmed. Around 1876, his marriage dissolved, and Pvt. Washington moved to Valle Mines, Missouri, where he married again and had several more children. Pvt. Washington died on February 26, 1895, in Missouri and is buried in Valles Mines in an unmarked grave. His widow Martha received his pension. His paver was sponsored in 2025.

  • Pvt. Alfred Spratt, enlisted on Aug. 12, 1863, in Nashville, born in Williamson County; Died of disease Oct. 10, 1863 at Elk River; no gravesite has been located.

  • Pvt. Freeman [Carothers] Thomas, Enlisted under the name Freeman Cruthers (Carothers) , on Aug 12, 1863, in Nashville, born in Williamson County; wounded at the Battle of Nashville; mustered out; returned to Franklin to raise a family; buried in the Toussaint L'Ouveture Cemetery in Franklin. See below for a longer description of his service and life. His paver was sponsored by Tina Jones.

  • Pvt. Robert "Bob" Waddy was born around 1836 in Williamson County, TN.  James E. Waddy, Sr in the Bethesda community enslaved him and his brother Tom.  In 1854, he married Angeline Lavender, another enslaved person. Upon James Waddy’s death in May 1862, Pvt. Waddy was bequeathed in a trust to Waddy’s grandson, James A. V. Morton. When 18-year-old Morton enlisted in the Confederate 4th Tennessee (Starnes) Cavalry, he wrote his will later that year. In it, he indemnified his guardian for $1,000 if Bob Waddy, whom he was taking “into the Army to wait on me” was “killed or otherwise lost.” Morton was killed in April 1863, and Pvt. Waddy made his way to Nashville, where he worked building fortifications for the US Army.  On August 12, 1863, he enlisted, along with many other local men, in the 12th US Colored Infantry.  He was described as a blacksmith and was a married father of two children. Following his discharge from the army in 1866, Pvt. Waddy returned to Williamson County and his family.  He farmed in District 21 until he died in 1879.  Pvt. His widow and nine children survived Waddy.  No burial site has been located, however his paver was sponsored in 2025.

  • Pvt. John Williams, enlisted on Aug. 12, 1863,in Nashville, born in Williamson County; mustered out January 16, 1866 in Nashville

No Company Specified

• Pvt. John Jefferson enlisted into the 3rd Tennessee Infantry (African Descent) - the predecessor unit to the 12th USCI - on May 5, 1864 in Memphis, Tennessee. His paver was sponsored by the African American Heritage Society of Williamson County. He was born in Williamson County and was described as an 18-year-old farmer.

Recruitment Into the 12th USCI In Franklin

In the book, God Struck Me Dead, Pvt. Freeman Thomas described how he escaped from slavery in Franklin to go to the US Army, first as a laborer and then as a soldier:

I ran off from my master when I was about fifteen years old and joined the army. I was in the field shucking corn on the Murfreesboro Pike. All at once I heard a band playing. Everybody in the field broke and ran. Not a man was left on the place. We all went and joined th army. The captain asked what we wanted, and who our master was. We told him who our master was, and that we had come to join the army. 

In his pension application, Pvt. Thomas described that time this way:

I wasn't very old when the Civil War began. I had just turned into my sixteen year. I remember when the Yankees come to this town. My old boss hit me that morning' and he didn't know the Yankees were in town, and when he found it out he come back beggin' me to stay with him, and said he was sorry.

12th USCI and Fort Negley.

Many of the men who ultimately enlisted in the 12th US Colored Infantry were first laborers at Fort Negley and other US Army fortifications in Nashville. Some of them volunteered but many were impressed (forced) to work. About 60% of the men from Williamson County who enlisted in the 12th USCI appear on the lists of men who worked on the Federal forts (Employment Rolls and Nonpayment Rolls of Negroes Employed in the Defenses of Nashville, Tennessee, 1862-1863). The majority of the work to build Fort Negley occurred from August 13 to December 7, 1862.

