www.aneuroa.org/html/c19html/ 001-emerge.htm J.R. Whitenton 1847-1934 The Beginning
J.R. Whitenton was born in Madison co. Tennessee. Madison Co. is located north of Jackson, TN. Enlistment
Mr. Whitenton enlisted in August of 1862 when he was 15.
He was assigned to Company “C” 15th H Tennessee regiment, until December of 1864 when he was reassigned to the 13th H Tennessee regiment, Cavalry. The Regiment
The 15th regiment, Tennessee Cavalry, Also called Stewarts Cavalry, was organized in August of 1863. It’s companies were from Dyer, Haywood, Gibson, and Fayette counties. It was stationed at Pikeville, MI. then was assigned to Colonel R.V. Richardson’s Brigade. Battles
Mr. Whitenton was involved in several battles including: Tupelo, Mississippi, and Columbia, Tennessee. During battle he would carry wounded out off the field. Battle of Tupelo, Mississippi
This battle was lead by Lt. Gen. Stephen D. Lee and Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest [CS], and Maj. Gen. A.J. Smith [US]. Smith was ordered not to attack without additional men, so he waited until Gen, Lee arrived with 2000 reinforcements. www.gettysburgfoundation.org/ history.html On the night of the 13th, Lee ordered an attack on the next morning. The next morning he launched several attacks all of which the Yanks beat. The fighting stopped after only a few hours. As a result the Union won and the confederates lost 1300 men. Battle of Columbia, Tennessee
This battle was lead by Maj. Gen. John M. Schofield [US], and Gen. John Bell Hood [CS]. The Federals built two lines of earthworks south of the town while fighting with enemy cavalry on November 24 and 25. Hood moved his infantry on the following day but did not assault. Hood marched his troops to Davis Ford, about 5 miles eastward. Schofield figured this but storms prevented him from crossing the ford, leaving Columbia to the Confederates, which resulted in a Confederate win.
www.militaryartshop.com/ prints.htm After the War
At the end of the war Mr. Whitenton moved back to Tennessee. He lived there until November of 1882, then moved to Erath County, Texas. He lived there until he died at the Confederate home in Austin, Texas. He died in 1934. Resources
Texas Confederate Pension record #25573
Regiment information http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Hills/4427/1 5cav.htm
Battle Information http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/battles/msols.htm http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/battles/tn034.htm