Roster of Co. A, 4th (East) Tennessee Cavalry (USA)

ASHLEY, George R.
- Pvt
- Age: 24
- Born: Blount Co., TN
- Also served in the 32nd KY Infantry
- 1890: Living at Lake Side, Hamilton Co., TN
- Died Feb 22, 1919 at Hixon, TN

BAXTER, Perry
- Pvt
- Age: 25
- Born: Cocke Co., TN
- Died 2/15/1863 of typhoid fever, Nashville Army Hospital

BEDWELL, John
- Pvt
- Age: 20
- Born: Murray, GA
- Deserted, charges dropped in 1886
- 1890: Living at Greenbrier, Robertson Co., TN

BEDWELL, Joseph
- Pvt
- Age: 22
- Born: Bradley Co., TN
- Deserted; returned but not restored to duty

BELL, John W.
- Pvt
- Age: 21
- Born: Greene Co., TN

BETTIS, James
- Cpl
- Age: 20
- Born: Jefferson Co., TN
- 1890: Living at Long Savannah, James Co., TN
- Died July 4, 1923 at Cleburne Co., Arkansas

BETTIS, John A.
- Pvt
- Age: 25
- Born: Jefferson Co., TN
- 1890: Living at Georgetown, James Co., TN as "Alexander" Bettis
- Died April 4, 1931 at Chattahooga, TN

BROWN, James M.
- Pvt
- Age: 23
- Born: Iredell Co., NC

BRYANT, Jesse
- Pvt
- Age: 22
- Born: Roane Co., TN

BURTON, Jesse
- Pvt
- Age: 26
- Born: Surry Co., NC; occupation: mechanic
- Deserted April 26, 1864 at Camp Catlett. 1887 - Application for removal of charges of desertion denied.

BYRD, John
- Pvt
- Age: 39
- Born: Campbell, TN

CAMPBELL, William W.
- Sgt
- Age: 27
- Born: Blount Co., TN
- Wounded in action at Sugar Creek, AL Dec. 26, 1864

CARDEN, Marion M.
- Pvt
- Age: 25
- Born: Monroe Co., TN; occupation: mechanic
- Brother of Wright

CARDEN, Wright R..
- Pvt
- Age: 22
- Born: Monroe Co., TN; occupation: mechanic
- Brother of Marion
- 1890: Living at Ooltewah, James Co., TN
- Died June 21, 1922 at Ooltewah, TN

CARSON, John A.
- Pvt
- Age: 21
- Born: Union, GA
- Died in Hospital #19, Nashville, of chronic diarrhea

CARTER, Devens
- Pvt
- Age: 25
- Born: Bradley, TN
- Died in hospital at Sheperdsville, KY, Jan 1863, of disease, before being mustered

CATE, John T.
- 1st Sgt.
- Age: 27
- Born: Bradley, TN
- POW - captured July 31, 1864 south of Atlanta, GA; paroled at Aikens Landing Feb. 24, 1865

CATE, William L.
- Capt
- Age: 23
- Born: Bradley, TN; occupation: schoolteacher
- POW - captured Aug. 6, 1863 south of Atlanta, GA (McCook's Raid); exchanged Sept 28, 1864
- Died Jan 17, 1924 at Uvalde, Texas

CLARK, Lewis
- Pvt
- Age: 36
- Born: TN; occupation: blacksmith
- Died in hospital #11, Nashville, April 17, 1863 of smallpox
- Widow: Elizabeth Clark of Cleveland, TN

COX, Henry A.
- Pvt
- Age: 18
- Born: Greene Co., TN
- 1890: Living at Morristown, Hamblen Co.
- Died May 19, 1916 at Wise, Virginia

CURRIER, Edward H.
- 1st Lt.
- Age: 23
- Resigned March 31, 1864 for family reasons
- Died March 24, 1909 at Clark Co., Kansas

DAVIS, John W.
- Pvt
- Age: 22
- Born: McMinn Co., TN
- Died in Nashville hospital May 12, 1863 from typhoid fever

DODSON, Thomas
- Pvt
- Age: 32
- Born: McMinn Co., TN
- 1890: Living at Joshua, McMinn Co., TN

DRAKE, Poale
- Pvt
- Age: 32
- Born: NC
- Died in Nashville hospital March 6, 1863 from pneumonia

