Tennessee National Guard Adjutant General’S Office Military Records

State of Tennessee Department of State Tennessee State Library and Archives 403 Seventh Avenue North Nashville, Tennessee 37243-0312 TENNESSEE NATIONAL GUARD ADJUTANT GENERAL’S OFFICE MILITARY RECORDS RECORD GROUP 216 Processed by: Ted Guillaum Archival Technical Services Section MICROFILMED CONFIDENTIALITY RESTRICTIONS for Record Group 216 TENNESSEE NATIONAL GUARD ADJUTANT GENERAL’S OFFICE MILITARY RECORDS SERIES I None of the records in this series are confidential. SERIES II The five sub-series listed below include confidential records. This series is available only on microfilm. The boxes have been withdrawn from the microfilm cabinet and a dummy box inserted for each of the five sub-series. The dummy box includes the title of the sub-series, the words “Confidential Until 2010” (or whatever appropriate year) and the words “See archivist for information.” Clients requesting assistance from the archivist should be asked whether they are inquiring about their own personal records. If so, the record should be printed for their inspection. Veterans have access to their own records no matter what the date. If the client wishes to keep the pages, they can be charged to him at $1.00 per page (or the current rate for staff-made microfilm copies). This can also be done via a written request. In such cases, the archivist should prepare a price quote and request payment before sending a record. Schedule for Removal of Restrictions on Sub-series: Officers and Enlisted Men, Tennessee National Guard, 1903-1941 (Rolls 24-36)—Open in 2011 Enlisted Men’s Service Records, 1903-1949 (Roll 54)—Open in 2019 Officer Service Records, 1903-1940 (Rolls 56-78)—Open in 2010 Enlisted Service Men’s Records, 1920-1940 (Rolls 106-132)—Open in 2010 Physical Exams, 1940-1941 (Rolls 133-135)—Open in 2011 NOTE: Records in these restricted series that are 70 years old or older may be copied for clients by the archivist. SERIES III This series, not divided into sub-series, includes confidential records. Both the original records and the microfilm are available at TSLA. The microfilm has been withdrawn from public use and a dummy inserted (as above). The series is filmed on rolls 136-206. Clients should be provided access to the records according to the directions above, with these changes: The veteran should be allowed to look at the original file. For persons other than the veteran, the archivist should look through the file and temporarily remove any documents created less than 70 years ago. The client may request copies of pages at .25 cents each (or the current rate). The restrictions will be removed in 2011 and the microfilm can be opened for public inspection. SERIES IV None of the records in this series are confidential. SERIES V This entire series is confidential, and cannot be completely opened until 2039. Access to the original files should be provided for the veteran, following the procedures outlined for Series III. SERIES VII This series is confidential and cannot be completely opened until 2017. Access to the original files should be provided for the veteran, following the procedures outlined for Series III. Series VIII None of the records in this series are confidential. Location of Records The microfilm and the original records are stored together. The microfilm has been placed in records storage boxes and labeled. At this time the records are on the 8th Floor Stack. Historical Sketch of the Tennessee National Guard The official military history of the State of Tennessee dates back to June 1, 1796, when President George Washington signed the Act of Congress admitting Tennessee as the sixteenth State of the Union. But the actual military history of “The Volunteer State” dates back to territorial days and the Revolutionary War. The first recorded “call for volunteers” in Tennessee history is found in the records of Colonel John Sevier, Washington County, Tennessee Territory, on March 19, 1780. He wanted “100 good men.” Two hundred answered. In 1803, by Act of the Tennessee Legislature, the Militia of Tennessee was reorganized, and the Militia of Washington County became known as the “First Tennessee Regiment.” In 1812, the “First Tennessee,” under command of Colonel William Hall, was sworn into Federal service on December 10, on orders of General Andrew Jackson, and took part in the expedition to Natchez. In 1813, the First Tennessee Infantry was called into service by Brigade Order issued by General Issac Roberts, and mobilized at Fayetteville, Tennessee, and mustered into Federal service on September 26, participating in the following battles: Talladego, Enotochopoo, Tohopeka and the Battle of New Orleans. The regiment was mustered out of Federal service May 13, 1815. In 1818, the First Tennessee Infantry reported at Fayetteville, Tennessee under command of Colonel R. H. Dyer, and participated in numerous engagements during the Seminole War. In 1836, the