Mr.Walters,

I have a Pvt.Francis M.Alexander in Co.A of the 3rd Tennessee(US)Infantry, captured by Col.John S.Scott's Confederate Cavalry on 23 AUG 1862, somewhere just below the foot of Big Hill over 100 others. As you probably know, when the fighting started almost all but Capt.Jesse Berry's company of the 7th Kentucky Cavalry fled, deserting Col. Metcalfe. However, the 3rd Tenn stood and fought. After Berry/Metcalfe's ill-conceived assault on Scott, some 200 of the 3rd Tennessee laid an ambush on both sides of the Richmond-Old State Road just below the Jones Tavern. When the ambush was sprung the Tennesseeans emptied at least 16 Confederate saddles, four KIA and twelve WIA, prior to falling back. If I'm not mistaken, Pvt.Alexander was with this group. Farther north on the road, before you get to where the Newland House stood(Present-day intersection of KY 21 and US 421, the main road leading to Berea, another group of the 3rd Tenn, which included most of the men that had ambushed Scott, overturned a few of the wagons of the train they had been escorting to Cumberland Gap, blocking the road, and continued to fight Scott's troops. But when the better part of Scott's brigade joined the fight, the Southerners overwhelmed the 3rd Tenn and the few men of Metcalfe's regiment that remained. A good number of the Federals escaped, but more than 100, including Pvt.Alexander, were overtaken and captured. I have some more information at home and will send it to you as soon as I can. I'd also really enjoy reading your work on the 3rd Tenn. You should hear from me within a few days.

Mike Gabbard