On November 23, 1863, Major General George Stearns, the Commissioner for the Organization of African American troops in Middle and East Tennessee gave testimony before the American Freedmen's Inquiry Commission. He was very candid when described one example of the injustices suffered by the formerly enslaved:

One case will suffice for all. Brig. Gen. Morton, now of the Engineer Corps, was ordered by Gen. Buell, a year ago last July, to superintend the fortifications of Nashville. It was a very important work; and, as he told me this morning, they collected by impressment and by voluntary offer of service, some three thousand negroes to work on the fortifications. They were obliged to give them poor food, because they had nothing better; they had no tents, and slept in the open air. These men lived upon inferior meat & bread,–the refuse, of course, of the army supplies,–& slept on the hill-side at night. He says they worked well, and through all that were cheerful, although in the fifteen months that they have been employed at that fort–Fort Negley–about 800 have died. He says he thinks it was necessary, because, by the building of that fort, at that time, the safety of Nashville was secured, and we were enabled to hold Nashville, instead of making a stand at Fort Donelson.

When asked by the Commission how these laborers had been paid, he answered: "They never have been paid." Later he added, "At this time, there are a large number of them [the laborer's wives and children] who are destitute because the soldiers and laborers on the fortifications have never been paid."

Enlistment Into the 12th USCI.

On August 12th and 13th, 1863, exactly one year from the date the work on the Fort commenced hundreds of Black men enlisted in the 12th Colored Regiment in Nashville - among them were 54 men from Williamson County.

In the book, God Struck Me Dead, Franklin's Pvt. Freeman Thomas described how he enlisted:

I didn't work there [Fort Negley] no more than about three weeks before they started to recruiting colored soldiers. I was sent to Tullahoma for training. This was the biggest thing that ever happened in my life. I felt like a man, with a uniform on and a gun in my hand. 

The 12th US Colored Infantry spent much of the rest of the War west of Nashville near Johnsonville helping to build and guard the railroad line to the Tennessee River.  In early November 1864, they were involved in an attack by Confederate John Bell Hood's forces on the Johnsonville battery.  

About two weeks later, at the time of General Nathan B. Forrest’s attack on Johnsonville, Colonel Thompson was in command of the forces there, and the 12th was part of his command. On November 29, the regiment was reported at Kingston Springs, and Lieutenant Colonel Sellon reported on a scouting trip made by Captain Everett, “with my mounted companies,” so at least a part of the regiment was serving as Mounted Infantry at this time.

Description of Camp of 12th US Colored Infantry by Paymaster, April 1864

"In connection with this camp I found a school in operation, under the charge of the Chaplain; an octagonal log school house, say forty feet in diameter, had been erected, and I had the pleasure of seeing about fifty of the men exercised upon McGuffey's charts. They read in concert, and [omitted]. Although this was their second lesson, nearly everyone present had learned to read the short sentences displayed upon the charts as soon as pointed at, without any assistance from the teacher, except in their pronunciation. The avidity with which they seek to learn is truly interesting. In passing around I noticed groups making letters upon the ground, upon bits of board, or anything that would receive an impression, all intent upon progress in the choreographic art.

After the payment had been completed ... we were invited to attend dress parade. Here again was a fine exhibition of discipline, and proficiency in the art of arms-bearing. Everything was right up to tactics and regulations."

Chicago Tribune Friday, April 1, 1864

12th US Colored Infantry and the Battle of Nashville

General Steedman’s report stated that about 8:00 A.M. on the 15th, Colonel Thompson’s command moved across Brown’s Creek, between the Nolensville and Murfreesboro Pikes, and attacked and carried the left of the front line of the enemy works resting on the Nolensville Pike, and held the position until the morning of the 16th. On the morning of the 16th, they made the bloody assault on Overton’s Hill, which was unsuccessful, but “the troops exhibited a courage and steadiness that challenged the admiration of all who witnessed the charge.” In this charge, the 12th lost about a fourth of their number in casualties, including Major A. I. Finch, who was severely wounded. The command of the regiment devolved upon Captain Henry Hegner. While Thompson’s Brigade was reforming to renew the attack, the Confederate line was broken beyond Overton’s Hill, and the rout of the Confederate Army began.

Captain Hegner's Official report that day contained the following comment:

"Among the enlisted men I must mention Corpl. Miner Carter, Company C, who took up the national colors after two of the color-bearers had been shot down; also, Private E. Steel, Company I, who took the regimental colors, and, after the regiment was falling back, remained alone in the open field, in spite of the murderous fire of the enemy, until called by his officers to return."

Source: Official Records PAGE 546-93 KY., SW. VA., TENN., MISS., ALA., AND N. GA. [CHAP. LVII. [Series I. Vol. 45. Part I, Reports, Correspondence, Etc. Serial No. 93.]

