Diary of Private W. J. Davidson, January 23, 1863

An anecdote is told of James B. Wilson, of the Forty-first, during the late fight at Vicksburg, which should have appeared in its proper connection.

The Yankees used to deride our Tennessee boys while in prison, at Camp Morton, with the epithet of "Butternuts," on account of their clothing. At the fight at Chickasaw Bayou, one Tennessee regiment (the Third, I think) repulsed six or eight Federal regiments, capturing five stands of colors and five hundred prisoners, besides killing a great number. During the action the enemy's sharp-shooters killed one of our field officers, of which fact they seemed to be aware. As they were being brought in, Jim Wilson remarked, "You ran against the Butternuts, did you?" "Yes," replied a saucy fellow, "yes; and we picked out the kernels (colonels) too."

SOURCE: Edwin L. Drake, Editor, The Annals of the Army of Tennessee and Early Western History, Vol. 1, p. 22

Diary of Private W. J. Davidson, January 2, 1863

Yesterday passed off in comparative quiet; a few shot and shell thrown from our batteries into the lines of the enemy, and a few rounds from their sharp-shooters in return, was all that disturbed the Sabbath-like stillness of the first day of the year. The enemy were engaged in burying their dead, under flag of truce, and I understand that they have a big job of it. In Sunday's and Monday's fighting we killed, wounded and captured near fifteen hundred,* and sustained a very slight loss. The Third and Thirtieth Tennessee and the First Louisiana regiments were the troops who bore the brunt of the fight, and right nobly did they do their duty against the fearful odds.

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* U. S. Official Report, 1929.

SOURCE: Edwin L. Drake, Editor, The Annals of the Army of Tennessee and Early Western History, Vol. 1, p. 17

Buckner's Division Position Marker, February 15, 1862: Fort Donelson National Battlefield

C. S. A.

BRIGADIER GENERAL SIMON B. BUCKNER’S DIVISION

On February 15, 1862, about 1 P. M., this division, in compliance with General Floyd’s orders, withdrew to its original position within the trenches covered by the 2d Kentucky and 41st Tennessee.  Only a Small Portion of the Division had reached its position when Smith’s Division attacked the right flank of the Confederate line fell upon Colonel Hanson’s regiment before it had reached the rifle pits and threw it back in confusion upon the 18th Tennessee.  Hastily forming a line behind the crest of this ridge, Colonel Hanson’s regiment repulsed the ensuing attack against this position.  Reinforced by the 14th Mississippi, the 3d and 18th Tennessee regiments as they arrived, and supported by Porter’s and a section of Grave’s artillery, the 2nd Kentucky was able to maintain its position against repeated assaults.  Towards the close of the action which lasted over two hours, General Buckner’s division was reinforced by the 42d Tennessee.  Colonel Quarles, the 50th Tennessee, Colonel Sugg, and the 49th Tennessee, Colonel Bailey.  Unsuccessful in an attempt to recover the lost trenches, General Buckner’s division had to be content to maintain its position along this ridge.