DYER, Hubbard
- Pvt
- Age: 27
- Born: Knox Co., TN
- MIA near Okalona, Miss, Feb. 22, 1864
- POW - died Sept 29, 1864 in Andersonville prison of diarrhea, grave #10014

ELLIOTT, Thomas
- Pvt
- Age: 19
- Born: Bradley Co., TN
- Captured by the rebels in a skirmish Feb. 13, 1864 near Holly Springs, Miss
- Died in Andersonville Oct 9, 1864 from diarrhea, grave #10560

EVERETT, Jacob M.
- Pvt
- Age: 40
- Born: Knox Co., TN

FANN, Martin L.
- Pvt
- Age: 20
- Born: Greene Co., TN
- Died in hospital, Edgefield TN, April 18, 1865 of disease

FOSTER, Russell
- Pvt
- Age: 22
- Born: Monroe Co., TN
- Died in Nashville hospital July 1863 from fever

FOSTER, Thomas
- Pvt
- Age: 27
- Born: Walker, GA
- Died in Nashville hospital July, 1863 from typhoid fever

FREELS, Isaac
- Pvt
- Age: 18
- Born: Roane, Co., TN
- 1890: Living at Burns Mills, Roane Co., TN
- Died July 26, 1920 at Wheat, TN

GEARER, John
- Pvt
- Age: 19
- Born: Bradley, Co., TN
- Died Jan 3, 1929 at Leavenworth Co., Kansas

GIBSON, Elisha S.
- Age: 32
- Born: McMinn, Co., TN
- 1890: Living at Dayton, Rhea Co., TN
- Died June 28, 1919 at Dayton, Rhea Co., TN

GILES, William
- Pvt
- Age: 19
- Born: Cocke Co., TN
- POW - captured South of Atlanta July 31, 1864, confined at Andersonville Prison

GILLIAN, Lemuel
- Pvt
- Age: 25
- Born: Bradley Co., TN; occupation: mechanic
- Killed in a skirmish near Holly Springs, Miss Feb. 13, 1864

GOOD, Abraham H.
- Pvt
- Age: 18
- Born: Monroe Co., TN
- 1890: Living at Howardville, James Co., TN
- Died Dec 19, 1922 at Eastlake, TN

GRACE, John C.
- Blacksmith
- Age: 19
- Born: Greene Co., TN
- POW - captured South of Atlanta July 31, 1864, confined at Andersonville Prison, died of diarrhea

GRIFFITH, William K.
- 2nd Lt
- Age: 29
- Born: Anderson Co., TN
- Resigned March 26, 1864 to support aged parent
- Died Jan 22, 1926

HALL, Thomas
- Pvt
- Age: 20
- Born: Bledsoe Co., TN
- Deserted at Murfreesboro, TN

HAMILTON, Alexander
- Pvt
- Age: 38
- Born: Indiana
- Died in Memphis hospital April 18, 1865 of disease

HAMMONTREE, David H.
- Pvt
- Age: 33
- Born: Blount Co., TN
- Brother of William

HAMMONTREE, William T.
- Pvt
- Age: 19
- Born: Bradley Co., TN
- Brother of David
- Captured south of Atlanta July 31, 1864
- POW - died Feb. 28, 1865 in hospital at Wilmington, NC

HASKEW, Aaron Jenkins
- Pvt
- Age: 28
- Born: Knox Co., TN
- Transferred to Invalid Corps
- Brother of William B.
- Muster roll says "Andrew J. Haskins", Eckel says "Hoskins"
- Died Feb. 11, 1916 at Knoxville, TN

HASKEW, William B.
- Sgt
- Age: 26
- Born: Anderson Co., TN
- Killed in action at Sugar Creek, AL Dec. 26, 1864
- Muster roll says "Haskins", Eckel says "Hoskins"

HAYNES, Napoleon B.
- Com Sgt
- Age: 22
- Born: McMinn Co., TN
- Died in Nashville hospital May 12, 1863 of smallpox

HENEGAN, John C.
- Pvt
- Age: 17
- Born: Greene Co., TN

HENRY, John
- Pvt
- Age: 18
- Born: Henderson Co., NC
- Deserted Oct 2, 1863 at Murfreesboro, TN