Williamson County Men Fighting in the 12th USCI at the Battle of Nashville

At least 53 men from Williamson County served in the 12th US Colored Infantry.  One of them, Freeman Thomas stated in an interview in the 1920's that, "I was in the Battle of Nashville, when we whipped old Hood." In his pension application, he described,   "It was when we made the attack on Gen'l Hood we was not far from John Overton's place south of Nashville [today the museum site Traveller's Rest]. I received the wound in my left leg in John Overton's wood lot. It was during the fighting in defense of Nashville with Hood's Army. My regiment followed up the fight. " Six Williamson County men were wounded and two of those would ultimately die from their injuries.

Hood's Retreat

The regiment joined in the pursuit through Brentwood and Franklin on December 17 & 18, 1864, and concentrated at Murfreesboro on December 18. From there it moved to Decatur, Alabama, and was the first regiment to cross the river at Decatur on December 27, where a sharp engagement took place. It returned to Nashville on January 9, 1865, having lost three officers and 10 men killed, three officers and 99 men wounded. 

Muster Out

The regiment mustered out of service on December 11, 1865. A few weeks later, the New York Times reported on the event:

A brigade of colored troops are being mustered out of the service in this city. This brigade has done some excellent service in several hard-fought fields. Its commander, Gen. C. F. Thompson has the reputation of being one of the bravest young men in the service. Colonels Harry Stone and Innes, commanding regiments in this brigade, enjoy the same fame.

Sgt. Andrew Ewing

1831-1901

Sgt. Andrew Ewing was born in 1831 in Williamson County and was enslaved initially by Alexander Ewing who lived on Murfreesboro Road just east of downtown Franklin. When Sgt. Ewing was three years old, Alexander Ewing died and Sgt. Ewing became the property of Alexander Ewing's infant son William. Beginning in his adolescence, Sgt. Ewing was hired out from "year to year" and the fees he earned became the property of William Ewing. As he grew into young adulthood, Sgt. Ewing married Jane Briggs and the couple had a son and two daughters: Herbert "Hub" b. 1855, Annetta b. 1857, and Fanny b. abt. 1859.  In 1862, when Sgt. Ewing was about 31 years old, he made his way, along with thousands of other enslaved laborers to Nashville where he worked to build fortifications, including Fort Negley, for the US Army. His name appears on the list of nearly 3,000 "paid and unpaid" (mostly unpaid) laborers that helped to build forts during the Civil War.  His "owner" was listed as "W. Ewing" - William Ewing.

On August 12, 1863, Sgt. Ewing enlisted in the 12th US Colored Infantry, Company B.  He was described as 5"7" tall, 30 years old, a laborer, and born in Williamson County.   On December 1, 1863  Ewing was promoted to sergeant major of the regiment. During the Battle of Nashville, Sgt Ewing was injured when a cannonball broke a tree limb out of a tree that he was standing either in or under and the limb fell and injured his leg.  However he stayed with his company for the pursuit of Hood's Confederate Army of Tennessee - at least as far as Franklin.  When the US Army troops arrived in Franklin on the heels of the defeated Confederates, Sgt Ewing was "left sick at Franklin, Tenn."  

About a year later, in October 1865, Sgt. Ewing was discharged from the Army due to disability.  The reason stated was "rheumatism and stiffness of the knee and ankle joints . . . contracted in December [1864] during a campaign from Nashville, TN to LaGrange, AL in the line of duty resulting from cold and exposure after the Battle of Nashville."

Shortly after he left the Army, Sergeant Ewing returned to Williamson County. He lived in Eagleville and ran a blacksmith shop at "Cross Roads." On January 1st, 1866 he entered into a Labor Contract, negotiated under the auspices of the Freedmen's Bureau.  Sgt. Ewing and William B. Giles signed Labor Contract #368.  Andrew Ewing agreed to work in Giles’ blacksmith shop and Sgt. Ewing's wife agreed to help in the Giles' house; the Ewing's were to be paid $275 for the year.  The families were living in District 21 of Williamson County near Jordan's Store (south of College Grove). 

In 1868, Sgt. Ewing applied for a pension from the US government, and in 1869 Andrew's wife died.  Sgt Ewing worked for W. B. Giles learning the blacksmith trade for several years - at least through 1870. Andrew appears on the 1870 Census as a "domestic servant" working for the Giles family.  Soon after he seems to have married Mary Ellen Gadsey and the couple moved to Brentwood.  Andrew and Mary Ellen had 7 daughters together.  By 1880, the Ewings moved to Nashville to raise their daughters and Sgt Ewing was still trying to work as a blacksmith, although the pension examiners found him at this time to be nearly 75% disabled by his war injuries. 

