5th Cavalry Regiment was organized in December, 1862, using the 13th Tennessee Cavalry Battalion as its nucleus. The men were from the counties of Polk, Hamilton, Meigs, McMinn, Bradley, Cocke, Hawkins, and Blount. It served in Scott's, Humes', H.B. Davidson's, and H.M. Ashby's Brigade. After skirmishing in Kentucky the unit fought at Chickamauga, McMinnville, Shelbyville, and Philadelphia. Later it was involved in various conflicts in Kentucky, Alabama, and Georgia, then took part in the campaign of the Carolinas. The regiment surrendered with the Army of Tennessee. Its commanders were Colonels George W. McKenzie and John B. McLin, Lieutenant Colonel John G.M. Montgomery, and Major John L. Backwell. (NPS Soldiers & Sailors System)
The 1st (Rogers') East Tennessee Cavalry Regiment, Company 'D', became 'E', 5th (McKenzie's) Regiment was formed with men from Polk County. This was the only company in McKenzie's from Polk County (Tennesseans in the Civil War)
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Fifth Tennessee Cavalry
Report of Col. George W. McKenzie, Fifth
Tennessee Cavalry.
HDQRS.,
Elk Fork, May 1, 1863.
COL.: Your dispatch of yesterday is to hand, and contents
noticed. I sent three companies this morning to the foot of Pine
Mountain, with orders to send forward a scout on the Williamsburg
road, even to that place, if possible. From the best information I can
get, I am satisfied there is a Federal force on the opposite side of the
river. As to its strength, I am not fully prepared to say. Inclosed you
will find Capt.
[A. L.] Mims' official report, which I think pretty reliable. I am fully
satisfied there is a pretty considerable force. As to what the real
intention is, I am not able as yet to say. I have sent four companies to
Scott County this morning, for the purpose of foraging and watching the
movements of the enemy in that direction. I will keep you posted as well
as I can as to the movements of the enemy. I will remove the remainder
of my command to the foot of the Pine mountain this evening.
Your obedient servant,
G. W. McKENZIE,
Col., Cmdg. Cavalry, &c.
Col. J. B. PALMER,
Cmdg. Forces, &c.
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Report of Capt. A. L. Mims, Fifth Tennessee Cavalry.
ELK FORK, May 1, 1863.
COL.: On the 26th, 27th, 28th, and 29th ultimo, I proceeded from
Clear Fork, via Loudon, Ky., with the six companies designated by you,
and made the scout as directed. We saw no enemy, except 6 or 8, on
the opposite side of the river, near Loudon, on the 27th. I heard many
rumors as to the enemy, their whereabouts and intentions, but many of
them are worthless, on account of the channels through which they
came. From the various reports, their sources, and the manner in which
they agree and disagree, I am inclined to think that East Tennessee or
Tullahoma is threatened with Gen. Burnside, who, I may safely say,
is near Crab Orchard, Ky., with his army of about 15,000 or 20,000
men, the extreme advance of which is (perhaps this force) known to be
at Williamsburg and London, Ky. From various sources, some of which
are entitled to credit, I learned that one brigade of infantry moved from
Wild Cat into London, on the 26th ultimo, and from the same sources,
nearly, I was informed that the enemy's advance, composed of two
regiments (one mounted), came in, the 26th ultimo, again as far as
Williamsburg, stopping on the opposite side of the river from town.
This I found to be true by examination on the 28th ultimo. at which time
they were still there. Their movements, I think, indicate something, and
should be watched with the utmost vigilance.
Very respectfully,
A. L. MIMS,
Capt., Cmdg. Detachment of the Fifth Tennessee Cavalry.
Col. G. W. McKENZIE.
Source: Official Records
CHAP. XXXV.] SKIRMISH ON CARTER CREEK PIKE, TENN. PAGE 320-34
[Series I. Vol. 23. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 34.]
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Report of Col. George W. McKenzie, Fifth
Tennessee Cavalry (Confederate).
GEN.: I herewith submit the report of Col. McKenzie, of my
brigade. He has but just arrived at this place. His safety reduces my loss
to less than 200 men.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. S. SCOOT,
Col., Cmdg. Cavalry Brigade.
KNOXVILLE, TENN., August 8, 1863.
COL.: On July 29, at Winchester Ky., in obedience to your orders
to make a demonstration on Paris, Ky., I arrived there about 4 p. m.
charged the enemy's pickets, driving them to the main body. Cannot
state positively their strength, but learned from reliable citizens that they
were at least 3,000 strong. Subsequently we were informed heavy
re-enforcements had arrived, the entire of whom, after my departure,
fell into to pursuit of yourself.
About this time I received orders from you to form a junction between
Irvine and Winchester, but found it utterly impracticable, as I found it
from my own observation, likewise by couriers from you, impossible to
join the brigade. I thence proceeded to secure the safety of my
command, which consisted of my own regiment, and 100 others
belonging to the brigade, retreating via the route herein explained:
Passed between Mount Sterling and Booneville, through Jackson,
Hazard, Mount Pleasant, and Fulkerson's Gap, into Powell's Valley,
where I left my command progressing leisurely in their courses to
Concord, Tenn. From the time I left Paris, Ky., I met with no
impediment or enemy, with the exception of a Federal scouting party of
about 50 men, which were routed without difficulty.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. W. McKENZIE,
Cmdg. Cavalry Brigade.
Col. JOHN S. SCOTT,
Commanding Cavalry Brigade.
[Indorsement.]
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF EAST TENNESSEE,
Knoxville, Tenn., August 10, 1863.
Respectfully forwarded as supplement to report of Col. Scott, of his
expedition to Kentucky. His loss, according to his report is thus reduced
below 200, while all accounts show that he inflicted heavy losses on the
enemy, both in men and material.
S. B. BUCKNER,
Maj.-Gen., Cmdg.
Source: Official Records
PAGE 843-34 KY., MID. AND E. TENN., N. ALA., AND SW. VA. [CHAP. XXXV.
[Series I. Vol. 23. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 34.]