HENRY, Samuel
- Cpl
- Age: 24
- Born: Bradley Co., TN

HERRIN, George W.
- Pvt
- Age: 27
- Born: Bledsoe Co., TN
- Court-martialed for robbery

HETHERLY, Elias F.
- Pvt
- Age: 24
- Born: Carter Co., TN
- April 23, 1918 at Leavenworth Co., Kansas

HORN, William
- Pvt
- Age: 20
- Born: Bradley Co., TN
- Died in Brigade Hospital, Decatur, AL Sept. 4, 1864 of diarrhea

HUMAN, Basil H.
- Pvt
- Age: 18
- Born: Morgan Co., TN
- 1890: Living at Sunbright, Morgan Co., TN
- Died April 13, 1924

HUMAN, Edward F.
- Pvt
- Age: 20
- Born: Morgan Co., TN
- 1890: Living at Mill Creek, Morgan Co., TN

HURST, Pleasant
- Pvt
- Age: 33
- Born: Sevier Co., TN

HUSE, William
- Cpl
- Age: 20
- Born: Whitfield, GA

JACKSON, David C.
- Sgt
- Age: 19
- Born: Campbell Co., TN
- 1890: Living at Coalfield, Morgan Co., TN

JOHNSTON, Arthur O.
- Sgt
- Age: 25
- Born: Bradley Co., TN
- Died in Nashville hospital April 3, 1863 of typhoid fever

JONES, Ransom M.
- Pvt
- Age: 27
- Born: Blount Co., TN
- POW: captured south of Atlanta July 31, 1864, confined at Goldsboro, NC, paroled March 4, 1865
- Died Feb 8, 1920 at Rogers Co. Oklahoma

JULIAN, John M.
- Cpl
- Age: 20
- Born: McMinn Co., TN
- 1890: Living at Chatala, Bradley Co., TN
- Died Nov 18, 1929 at Bradley Co., TN

KEENY, Robert
- Pvt
- Age: 20
- Born: Greene Co., TN
- Charge of desertion removed 1885
- 1890: Living at Chattanooga, Hamilton Co., TN

KETCHUM, John R.
- Pvt
- Age: 19
- Born: Morgan Co., TN
- Died in Nashville hospital Feb. 15, 1863 of typhoid fever or measles

KINCHELOE, John F.
- Capt
- Age: 25
- Born: McMinn Co., TN; occupation: schoolteacher
- Enlisted Nov 11, 1861 at Cleveland, he was arrested by the enemy and imprisoned until Feb. 1862
- Resigned Aug. 12, 1864 for family reasons
- Died Aug 5, 1900 at Conway Co., Arkansas

KITTRELL, Samuel
- Pvt
- Age: 22
- Born: Morgan Co., TN
- Died in Louisville hospital Jan 12, 1863 of measles

LAWSON, George W.
- Cpl
- Age: 18
- Born: McMinn Co., TN
- 1890: Living at Bradley Co., TN
- Died Oct 11, 1927 at Bradley Co., TN

LETSINGER, John M.
- Sgt
- Age: 28
- Born: Knox Co., TN
- 1890: Living at Elverton, Roane Co., TN

LIGHT, James T.
- Sgt
- Age: 22
- Born: Knox Co., TN; occupation: bricklayer
- Deserted 1863

LINDSAY, William G.
- Pvt
- Age: 20
- Born: Campbell Co., TN
- Died July 28, 1929 at Comanche Co., Kansas

LITTLE, Joseph M.
- Pvt
- Age: 22
- Born: White Co., TN; occupation: railroader
- POW: captured south of Atlanta July 31, 1864, confined at Florence, SC, paroled March 4, 1865

LONG, John D.
- Pvt
- Age: 18
- Born: Bradley Co., TN
- 1890: Living at Athens, McMinn Co., TN

McCAMIS, ACHIN
- Pvt
- Age: 19
- Born: Bradley Co., TN
- 1890: Living at Norman's Store, James Co., TN as "Charles A. McCamish"
- Died Jan 27, 1926 at Hamilton Co., TN

McCAMMISH, Samuel M.
- Pvt
- Age: 27
- Born: Greene Co., TN
- Court Martialed for desertion
- Also in Co. F
- Died Dec 26, 1914 at Work, TN

