The 7th Tennessee Cavalry Regiment

The 7th Tennessee Cavalry Regiment was a cavalry regiment that served the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the 2nd West Tennessee Cavalry. It was assembled on August 28, 1862 for a three year stint under the command of Colonel Isaac Roberts Hawkins.

Above, picture of Colonel Isaac Roberts Hawkins.

The regiment was involved in the Battle of Salem Cemetery, otherwise known as the Battle of Jackson.

The battle engaged over 1,000 soldiers in a two hour battle. The Union soldiers did manage to repel a Confederate attack, however, the Confederate attack was a diversion. While some Confederate soldiers were fighting in the battle, Nathan Bedford Forrest and the rest of his men destroyed a section of the railroad during the battle.

Above, railroad in Jackson, Tennessee prior to the 1862 battle.

The 7th Regiment was also involved in the skirmish at Jack’s Creek, all all day battle.

Another small confrontation that the 7th Regiment was involved in was the skirmish at Montezuma, Tennessee on September 16, 1863. This was part of a larger Federal expedition to Toone’s Station.

In February of 1864, the regiment was involved in a skirmish at Dukedom, Tennessee. One reason Dukedom was important was because Dukedom was located close to a stagecoach route. This skirmish shows the ongoing presence of Union and Confederate troops during the Civil War in West Tennessee.

On March 24, 1864, the 7th Regiment was attacked in Union City by a Confederate Calvary under General Nathan Bedford Forrest. At the end of the battle, 481 Union Soldiers were captured along with 300 horses, arms, and supplies.

Above, General Nathan Bedford Forrest

The 7th Regiment lost 337 men during their service. During the battle in Union City, Colonel Isaac Roberts Hawkins was also captured. He was later exchanged in August of 1864 and he then resumed his duties in the Union Army until the end of the Civil War. The 7th Regiment was disassembled on August 9, 1865.

Above, images of Tennesseans in the Civil War.

Above, image of Civil War battle in Tennessee.

Above, Civil War items found in Tennessee.

Mr. Jerry McDaniel gave this presentation to the Huntingdon TN Historical Society in January of 2024.

Other resources for this material included online sources:

Wikipedia, National Park Service, Find A Grave, nps.gov, HMdb.org, and the Tennessee Civil War Preservation Association.

The Huntingdon TN Historical Society meets every 3rd Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. in the conference room of City Hall, Huntingdon, TN. Please come join us.