Sgt. Ewing was a hard worker and despite his disability continue to try to work his whole life.  When he was almost 70 years old, in 1900, his daughter Lilly told a pension examiner that he was working at "Bush's brickyard in north Nashville", when he was able, "batching bricks".  On February 24, 1901, at the age of 70, Sergeant Ewing died of pneumonia at his home in Bryant Town in Donelson.  His grave has not been located.  You can read more about him here.

• • • Approved Pension File for Willie B. Ewing, Minor Child of Sergeant Andrew Ewing Company B, 12th U.S. Colored Troops Infantry Regiment (WC-564363)

Resources:

• National Park Service, Battle Unit Details

• Family Search

• TNGenWeb

• Find A Grave Page for 12th USCI

• Blog Post Regarding Saving Fort Negley Park

• Blog Post: "Williamson County's Fort Negley Connections"

• Blog Post: 1st Sgt. Andrew Ewing, 12th US Colored Infantry

• Blog Post: Freeman Thomas 1845-1936, 12th US Colored Infantry

• Blog Post: Ambush in Triune

• Obituary: Sgt. Madison White, a soldier in the 12th USCI

• Pension Applications for Men Who Served in This Regiment:

• COMPANY A

  • Approved Pension File for Hattie, Ella W., Margaret, Walter J., and Lena M. Hook, Minor Children of Private Peter Hook, Company A, 12th U.S. Colored Troops Infantry Regiment (WC-590809)

• COMPANY B

  • Approved Pension Application File for Charity Malone, Widow of John Malone, Company B, 12th USCT Infantry Regiment (Application No. WC76859)

• COMPANY C

  • Approved Pension Application File for Dependents of Berry Parkeson, Company C, 12th USCT Infantry Regiment (Application No. WC115913)

  • Approved Pension Application File for Dependents of Thomas Adams, Company C, 12th USCT Infantry Regiment (Application No. WC111807)

• COMPANY E

  • Approved Pension Application File for Patsey Bramlot Armstrong, Widow of Martin Armstrong, Company E, 12th USCT Infantry Regiment (Application No. WC113360)

  • Approved Pension Application File for Mary Headen, Mother of Robert Headen, Company E, 12th USCT Infantry Regiment (Application No. WC97098)

  • Approved Pension Application File for Elizabeth L Lockey Cook, Widow of David Grant Cooke, Company E, 12th USCT Infantry Regiment (Application No. WC59569)

• COMPANY F

  • Approved Pension Application File for Ann Austin, Widow of Isaac Austin, Company F, 12th USCT Infantry Regiment (Application No. WC111328)

  • Pension Application for Cpl. Charles Branum, 12th USCI Co F

• COMPANY G

  • Approved Pension Application File for Mariah Ransom, Widow of George Ransom, Company G, 12th USCT Infantry Regiment (Application No. WC93057)

• COMPANY H

  • Approved Pension Application File for Margaret J Dease, Widow of Dennis Dease, Company H, 12th USCT Infantry Regiment (Application No. WC64678)

• COMPANY I

  • Approved Pension Application File for Merinda Beasly Hurt, Widow of Horace Hurt, Company I, 12th USCT Infantry Regiment (Application No. WC77073)

  • Approved Pension Application File for Dependents of Prosper Davis, Company I, 12th USCT Infantry Regiment (Application No. WC72014)

• COMPANY K

  • Approved Pension File for Catherine E. Jagger, Widow of Captain Joseph Jagger, Company A, 8th Kansas Infantry Regiment; Companies D and K, 12th U.S. Colored Troops Infantry Regiment; Company K, 2nd Alabama Infantry Regiment (African Descent); and Company K, 1st U.S. Colored Troops Infantry Regiment (WC-656686)

  • Approved Pension Application File for Dependents of Charles Martin, Company K, 12th USCT Infantry Regiment (Application No. WC72977)

  • Approved Pension File for Private Freeman Cruthers (alias Freeman Thomas), Company K, 12th U.S. Colored Troops Infantry Regiment (XC-2574047)

  • Approved Pension Application File for Dependents of James H Welsh, Company K, 12th USCT Infantry Regiment (Application No. WC116370)

  • Approved Pension Application File for Jane Oden, Widow of Albert Oden, Company K, 12th USCT Infantry Regiment (Application No. WC77078)