McCLAIN, Elijah
- Pvt
- Age: 21
- Born: Sullivan Co., TN
- POW - captured late 1861 near Greenville, TN, prisoner til Aug 1862
- Nov/Dec 1864 - under arrest for refusing to do duty

McMAHON, John
- Pvt
- Age: 25
- Born: Cocke Co., TN
- Deserted April 29, 1863, possibly joined the 2nd TENN Cav. (USA)

MELTON, William T.
- Cpl
- Age: 19
- Born: Bradley Co., TN
- POW: captured Feb. 12, 1864 near Holly Springs, Miss, confined at Andersonville and Florence, SC, paroled Feb. 26, 1865

MILBURN, William L.
- Pvt
- Age: 37
- Born: Greene Co., TN
- Died in Nashville hospital July 3, 1863 of diarrhea

MILLER, Joseph H.
- Pvt
- Age: 35
- Born: Hawkins, TN
- Died in Nashville hospital May 22, 1863 of diarrhea

MITCHELL, James W.
- Pvt
- Age: 18
- Born: Morgan Co., TN
- 1890: Living at Hebbertsburg, Cumberland Co., TN
- Died April 4, 1922 at Roane Co., TN

MOORE, Robert
- Cpl
- Age: 25
- Born: Jefferson Co., TN

NORTH, Charles T.
- Pvt
- Age: 23
- Born: Bradley Co., TN
- Died Nov 14, 1919 at Hagarville, Arkansas

NORTON, Abron B.
- Sgt
- Age: 45
- Born: Sevier Co., TN; occupation: schoolteacher
- 1890: Living at Sherman Hts, Hamilton Co., TN as "Benjamin A. Norton"
- Pension application card says "Alexander B. Norton"

RANKIN, James H.
- Cpl
- Age: 19
- Born: Blount Co., TN
- 1890: Living at Cardiff, Roane Co., TN
- Died Feb. 11, 1929 at Roane Co., TN

REEL, Charles
- Pvt
- Age: 27
- Born: Franklin Co., VA

REEL , John
- Pvt
- Age: 22
- Born: Patrick Co., VA
- Transf. from Co. I

ROBERTSON, William A.
- Sgt
- Age: 24
- Born: Bradley Co., TN
- Nov/Dec, 1864: Wounded

ROBERTSON, William G.
- Pvt
- Age: 24
- Born: Bradley Co., TN
- Died in Nashville hospital March 1, 1864 of smallpox

RUBLE, James A.
- Hosp. Steward
- Age: 18
- Born: Bradley Co., TN; occupation: schoolteacher
- Also served as chaplain

SAMPLES, William E.
- Pvt
- Age: 23
- Born: Bradley Co., TN; occupation: blacksmith

SAUNDERS, John R.
- Pvt
- Age: 25
- Born: Carter Co., TN
- 1890: Living at Blue Springs, Bradley Co., TN as "John R. Sanders"

SIMMONS, Isham C.
- Pvt
- Age: 18
- Born: Bradley Co., TN
- 1890: Living at Chatala, Bradley Co., TN
- Died Feb. 23 at Bradley Co., TN

SIMMONS, Wesley N.
- Pvt
- Age: 27
- Born: Bradley Co., TN
- Nov/Dec 1864: wounded

SIMMONS, William H.
- Pvt
- Age: 20
- Born: Bradley Co., TN
- Died Oct 23, 1863 at Murfreesboro of pneumonia

SMITH, Hezekiah
- Blacksmith
- Age: 27
- Born: Greene Co., TN; occupation: blacksmith

SMITH, James G.
- Pvt
- Age: 23
- Born: Hamilton Co., TN
- 1890: Living at Chatala, Bradley Co., TN

SMITH, Joshua L.
- Pvt
- Age: 34
- Born: ?
- POW: captured south of Atlanta July 31, 1863, imprisoned at Florence, SC and Andersonville
- Died March 12, 1865 at Andersonville, grave # 12,756

SMITH, William F.
- Pvt
- Age: 25
- Born: Bledsoe Co., TN
- POW: captured south of Atlanta July 31, 1864, imprisoned at Andersonville, paroled April 28, 1865
- 1890: Living at Tatesville, Grundy Co., TN
- Died May 7, 1915 at Grundy Co., TN

