Creek and Mexican Wars

In the Creek War of 1812-14 a few persons, from what is now within the limits of Marshall County, attached themselves to Gen. Jackson's forces at Fayetteville. These men followed the fortunes of their indomitable leader in that campaign. Among those who were with Jackson were James Orr, of the vicinity of Verona, and Mr. Lawrence near Mooresville. John Hatchett, James Shaw, Capt. Andrew Patterson and Samuel Hillis, of Lewisburg and vicinity, were veterans of the battle of New Orleans, and lived in the county after its organization. John Hay, Christian Harbor, and Richard Warner, father of Hon. Richard Warner, of Lewisburg, were also at the battle of New Orleans, the latter of whom was wounded there in a skirmish in December, 1814. These men were honored with a special mark of distinction on all stated occasions during their lives.

In the Seminole war two regiments of troops rendezvoused at Fayetteville in June, 1836; these were the first and second regiments. Over these Gen. Armstrong was elected brigadier general. They left for the seat of war July 4. No regularly organized company went from Marshall, but a number joined a company while organizing at Crooked Springs near Fayetteville, in Lincoln County.

Mexican War

On the outbreak of the war with Mexico two companies from Marshall were enlisted, one of infantry and one of cavalry. The infantry company was attached to the First Regiment, and was commanded by Captain Harris Maulden.

Muster Roll

The company marched from Lewisburg to Nashville by way of Stegall's Mills, Mr. McEwen's and Beech's farms. The company left Lewisburg May 31, and reached Nashville June 3, boarded the "Commune" on the 6th of June, and was transferred to the "Tennessee" at Smithland on the 8th, and arrived at New Orleans on the 13th.

On the 17th the regiment embarked on the "E. N. Chapman," and on the 20th anchored off the Brazos. The regiment was carried up the Rio Grande by vessel and landed at Camargo, thence marched to Monterey, where it took part in that severe engagement, which resulted in the capture of that town. The regiment suffered not only in the battle but terribly from fevers and other diseases.

On December 19 the two Tennessee infantry regiments were formed into a brigade under Col. W. B. Campbell. After considerable marching and some desultory fighting, the regiment was put on board the "Jubilee" February 26, and moved to Vera Cruz, where it arrived March 11, and landed March 12. The regiments continued in the siege of Vera Cruz till its capitulation on the 27th.

The men were severely engaged at the battle and capture of Cerro Gordo on April 18. The twelve months' men went as far as Jalapa, when they were ordered to Vera Cruz to be discharged. The men arrived at Vera Cruz on May 10, and on the 11th they took ship for New Orleans, where they arrived on the 21st.

They were mustered out and paid off May 26. The company arrived at Nashville June 2, and returned home June 5. Of the seventy-three men enlisted in the company forty-three were killed, discharged or died of disease.

The cavalry company was commanded by Capt. Milton A. Haynes. The other commissioned and non-commissioned officers were W. B. Richardson, William Chambliss William Brownlow, Jr., Robert G. McClure, Joseph A. Clayton, J. R. Haynes, R. M Patterson, Joseph Gresham, John G. Taylor and A. J. Nance.

The company was organized at Cornersville, and mustered into the service at Nashville June 8, 1846. The place of rendezvous for the cavalry was near Memphis. These troops proceeded to Mexico by way of Little Rock and Washington, Arkansas, and through Titus County, Texas. The company consisted of ten officers, eighty privates, two buglers and one blacksmith.

Marshall County | AHGP Tennessee

Source: History of Tennessee, Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1886