First Tennessee participated in the Second Seminole War and the Cherokee War, under command of Colonel A. M. Bradford. In June, the same year, the regiment assembled at Fayetteville, and on October 13, a battle was fought on the Withlacoochee, and another battle, on November 13, near the same place. There were also battles in the Wahoo Swamp on November 18 and 21. It was not until the declaration of the War with Mexico in 1846 that the term “Volunteer State” became the by-word for Tennessee. A Tennessean, James K. Polk, was President. Congress issued an immediate call for 50,000 volunteers. The Tennessee quota was 2,600 but 30,000 responded. All could not be accepted. Local balloting was resorted to in order to determine which of the original volunteers would be accepted. The “campaigning” for this privilege was sharply and seriously conducted among individuals as a race for high political office. In 1814 when General Andrew Jackson was ready to march to New Orleans to fight the British under Lord Packenham, opportunities to enlist were so eagerly sought that the men paid bonuses for the privilege of volunteer service. By an act of the 45th General Assembly in 1887, the Tennessee State Guards were reorganized, and the First Regiment became known as the First Regiment of Infantry, Tennessee National Guard. This act followed more than a century of deeds that set the standards the Tennessee National Guard looks to with pride. This organization was called into service during the Coal Creek mining strike trouble in 1892, serving six months. In 1898, the First Tennessee Infantry was called into service, leaving Nashville on June 16, under command of Colonel W. C. Smith, for service in the Philippine Islands, arriving there in time to take part in the battle of February 4, 1899. The regiment participated in the following battles: Santa Mesa, Paco, Block House No. 14, Ilvile, Molo Jaro, Mandurraio, Oton, Nagloean and El Parde. In 1907, the regiment was called into service during the “Night Rider” trouble at Reelfoot Lake, serving under Colonel Tatum for the emergency period of the civil disturbance. In 1916, the First Tennessee Infantry was called into service during the Mexican Border trouble. The regiment mobilized June 26 and was mustered into Federal service in July, training for Mexican Border duty at Eagle Pass, Texas. The regiment returned and was preparing for muster out of Federal service when the World War I call was received. Colonel Harry S. Berry commanded the regiment on the border and during World War I. On September 8, 1917, the First Tennessee Infantry was converted into a regiment of Field Artillery, equipped with 115 mm. Howitzers and officially designated by the War Department as the 115th Field Artillery. They served throughout the war and participated in engagements at St. Mihiel, Meuse- Argonne, Troyon Sector. It returned to the United States on March 27, 1919, and was mustered out of Federal service at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, on April 15, 1919. The Third Tennessee Volunteers were mustered into Federal Service October 8, 1847, and placed under command of Colonel B. F. Cheatham, serving throughout the Mexican War. The Third Union Regiment of Tennessee Infantry was organized at Flat Lick Kentucky, by Colonel Leonidas C. Houck and Lieutenant John C. Childs, in March 1862. This regiment took an active part in the Atlanta campaign of the Civil War, and in the battles before the city of Nashville. This regiment was mustered out February 23, 1865. The Third Tennessee Infantry, Militia, was to continue in existence during the Spanish-American War, and was trained by Colonel J. P. Fyffe. In 1916, this regiment, having continued in service as Tennessee Militia, went to serve at the Mexican Border and returned in 1917 when it went into Federal service under its original designation, the Third Tennessee Infantry. Its designation was officially changed to the 117th Infantry by General Order No. 4, Headquarters, 39th Division, Camp Sevier, Greeneville, South Carolina, September 12, 1917, and the regiment served as a part of the 30th Division in France, participating in Flanders, the Ypres, Lys, the Somme Offensive, the Canal Sector, and assisting in breaking the Hindenburg Line. When the Third Tennessee was called into Federal service for World War I, this left Tennessee without any National Guard troops, consequently the Fourth Tennessee was organized, and this regiment was the only National Guard regiment of Infantry in Tennessee. At the close of World War I, the Third and Fourth Tennessee Infantry became known as the 117th Infantry. When the Tennessee National Guard was mustered into World War I service in 1917, volunteers dominated the scene. The following major organizations available at the time were accepted for Federal service: one regiment of artillery, three regiments of infantry and four troops of cavalry.

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