STOUT, James L.
- Sgt
- Age: 20
- Born: Rhea Co., TN

STOUT, John W.
- Pvt
- Age: 18
- Born: Rhea Co., TN
- Served as company cook

Read "Untangling the Swaffords of Company A"

SWAFFORD, Aaron P.
- Pvt
- Age: 30
- Born: Bradley Co., TN
- Brother of John W. and Peter; second-cousin to Ezekiel and Martin
- Died in Louisville hospital Dec. 10, 1862 of pneumonia

SWAFFORD, Ezekiel G.
- Pvt
- Age: 20
- Born: Bledsoe Co., TN
- Brother of Martin; second cousin to Aaron, John W. and Peter
- Served as nurse in Pulaski, KY hospital

SWAFFORD, Howard
- Pvt
- Age: 17
- Born: Bledsoe Co., TN
- Brother of William
- Died in Decatur, AL hospital Sept. 10, 1864 of diarrhea

SWAFFORD, John W.
- Sgt
- Age: 22
- Born: Bledsoe Co., TN
- Brother of Aaron and Peter; second-cousin to Ezekiel and Martin

SWAFFORD, Martin V.
- Pvt
- Age: 30
- Born: Bledsoe Co., TN
- Brother of Ezekiel; second cousin to Aaron, John W. and Peter
- Died Feb. 18, 1912

SWAFFORD, Peter B.
- Saddler
- Age: 18
- Born: Bledsoe Co., TN
- Brother of Aaron and John W. ; second-cousin to Ezekiel and Martin
- POW: wounded and left in the enemy line, captured near Okalona, Miss Feb. 22, 1864
- Died July 15, 1864 at Andersonville of diarrhea, grave #3332

SWAFFORD, William
- Pvt
- Age: 15
- Born: Bledsoe Co., TN
- Brother of Howard
- Died April 28, 1922 at National Military Home, TN

TAYLOR, Alva
- Pvt
- Age: 17
- Born: Scott Co., TN
- Died Feb. 4, 1926 at Johnston Co., Oklahoma

VALENTINE, William
- Pvt
- Age: 20
- Born: Bledsoe Co., TN
- 1890: Living at Costner, Cocke Co., TN

VARNELL, Isaac
- Pvt
- Age: 28
- Born: Bradley Co., TN
- 1890: Living at Cleveland, Bradley Co., TN

WALKER, Jefferson
- Pvt
- Age: 35
- Born: Bledsoe Co., TN; occupation: mechanic
- Died in Baton Rouge, LA May 27, 1865 of epilepsy

WALKER, John
- Pvt
- Age: 39
- Born: Bledsoe Co., TN; occupation: mechanic
- Died Camp Catlett (near Nashville) May 4, 1864 of flux

WARLEY, James T.
- Pvt
- Age: 29
- Born: Bledsoe Co., TN

WARLEY, William R.
- Pvt
- Age: 21
- Born: Bledsoe Co., TN
- 1890: Living at Whitwell, Marion Co., TN as "William R. WORLEY"

WELLS, Elias
- Pvt
- Age: 21
- Born: Greene Co., TN
- POW from Nov 7, 1861 to Aug 15, 1862
- Deserted Feb. 1865

WELLS, John
- Pvt
- Age: 19
- Born: Greene Co., TN
- Deserted Nov 26, 1864, returned Feb. 1865, not restored to duty

WELLS, Noah
- Sgt
- Age: 28
- Born: Sullivan Co., TN
- POW from Nov. 17, 1861 to Aug 15, 1862
- Killed in a skirmish Feb. 12, 1864 near Holly Springs, Miss

WILLIAMS, Richard
- Pvt
- Age: 31
- Born: Knox Co., TN
- Deserted June 18, 1864 at Nashville

ZEIGLER, Jacob
- 2nd Lt.
- Age: 29
- Born: McMinn Co., TN; occupation: millwright
- Mustered into Co C Aug 1862, promoted Sgt. July 1, 1863, transferred to Co A April 1864 at Nashville, vice Lt. Griffith resigned
- 1890: Living at Ziegler PO, McMinn Co., TN
- Died May 6, 1917 at Athens, TN

= Died/killed during the War.

= Pension awarded.

For further information about these pension applications, visit the Tennessee Union Pension Applications Database.

This information was extracted from microfilm numbers M395-30 through M395-38 at the National Archives, Washington, DC.

Data for the 1890 Veteran's Schedule Census was taken from the book "1890 Civil War Veteran's Census - Tennessee" by Byron and Barbara Sistler, c 1978

Officers & Staff
- Captain
- Lieutenant
- Sergeant
- Corporal
  - Bettis, James (Dec 13, 1862 - muster out)
  - Campbell, William W. (Dec. 13, 1862 - July 29, 1863)
  - Henry, Samuel (Dec. 13, 1862 - muster out)
  - Human, Basil H. (Dec. 13, 1862 - April 6, 1864)
  - Lawson, George W. (Dec. 13, 1862 - muster out)
  - Letsinger, John M. (Dec 13, 1862 - Dec 31, 1864)
  - Melton William T. (Dec 13, 1862 - muster out)
  - Moore, Robert (Dec.13, 1862 - muster out)
  - Huse, William (July 39, 1863 - muster out)
  - Julian, John M. (April 30, 1864 - muster out)
  - Rankin, James H. (Apr 1, 1865 - muster out)

Read the itinerary of Company A.

Some Interesting Facts

The most common surname in this company is Swafford. However, this does NOT mean that all these men were necessarily siblings, or even cousins, as Swafford was a very common name in Bledsoe County. In fact, there used to be a saying that was unique to Bledsoe County: "Look behind a tree, any tree, and you'll find a Swafford".

Demographics of Company A

Officers and Non-Commissioned - 28

Enlisted ranks - 89

Mortality Rate
- Officers - 14%
- Ranks - 31%
- Men named John - 21%
- Men named William - 32%
- Men named James - 0%
- Men from Bradley Co. - 38%
- Men from Bledsoe Co. - 29%
- Men from Greene Co. - 27%
- Men from McMinn Co. - 13%

Median Age at Enlistment
- Officers - 23
- Ranks - 22.5
- Men named John - 21
- Men named William - 21
- Men named James - 20
- Men from Bradley Co. - 22.5
- Men from Bledsoe Co. - 21.5
- Men from Greene Co. - 20
- Men from McMinn Co. - 23.5

Average Age at Enlistment
- Officers - 23.7
- Ranks - 24.2
- Men named John - 22.9
- Men named William - 22.7
- Men named James - 21.3
- Men from Bradley Co. - 22.5
- Men from Bledsoe Co. - 23.6
- Men from Greene Co. - 22.4
- Men from McMinn Co. - 25.0

Median Date of Enlistment
- Officers - Oct 25, 1862
- Ranks - Dec. 1, 1862
- Men named John - Dec. 12, 1862
- Men named William - Nov 28, 1862
- Men named James - Dec. 13, 1862
- Men from Bradley Co. - Nov 15, 1862
- Men from Bledsoe Co. - Dec. 11, 1862
- Men from Greene Co. - Dec. 12, 1862
- Men from McMinn Co. - Oct 25, 1862

Most common first names
- Officers - William (25%), John (18%), James (11%)
- Ranks - William (13%), John (20%), James (7%)
- Men from Bradley Co. - William (33%), John (13%), James (4%)
- Men from Bledsoe Co. - William (29%), John (14%), James (7%)
- Men from Greene Co. - John (36%)
- Men from McMinn Co. - John (38%)

Median height
- Officers - 5' 10"
- Ranks - 5' 9"
- Men named John - 5' 10"
- Men named William - 5' 10"
- Men named James - 5' 7"
- Men from Bradley Co. - 5' 9 1/2"
- Men from Bledsoe Co. - 5' 9"
- Men from Greene Co. - 5' 9"
- Men from McMinn Co. - 5' 9 1/2"

Most Common Place of birth
- Officers - Bradley Co. (21%), McMinn Co. (18%)
- Ranks - Bradley Co. (20%), Bledsoe Co. (15%), Greene Co. (10%), McMinn Co. (3%)
- Men named John - Greene Co (17%), Bradley Co. (13%), McMinn Co. (13%)
- Men named William - Bradley Co. (42%), Bledsoe Co. (21%)
- Men named James - none